The Seed

2023 was the year of physical health for me. All my life I had been educated about health and nutrition (so I thought) but I was 100 lbs. over weight and on numerous medications daily or twice daily. I met my breaking point. Desperate times called for desperate measures. I made three major decisions that would so positively impact my life that it would further alter my entire approach to life. First decision was that I would not eat fast food, at all, in 2023. It took 8 months to stop feeling like an addict every time I drove past a McDonalds or Taco Bell. That really infuriated me. I'm not a fan of being controlled by anything but my own self. Bondage these days comes in many covert forms and I had just discovered one more difficult to escape than illegal drugs.  

My second decision was to water (and herbal tea) fast for 40 days. I took Philippians 4:13 quite literally. If Jesus could do it, I could to. Come to find out I wasn't quite walking in the same power Jesus was in the wilderness lol. I stopped all my meds, cold turkey, totally against the wishes of my medical care team (I don't recommend). That was also an additional kick in the pants. Don't walk away from this accusing me of a health crisis you have after reading this and thinking you are invincible. I am not a doctor. I am just telling you what I did and in some cases that is very dangerous. Talk to your doctor before taking extreme measures. 

The third decision was that when I did begin eating again my diet would be an anti inflammatory plan with a lot of Whole 30 practices. To make a very long story short I lost about 100 lbs., got off all meds, worked up to walking at least two miles a day, ate incredibly clean but also delicious comfort food, cooked more than I had in years, drastically changed my mental and spiritual health, discovered muscles and bones I didn't know I had and developed a measure of self confidence that sometimes makes me feel invincible. 

The Fertilizer

As far as 2024-25 goes not much has changed except my burning desire to teach people all the things I studied and learned about food (while fasting, insert eyeroll, glutton for punishment) that only a few people are talking about in the midst of a lot of what I have heard called food noise. The other thing I'm working on is developing a Permaculture focused micro farmstead to grow organic, self sustaining fresh food for my family, my community and food deserts in central Arkansas. In time, as seasons of growth permit, we will expand to facilitate many educational initiatives from the farm as well as going out into the community to help those with food insecurity learn how to grow their own fresh foods in their yard or containers. Self sustainability practices, individually and as a community, are the only way to ensure food insecurity is eliminated. I have already began serving and educating communities with in person fresh recipes instruction, cooking videos online and speaking engagements. My current project is a 28 day anti-inflammatory cookbook complete with 28 days of meal plans for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks, grocery lists and the stores the items are easiest found in. I plan to include links to many of the helpful resources that opened my eyes and introduced me to a life with food that I never imagined but am oh so glad to have discovered. 

The Harvest to Come

Stick around and see. It is a BIG adventure!