Faithful, Fit & Fabulous Challenge

How are those resolutions going? That's what I thought. The problem with resolutions is that they are usually impossibly huge and intimidating and many times aren't things we want to do, but things we "should" do; stop smoking, lose weight, exercise more. If you really wanted to do those things, you would already be doing them. In order to move forward, your goals need to come from within and you need to be motivated. Without a clear reason, you won't stay on track for long. I had a long blog post written, but then I found out about the Faithful, Fit, and Fabulous Challenge. Check it out.

Faithful, Fit & Fabulous
Filled with humor and “I can relate” life experiences, Faithful, Fit, and Fabulous is the ideal 8-week life boost that will refresh any woman's life. Create a personal and effective life plan, and learn how to readily apply it in your busy daily life. Establish holy habits, feel fit and fabulous, and get organized. Just one goal a week for eight weeks—it's simple and fun.

Why Does It Have to Be So Hard to Be Healthy?

We all know that the "food" industry has lobbyists and ties to the government that make it harder and harder for us to have reasonably-priced access to real food. But it's not just the government and food manufacturers (I use that word intentionally) that are part of the problem.

We rarely eat fast food, because it's expensive, and it's not even remotely healthy. But on a recent trip, my choices were limited, so we stopped at Wendy's. It's the cheapest place that the boys and I can eat - at least on the list of places I'll eat. And they do have baked potatoes.

I worked at Wendy's when I was in high school. That was almost 20 years ago. (Ouch.) Back then, a small drink was 12 oz, a medium was 20 oz, and a large was 32 oz. Now a small is 20 oz, a medium is 32 oz, and a large is 42 oz. Yowza. We won't even talk about the increase in the serving sizes of the french fries. Wendy's is not the only fast food chain to "supersize" all their portions. What could possibly be motivating them? My first guess would be money, of course. Except that at McDonald's all three sizes of soft drinks are $1.00. So I have no clue, unless somehow, the fast food industry has a stake in keeping us all unhealthy and sick. I just don't get it.

Then we have the grocery stores. At least I get where they're coming from - they only stock what sells. But maybe if they'd consider stocking a few new items every few months, they'd find that most of it will sell. I do realize that not all grocery stores are in locations where shoppers have the extra income to buy better food. But even the ones that are, don't take full advantage.

I rarely shop at Publix because while they do have some "health food"* items, they're mixed in with the regular products. Which seems to make sense, except that I don't want to search through 15 different brands to find one that's made without preservatives or gluten-free. I love that Kroger has a special section for "health food". It makes it much easier to find everything. I have to admit, I've become totally spoiled by Kroger. There is not a Whole Foods or Trader Joes near me, so I have to just deal with whatever the local stores have. I know the internet is out there, but the stores pretty much have what I need.

But when I went to Arkansas this summer, I was frustrated to find that the Kroger that is right across the street from my parents' neighborhood only has a tiny "health food" section. As in, about one-quarter of one aisle. That's it. That's the whole section. Lest you think that none of their customers wanted that kind of products, let me tell you that every time I went there, the aisle was crowded. Obviously, there is a market for the healthier food. What was even worse was the location of this aisle. It was in the middle of the cookie/snack food section. I kid you not.

The end-cap

This is the view from the "health food" section.

I know it's hard and I know it can be expensive, but we have to let the entire food industry know that we want access to real food, healthy food. I know that not everyone can (or wants to) cook from scratch, but if you can start replacing just one meal a week with real food, cooking from scratch is actually much cheaper than buying pre-packaged food. (Of the health or junk food variety.)

*I use this term loosely. The food is still boxed and packaged. It's healthier than most of the products in the store, but fruits and vegetables are the true health food. Most grocery stores have plenty of those.

One-Year Blogoversary and Giveaway *Closed*

When I started this blog almost a year ago, I didn't plan on posting every day. It was just meant to be a place to share information that I found in my search for information for my Defeating Cancer Through Education Facebook page, but that wasn't really cancer-related. I didn't however plan to only have twelve posts in a year. Posting 2-4 times a month would be closer to my goal. I got wrapped up in other things and neglected this blog a bit. I have two posts right now that I've been working on and need to sit down and write. I'm grateful for those who have taken the time to read this blog and will have more great information to share (more frequently) in the future.

I started this blog one year ago on June 9. As a thank you to my followers and readers, I am giving away a Denise Austin fitness DVD. Denise Austin is one of my favorite "celebrity" fitness instructors. She's encouraging enough to keep you going, but not so perky that it's annoying. To win the Ultimate Fat Burner: A Complete Weight Loss Workout, you can enter several ways.



Rules:
1. You MUST leave your email address in your comment so I can contact you if you win.
2.  Enter by 11:59 PM EDT, June 9
3. Leave a comment below telling me your favorite fitness DVD. (If you're just starting out and don't have a favorite, tell me that, too! Celebrate your efforts!)
4. U.S. only. Sorry.

Extra Entries (post a separate comment for each):
1. Blog about the giveaway, post link.
2. Post on Twitter, post link.
3. Add me on Twitter, @honoryourhealth, leave username in comment.
4. Follow me, let me know which way you are following. (Google, NetworkedBlog, E-mail, other)
5. Like Honor Your Health on Facebook
6. Like Defeating Cancer Through Education on Facebook

Remember post a separate comment for each of the above ways to enter! They will only count if they are separate. (And don't forget to include your email address!) I actually have two brand new copies of this DVD. If there are more than 50 entries, I will give away both copies, so sharing with your friends actually increases your chances of winning!

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated in any way with Denise Austin or Artisan Home Entertainment. The DVDs in this giveaway were not provided by any company as either an incentive or a gift. I just happen to have two unopened copies of the DVD and decided to give them away. I am an Amazon affiliate, so if you choose to purchase the DVD using the link provided, I will earn a small commission.

World Autism Awareness Day

Today is World Autism Awareness Day. With so many sites out there that explain Autism Spectrum Disorders, I don't think there is any point in re-writing what is already done so well elsewhere. I will provide links later so you can explore on your own.

It wasn't long ago that the only person most of us knew with autism was Dustin Hoffman's character in Rainman. Now, almost everyone has a friend or family member with a child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The current statistics say that approximately 1 in 110 children in the U.S. are affected by some type of ASD. This can range from Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) to severe autism. This number is up 13% from the mid-90's. We're not sure what has caused the increase. From my reading, it seems to be a combination of things.

• Professionals such as teachers and pediatricians have become more familiar with the signs of the milder forms of ASD, such as PDD and Asperger's Syndrome, so are more likely to refer parents to neurological specialist for evaluation.
• Asperger's Syndrome was not added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association until 1994, and was not included in autism statistics. See the first point.
• ASD is genetic, though some argue that it can't be completely genetic because genetics can't change so rapidly in just 20 years. I agree that genetics haven't changed. What has changed is our toxic environment. Our food is loaded with chemicals, our homes are full of toxic chemicals used for cleaning or killing pests, our air and water is becoming more and more contaminated. Our bodies can only tolerate so much. When there is already something making the it hard for the body to work the way it should, bombarding it with toxins is more than many can handle.
• What about vaccines? I may lose some readers here, but I just don't believe that vaccines are directly responsible for autism. HOWEVER, I do think they make things worse for those who were born with ASD. See point 3.

I never dreamed I would have a child with ASD. My cousin's son has Asperger's, but they live in another state, so I'm not around him much. So it was just on the edge of my radar. I knew it was out there, but it didn't directly affect me. I knew nothing about it. One day, after my son said something during a visit, my cousin asked me if he has Asperger's. Um, not that I know of. I went home and started researching and imagine my surprise when I realized he is almost a textbook case of Asperger's. Inability to understand social cues, repetitive behaviors, intense interest in one or two subjects, poor motor skills, "little professor syndrome", literal use of language. How did I miss this all this time?

All these years of family members thinking I should be stricter, strangers in the grocery store giving us dirty looks as he spins through the aisle, people implying (and some saying outright) that the reason he acts the way he does is because he's homeschooled.  If I had only known. But I didn't, and I'm not the only one. Since I've started my blog about Asperger's and started talking to other parents, I've gotten several emails and facebook messages and talked to a couple of parents in person who have realized after hearing me talk about Asperger's or reading the information I've posted, that their child has Asperger's. And these are all older children,  not preschoolers. One is a 15-year-old girl who has gone through the school system without anyone ever saying anything. Either she's a really good actress or none of her teachers have been trained in what to look for. None of these kids have been getting the help they needed because we didn't realize they needed it.

Until we clean up our environment and food supply, the numbers are only going to get higher. So what can you do?

• Eliminate as many toxins and chemicals as you can from your home. This includes cleaning supplies, bug killers, and especially your food. You don't have to do it all at once, or throw away everything you own. Start small, by changing a few things at a time and changing brands when it's time to replace what you have. I recommend this for everyone, whether ASD is an issue or not. These toxins also cause cancer and other health problems.
• ASD is nothing to be ashamed of. Don't be afraid to talk about it. I'm not suggesting you rent a hall and give a community speech; just don't feel that you have to hide it. For one thing, knowing your child has ASD helps others to understand your child and you. It may also help them understand someone else in their life.
• If you're not familiar with ASD, take a few minutes and read some of the pages (or sites) below.

Resources:
Talk About Curing Autism
CDC ASD Page
Wikipedia Asperger's page
Wikipedia Autism page
National Instititute of Health Autism page
Autism Speaks

Simple Food for Busy Families

Several people have asked me for easy, healthy recipes. I'm kind of a wing-it person, so I'm always on the look-out for good websites or books to help with quick, easy cooking. I found one that's definitely a keeper. Simple Food for Busy Families: The Whole Life Nutrition Approach is a fabulous resource with step-by-step instructions on how to turn your family's bad eating habits around. The first half of the book addresses everything from getting enough sleep to why it makes sense to eat seasonal food. Each section gives practical tips on how to implement changes slowly in your family's routine so that eventually you're eating better and feeling better.

The second half of the book is why you'll want to keep a copy in your kitchen. The authors describe basic kitchen tools, basic cooking techniques, give core pantry ingredients and great information about spices and herbs. With buying, storage and cooking instructions for veggies, beans, and grains this book is a one-stop resource for cooking whole foods. My favorite part is the Mix and Match section of recipes, so in a small space, they give you several options for everything from pasta sauces to smoothies.

You also get important tips such as which oils to use (stay away from solvent-extracted oils; use cold-pressed oils instead) and the best oils for specific purposes. And fun tips like the size of your stomach is about the size of both of your fists put together.

The GMO Campaign

Genetically modified organisms (GMO) were supposed to be the great savior of the world. GMO technology was touted as being the key to ending world hunger. It hasn't really turned out that way. Instead of ending world hunger, GMOs have the potential to plunge us into world-wide famine because the plethora of seeds used for crops world-wide are quickly being reduced to just a few engineered varieties.

GMOs have not been properly researched before being unleashed on the American public, and what research has been done is not favorable. Below is a set of four videos featuring Jeffrey M. Smith of The Institute for Responsible Technology. Each video is about 15 minutes long. They really are worth watching, even if you don't have time to watch all of them at one sitting.

Politics are mentioned in the video, but don't let that turn you off. He mentions both the (first) Bush and Obama administrations. This is a political issue, but not a partisan one.

While almost all processed food contains GMOs, most American's don't realize it. (I didn't realize it was so many items. I thought corn was the main culprit. It's corn, soy, rice, cotton, and sugar.) According to a survey cited by Mr. Smith when asked if they ate GMO foods, 60% of Americans said no and 15% said, "I don't know." So 75% of Americans don't know that they're eating GMOs in almost every meal.

The agriculture industry claims that the GM seeds are no different than non-GM seeds, yet they race to patent their GM seeds. We have to take back our food supply. It's already happened in Europe. Consumers refused to buy GMO foods and companies stopped putting GMOs in their foods. There is no reason we can't do it here. Mr. Smith acknowledges the economic disparities that keep some people from buying organic and/or local food, but points out that enough people CAN afford to do so to reach what he calls "the tipping point" at which the industry will realize that we will no longer stand back and let this happen.



Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPowmdwUWp4
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIZDil3wTGE
Part 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bk6gd4yhCCE

What Do You Do If A Doctor Won't Listen To You?

So you've read books and websites and talked to friends and you go into your doctor's office with specific questions. But the doctor is only prepared to talk at you, not listen to you. What do you do then? Don't give up. I had an experience yesterday that made me so mad I was almost in tears. I posted it on my personal blog, then it occurred to me that this has probably happened to many people who are trying to take control of their own health. I know I posted it on facebook with the doctor's name and two other people who saw it have had trouble with this doctor. How many people that I don't know or who didn't see the facebook post have also had problems with him? And he's just one of many. So I'll repost here.

I was going to send a letter of complaint to the clinic (he's one of about 15 doctors), but I couldn't find a name of someone to send it to, so I used the email address listed for sending resumes. I have no idea who received my email or if anything will ever be said to the doctor, but I feel like I've done all I can do by reporting him to the insurance company (Did you know that if an insurance company receives enough complaints about a doctor, they'll drop them?) and the insurance company will file my report with the state.

Here's my original post:

The $40 Argument


I took Jeffrey to be tested for food sensitivities this morning. It didn’t happen. When I called to make the appointment, I specifically asked the receptionist (and yes, I realize she’s the receptionist, not a nurse or doctor) if they did blood testing for food sensitivities. I explained that I was not looking for a food *allergy* test, but a food *sensitivity* test. I told her I didn’t want to get in there and pay my $40 co-pay only to find out that they can’t do what I want. (Can you guess where this post is going?) She put me on hold and came back after a couple minutes and said that yes, they do blood testing for food sensitivities in the office, but the only treatment is avoidance. That was fine with me and certainly sounded like they knew what I was talking about. So I made the appointment.

My first clue that this visit might be a problem was when I had to print out the new-patient paperwork this morning because they didn’t mail it as promised. I didn’t realize until last night that we hadn’t received it. We got there five minutes before our appointment time (10 AM) and waited about 10 minutes in the waiting room. Then we waited until almost 10:40 to see the doctor. How can they be 40 minutes behind that early in the day? Anyway, I could tell right away that he was going to be difficult. Some doctors just can’t deal with patients (or their mothers) who dare to ask questions or have thoughts of their own. I tried to be polite and explain why I was there. After he made a few notes and checked Jeffrey’s ears, nose and throat, he sat down and said something like, “Most people don’t understand food allergies and food sensitivities.” I told him I do understand the difference and Jeffrey had a skin-prick test 4 years ago that said he was not allergic to anything. (An excruciating skin-prick test that had my child *climbing* up me to escape the needles. Short of him breaking out in hives, we are never repeating that experience.) And that since then I had seen no evidence to make me believe that he had developed any food allergies (or any other allergies). Then he goes on to tell me that food “sensitivity” tests are not scientific. Isn’t it funny how they seem to be accurate for so many kids, though? I mean, they stop eating the foods these unscientific tests say are a problem and they start feeling better.

Me: “So you’re saying you can’t help me. I specifically asked when I made the appointment if you do blood tests for food-sensitivity here so I wouldn’t pay my co-pay only to find out you can’t do what I want. So I’ve waited 40 minutes for you to come in here and tell me now that you can’t do it?”

Doctor: “You can’t expect the staff to know the difference between allergies and sensitivities.” Really? The staff at an allergist’s office doesn’t understand the terminology of allergies and sensitivities? And he was going to educate *me*?

Me: “Maybe you should educate your staff, then. If you can’t help me, we’re leaving. I’m sorry I wasted your time.”

Doctor: “You aren’t wasting my time.”

Me: “Well, you’re wasting mine.”

Doctor, as he jerks open the door: “You need to get a new attitude.” Probably, but I hadn’t said anything rude to him at that point, so this was really inappropriate.

Me: “No, I need to get a new doctor. And I want my co-pay back since I was told before I made the appointment that your office could do what I specifically asked about and now you tell me you can’t.”

Doctor: “You’re not getting your co-pay back after the significant time I spent with you.”

Me: “Significant time? I waited for you for 40 minutes and you were in there for 10 minutes. That’s NOT significant time.”

I left and came home and called the insurance company. Because I did have contact with him, it qualifies as an office visit and we (and they) have to pay. I did, however, file a complaint with the insurance company that will also be filed with the state. I will not mention the doctor’s name here because I’m not sure if there are any legal ramifications of saying something like this about someone in public. These days, who knows? If you’re in the Atlanta area, and you want to avoid this doctor in the future, you can email me (you can email me through my profile) and I’ll give you his name privately.

It’s not that I couldn’t bend him to my will, although Jedi mind tricks would have been handy. It was his rude, patronizing attitude through the whole visit. When are doctors going to acknowledge that you don’t have to be a medical professional to have a brain?