About me ... and why I decided to write a blog.

About me ... and why I decided to write a blog. 

It has been a long time since I have actually published on my blog, so I decided to start over. I am 41, mother of two and I recently became a registered nurse. My older son (now 14) was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 10 years ago and I spent many hours on researching health and nutrition. I learnt and am still learning a great deal about the human body and everything relating to digestion, the immune system and why sometimes things go out of control. I love to cook and I have a small vege and herb garden.

I have to dedicate this blog to some people. Firstly my tutor Jane Marshall who rekindled my love for writing and secondly to the self-proclaimed "food gurus" who keep providing me with the subjects.

What is it going to be about? Food and nutrition. You're probably rolling your eyes now and I can't blame you! Whatever you touch, someone will yell at you that it is the wrong stuff. Hollywood diet, paleo diet, Atkins diet, raw veganism, vegetarian, fruitarian, fasting, supplements, detoxification, eggs or no eggs, polyunsaturated fats versus saturated fats, Omega 3 and Omega 6, antioxidants, superfoods, activated seeds and nuts, heavy metal poisoning, increased diabetes and cardiovascular risk, salt intake, sugar crazy cancer, antibiotics in poultry, organic food, pesticides, heritage varieties, ... blah blah blah! We're bombarded with these every, single day. 

Quite honestly, I come across fad diets every single day, privately and at work. I don't have an issue with coeliac disease and lactose or casein allergies/intolerances, but it can be extraordinarily challenging to deal with the anorexic young woman in her early twenties who is taller than you, yet weighs less than your 12-year-old and you are faced with providing food (in a hospital environment!) that needs to be gluten- and dairy-free, is vegan and cannot be bananas as she is the only person I ever met to be allergic to one of THE least allergenic foods on the planet ... Or you get people suggesting supplements that will revert your son's autoimmune disease or who suggest to cut out whole food groups because you have an autoimmune disease yourself (and those individuals are ignoring the fact that you are symptom free despite your diet ... or because of it). If I am honest, yes, I am fed up with it!

I like the Weight Watchers ad with the little cupcake with the white flag 'I come in peace!' When has food become our enemy? And what's with all that crazy sh!t we are bombarded with? Is there anything to it? Is the health craze really improving our lives and more importantly our health? Or is all just hot air, a way to make money? 

I say: KEEP IT REAL! Yes, think about what you eat. But don't become obsessed with it. I eat meat, milk products, eggs, wheat, fruit, sugar, chocolate, processed foods, I drink coffee and alcohol. But I don't take supplements. Yet, I weigh 54kgs (119lbs) and a my blood tests consistently confirm that I am very healthy. I am not a food guru and I will never become one. It's not necessary. It's insane! Food is not our enemy, it's nourishment. Without a sufficient intake, the body can't perform the vital functions. I'll take a closer look at many of these nutritional claims and alternative diets and explain what they really do and can do to improve your health. Believe me, there is no BIG secret to being happy and healthy. Food can only do so much good. Keep it simple, KEEP IT REAL! 

And enjoy that occasional glass of wine or piece of cake without the guilt ...