Chicken or The Egg?

We've all heard the deep, philosophical question about which came first, the chicken or the egg.  If you're anything like me, you haven't put that much deep, philosophical thought into this question, though.  It's one of those things that I've always figured doesn't really matter.  The bottom line is, both need the other to continue being.  If there are no eggs, chickens will cease to exist.  If there are no chickens, eggs won't be either.  I don't really care which one came first back in the day...I see a reason to take care of both. 

That's right. Both chickens and eggs need to be cared for. So, which should come first? Present tense. Right now, which one should be cared for, nurtured, loved in the now?

These are the questions that have been pestering me a lot lately.

There are so many of us mothers who think the kids ought to be first and foremost. We should put our needs on the back burner and give our all to our families. It's easy to think that if we don't jump every time they whimper we're being bad parents or neglecting their needs somehow. But I propose that taking care of us is just as important.

Just like the chicken and the egg, without proper care of both mother and child, something is gonna happen and it might not be a good thing! Scrambling...roasting...something other that well adjusted, happy, healthy poultry - or people, whichever we're talking about here.

So, perhaps the real question is, where is the rooster in all this? Something to think about, huh?

Speaking only for humans, mostly because I don't know much about birds, I think it's up to the adults to keep an eye on mom and make sure she's taking care of herself.  That means there is time to grocery shop on her own, get a massage, read a book without pictures, go out with friends.  There is time.  There is a way.  Make it a priority. 

Scott and I were talking with someone recently who was saying how much crap her husband gives her for trying to get away for a few hours.  This is not a problem with us.  And Scott's response was a great one. 

 "I don't necessarily like staying home with the kids, but as long as I don't have to cook...And it's important for Annie to have that time to herself, for her sanity and mine."

True dat.

Our motto (unwritten) has always been to want the best for the other and you'll end up getting the best in return.  As parents, as a couple, as people - we do what we can to support the other in achieving their best.  It's what we do to take care of each other.  In turn, don't you think we're taking care of the kids too?  (See, I didn't forget about them!)  I do. 

I know it can't be about me all the time, but it isn't about my eggs (turned lovely, little monsters, er...monkeys) either. 

Chicken or egg?

Mother or children?

Both.

More Answers to Questions Asked

So, a few weeks ago....ok, OK.  It was more than a month ago (man, time flies) I encouraged all of you to ask questions about our healthy living and then did a giveaway of some of my favorite cookbooks.  I answered the winner's questions already.  But more questions were asked and I've been meaning to answer them too.  Today is the day.

I'm Awesomer Now Than I Was Then :-)

So, about a year ago I read a post on Smrt Mama's blog about identifying things about ourselves that are positive, really showing ourselves a little love and admiration.  I didn't do it a year ago.  I wasn't ready.  I did do it, though, last March.  (If you're interested, here's the link to that post.)  Smrt Mama's challenge was to identify five things each about my looks/body, my mind, and that I've accomplished without qualifying them with any sort of negative comment.  I did pretty well in March...but I can do better now. 

Answers, already!

So, if you're not following along with my fun...here's what's gone on recently...

Two posts ago I offered four cook books up in a giveaway.  All you needed to do to enter was ask a question about healthy living!  I know, not too tough!  Then, I announced the winners and gave a little background on me and my primal life over the past few years.  And that brings us to right now, when i promise to answer the winner's questions, and maybe a couple others!

1)  Was is hard to get your kids to make the paleo jump? 
Yes and no.  I switched very quickly (although I've wavered on and off and haven't been super strict in the past with social gatherings) but I worked the kids into it much more slowly.  At each step I've gotten a little (or a lot) of resistance.  But within a few days or a week, all three usually get used to the changes and stop they're moaning and groaning. 

I've only recently switched them to 100% paleo/primal foods.  They are allowed to make their own decisions, for the most part, when at friends' houses or parties.  Gracie almost immediately gets a tummy ache from eating gluten.  The boys do sometimes but not all the time.  They all act like different kids completely when they get their hands on sugar, and that includes breads that turn to sugar during digestion.  It's amazing to me and makes it clear to me that a little diet change could go a long way in the vast majority of those ADHD cases out there.  But that's just my opinion.  And, no, I don't think it would "just be easier" to let them eat crap all the time so they don't get tummy aches after pizza and birthday cake!  (Sorry, no one asked about that on my blog, but it is a comment I get from people quite often!)

Last year I did a Healthy Living Unit in our homeschool.  It was great to teach the kids all about healthy living.  They still refer to things they learned then, like getting enough sleep or finding "poisons" on labels in the supermarket.  Jace, who is eight years old, is spending the night at a friend's house tomorrow night said to me today, "I'm going to try to eat right while I'm gone.  I'll read the labels if I can.  I know I can always have fruit."  Sometimes he makes me so proud!

2)  Did you get headaches when you switched?  I heard that happens...
The only time I've gotten headaches in this process is after I get hooked on Mt. Dew again and have to detox from that crap!  I didn't get headaches when removing all the sugar and gluten from our foods.  However, while my bowels were healing from the abuse of gluten and got used to processing clean foods, I did have some loose stools and was fatigued for a while.  Sometimes it's called the low-carb flu.  After a week or two it passed, though, and I felt fine.

3)  What is the best thing you've noticed about yourself that isn't related to the size of your clothes since you made the switch to Paleo?
There are two huge changes that jump to mind and I'm not sure which is better, so I'll name them both!  First of all, I have so much more energy.  Within weeks of starting to live primally that was noticeable and has only become more so since cleaning up my food intake even more and beginning to work out regularly.  And secondly, my moods are so even now.  I still get stressed out.  I still get anxious.  I even still get angry.  But the extreme changes aren't what they used to be, and that's a good thing.  I'm happier.  I'm joyful. 

4)  How do you respond to people when they say, "Oh, you're on a diet?"  Do you look at paleo/primal as a diet?
It depends on the person and the situation, but ideally I explain that we all have a "diet."  The word simply means what we eat.  My "diet" fills me with energy.  If they're open to hearing more, I gladly tell them that my life is more than what I eat and so is being primal. 

I don't consider living primal a diet, though.  I consider it living. 

5)  Which book will give me info and help me build my personal cookbook?
Honestly, any of these would be a big help with ideas to build on!  They're great.  As for info...Paleo Comfort Foods, Make It Paleo, and Everyday Paleo all come with incredible intros - how to set up your kitchen, staples to have on hand, etc.  Paleo Comfort Foods includes a great list of websites to give you more information (all the ones that anyone who's anyone in the paleo/primal world frequent).  Make It Paleo has menu ideas for special occasions.  And Everyday Paleo has a full 30 day menu with shopping lists!  Any of these books would be great starts for someone just getting into this life.

So, that's it for now...you might remember I mentioned sleep being part of a healthy life...and it's time for me to hit the sack!  I'll be back to answer more questions soon!  Feel free to leave any other questions you have in the comments and I'll tackle them too...in time!

(2nd Round of answers)

Cook Book Winners and Some Background Details...

I know you've been eagerly awaiting the results of my cook book giveaway.  Since you're on the edge of your seats, here are the winners...

Congratulations Jaime!  Your copy of Everyday Paleo is on it's way!

Congratulations Carmel!  I'll happily hand you your very own Make It Paleo soon!

Kelly, I put Paleo Comfort Foods in the mail for you today!  Congratulations!

Congratulations Fawn!  I hope you find lots of tasty ideas in Primal Blueprint: Quick & Easy Meals!

And a BIG thank you to everyone who asked a question!  There were some wonderful questions and I'm excited to answer some!  Let's start with a little background, that will actually answer some of your questions...

This is a picture of me before I heard about The Primal Blueprint, which happened in February 2010.  I saw an interview with John Durant on The Colbert Report.  (You can read about how I first dipped my toes in the water here, here, and here.)  I've never really looked back, although I've gone back a few times!  I love so many things about primal living and the benefits far outweigh the short-lived joy of a Butterfinger, so it really hasn't been that hard of a decision. 

Here I am October of 2010.  (Obviously it's October...we don't always dress up like this!)  That's nine months since I'd first heard about this way of life.  It's also after moving across the country, living with non-primal family for a month, attending a wedding, supporting my husband as he began a new position, and beginning to homeschool our kids. 

This picture is me in April 2011.  I was feeling pretty good and getting into a job that would use my brain again - in ways being a stay-at-home-mom just doesn't, which excited me!  I was still eating almost completely primal, but the things that weren't primal, weren't good.  I was "treating" the kids and I to a candy bar every week.  I was drinking Mt. Dew daily, often more than one a day.  And I wasn't working out in any regular way.  Not formal working out, not playing (one of the rules of The Primal Blueprint). 

This shot was taken in September 2011, after getting rid of the candy and pop and beginning Boot Camp Diva (about 2 months in).  It was as part of Boot Camp that I learned about paleo.  One of you asked what the difference between paleo and primal living is.  I used to think that paleo was just the diet and primal blueprint covered all aspects of life.  Now, I realize that there's not much difference at all.  One difference is that paleo tends to not include dairy, but even Robb Wolf said in an interview that if dairy doesn't effect you adversely, then it can be acceptable.  So, I might say that they're pretty much different sides of the same coin.  

Both paleo and primal promote not only a paleolithic food plan, but also have a paleolithic perspective on moving, sleeping, exercising our brains and finding balance in our lives.  Both are pretty outstanding!  

So, that's my story...and I think that's all I'll stuff into this post.  It's getting on the long side.  I'll add some links with the answers to your questions soon!  

1st Round of Answers
2nd Round of Answers

Back with a Giveaway!

Two months!  Holy cow!  If you've followed my blog, you know I used to post almost daily...then it slowed down...then, apparently, it just about stopped!  I can't believe it's been two months since I posted something on here!  Wow. 

The Importance of Insignificant Events

I went shopping for a swimsuit last week.  I didn't find one, but I looked!  While I was picking through the clearance racks a rather unhelpful saleswoman offered me a size 20 off the rack to try.  I don't want to sound full of myself, I'm not.  It's simply a fact that I've never been a size 20 and I'm several sizes smaller than that right now, and getting slimmer and more fit every day.