Tuesday, February 19, 2013

wholefood mama maintenance

When was the last time you had a medical check up? Or visited your natural health practitioner?

I recently had a blood test to check my cholesterol level, triglycerides, iron, vitamin D, thyroid function etc; I do this every two years mainly because my mum died very unexpectedly at age 44 of a heart attack and because I believe so much that prevention is better than cure. Don't wait to get sick to get well!

The test results came back showing I was anaemic (low in iron). Tiredness is a common side effect of being anaemic and there I was thinking I was tired from Sol waking me up every night. After all, aren't all mothers tired? Well apparently not. And there is a difference between feeling tired and feeling exhausted to the bone and no amount of rest or sleep can restore your energy.

Anaemia has been an on and off problem for me since giving birth to River almost 7 years ago. It is not because I don't have enough iron in my diet but more so an absorption issue.

I decided to write about this here because I think many mothers put their own health and wellness at the bottom of their very full to do list and it really needs to be at the top.

I booked in to see my local Chinese medicine practitioner and spent an hour receiving acupuncture, shiatsu, wisdom and herbs. In addition to taking the herbs it was recommended I have a daily root vegetable juice, drink plenty of water and also chlorophyll. It was not recommended I sit down to a great big steak which is a common thought, that meat is the answer to anaemia, eating big amounts of red meat if your digestion is weak will make you more tired! I am enjoying the ritual of making the juice and now that the weather has finally cooled I have made a bone stock. The herbs have made a huge difference to my energy in just 10 days of taking them. The words of wisdom I received that I think will resonate with many mothers is to do things in your own time on your own terms, set goals that work for the present always with an ideal in mind that will be more possible in the future.

In your own time, on your own terms. Don't you love that? This applies to so many aspects of mothering and looking after yourself while you are busily focused on looking after all those around you. For instance, weaning, co-sleeping, practicing yoga, changing your family's diet. Your ideal might be to attend a yoga class twice a week but for now a yoga DVD at home is more achievable. Your ideal might be for your family to eat wholefood home cooked meals three times a day but for now you are focusing on wholefood breakfasts and saying goodbye to boxed cereals and white toast every morning.

What are you doing to take care of you mama? Do you find it hard to do?

10 comments:

  1. Oh beautiful you, so glad you are feeling better, so glad you sought out such wonderful and nourishing help, so glad that you wrote this post, full of such wisdom and gentleness. xxx

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    1. :) thanks lovely. Hope you are feeling great and all well in your beautiful world xx

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  2. This is such a great reminder. I know there's better ways of getting it, but I just started taking iron last week (after feeling dog tired), and have been thinking about a "check up" appointment too. Getting older can be scary! Kellie xx

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    1. Hi Kellie, I highly recommend the 'check-up' appointment, if you have a blood test then you can be 100% certain that it is low iron that is causing you to feel tired and not some other cause. I hope the iron supplement is helping and you have your energy back xx

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  3. Funnily enough Nikki I had an appointment with a nutritionist/naturopath this morning for a check-up and she's recommended I go for a whole load of blood tests to check a few things. She also did this test that checked how I was on a cellular level. All fascinating stuff and I have lots of homework to do. I should have gone sooner, but I guess today was meant to be the day! I love what you say about 'in our time'. I do get caught up in wanting to effect change immediately, but of course it's not practical nor is it the right way to do things - there's a process to everything. I must keep that in mind! x

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  4. Yay for you Vanessa, taking good care of you. I have had the cellular level test done too, it is fascinating and a great way of inspiring me further on the health and vitality path. I fall into the same time trap that you write about, we really do have to trust that life unfolds in its own divine order. Happy homework to you :) x

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  5. Great to read that you're on the mend Nikki!

    This post sings to me... I am, simply put, exhausted. Anouk is 13 months now and a complete handful who doesn't sleep. I'm 16 weeks pregnant and starting to understand why women wait longer between kids!

    I eat as well as I can however, with Hyperemesis Gravidarum it usually ends up in the toilet. Oy!

    The good news is, I have a massage booked tomorrow and am heading off in a month for three weeks of relaxation in Hawaii. My whole family will be there which means Nick and I get lots of Anouk help. ;)

    Phew, thanks for letting me vent. Luna. x

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    1. So lovely to read your words here Luna. I was just thinking yesterday that I haven't seen your name here for a while...and now I know why! Anouk 13 months and you 16 weeks pregnant that is a big job mama. congratulations on having a new babe in the making so exciting! but yes very tiring when you already have a very busy little person to look after plus non stop nausea!! Excuse all the exclamation marks but I think they are warranted. Good for you massage booked and Hawaiian holiday hooray. Enjoy and take extra good care. You are welcome to 'vent' here any time at all go right ahead xx

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  6. Apparently Vit B5 and Vit C are essential for absorption of other things like iron and zinc... I found this out from a kinesiologist after taking iron and zinc for 6 months and still being low in iron and zinc! Getting the results from a whole bunch of blood tests tomorrow so I'll see how it goes this time. I feel like we mamas need to reminded every single day to take care of ourselves x

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    1. Thanks Nic for you comment and insight into this topic.I hope you are all balanced out again soon, it makes such a difference! And I agree, daily reminder for mamas do something each day to take good care of you xx

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Thanks for your comments. I read every one!

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