To Live Right, Eat Right

To live right, ya gotta eat right. That's a tough concept for a sugar addict to swallow; I've fought it. And yet, I've gone from just trying to cut out refined food, to eliminating red meat, to being a vegetarian, then going back to fish, after that adding chicken, and then the occasional bison burger, and now being pretty much paleo.

Leading me along these misadventures has been my trusty husband Jeff, who changes diets more frequently than some people change socks.

He's been bent on finding an organic, humane farmer for us to buy meat and poultry from. He's found a great family in the Andersons near Durand, Wisconsin, and he placed an order. Yesterday, we packed up the Fearsome Threesome and headed to the farm for a tour and to pick up the order.

Little chick hatchlings cavort in a outbuilding with fresh wood chips and natural lighting. When they are bigger, they'll be moved outside, where they can continue to move freely in the grass and forage for bugs and worms.

The young cows are pastured, and feast on clover, grasses and dandelions. Whereas corn-finished beef are typically slaughtered at eight months, these will be about 20 months old. Still young, but they will live happy, healthy lives.

We also visited young pigs. The pigs are kept in rotating pasture, where they can root and burrow to their hearts content. They have fresh water, shelter, and plenty of room to run and play. Pigs are smarter than dogs and I still can't bring myself to eat them.

I'm still conflicted about eating animals, yet nature has evolved with a food chain, and humans are usually on top. Because we are human, we have the capacity to assess the affect our livestock raising choices have on those animals. We have the capacity to choose humane methods. Let's make that choice whenever we can.

Slow Day at the Keyboard

Finally, after a week of cold, rainy weather, the rain stopped and the sun shone. The sun was starting to peek out as Jeff and I went to 6:00 a.m. Crossfit, and it was a warm and sunny day. 


I struggled to work on a bio for a writing site though, and struggled to work on an article. The topic is just not doing it for me and I don't think it will generate much interest. I looked outside at the landscaping and it called to me, but I sat and struggled away. 


Finally, I called it quits, took the dogs for a walk, pulled a few ubiquitous weeds and raked leftover dead leaves from last fall. Inhaling the murky, moldering scent of the leaves, I was transported back to last fall --- I should have called it quits far earlier, and enjoyed a rare and lovely spring day. I can write at night, when it's dark. 

(Photo by gracey  http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/572880)

Writing Ups and Downs

I seem to be distracted by agility Mondays and by Obedience and Rally on Tuesdays, so this past Monday and Tuesday were pretty lame for writing, though I did listen to part of a teleseminar on web writing. Wednesday, just felt so tired for some reason and didn't struggle through to accomplish anything of value.

I was getting worried --- I was so fired up about the writing career last week and it felt pretty flat this week...until today. I buckled down, had that extra cup of coffee and finished an article on protein requirements that required some more challenging research and thought. Got it done and it got published.

http://factoidz.com/understanding-protein-needs-for-older-adults-or-seniors/

Now to knock off the Mexican folk healing article that's been collecting dust for a week!

(Photo by puddleduck - http://morguefile.com/archive/view/display/227976)

A New Year, a New Career

Wow, it's been a full year since I've last posted on this blog!

I completed another year towards my integrative health and healing certificate; in fact, I just have one class left.

The program was, appropriately enough, healing on many levels. I loved every class. The students and faculty are inspiring. Going through it confirmed how much I enjoy researching and writing about health care, nutrition and fitness. Writing will be a large part of what I do next.

In view of that, I've been researching web article writing sites. I'm now writing for Factoidz, and I've published the following four articles:

• http://factoidz.com/shamanic-journeying-spirit-guides-power-animals-and-answering-lifes-questions/
• http://factoidz.com/why-and-how-to-train-door-manners-sitting-at-door-with-your-dog/
• http://factoidz.com/strength-and-weight-training-health-benefits-for-seniors-and-older-adults/
• http://factoidz.com/how-to-start-an-antiques-or-collectibles-business/

It's been fun to start learning about the article writing business, and really fun to research and write. I'm excited to build skills and a portfolio. Wish me luck!