Michelle's passions

Hello, Ladies
Let me first clearly state that I am totally intimidated by this blog posting so clearly writing for others to read is NOT a passion of mine. However, given how much I have been blessed to date by other postings, I am obliged, per Crystal's request, to write a bit about myself and my passions.

Throughout my life there have been some steadfast passions, and some fleeting.

The fleeting one's have included politics - I actually desired to be the first woman president at one point in my life! I even went to George Washington University so I could be only a few blocks from the White House. From there I delved into foreign languages, studied abroad in Russia, dated foreign men (even became engaged to one from South Africa) and studied hard to take the Foreign Service exam to become a diplomat and live overseas.

But, alas, I am a simple, Christian, farm girl from Southern Maine and none of those temporary passions managed to withstand my desire to follow God's will for my life. As of late, I feel my life has come full circle in terms of "passions." I have always put family as a priority in my life and now, more than ever, I am realizing the passion I have for family. Maybe its because my nuclear family broke down in my early years - my parents divorced when I was 10 - and I was somewhat left to help raise my two younger brothers, 7 and 2 yrs old at the time. I took on the role of co-parenting with my Dad happily and willingly from a very young age and have never resented a minute of it - although my brothers might think differently.

Maybe I took to it so willingly because I have always felt the strong God-given desire to have my own family. Now that I have started one with my husband, I feel my life is finally given the true meaning I searched for far and wide. We are now happily residing in Southern Maine and have no desire to ever leave - unless that perfect temporary overseas assignment pops up!

Now I'll cut to the chase and identify some current passions that drive me on a day to day basis.

Naturally, growing up on a farm helped me develop a taste & love for every kind of vegetable my Dad grew, but until now, I have never appreciated the power that the fruits of his labor have on our well being. The last couple years has really been a learning experience for me in terms of nutrition and natural wellness. It started when my poor infant daughter, Grace, developed eczema. I had never heard of the condition and wasn't satisfied with mainstream medicine's response of "just apply steroids." It just didn't sit right with me, and so, I started my own research...

Through my research, I uncovered the world of alternative medicine. Although I wish it was just considered "natural wellness" and mainstream medicine was called "alternative." After all, shouldn't the "alternative" be the last resort, not the first?

Anyway, my research led me to natural approaches. To looking at the body holistically and not patching the bad spots, only for them to reappear in some other form later on. As a result, I feel I was able to help my daughter manage her eczema by taking the natural approach.

My brother said he read somewhere that its very common for a new mother to develop passions for all things "natural." That, coupled with my farm family upbringing, I believe has brought me full circle in terms of a passion for agriculture, sustainable living, natural wellness, nutrition and conservation.

I won't go into detail here, but would be happy to discuss why I am now a huge fan of probiotics, gluten-free anything, cod liver oil, raw milk, fermentation, composting, cleaning with vinegar and baking soda, keeping chickens, gardening, free-range meat, etc.

Without making this the longest posting ever, I'll just include a few of my favorite Web sites & books that I just love to consume...

www.mercola.com
The Good Life by the Nearings
The Contrary Farmer by Gene Logsdon
Patient, Heal Thyself by Jordan Rubin
Nutrition and Physical Degeneration by Dr. Weston A. Price
www. motherearthnews.com
www.westonaprice.org
Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon
www.bodyecologydiet.com
www.newstarget.com

I also just want to add that a long time prayer of mine has been for a community of Christian women to befriend and grow with. Thanks to God working through Susan Arico, Erin Dauphinais and Crystal Ortlieb, my prayer has been answered. I am now finding that I can get just as much enjoyment out of spending time with friends, as I do with my own family. Fellowship with the Kajiji's feels as good and as natural to me as with my own blood relations. Thanks to the blood of Christ for bringing us together.

Love,
Michelle