This blog is born out of a desire to journal the story of my family and our journey into wellness. The last year has opened up an entire new phase of our lives together as a family – a period of revelation that in regaining health, in healing ourselves, specifically healing our gut microbiome and gut-brain axis, that we could each heal holistically, and at the same time grow into a deeper connection as a family. We are experiencing the awe of discovery that comes with learning that we hold the power to determine our own path, that we have the gift of life dreamed and actualized by only ourselves, and that healing is not only possible, but deserved.
Too often people face physical and mental health hurdles and somehow they accept that illness, pain, and sacrifice are just their reality. Suck it up and forge ahead. Enjoying this life is for someone else. The struggle is real.
The struggle is real, but that doesn’t mean it is permanent.
I know a little something about assumed permanence: I struggled with chronic migraines for over 30 years. I knew no other life than one on the edge of excruciating pain. Nearly every step I have taken in my lifetime has been conditioned to first consider if I will be facing illness. Every choice, even whether or not to have children has included the precursor of, “but what if?” I was quite certain that the quality of my life had been predetermined. I did not live in sadness or regret with this reality, just resignation and absolute acceptance…but that is a story for another time….
I do have to say, 8 months after my family ventured into this journey of finding our health and looking for the promise of wellness, I know one thing is true: never doubt the power of possibility! Our lives are unfolding before us; our health, vitality, clarity, and strength are growing each day, and there is more empowerment in being clear of mind in that unfolding than anything I have ever felt before!
So, I should be honest right from the start: we are NOT the family that follows all the healthy living rules….We don’t make everything from scratch, we are not picture perfect, and when we started this journey, it began with ONE step: holistic supplementation and minor changes to our eating habits. My husband and I were much more willing to accept some changes to our diet than our children, as expected, and I am not here to share about how we have blossomed into the model, health-magazine-cover family. We are REAL. We are working. We are learning. We are like the majority of families out there just trying to make good choices where we can. We are looking into the eye of chronic illness, autoimmune disease, adhd, even mental health and old trauma, and we are fighting back holistically! This is our story of growth and with it, the recapturing of our lives.
So, in finding the missing piece to our health and wellness, we are looking forward to so many new experiences! We have huge plans and adventures awaiting us, and we are excited to share them with others who may also be looking to find their missing piece!
Healthy Gut Healthy Mind 