Clean Eating on Vacation

I can't believe two weeks has gone by since my last post!  We have been so busy around here.  We've enjoyed swimming with the Dunigan's every week, playing outside, going to the library, dance class for Ella, the zoo, and all the crazy activities at home.  We also spent a lot of time planning for our family vacation to Panama City. 
It is still important to us to avoid certain foods when we travel so we have to plan, plan, plan.  It was even more crucial this year because my gym, PR Fitness (http://prfitnessblog.blogspot.com/) , started their Whole 30 Challenge (http://whole9life.com/2010/05/whole-30-v2/), the Monday of our vacation!  Basically, I can eat meat, veggies, fruit, some nuts, and seeds but that is about it...for 30 days.  I did not realize how out of balance my body was until the sugar withdrawal symptoms started! (More on that)
We always stay somewhere with a full kitchen and we found a great resort this year with a spacious condo.  Before we left we bought and made all our food for breakfast, lunch, and snacks.  We decided to eat out for dinner each night.  The kids were GREAT!  They had an awesome time!  On the other hand, this pregnant momma, was a hot mess.  I'm kind of glad I went through all the crazy symptoms while on vacation because I was on the beach or at the pool in front of a bunch of people.  I had to keep it together.  My head pounded like it has never pounded before for 3 days straight!  I felt very fatigued and was so irritable (just ask my husband, he'll tell you). :-) Going out to eat for dinner was pure torture and a true test of my willpower and strength to say "no" to some very tempting foods.  Finally on the 4th day, I had a mild headache and was starting to get some energy back.  Now on day 7, I feel like myself again.  It just goes to show what sugar and the wrong carbs can do to our bodies...crazy!  We did let the kids splurge on too much sugar and gluten but we kept them away from corn and peanuts. 
I've already gotten some remarks and comments about doing the Whole 30 Challenge.  People think that because I'm pregnant I shouldn't be so restrictive.  I think that because I'm pregnant I should be restrictive.  I remember with Haiden eating whatever the heck I wanted and my pregnancy was often an excuse.  "I'm pregnant so I'll eat the entire sleeve of Oreos!"  I ate the most processed, disgusting food with him and have a ton of regret.  With Ella, I wasn't much better.  I still consumed my sodas, loved my ice cream, and ate about a cup of peanut butter everyday!  Finally, after going through hell with Haiden and Ella's health I realized how important it was for me to take better care of myself when I am pregnant.  With Mason, I did much better.  I stuck to water and orange juice, lots of fruits and veggies, but still enjoyed a cookie every once and awhile...okay maybe everyday.  It is obvious that I have a hard time making healthy babies since they can't handle and dispose of all the chemical in vaccines and our environment.  It is my priority to make sure this baby is just as healthy as Mason was when he was born, if not more so.  I am doing everything I know to do to make sure of that.  I will continue to eat mainly organic meats, fruits, and veggies.  I will continue to only drink water.  I will continue to work out.  I will continue to take clean vitamins.  I will continue to reduce my exposure to chemicals.  I will continue to make myself the strongest I can be to have a drug free child birth.  So if that means doing the Whole 30 Challenge and eating Paleo, then I will!

Okay, I'll step down from my soapbox now and share a few picture from our summer so far. :-)

Haiden and Ella have become quite the puzzle masters.  (Granny, Haiden loves this puzzle you got him!)

Painting outside!  Why not, that why we get to pain on the concrete too!

Mason loves playing with his rice and beans.  He fills up bowls and measuring cups, mixes it all together, hides letters, and makes me "taco soup"!

Haiden also has "home school" time everyday when Ella and Mason take a nap.  He reads from a chapter book for 30 minutes, completes a speech activity each day that his awesome speech teacher from White Lick sent home, and complete two activities each day that his awesome general education teacher from White Lick sent home for the summer.  He also loves to do the Brain Quest questions which I think is great!  His motivator?  When he is finished he get to play with this best friend, our neighbor, Tate!
For Ella, I do these awesome Preschool Packs that I got from this website,
http://www.1plus1plus1equals1.com/PreschoolPacks.html.  She loves it!
For Mason  and all the kids, I love this blog, http://playathomemom3.blogspot.com/.  She has really helped me tune in to my crafty side with the kids and they love all the new things I show them. 


Can you hear them yelling, "Florida!"

 Haiden loved the ocean until day 3.  I saw some fish, freaked out, and scared him to death.

 Princess playing in the sand.

 Mason loved the beach!

On our way home from Florida I finished the book, The Vaccine Epidemic.  It is a must read for any parent who wants to know their rights and understand the dangers of vaccines.  I have more of that to share in future blog posts!  Until then, I hope everyone is enjoying their summer!

Happy 2nd Birthday Mason

Mason,
My how you've grown this past year!  You went from a babbling, wobbly walker to a talking runner.  You make me laugh all day and you test my consistency all day too.  You love your big sister and brother so much and try so hard to keep up with them and follow their lead.  About 5 months ago you started to show interest in using the potty but you could walk around with a poopy diaper and not ever care.  Your favorite place to be is outside.  Daddy built a huge sandbox this spring and you could sit in there forever just digging and playing with the sand toys.  You also love to pick up bugs, squish them, laugh, and throw them down.  You could also let me push you on the swing for hours.  You love to eat!  You eat more than most grown ups I know but you won't put anything green in your mouth.  Within the last 3 months your speech has exploded and it is so fun to finally hear what goes on in your little mind.  My favorite expression of yours is "Oh man!" when something doesn't go your way.  At home you are so expressive, loud, and outgoing but when you get around strangers you become shy, quiet, and keep close to mommy.  It's okay though, mommy likes that.  You also love books, coloring with markers, trains, cars, blocks, painting, and swimming.  Every night I rock you before bed and we sing "Rock A Bye Mason" and "You Are My Sunshine".  You continue to be so healthy and strong and remind me everyday that the choices I have made are the best!  You aren't going to be the baby of the family much longer since you have a new brother or sister on the way but you will always be my baby boy.  Mommy, Daddy, Ella, and Haiden love you so much Mase-man!

Unavoidably Unsafe

I've been back from the Autism One conference in Chicago for about a week and I'm still on a high!  Before I left I was down and out about autism, vaccine injury, diet, and anyone understanding me anymore.  I was sick of having to explain myself over and over and over again to family and friends who just think I'm crazy and cast negative judgement towards me as a mother.  Now that I'm back I'm more confident than ever in my parenting and the choices I've made for my children!  There were thousands of other parents who experienced the same issues I have, watched the same things happen as I have, and were helping their children get better.  Ever since Haiden's diagnoses and our road to recovery I've felt that I'm suppose to do something with this experience.  Maybe it was to just tell our story so that maybe I can save one other child but I have a drive to do more. 
Even though I was crazy busy photographing the conference I did get to sit in and listen to speakers I wanted to hear.  I learned so much from Law Day with Mary Holland that I had to share!
1. Did you know that the U.S. law states that vaccines are "unavoidably unsafe"? Hmmm, bet your not going to hear any doctor tell you that?!
2. There is a Vaccine Injury Court that has no due process, no jury, and no cross examination.  Sounds fair to me! (Insert sarcasm)
3. There is a 1986 Vaccine Injury Compensation Program that has compensated over 2,500 families since 1990.  In order to be compensated you have to go through Vaccine Injury Court which is almost impossible.  You also have to have hard core evidence.  How many of you are taking before and after pictures/videos of your children when they get shots?
4. There are over 11,000 cases awaiting Vaccine Injury Court.
Now, I'm not a doctor, I'm not a lawyer, and I know little about politics but to me this is worrisome.  If vaccines were so safe, and it is okay to give our children over 30 doses of vaccines by 3 years of age, then why does the U.S. law state that vaccines are "unavoidably unsafe"?  Why is there a Vaccine Injury Court?  Why is there a Vaccine Injury Compensation Program?  Why are there so many cases awaiting to be heard in Vaccine Injury Court? 
When vaccines where first considered effective living conditions were much different.  There wasn't proper trash removal, there wasn't proper transportation of food, there weren't waste treatment plants like today, and sanitation standards were different.  History has shown that diseases come and go even without vaccines.
There aren't any studies that shows the health of unvaccinated vs. vaccinated children.  There aren't any studies that show what can happen to our children when they have 30 doses of vaccines.  All our government keeps doing is adding more and more vaccines to the vaccine schedule.  All I keep hearing about is how Autism, ADHD, ADD, and allergies have increased by 400%!
Now, there are some of you out there who will say, "Well there have been studies that show there is no link between autism and vaccines."  Let me tell you what is wrong with those studies.  For one, they were funded by the vaccine makers themselves so there is a HUGE conflict of interest.  For two, they only tested one vaccine (MMR) and one vaccine ingredient (thimerisol).  You have no idea what all those chemicals can do to your child. You want to see what they are injecting your child with?  Take a look here, straight from the CDC, http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/appendices/B/excipient-table-2.pdf.
Also, the government is currently paying millions of your tax dollars to 83 known, and I emphasis known, families who have children with vaccine injury and autism. http://video.foxnews.com/v/4687300/. 
Like I said, I know little about politics but I feel like the only way changes are going to be made is if we go to the people who can change the law.  The Canary Party was launched two weeks ago and I am getting involved.  I feel that I can help make a difference and save other children.  If you are interested or would like more information, I encourage you to visit, www.canaryparty.org.

Dr. Wakefield and I.  I respect this man even more now that I had the chance to meet and talk with him!