Welcome. This is our story. I'm a 28 year old, single stay at home mom of 3 littles...Now, before you put me in a box and judge me...Some background on that...I was born with an illness called Ehler Danlos Syndrome. This is a genetic disorder of the connective tissues, in my joints..So, what does this mean? It means that my joints do not produce enough collagen. I can easily sprain, twist, dislocate almost all of my joints. It's very painful. This illness went unnoticed in my family until I was finally diagnosed with it, about 2 years ago. My family(on my mother's side) has been dying of this illness for generations, yet no one knew what it was. I subsequently have gotten scoliosis, degenerative arthritis, carpal tunnel, and a right bundle branch block in my heart the list could go on for quite some time, I'll spare you those details. It is essentially attacking my body, and I will die from this eventually. Anyways..so, why am I here? 1. This is a very rare disorder, about 1 in 20,000 people suffer from this..I have 3 of us living in one house together, as my youngest is 2, almost 3..I didn't know until after I had her. There really needs to be more awareness on this disorder. Because it is so rare, there is no cure, and not enough people have it for anyone to even start searching for a cure. I wish so much for a cure for my children. Or at least a way to hold the illness at bay and not attack their bodies like it has to me. I'd like to raise awareness of the illness. 2. My family is about to embark on a new journey. There is no cure for this, yes, but there are some things (I've read) that can slow it down and help it to not be so painful. What is it? Food. Your diet. Now, I am not one to believe in diets, but I can always find something good in each and every diet. Even before I found out I had this, I thought...How awesome would it be to create a diet that took the good from each and every diet and see if I can create an extremely health, well balanced diet? 3. Also, I would like to help families come together more, make memories and spend more time together. Even if you are disabled/sick, what have you, I am proof that it's possible. So, this blog won't only be about food, but activities you can do together, living and loving life and food!!!!
I do not like the word "diet", this is not going to be what this is...it is going to be a way of life, a lifestyle change. We do not eat unhealthy really, but I can say that there was a time, 2 less kids and not sooo much pain(it's gotten worse with each pregnancy), where I did eat much, much healthier. So, I have been thinking for a long time, what if I took all the good out of the diet fads I see and combine them into a very healthy lifestyle? Would people be interested to see a family take the plunge into an organic, gluten free, vegetarian, atkins, raw/living food, probiotic, every other diet you've seen combined? Would it help my ehler danlos? I've read that gluten worsens it and vitamin c helps it...Could I maybe help others take the plunge into a healthier lifestyle and reduce our carbon footprint at the same time? Be the change I want to see in the world? Motivate families to spend more time together, not hurry using boxed products and make some amazing memories together in the kitchen and in life. I don't know EVERYTHING there is to know about food and diets, but I did graduate with a culinary degree and so, I did have to take nutrition and cooking classes, so, I am not going into this blind.
We are going to start small. Baby steps each day to move towards a goal of a more healthier way of eating and living. Today is day 1 and I'll leave you with a recipe for some simple lemonade. My kids really enjoy helping me make this and it's delicious.
Lemonade
2 cups lemon juice (fresh)
1 cup sugar(I prefer raw sugar)
7 cups water
Mix lemon juice, sugar and water in a large pitcher. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Chill and serve with ice.
Strawberry or raspberry lemonade
1 recipe lemonade
2 1/2 cups mashed fresh strawberries(or raspberries)
1/3 cup sugar
Mix lemonade and set aside. Transfer strawberries and sugar to a food processor; add 1 cup of lemonade. Puree for about 1 minute until completely smooth. Add the strawberry mixture to lemonade and whisk to blend. Chill and serve with ice.
There you go! Live and love life and food!!!! Until tomorrow,
S
