notjusthealthnuts

A few years ago after giving birth to my son, I had some life altering changes.  I had two kids and not just one.  Back issues. A dramatic gall bladder removal.  Less hair.  Did I mention more kids?   The hair changes started before having my son, but it was crazy hair loss after his arrival. He was worth it.  I could take the high road and tell you hair doesn't matter. That I realized my inner beauty counted most (it does, but lets be realistic).  We could be petty and mourn over the loss.  It's vain and there are a lot more things in my life to be grateful for.   Let's do both.  Take the high road and cry about it.  Now that's done.  It's not going down without a fight.  Two years ago I made changes to my diet and noticed stronger hair.  It even started curling again.  Then I dove into holistic hair solutions- from DIY hair products to supplements to "what am I eating?" that works.  I also ...

 I am in my mid thirties and until recently, breaking out like an awkward teenager.  Only more awkward because I am thirty something.  It isn't those little things either,  I have had deep cystic acne for decades.  I have literally tried everything on the market: stores or online, plus doctors poking and prescribing everything.  Don't sell me anything.  Seriously, I have tried it all, more than once. Only one prescription worked in my early twenties.  It peeled chunks off my face for months. So that looked gross.  However, I had the best skin for like two years.  Every two years I do not want to look like a molting animal.  It was expensive to boot. No win there. Then these SOB wrinkles start showing up in the midst of all the acne mess. This has to stop.  If you spend anytime with anyone in the skin care profession you get the "talk." About what you eat.  While the debate is out exactly on what that is, there are a f...

We have been in a steady uphill push for the last few weeks.  The winter break is out temporary finish line and it's a mad dash.  So much is poured into a child with special needs- from testing to doctor visits to therapies to extra work at home to extra work from us. Each experience is unique but "extra" is the common thread.  The "extra" is bearing down on us.   The past two Thursday mornings we have had the pleasure of company in the waiting room.  My fellow waiting room veteran mom and I are ecstatic to let our three year old boys impromptu play-date while getting to converse with an adult.  Yay! Today we dealt with the common thread of  the "others."  We have at least three other children plus some transient bonuses.  Each week therapy is two hours by the time we travel and complete a session.   Two hours is a significant amount of time and we integrate/build in extra time during the week.  That's just therapy.  The...

For the past few weeks I have not physically been myself.  I hit a wall of consistent muscle cramps and impacting fatigue.  It goes far beyond the "mom" exhaustion.  Normally I could run with the kids or circle around them.  Now, after just a couple of errands, today my kids vegged out while I crashed.  Not me in the least. Frustration would cover the description on how I feel.  I looked at everything, from stress to sleep habits to food to activity to any change.  Nope. Nothing.  I had nothing. I dragged myself to the doctor.  Panels of blood test were ordered then came the wait game.  I know it is a process with any diagnosis, but the waiting is a killer.  This morning when I got the results it was what the doctor and I suspected.  My iron is low; while I am not anemic, it is something like it and has the same symptoms. I am grateful it is as simple as quadrupling my iron intake.  However, what I have felt has been any...

I didn't think that was possible.  Decluttering my brain.  Most of the time my brain is like those annoying rubber balls let loose in a steel cube competing with the speed of sound.  A lot going on with not much room to go anywhere else.  It was like this before kids.  Now there are lots more of additions, noises, schedules, and distractions.  Sitting down is hard enough but sitting to be quiet and focus seems like a joke.  Even after establishing a meditation practice.  This week has been rough.  As I watch Ghost Child take an interest and begin to meditate to calm, it becomes real.  Our meditation practice is as important as breathing and sleeping.  For our brain survival and surviving our emotions, we need it.   If you have a thriving meditation practice, then Namaste my friend and all power too your practice.  If you struggle to focus or have distractions, then Namaste my friend, we completely understand this str...

A significant portion of us are caregivers.    Our roles can be more than just taking of children; it's the chronological or terminally ill, those with special needs, elderly, etc that we lovingly care for.   If you are not now then most likely you have been or will be- a care giver.  In any capacity of caregiving you are sacrificing and in continual out pour. In some circumstances we would love to change why we are in the role but would never change our choice to be it. Because you are pouring out, you need to be putting it back in.  I am all too aware how saying this is easier than actually making it happen. I am a wife, step mom, mom, aunt, child care giver, teacher,  manager of those with special needs and medical conditions. I am over reached majority of the time.  We have so much as it is, its just one more thing to put effort in.  We must do it.  For us and for those we care for. You need to make a pact for yourself so ...

Today I am happily exhausted from a whirlwind week of maid of honor duty to a fantastic wedding celebration.  Today is my vacation from vacation to unpack, clean, restock, and laundry.  Two and half hours of laundry and putting away said laundry.  I truly question why we aren't nudist. As our blitz has ended, I wondered how we aren't in worse shape.  My answer came.  I was selfish.  A little bit.   There truly is an imbalance with the selfish concept.  People are egotistical assholes or martyrs burning before their time.  I don't want to be either.  Chances are neither do you.  This past week was dedicated to my sister and ultimately her fiancee, but mainly my sister.  The whole week I had my niece too.  Parts of the week I had an additional one to all four of my children plus my husband.  There was time spending with family plus bonding with new family.  Our schedules were out of whack. Tons of travel and...