Back to Nature

"N_A_T_U_R_E_’_S    L_A_W
A ctivity - Exercise every 2 days
T ime - for me = reduce stress
U se - the “Attitude of Gratitude”
R est - Detox happens 10 p.m. – 2 a.m., dark, quiet, enough time
E at - Low glycemic, use pharmaceutical quality vitamins
S unshine - Check Vitamin D level
L ove - Myself. Laugh, fun, balance
A ir - Oxygen, Open windows
W ater - Half my weight in ounces every day
Follow all 10 and miracles happen!"

--From the International Woman's Day flier on urbanpixie.com

After a weekend full of chocolate bunnies, peanut M&Ms, and jelly beans, I feel the need to recommit myself to good health and clean living. 

I'm not an ascetic by any means, and keep a stash of chocolate on hand at all times, but after a holiday such as Easter, which seems committed to getting - and consuming - as much candy as possible I always ask myself, "Is this really how I want to show LOVE to my kids, by giving them more candy and sugar than they could - certainly should - eat in a month all in one day?"

Last night I had a parenting fantasy whereby I threw out all of the candy and for the rest of the week served my kids nothing but raw, organic fruits and veggies, which they gobbled up by the handful as if they were candy. 

I don't see this happening for real, but what is the answer? I want them to learn to receive with gratitude and to appreciate the delicious things that life has to offer, but I also want them to learn how to take care of their bodies, to feed them well and to deny them what they may want, but may not be good for them. 

I guess the key word here is learning. 

My kids are learning - sometimes through lecture, sometimes through experimentation, sometimes through trial and error - how to take care of their bodies. It is a lesson I am still learning for myself. And since our bodies are always changing, these are lessons we have to learn over and over again. 

This mnemonic device may not be the answer for everyone, but it seems to me to be a pretty good place to start. Everything on this list is worth considering on the path to better health.

Here's to a happy - and HEALTHY - Monday!