...How Good I Feel Today

I've been doing something remarkable for the last month or so (which is why you haven't heard from me much). I'll try almost anything twice so I've been experimenting on myself as of late. It felt a little weird at first because I found myself doing something that black women, especially those with children and/or husbands, rarely do.

I've been taking care of myself.

There.

I said it.

And the heavens didn't open up nor did the ground to swallow me whole.



For a 34 year old women, I was feeling incredibly run down and just old in generally. When I got out of bed in the morning my knees popped like kindling for a winter bon fire. I could never get enough sleep. And heaven forbid I had to fulfill my marital obligations. Everything and everybody got on my nerves and I was just a bitch to be around.

Well, as luck would have it I came across some interesting health posts at my favorite place to hang out at on the net. They were about health in general and incorporating some Eastern methods of maintenance for your daily well being.

Being as I have no health insurance and had absolutely nothing to lose I started incorporating some of these simple tips into my everyday life and I am astounded to say the least! I haven't felt this way since before my first son was born almost 7 years ago.

For this to be the most progressive country in the world for medicine, why is our mortality rate so high? Well, that's quite simple - there's no profit in a cure. This is the very reason I didn't go to a doctor when I started experiencing all kinds of issues with my health. Nothing really specific and nothing that was really hurting me, I just knew that my body was not functioning the way it was supposed to. I didn't want to be given a pill that would alleviate the symptoms but cause something else in me to break down. A pill that wouldn't take care of the problem, just make it easier to tolerate.

Don't misunderstand me, please. If I'm in a car accident and end up with multiple broken bones, I sure as hell don't want to be left in the woods to the let dew fall on me and the Woodland Nymphs administer to my needs. Doctors have their place and are vitally important to society. I do not, I repeat, I do not hate doctors. I'm all for going to them for a diagnosis. However, I'd rather be offered more natural alternatives that will allow my body to heal itself and work the way it was meant to before being written out a prescription that I'll have to take for the duration of my life.

I've always believed that God put everything we needed right here on this Earth when he created it to keep our bodies running smoothly and efficiently. I just didn't know what these things were, where to purchase them and how to use them. What we consider "modern medicine" is not even a century old so what did people do up to this time to take care of themselves?

My grandmother is 84 years old and gave birth to 9 children in rural East Texas. If someone was constipated, they didn't run to a drug store and get some Ex-Lax. She made senna leaf tea, an all natural herb that got everything back in working order. Growing up I had never heard of such a thing. But why would I? Who stands to profit from this treatment? Have you ever seen a commercial for this tea? How easy is it to find in your local grocery store or Walmart?

Exactly.

In future posts I will be going in depth in each of the "treatments" I've engaged in and letting you in on these "secrets". I'm always on the lookout for something new and I welcome any feedback you may have on the subject. I'll even let you in on stuff I know absolutely nothing about but have come across in my musings.

I hang out at the health food store now the same way I used to hang out at Walmart. I still have lots to learn and lots of unhealthy habits to break but you know what? At least I know now. And according to G.I. Joe knowing is half the battle.