The un-Healthy truth....our food

I have been trying to learn about the food we eat and how it affects our bodies and therefore our entire lives.  I have to say that I have not been happy about what I have learned.  In fact, I believe that it has added a significant layer of stress to my everyday thoughts.

Taking a closer look at my family and our various daily little health issues I realized that they are speaking volumes to me about what our bodies are going through.  For example, I do me very best to provide healthy food for my kids; milk, fresh fruit juices, fruits, veggies and lean meats.  I try to maintain the four food groups with bread and meat being at the lower end of the spectrum.  So why then, can anyone tell me, is one of my boys (the one that eats the best and drinks the most water of all of us) constantly plagued with diarrhea or constipation?
Another example, why have I been plagued with blocked ears since a horrendous ear infection last October?  Why do I constantly get bronchitis from something as simple as sinus congestion 2 or 3 times every cold weather season?  Why do I suffer from intensely itchy and flaky scalp every fall through spring? or why do I constantly have bowel problems?  why do I have a hard time losing weight?
Another example, why does my hubby suffer from intensely itching shins?  Why does hubby have a hard time keeping weight?


The answer has to be our food.


But what about it I don't know.



So, we will try an experiment that I am sure the kids will HATE......no milk.


http://www.nutritionresearchcenter.org/healthnews/dairy-can-have-a-big-effect/

interesting reading....

This is going to be our step one....no milk....but what is a healthy alternative?

The conversation on soy milk has me worried about the strong points that are made for the con side of the coin....hormone disrupters, endocrine tampering, etc.  so maybe that is not such a good idea.

Almond milk sold in tetra paks are apparently a good choice, I happen to love this in cereal and coffee, however the benefits of almonds are supposedly destroyed by the manufacturing process, hmm.....any suggestions friends?

Making changes....striving for simplicity

     I have finally gotten to the point where I am fed up with clutter.  With 5 people, a dog and 2 fish we have aquired more stuff than we know what to do with.  So my new goal is to reduce the amount of stuff we have around us. 
     It is amazing how we trick ourselves into thinking that 'I've gotta have that' such and such.  But when such and such becomes 'thing-S' that we trip over, stuff into cupboards and closets and spend yet more money on organizational 'stuff' to hold it all in, I think there is a HUGE problem!
     Not to mention the amount of dollars lost.  Ooo the dollars!  Our need to pay our debts and increase our savings has to trump the need for stuff.
     I am going to attack this problem a little at a time. Today I packed up all the extra dishes in my cupboard, leaving us with 4 of everything...I won't get rid of the other pieces though as I may break something and need to replace it.  I will put it in our storage room in our basement.
    Next thing I want to attack is books, schooling stuff,which I have a lot of,  and clothes.
  I have some clothes for the boys, but need to go through them to find the sizing holes and try to fill them in.  Hopefully, I will be able to do it cheaply or even free....so, what else can I add to the list?