If you read Dr. Mercola's article you will realize he is talking more about psychiatry and mental disorders than what I am writing, but it's all connected. And, actually, it was the reading of the "comments" about his article that brought me to writing today. My initial intention was to show empathy for people I personally know who are taking (a few to many drugs), for 'emotional' or 'personality', or 'behavioral' afflictions - from the young to people older than me.
My morning dose of Dr. Mercola hits home for me, in more than one way. As a younger person, I was addicted to mainstream medicine and the drugs and/or shots that would be prescribed, for any and all of my afflictions. I became a hypocondriac - even using mainstream medicine as a crutch for emotional wounds., when I was simply (emotionally) "hollering" for attention ... and wanted to believe they "worked".
To compound things, I was a poor eater, as a child. Unfortunately, the doctor told my mother not to force my dislike for veggies; that I would "come around". I wish she had been more forceful and had at least "made me taste it". That never happened. I was a tough child to raise, and for years had special meals made for me, then taught to cook so I could make something for myseslf, if I did not like what was on the table. I ate a lot of meat, potatoes, and tomato soup and crackers. I ate no vegetables until my late teens. At that time, the only ones I acquired a taste for (slowly) was green beans, corn, lettuce, and tomatoes. A few years later I had severe stomach problems. In my early 20s, my gall bladder was removed. My body went way out of whack when I began eating "all that roughage"! That was a very painful experience. At that time, they cut you open, not like today. It left a lovely scar, not just physically. That scar and my bad eating habits are constant reminder of the end result of improper nutrition.
The first step in the right direction for optimal drug-free health was being a child of the '60s my eating habits changed (veggies, fruits, nuts, etc.). Then came my discovery of Shaklee vitamins. I became a dealer - not sell it, but to be able to use their "natural" products. Later came knowledge of osteopathy, naturopathy, and chiropractic maintenance. The combination of Shaklee vitamins, and these fields helped to rid myself of that addiction to doctors, and their drugs.
Changing your lifestyle is not an easy task. Old habits die hard (especially bad ones). Another addiction for me - SUGAR! Oh, yes ... sugar ranks right up there with the addiction to legal or illegal drugs. I am a believer that most anything can be a "gateway" to addiction, especially if you have an addictive personality or cave in to 'peer pressure' easily. Sugar, coffee, chocolate, smoking, etc.
When my daughter was young, beginning to ask questions, her main question for me was, "Why can you have pop, and I can't?" Or ... whatever the item might have been. Unfortunately, rather than being the good example I rationalized it to her, with flimsy excuses. I noticed such a drastic change in her personality with pop, candy, etc. (though opting not to see those changes in myself). I never rewarded her with sweets - it was always with something like a small box of raisins, or a privilege. Even Halloween and Easter candy intake was monitored.
Over the years, I've done myself a favor, and cut way back on my sugar intake. It was nothing for me to consume a 12-pack of Coke in a week's time. Sugar is a difficult addiction to conquer - especially when it's in things you might not even think. And, admittedly, I do have an occasional cola (usually in social situations, or when eating out).
Now, my beverage of choice? Water ... yes, it's 'in the water'. It's the best drug you can find - for optimum health. If I am not feeling well, the first thing I do is amp up my water intake, before anything else. I continue to educate myself, and continue to alter my lifestyle. I have more years behind me of poor choices about food and lack of good nutrition than I have years left ahead of me to make better choices and choose a more healthy lifestyle. Hopefully and prayerfully, I'm envisioning being able to grow old "gracefully".
"Listen to your body, educate yourself now (before it's too late), and make better choices." ~nr lenz
"The best people to listen to about health, nutrition, drugs, big pharma, chemical companies and overall well being are those people who are not liked! Sometimes, the truth hurts - and they lose integrity, money, and power!" ~nr lenz
"Subliminal advertising makes us fat ... unless you can resist!" ~nr lenz
My personal 'momma' quotes:
"Don't try to be 'like me', try to be 'better than me'." ~nr lenz
"Don't do as I do, do as I tell you." ~nr lenz
"I'm the best bad example you've got!" ~nr lenz
"Just because I said so, and I'm the adult." ~nr lenz
A post script: Ironically, while I was writing this, Good Morning America was on in the background. There was a snippit about sugar, processed foods and how they are affecting our health. Good information ... and, of course, this man is not well liked by the food industry.