When I was a teenager I struggled with an eating disorder. I had a poor self image of myself and thought that by choosing not to eat I had some control over my life and that would give me peace and happiness. I was wrong. I ended up hurting myself and my family around me. Rather than gaining control my eating disorder controlled my every thought and action. I dwelled on food and my self image all day long. I planned my day on how I was going to avoid eating, and looked forward to those moment where I could binge and purge. Yet afterwards I was driven to guilt. During this time I noticed that my fears were not only on food, but on other things as well, such as spiders (which I was never afraid of before). I got to the point where I was feeling sick and tired all day long because I was literally starving myself to death.
My family was scared for me and did everything they could to help me with my struggle. My closest friend in high school was struggling with an eating disorder as well. We tried to help each other through it, but being friends just made the struggle with the eating disorder harder to overcome. I went to see a councilor and nutritionist, yet still I was struggling and deeply hurting. Finally, I made a conscious decision to take steps to healing, but it wasn't until I surrendered my eating disorder to God that I noticed a change. I first took slow steps of obedience to eating right, but although I was eating better I was still struggling in every area of my life and was tempted to starve myself again. During that time I lost my virginity and as a consequence of giving up something so precious I found myself broken hearted by those relationships. My high school friend decided that she didn't want anything to do with me anymore, and I felt completely lost and alone. So, I turned even more towards God for and made a commitment towards him allowing God to heal me in all areas of my life.
It took years, but finally I found myself completely healed from these situations. I not only found myself eating right again, but I also found that my entire self was healed. I was no longer tempted into that life style. I had forgiven myself and other who had hurt me. I gained peace and joy as well. I ended up marrying my high school sweetheart, the one who broke me heart, and now we have two beautiful boys and we love each other dearly.
So, after my experiences I not only want my family to be healthy physically but I want my family to have health is all areas of their life. I want my family to be healthy physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. They are all connected. The bible says that my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1Corinthians 6:19). My goal is to be a good example of living a healthy life. I pray for wisdom and guidance on how to keep my family healthy and teach them to continue this healthy lifestyle.
Keeping a healthy spirit means to keep it pure. The bible says "blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God" (NIV Matthew 5:8). For my family and I to see and know God is most important to me. The bible says over and over again to have a pure heart because that is what brings you closer to God. Remaining pure spiritually means staying away from evil and sin in every area of your life. This means focusing on godly things and not on worldly things. One example of keeping a pure spirit is by remaining sexually pure. This means not giving into any type of sexual contact until marriage and keeping pure while in marriage as well by staying away from sexual addictions and adultery. Remaining spiritually pure is done by not allowing unforgiveness, bitterness or any other sin rule over your life. When there is sin than you should let it be exposed and handed over to the Lord for Him to deal with and there needs to be complete repentance. When you are spiritually pure you are walking on a straight path towards where God is leading you to.
I want my family to be mentally healthy as well. This also means to be pure, mentally pure. Your thoughts have great power over you. What you believe will determine what your actions are and how you feel. If you keep your mind on worldly things than you will struggle with many fears and addictions. If you keep your mind on God and His truth than you will live a life free of these burdens and will find peace and joy. "The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace" (Romans 8:6). "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things." (Philippians 4:8). For my kids to be healthy mentally I am careful what goes into their minds. I do not want them hearing or watching things that can be potentially harmful to them. This means monitoring movies, songs, and the people they are around. This also means giving my children guidance and direction, teaching them right from wrong.
Staying healthy emotionally starts from the beginning of life. How parents relate to their children help prepare them for stable and healthy relationships. How parents are emotionally will help direct children emotionally as well. Let us start at birth. When a child is born having physical contact with their parents is so important. I wanted for my children to be held and breastfed as soon as they were born, without being separated from me. When babies are not held enough they cannot thrive, so this close physical contact is crucial. Also, newborns pick up on your emotions. For instance, if you are trying to breastfeed and get the baby latched on it is important to remain calm and relaxed. When a mom is tense and frustrated the baby senses this and it's harder to get a latch, and baby becomes frustrated as well. As a mom who wants her kids to be emotionally healthy I chose to breastfeed, co-sleep and carry my baby to keep that close physical contact. From the beginning of life and on it is really important that I am careful with what I say and how I say it. I choose to speak only blessings on my children and never put them down. One way that I make sure to keep a healthy relationship with my children is by having quality time with them. This is the one on one time, or the time we spend as a family playing together, going somewhere as a family or even just cuddling together. These moments will be remember by children because they encourage strong emotional connection. My children are still young, my oldest is 21 months and my youngest is 1 month, but I know that it's important to maintain a relationship that is filled with love and affection. In everything I do for my children I want it to be out of love. This includes disciplining out of love and not frustration or anger.
The beginning of a healthy physical lifestyle starts with the mother, before birth. Whatever the mother consumes the child consumes. My biggest craving is ice cream and chocolate, and when I was pregnant my desire for these increase. I wanted to maintain a healthy pregnancy for my child and me but these cravings began to win me over. With my first pregnancy I ended up getting a pregnancy rash. After changing my diet, which meant I had to cut out sweets completely and add more protein, the rash started to go away. My next pregnancy I did not get the rash, but I still struggled with my sweet cravings. My last trimester I completely cut out sweets again and I noticed a wonderful change physically. I had more energy and just felt better overall. Also, by the time my son was born I no longer carved sweets. In fact I had cake on my birthday and it was too sweet for me and didn't make me feel that good either. I truly believe that the more you eat of something the more you crave it.
I believe that a healthy person starts from before birth, but it must be continued. I chose that breastfeeding was the best way to nourish my children. Breast milk provides babies the full nourishment that they need. It not only provides them with nourishment and keeps them perfectly hydrated, but it also gives them antibodies to keep them healthy and protected from many sicknesses. When my son (who was exclusively breastfed) was a newborn he had colic and projectile vomiting. Right away I changed my diet to adjust to his needs. I cut out diary, spicy foods and foods that caused gas, and eventually even cut out soy products as well. He improved dramatically and I realized how fragile his tummy was.
Many parents choose to go with cereal or jar foods when adding solids to a baby. There are many parents that also decide to add solids before 6 months. I personally choose that these were not the best health choices for my children. First I realized that children do not need solids foods until a year of age. Before that solids should only be given to help develop taste and texture to new foods. My first born son I gave him a few tastes of mashed banana at 6 months old and realized he was not ready yet for solids, so we waited longer. At 10 months he was ready and I would give him mashed or blended fruits and vegetables. I decided against cereal because it had no flavor, not much nutrition and too much sugar, so we stuck to fresh and natural table foods. Jar foods had less nutrition and anything that is put in a jar on a shelf has added sodium that I did not what my son to have.
I try and keep my family healthy by giving them fresh foods I serve and prepare fresh fruits and vegetables, preferably organic. I feel that the best way to insure getting the best out of fresh produce is by having my own garden. Right now I do not have a garden, but someday I would love to prepare my own fruits and vegetables, but for now I stick to fresh fruits and veggies from the store that do not use pesticides or genetically altered fruits and vegetables. I choose hormone and antibiotic free meats, dairy products and eggs. I choose not to buy processed or can foods. Making good choices like, buying whole grain instead of white bread is another decision in keeping my family on a healthy diet. One thing I also stick to water for a beverage, although I do buy orange juice at times. Also, I do not allow soda or sugar added beverages in our house. I do allow on occasion a special dessert. I have committed my family to a healthy diet, and the best way to achieve that is by keeping the bad stuff out of the house. I also do it by making sure that there are meals in the house to avoid us from eating out, especially fast food. Planning meals ahead of time were the best bet that there would be something to eat. If I had no time or nothing to make for dinner than we would choose a take out place that was the lesser of two evils. There are some places that prepare fresh foods and some grocery stores that have healthy prepared meals.
It's very important to eat healthy, but also regularly. When you wait too long to eat it can cause you to feel sick, light headed and have no energy. Also, by waiting too long to eat, when it is finally time to eat you will eat too fast, too much and usually you will pick up anything to eat rather than thinking about what the right thing to eat is. For my toddler I make sure that I always have a healthy snack and water whenever we go somewhere, and I make sure that I always carry a water bottle or two with me as well.
I am very careful of what my body and my children's body's are exposed to. This not only means foods, but other things as well such as medicines and vaccinations. My other son got three different vaccinations that I regretted. I did my research and looked up all the things that are put in vaccinations as well as the different reactions and other consequences for using the vaccination and so far I have decided that vaccinations are not what I want my children exposed to. Antibiotics are another example of being careful of what my family is exposed to and consumes. I choose to only use antibiotics when it is necessary, and not routinely with every sickness. Antibiotics break down the immune system and I want my children to have healthy immune systems to fight of sickness. I am also careful of the products I use in my house. There are many cleaning products that can cause health problems because of the harsh chemicals and toxins that are used. The best I can do in these areas is to do the research and make a decision based on the information I receive.
Cleanliness is important in maintaining healthy. Doing things like washing your hands after using the bathroom, before eating and after doing a messy activity like playing outside. All mothers know that children can get pretty dirty. I think that this is a good thing, but it's equally as important to not neglect bath time. My toddler loves taking a bath and I make sure to teach him how to wash himself in all areas of his body. I also teach him how to clean the house as well. At such a young age he can do a lot to help around the house and this teaches him for when he grows up as well (because I'm not going to clean up after him for the rest of his life). Right now my oldest helps me with the laundry, washing the cabinets with a washcloth, but his favorite chore is vacuuming.
Exercise is very important to your health and for children very important to their overall development as well. I make sure that we have some kind of activity everyday for my son to run around and play. I also try and go on walks or do some kind of exercise as well for myself. You don't need to have a gym membership, or put your kids in expensive sports or activities to get a good amount of exercise. You just need a park, yard or place to walk to get some exercise in, or a good CD. My son loves to dance, and he can dance to his favorite song while I do house work.
Sleep is something that I always look forward to, and as a parent to two little ones I plan my day around sleep. I noticed that for my toddler if he does not get enough sleep he is not happy but irritable. When he did get his full amount of sleep he is very pleasant to be around, affectionate and playful. He has lots of energy and good sense of humor when he has an adequate amount of sleep. The same thing is for adults. When I don't get enough sleep I am irritable as well, and it is really difficult to handle my kid in a positive way because I lack the energy.
When you feel good physically it's easier to have a healthy mind, healthy emotions and even a healthy spirit. It also goes the other way. If your health is lacking in one area you make yourself vulnerable in all these other areas. They are all connected because they all are a part of you. So, I do not want to neglect any of these areas in my children's lives. My job as a mom is to promote health for myself and my children, but also to train my children to do the same for themselves. The bible tells parents to "train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it" (Proverbs 22:6).