Food and Faith......

'Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not.'

- The Lorax by Dr. Suess

For the past few years, I've been trying to educate myself about food, the environment and anything else I can possibly think of that affects my sweet, little family. All this is to the chagrin of my wonderful husband because I get totally obsessed with my findings. And then I expect the whole family to just jump on board.

Mostly, I get blank stares and rolled eyes. Who can blame them? Who wants to be told your favorite goldfish snack is toxic or that the M&M's you are eating are bad for your lactose intolerant condition (my hubby)?

Yet, still........I can't back down. I truly believe that gathering all this knowledge can't be for nothing. And I also believe that God gives you just enough information at just the right time.......just enough to help you get started.....not enough to totally throw you over the edge. And every book or dvd on the subject I've read or seen has almost thrown me over the edge. Almost.

I just read a great book called, 'The Unhealthy Truth'. If you really want to know the condition of your food, it's a must read. 'Food Matters' is also the best dvd on the food industry and pharmaceuticals that I've seen. Highly recommend!

My sweet Molly and my wonderful husband are lactose intolerant. Which means they have an allergy. I have a serious sensitivity to gluten.........it makes me miserable but I love my bread so much I usually ignore it. And Lilly? Who knows. Seems everyone has an allergy around here and I suspect one day hers will show up, too.

I've been slack. Lazy. And I've been giving in to Molly for ice cream and whatever else she wants and have been indulging in pound cake, olive and rosemary bread and whatever else I wanted, too. I've felt like death lately and yesterday I took Molly to the doctor because she literally can't hear. You heard me right (no pun intended)......she can't hear well. I figured she just had wax. So, let's go get it out. The Doctor pulls out gobs of wax, tells me Molly has fluid behind both eardrums, probably needs her adenoids out and also needs to see an ear, nose and throat specialist. Also, that she needs prescription steroids and allergy medication everyday. Or.......................stop feeding her dairy. Because that's probably the cause.

What?? I'm doing this to my child????? Because of my laziness? Oh boy. My mommy guilt went nuts. I was told by the same doctor that Molly was lactose intolerant a year ago and that she shouldn't be given any dairy, even with a lactaid pill. No dairy, period! And now......the poor kid snores like an old man because of all the snot she retains. How could this happen?

Welp.....after wallowing in guilt for a while, I made a firm decision. Our house will be dairy free (okay, okay.....except for my half and half which I can't live without). But no cheese, butter or milk. Nada. Even Kevin jumped in (again.....except for our half and half!!). And I'm back to no gluten. None. Nada. Not even a little.

The biggest thing about all this is not only how Molly, Kevin and I feel right now......but what are these foods doing to us in the long run? 20 years from now, how sick will we be if we don't take our allergies seriously?? God given knowledge should not be ignored. And if I don't take that knowledge and protect my family with it, who is? No one.

And, of course, I could talk for hours about going organic, all natural and non-gmo. But......just like my sweet Kevin, I'm sure you have heard enough for one night!