What's Your Favorite Shade of Prenatal?

How did I know I was pregnant for certain? Quite a funny story...

Well, I went to the doctor to get some follow up blood work done to get a final diagnosis for some ongoing health issues I'd been having. It was also at this appointment that I was going to finally make it a point to get and iud and stop "risking it." Well, I already had my suspicions of pregnancy for obvious reasons and sure enough...tada! A positive pregnancy test. So, instead of going home with an iud, I went home with a prescription for prenatals and two whiney toddlers in my backseat. Oh how lovely.

On my way to the pharmacy, I determined that I would do everything in my power to make this the healthiest pregnancy possible. Too bad I had too much fun at a Halloween party a couple weeks before. Oh well, I can only move forward from this point and pray my crazy "who knows how many weeks" of pregnancy hasn't done too much damage. When I say crazy....I just mean unaware. I put my body through a lot. I like to think I sacrifice it every day for the sake of others since I teach fitness every day sometimes multiple times. ;) I know...I'm such a martyr. hehe

ANYWAY, I got to Fred Meyer, dropped off my prescription at the pharmacy, dropped off my kids in the kids playcenter (LOVE THAT) and strolled my way over to the health food section of the store. I was looking through the whole food prenatals and checking out the ingredients. Not a long list. That's always a positive sign. Oh well, too bad I don't have 20 bucks and I knew my script would cost me only 3.

So, I go to pick up my prescription. I asked the pharmacist if the ingredient list was on the insert. She said, "No." Fancy That! So, I asked if she'd mind showing me the ingredients from the bottle. When she returned, she handed me the huge container that they all get stored in, and I kid you not.......the ingredient list filled the entire length of the bottle. I don't remember all the big names, but I recall them being NOT good. The few I do remember are Blue #2, Red #40, Yellow #5, and Yellow #6. Upon seeing these, I recall many medical professionals advising us not to give our kids these dyes, SO WHY THE HECK ARE THEY IN A PRENATAL????!!!!  And don't think I didn't ask. The head honcho pharmacist comes and explains to me that it gives the vitamin its color. I asked if I could see the pretty (hopefully purple) vitamins and when he opened the bottle guess what color they were?

YEP, you guessed it! POTATO BROWN. I guess if I knew any better, I might remember that when you mix blue, red, and yellow it makes a nice shade of disgusting brown (unless it's from the earth). The pharmacist and I just looked at each other wide eyed and busted out laughing. Honcho man, cleared his throat and goes, "I'll just put these back for you ma'am." I respectfully declined to purchase them and went to get the kiddos.

Many of you may think I am overreacting and too "into" health, but I only speak from experience that making the best decisions for your mind and body can change your life. I smoked for a long time. I drank a lot. I took meds and ended up on a lot because I would take another med to curb the side effect of another med. The day I found out I was pregnant with my first, I quit everything cold turkey and made dramatic changes in my life. I became a different person. It wasn't until after Lily that I began learning about organic living, but changing my lifestyle has changed my life.

I had an underlying illness for a while that I believe was an autoimmune issue aggravated my extreme stress. (Deployed husband, terrible surgery, sensory disordered kid, buying new house, sleep deprivation, certifications, being in the spot light of ridicule, etc). I honestly believe that if it were not for my nutritious foods and supplements, I'd be one sick puppy right now. I also believe that God used this pregnancy to heal my body. He is very good to me and I feel amazing. I am so happy and full of life right now (literally). :)-

Here's the deal, you may associate being "green" and being organic with being liberal, self-centered, or whatever. WHAT is self-centered about not putting toxins into your body and your children's bodies and into the earth? Please someone explain this to me. Why is there such a negative connotation with the words green and organic? I come from the Bible Belt of the South and many people shudder when I mention being "Green." Let's throw off our preconceptions and our associations and get to the basics of what it means. It means taking care of our bodies which are temples and our earth of which we are stewards by not filling them with toxins and by feeding them naturally.

How can we be who we are called to be if we are sick? There is nothing like having a clear focused mind and energy to accomplish the things we are wired to be passionate about. Let's take care of ourselves and our families and our earth by making wise choices no matter our religion or our politics. Let's raise our children to be warriors and pioneers of health. Their bodies are vulnerable. Don't be afraid to make the switch. I want to help. I've listed a lot of links where you can educate yourselves. Our cosmetics are nothing short of arsenic. We wonder why 20 yr olds are getting breast cancer. It's because they've probably rubbed lotions cotaining parabens (known carcinogen found in breast cancer tumors) since they were born. Go to safecosmetics.org and type in the products you use. It's scary, but don't be afraid. Be enlightened.

Please watch the video I attached.

Cheers to raising healthy families!!!