I grew up in rural Pennsylvania on almost 20 acres of land and forest where my tomboy self could live her best life. I spent my time making mud pies, hanging with the boy scouts, fishing and generally doing anything outside. There wasn’t much to do and I had no friends that lived within a reasonable walking/biking distance. At least not ones that were available. It did instill a primitive hunger to be outdoors, rain or shine and I’m not mad about it.
My maternal grandparents were our neighbors. I realize now what a blessing that was. If my grandmother was baking, I was in the kitchen with her. Otherwise, I would beg my Mom to whip up a cake. Super bonus if I could use my Easy Bake oven! And if the weather was right, I was outside whipping up some mud pies hoping my Mom would come pretend eat them with me.
Was I a picky eater?
I never considered myself one but honestly, I probably was. Nothing beat a bowl of rice krispies for breakfast and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch. Milk was purchased by the half gallon in a glass bottle and there was always an extra stash at my grandparents. My diet was slightly more varied than that but largely, that is what I ate every day. Whoever was serving spaghetti for dinner got me as guest, weather I was invited or not.
My memories of childhood are quite foggy. In hindsight with so little nutrition to make me function properly, how could it be anything any different. I recall it included a lot of throwing up, falling asleep every time we got in the car, difficulty getting out of bed and struggling to do well in school both academically and socially.
Going to the doctor didn’t produce fruitful results but honestly, I don’t remember going very much, if at all. I hated it and I’m not sure my family could afford it. Mom would ask if I wanted to go and I would always decline. I suffered and it didn’t seem there was a viable solution.
Although I struggled in more ways than one, trips to my grandparents’ house early always “made things better”. They always had cookies, Reeses peanut butter cups (kept in the fridge), ice cream and marshmallow fluff with peanut butter, ready to be smothered on Ritz crackers. Spaghetti was a regular on the menu and I made SURE I was present for that! It isn’t fancy but Gram made the best spaghetti!
Fast forward into young adulthood and symptoms didn’t improve. I embraced being a young wife and mother, and although I liked to cook, I didn’t venture from what I knew. Frozen salisbury steak, instant mashed potatoes, boxed macaroni and cheese and pasta were regular rotation. My energy continued to decline, I started getting chronic migraines, anxiety, depression, brain fog, apathy and constant inflammation piled up on top of my already stressed body and mind.
I took an above average amount of NSAIDS on the daily to combat chronic headaches, fatigue and the by-products of inflammation. Once I hit my 40’s I gained weight I couldn’t loose and I got terrible sinus infections that would last for weeks. My 17 year marriage came to an abrupt end and I got laid off my from my job. I hit rock bottom.
I spent the next couple of years growing in my faith and seeking out answer on my own. I became a certified functional nutritionist and I completed a life long dream to attend baking and pastry school. I learned how to care for myself while doing my best to get in top physical shape and get my youngest daughter through high school.
For the first time in my life, I learned that I could do life without a partner or spouse. I found it rewarding, exciting and encouraging. I still didn’t have all the answers for my chronic health issues, but I knew that unwinding them, so to speak, was going to be a much more tenacious process and that it would require taking things day by day.
I have since married the most wonderful God-fearing man and although I am feeling much better, I still continue to pursue answers and solutions as new symptoms pop up. I’ve learned so much and I’m building community one step at a time. It’s essential to have this support!
I pray that the recipes and perspectives here offer you some direction and encouragement. Keep an open mind and you’ll be encouraged with what is true vs what you have always known or been told. If you haven’t signed up for my free book recommendations list, please do so here. It’s a great place to start!
I know nutrition can be a very polarizing subject and I’m not here to sway you to each one way or another. You must discern what is nurturing for your body as this stage of life. If you don’t know what that is, hang in there. You won’t get answers overnight. It’s a journey and it will change as much as your needs change.
Nurture on!
