“It’s unique. It’s something I don’t believe we’ve done before. Some purists don’t like it, but I think it’s appropriate.”  Sherry Lewis

In what areas are you a purist?

He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king for his friend.  (Prov. 22:11; NIV)

Ahhh…a new look!  Yes, I’ve been bellyaching about our banner saying that it was outdated…and my hairdo was out of style.   Many thanks to our faithful readers who have noticed and affirmed the changes.  A new look often brings reflection from the past.  I realized that many of our readers don’t know the story behind my passion for wellness.  Today’s post will briefly touch on some of what I’ve walked through in order to bring you up to date on how I went from Purist to Pragmatic.

Many years ago my immune system was nearly destroyed from various chemical and environmental assaults.  I literally became allergic to the environment around me in addition to being allergic to most common, everyday foods.  Not only was my digestive system affected, but my neurological system, endocrine (hormonal system), and musculoskeletal system were also screaming that something was terribly wrong.  My world, as I knew it, was crashing down around me and at the time we had little idea of what was happening or if I would live to see the next day, week, or month.  I spent years fighting to regain my health.  Along the way, I developed a passion for supporting and educating others so that no one else would have to walk through what I did.

During the years of being ill, my life depended on eating pure, whole foods that wouldn’t cause a reaction.  I became quite a purist in what I ate.  I became aware of every ingredient I was putting into my mouth.  I made most everything I ate from “scratch,” including my own baking powder.

I see from other health blog that there are still many health-food purists out there.  Some eat only raw food, while others won’t buy anything in a package or plastic container.  As I’ve regained my health and become busy with life and a business, I realize that I’ve made a transition from being such a purist to being more practical in my food preparation and choices.  Following are a few shifts I’ve made.

• Dried beans to canned beans
  I always used dried beans, soaked them and cooked them myself.  I would never think of buying beans in a can.  However, I now buy organic beans in a can that contains only beans, water, and sea salt.
• Homemade broths to prepared broths
  I always made broths from scratch either from lots of vegetables and water or from a whole chicken, vegetables, and water.  Now, I buy organic, vegetable or free-range chicken broth in a carton.
• Fresh picked berries to already picked and frozen
  I always went berry picking in the summer months and washed and froze the berries for year round use.  Now, I buy already picked, frozen berries.
• Fresh herbs to dried herbs
  I love the taste of fresh herbs and used them primarily.  However, the table has turned and I use more dried herbs now.  (The summer months will increase the use of fresh herbs once again.)
• Homemade breads and tortillas to pre-made organic bread
  I always made our own bread and tortillas.  I didn’t buy any bread for many, many years!  With the busyness of our business, however, a few months ago, I began purchasing a spelt, sourdough bread that is a good alternative to homemade bread.

One can still eat and feed their family in a very healthy manner without spending hours upon end in the kitchen in food preparation.

Prayer Power
Father, we continue to be so grateful to You for our life and our health.  May we do all You ask in taking care of our bodies.

Link of the Day
UNCOMMON Wellness Coaching

Blessings on you as you examine what you’re eating.