New Beginnings in 2013

In most years past, I make a list of all the ways I want to improve for the upcoming year.  They usually land in my journal, so I can look back on at least a couple years prior and compare.  I'm always shocked to find how similar they are in nature and wonder whether I'll be better this year at keeping to my goals.

In 2012, I did an experiment where I tried to work on one thing I wanted to improve for 21 Days.  You can find it here.  I did find longer last results in attempting to change my unwanted behavior.  This year, however, I am looking at New Year's Resolutions in a new light.  Rather than change, I want to accept my limitations and instead work on being more "present".  Awareness in an active sense and acceptance in hope that I will not put myself in control of all situations.  I think this will bring about more optimism rather than criticism into my life.

When I was preparing for the birth of my son, Tyler, I went through hypno-birthing classes and training.  It was all about trusting in myself and letting go of the control (something that would have been very beneficial for my oldest child's birth!).  When things would get tough, I would work on relaxing my body and being aware that my body was doing what it needed to be doing at that exact moment.

After Tyler was born, that concept was tucked away with my childbirth books. My goal was to feel like I was "making it" rather than "surviving" having 2 kids.  I wanted to have it all together and enjoy this period in our lives.  As a result, I came down hard on myself and my family when we'd sit in the mornings and watch TV.  In the other rooms, piles of laundry and stacks of dishes were waiting to be attended to.  Ugh! I felt like saying that for the first 6 months, as I adjusted and kept telling myself to push through and work harder.

With our upcoming baby due late April, I am embracing the approach of my wise hypnobirthing classes.  I'm fooling myself when I really think I can control everything to make it work.  I have limitations and my high expectations set me up for disappointment.  Not to mention the added pressure it puts on my family!

So, I'm going to work on going with the flow, accepting (not settling or complaining about) what life brings my way, and am going to be fully present.  I guess it's a way of reprioritizing and becoming a bit more wise from past experiences.  The "have to's" will be put on the shelf this year.  I am hopeful that this will bring more joy into our home and definitely more silliness.  It's a new adventure carrying no expectations along with it.  :)

Peace and happy new year,

Jen

Jen Starks, Owner
www.ecologicalbabies.com 
ecologicalbabies@gmail.com 
574.275.1235

Simplicity & Brand Names

For the past 10 years, I have been attempting to learn more about companies and their ethical choices.  Prior to that, I simply went to any store and headed to the sale rack.  Some of my favorite brands were Gap, Banana Republic, and JCrew.  I didn't read labels on products either but that is another post.  I've evolved and am continuing to learn how to be a better, more informed consumer.

It all started during the Lent of 2004.  I was doing my year of service with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, a year that has tremendously shaped me into who I am today.  Living in community with 5 other people (including my husband whom I had just married 3 weeks before beginning the year commitment), we attended many local events together. During this Lenten season, we attended a weekly event called "Soup and Spirituality" and it was during our discussion on textiles and social justice that my world was rocked.  I had NO clue that corporations were making unethical choices in order to maximize their profits.  They were exploiting their workers and the land.  Discrimination, child labor, extreme pollution, and unsafe working conditions are just a few to name.  If you are ready to find out the truth out there and want to see what the brands you are supporting are doing behind the scenes, you can go to the source I use: http://www.greenamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper/learn_hub.cfm

This organization investigates companies beyond the textile industy and includes major corporations all around the world.  It also gives you the opportunity to stand up against these organizations, if you want to do something about the information you learn.

As you might guess, I have switched which brands and stores I support.  In addition to that, I have come to recognize that there are many companies in which I have not learn about.  Because of that, I try to avoid wearing clothes or accessories that have their logo on the outside.  If I'm given some clothes with labels like "Nike" or "Old Navy" on them for the kids, I just pass them along to someone else. I even struggle with characters on it, like ones from Disney.  They are decent clothes but I don't want my kids (nor myself) to be a walking advertisement for them.

Plus, I don't want to get sucked into the social status affiliated with certain brands.  I'm not interested in carrying around a purse that is hundreds or thousands of dollars.  To me, it's a purse for a specific function.  And by promoting their brand, it might make someone else around me feel uncomfortable if they can't afford that purse.  It's just not who I am. My style is a purse from Ten Thousand Villages, a local sewer, or one someone made me as a gift.

All our individual purchases are a vote in support of a company and the choices they make. If we are more conscious of what our purchases are supporting, we can encourage positive change in companies.

If you followed the link above and looked up a particular company, which ones did you look up?  Were you surprised?

Peace,

Jen Starks, Owner
www.ecologicalbabies.com 
ecologicalbabies@gmail.com 
574.275.1235

Healing From the Inside, Naturally-Part II

Health.  Could you imagine not remembering the last time you were sick or your kiddos were sick?  My chiropractor in Tallahassee told me that he hasn't needed to take a sick day in over 15 years.  He doesn't use antibacterial gel after each patient either (claims he keeps it in his office for his patients "peace of mind"), yet he sees sick clients consistently.  Is he just lucky?  He told me that he used to get sick during "flu seasons" when he didn't take care of his body.  Put simply, he shared that he exercises regularly, eats well, gets enough sleep, keeps his spine aligned, avoids caffeine, and takes a few supplements.  

Seems too simple doesn't it?  But honestly, it isn't really "easy" to take care of yourself in this way without some sacrifice, self-control, and dedication.  As I've shared previously, I get suckered into staying up too late.  Having kids means more sleepless nights. We all can't afford a gym membership or the childcare that goes along with it.  Does eating healthy and organic foods seem like a luxury too?  Well, there are many excuses and fortunately there are ways to afford to be healthy.  It just takes a little thrift and lots of prioritization.   Instead of spending your money at the doctor's office, you'll be saving by investing in your long-term health.

My family doctor in Tallahassee used to have the same formula for me when I'd come in sick or with a sick child: Cut out refined sugars, stick to a Mediterranean diet, try to eat organic fruits and veggies, stay hydrated, spend time outside with mild playing, and then would assure me all would work itself out.  In terms of medicine, he usually recommended supplements and homeopathic remedies:  Probiotics daily, sambucol syrup with elderberry and echinacea, Nature's Way Cold Care syrup, Omega 3, and vitamin D drops. Using a cool-mist humidifier was usually in there too. His final remarks were usually "keep up the good work and come see me if you need to."  I miss that reassurance he always gave me, especially when I was a new mom.  Sigh.

Thanks to Jill Welch, Kitchen Goddess and my local farmer Joe Gady from Farming for Life, I've also learned the amazing benefits of green smoothies, consuming tons of leafy greens, eating more sea vegetables, regularly eating fermented foods, and drinking teas and bone broths.  In other words, I'm receiving a bunch of live probiotics and minerals while balancing out the PH in my body from all the other foods I choose to eat that might not be as beneficial.  Refined grains, sugars, starches, and any processed convenience foods mess up our immune system.  While I would say we are on a healthy track in our house, it is not a flawless victory, especially this past month.

These are specific recommendations from those I have learned from and respect, and help promote overall wellness. I have also learned to rely on other remedies when we are sick: neti pots, green tea with honey, spicy bone broths with garlic, ginger, and cayenne, humidifiers, warm baths, inhaling vapors with eucalyptus oil, colloidal silver, vitamin C drinks, Kumbucha, gentle yoga, and LOTS of water and rest.  

What are you currently battling?  What is helping?

For our good health,

Jen Starks, Owner
www.ecologicalbabies.com 
ecologicalbabies@gmail.com 
574.275.1235