Killing Myself with Food and Chemicals

Research shows that what you eat has a direct effect on your health and well being. Processed food is full of chemicals, dyes, preservatives, and artificial ingredients that our bodies were never designed to consume.  For decades this truth had no impact on my lifestyle at all.  I ate things that came in packages and boxes and cans - Oh my! - without giving it a single thought.  I have been thinking a lot lately about why it didn't occur to me sooner that this type of eating could be harmful.

The only reason I started investigating the relationship between what I eat and how I feel is because I had fibromyalgia complete with just about every symptom associated with this horrible disease: severe pain in multiple muscles and joints, frequent bouts of spiking pain in my knees, elbows, and feet, pain that increased with changes in the weather, pain so severe it woke me up at night, difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep, never feeling rested even when I managed sporadic sleep, unremitting fatigue, difficulty completing even the simplest tasks of daily living, loss of focus, an inability to concentrate, and feelings of hopelessness.

The most hopeless feeling of all was that I would have to cope with the consequences of this disease for the rest of my life.  After an entire year of misery and despair, I started looking for a way to feel better.  I got rid of chemicals in my home, cleaning products,and personal grooming products.  I stopped eating processed food that is full of chemicals and started eating whole foods rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.  I read everything I could find hoping to discover a way to feel at least well enough to function each day.  I was amazed that I not only found a way to feel better but my symptoms completely disappeared.

Is this a cure or is the disease just in remission?  All I can tell you is that when I made these changes in my life I got well.  I have been symptom free and feeling great for over six months.

Researchers are studying the relationship between exposure to chemicals in our environment and chemicals in our food and have found links to a host of illnesses including almost every inflammatory illness such as fibromyalgia, arthritis, lupus, Sjogren's syndrome and other illnesses like heart disease, depression, and cancer.

So why isn't every person with fibromyalgia or another chronic illness getting rid of chemicals in their environment and food and eating whole foods?  I suspect it is for the same five reasons I was slowly killing myself with food and chemicals for over half a century. 

Habit.  When you are used to doing things a certain way, it seems simpler to keep on doing them that way than to change. So we keep using the same cleaning products and personal grooming products.  We keep eating things out of packages and boxes.  We drink soda and stuff our faces with candy, cookies, and chips.  It is what we are used to doing.

Lack of Information.  We don't educate ourselves about the harm processed food and environmental chemicals can cause.  In the past maybe this information was hard to find.  Now it is everywhere.  You can get on the internet, type whatever you want to know in your favorite search engine and have hundreds of scientific articles right in front of you in a matter of minutes. The truth is out there.  

Disbelief.  Even when we have the information and read every article and book about the harm environmental chemicals and processed food cause our bodies, we just don't want to believe this could be true.  We had rather believe there is some other cause, pop a pill, and hope for the best. Even some physicians are still not paying attention.  I am grateful to have met many who are wholeheartedly behind the movement to eat well to live well. Wondering where you are in the process?  Check out this list and see how many of these foods you are currently eating.

8 Foods We Eat In The U.S. That Are Banned In Other Countries
This brings a whole new meaning to the phrase "food poisoning." Original list found in Dr. Jayson Calton and certified nutritionist Mira Calton's new book, Rich Food, Poor Food.

False Sense of Trust.  If it is available on our grocery shelves, we think it must be safe to eat. Nothing could be further from the truth.  Giant food corporations have only one motivation for producing processed food products.  And it is not our well-being.  It is profit.  Read the book
Salt Sugar Fat by Michael Moss for an eye opening look into the world of manufactured food.

Unwillingness to Change.  Even when we know the truth and believe the truth, sometimes we just don't want to change our lifestyle.  We don't want to give up soda or packaged cookies.  We don't want to switch to safe organic chemical free cleaners.  We just don't want to change our ways.  It took me six months after I started finding out the truth to be willing to make the changes I needed to make.

If I had not made those changes I would still be dragging myself out of bed every morning just hoping for a low pain day, glad if I had the energy to take a shower and make it to the couch. Instead I am traveling, writing, camping, playing with my grandchildren, and living each day with joy and gratitude.  Don't let chemicals and processed food rob you of a life that is full of hope, promise, and possibilities. 

Pinterest-ing Idea

I love these rocking chairs.  We bought them in the 1980s from a local rocking chair maker when we were living in Barranquilla, Colombia.  They represent a common furniture style in that coastal South American city and bring back wonderful memories of the six years we lived there.  We have taken them with us wherever we have lived since then.  These two currently have their own special nook in the apartment where we live part of the time while my husband teaches medical school students in the city.  Two more of the chairs are at our house in the country where we live the rest of the time.

It has been over thirty years since we bought the chairs.  We have repaired the bottoms and replaced the cushions but the wood was scuffed and worn.  Because I am committed to getting as many chemicals as possible out of my environment in order to maintain my remission from fibromyalgia symptoms, I didn't want to use any type of commercial cleaner or varnish that might contain harmful chemicals.

I am always on the lookout for natural options to use in place of chemically laden manufactured products.  So I was delighted when I came across a recipe for furniture restorer on Pinterest that consisted of only two natural ingredients:  canola oil and vinegar.  The pin said to use 3/4 cup of oil and 1/4 cup of vinegar and apply with an old rag.  I didn't need that much for the chairs so I just grabbed a mug, filled it about halfway with oil, dumped in some vinegar, and stirred.  I rubbed this into the wood with paper towels and let it sit until the wood soaked up all the mixture and - Voila!    The chairs look great and I was not exposed to any unnecessary chemicals.

Before

After

If you have access to the internet, you have access to a ton of great ideas for natural products you can use instead of chemicals.  I have come across lots of ideas on Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, and also by just typing key words for whatever I am looking for into my search engine.

I have found natural cleaning products, ways to get insects out of my home and outdoor spaces, and hundreds of delicious recipes for healthy eating with whole foods.  Getting rid of chemicals in my home, not eating processed food, and eating a lot of whole natural foods have been keys to recovery for me.

When I started on this journey to change my lifestyle, I was just trying to find something that would help my feel a little better so I could cope with a horrible chronic illness that I thought I would have to live with for the rest of my life.  I was amazed when my symptoms disappeared completely.  

If you are suffering from severe fibromyalgia pain and debilitating chronic fatigue, it is my deepest hope that the things I am sharing in this blog will help you feel better.  May God bless each and every one of you.  Rock on!

How Much Will This Cost?

Healthy Living on a Shoestring Budget

I have been sharing my fibromyalgia recovery plan:  find a support system, get the chemicals out of your environment, stop eating processed food, start eating whole foods.  I have been asked a lot of questions about different parts of this plan.  There is one thing that almost everyone wants to know: 

How much will it cost to make the changes required to get better?  

Find a Support System.  

This aspect of the plan will cost you only time and thought.  If you join a formal fibromyalgia support network there may be a small cost for yearly dues. Many of these types of groups do not require dues and joining a formal group is not your only option.  Check out previous posts for specific ideas on how you can find the support you need as you move toward recovery.

Get the Chemicals Out of Your Environment.

My expenses in this area have decreased.   Eliminating all scented products eliminated what I would have been paying to buy scented candles, air fresheners, etc.  Switching from chemically laden cleaning and grooming products to products containing fewer chemicals has cost the same as I was paying before. I was going to buy toothpaste, makeup, soap, laundry detergent, etc. anyway. Simply switching brands did not increase my costs.  

Some brands of organic, natural cleaning products are more expensive than brands that are made with a lot of chemicals. However, you do not have to buy prepackaged products.  There are a lot of things you can make yourself.  You can read about many of these ideas in previous posts on this blog.  You can go online and type  "natural cleaning products" in the search field and find many more.  I have a whole Pinterest board devoted to natural cleaning products.  (http://pinterest.com/KathyKNorman3)    My favorite natural cleaning product is extremely cheap:  vinegar.  I buy the least expensive brand at discount stores in huge containers and get a ton of cleaning power for my money.

Stop Eating Processed Food and Start Eating Whole Foods

Many people think eating natural whole food is going to cost more than the way they are presently eating. This is simply not true.  For one thing, a big chunk of your weekly food bill will disappear when you stop buying soda, cookies, candy, and prepackaged heavily processed food items. I eat out a lot less because cooking at home lets me know exactly what is in the food I eat.  You can use these savings to purchase healthy whole foods.

There are some packaged things that you will need to buy to eat a healthy diet:  rolled oats, raisins, dried fruit, Greek yogurt, etc. These items can often be found at a reduced price at discount food stores and big box stores.  They can sometimes be found on sale or purchased using coupons. 

Whole fruits and vegetables are probably the category of foods that are perceived as being the most expensive.  But even these can be found for a good price at discount stores.  Buy fresh foods when they are in season. They cost less then.  A great source of good food at good prices is local farmers' markets.  Locally raised food is often less expensive because you cut out the big food manufacturing companies and transportation costs.  Food you buy from local growers is usually the most healthy food you can buy.  It often has less chemical exposure and there is no need for preservatives.  Many farmers' markets have whole sections dedicated to truly organic food.

Overall, I spend less now than I did before I started trying to get better.  Even if it cost more, I would find something else in my monthly budget to reduce in order to buy what I need to live a healthier lifestyle.  I started this entire process simply looking for something I could do to feel better, something that would help me cope with my illness and at least be able to function on some level.  I was as surprised as anyone when I completely recovered.  And that's priceless.

Go Nuts!

Since I recovered from fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, I have become an avid fan of whole natural foods.  Eating whole foods instead of processed products played a major role in my recovery.  My symptoms completely resolved six months ago.  I continue to eat natural foods to stay healthy.  One of my favorite healthy foods is nuts.  Here are a few nutty facts. 


Almonds
Almonds are full of anti-inflammatory properties.  Eating them helps reduce inflammation and the pain caused by inflammation.  They contain magnesium, calcium, and vitamin E.  They are low in saturated fat.  Almonds have a lot of phytochemical compounds which some research has shown to be helpful in protecting against heart disease and cancer and useful in reducing cholesterol levels.

Pecans
Pecans are rich in antioxidants that keep cells from being damaged and protect against disease.  They are a good source of protein and several of the B-complex vitamins. Studies show that pecans may help lower bad (LDL) cholesterol levels and increase good (HDL) cholesterol levels.

Pine Nuts
Pine nuts contain Vitamins A, C, and D.  They have iron, protein, and magnesium.  Some research suggests they help fight free radicals and promote healing.

Walnuts
Walnuts are full of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that help you stay healthy.  They are a great source of Omega 3. 


When buying nuts, read the labels.  Make sure the nuts you buy do not contain added salt, oil and chemicals.  The only ingredient that should be listed on the package is the name of the nut. Buy certified organic nuts if possible.

Nuts are easy to incorporate into your daily diet.  You can eat them by the handful for a quick energy boosting crunchy snack.  Add them to salads and stir fry recipes.  Sprinkle them over cooked vegetables.  Toss nuts, chopped apples, sliced bananas and grapes with a few spoonfuls of your favorite yogurt to make a quick fruit salad. 

Go nuts!  Your body will thank you.