A colleague today, knowing that I’m into natural health and nutrition, asked me if I could recommend a supplement or vitamin that would help with PMT. She said she’d tried all the usual ones like Evening Primrose Oil and nothing seemed to work. I looked at her and thought “where do I start?”. I’ve watched her these past five years. She comes in with yummy homemade soups and curries but then she gets frustrated with her weight and goes into packet weight loss soups interspersed with junk food binges on chips and Pepsi Max. I hear her talking about weight loss with other workmates and their discussions about things being ok because they are 95% fat free. I keep my mouth shut and continue to eat my full fat foods and slather my butter on.
I opened my mouth, hesitated, thought “what the hey”, took a breath and launched in…
“If I were going to advise you about how to deal with your PMT and other hormonal issues that you have, I wouldn’t be recommending a particular vitamin or supplement. I don’t really take supplements or vitamins - I eat unprocessed, nutrient-dense food to the point of even having things like raw liver in the mornings because it gives you an amazing amount of energy!”. I paused and checked her face to gauge her reaction - she didn’t bat an eyelid so I continued. “I’d be saying to you to give up all processed foods like your packet soups and stuff. I’d be telling you to have good quality meat and animal fat as well as raw dairy. I’d be looking at your total diet. Basically, it all relates back to the gut and your digestion as well as the type of food you eat. A vitamin or supplement isn’t going to fix your hormonal problems.” I stopped and waited for her response.
“I’m open to that”, she said. “I’d be really interested to know. I really need to do something as my PMT is just getting worse and I’m really cranky”.
Wow! I used to be a real evangelist. I’d launch into my nutritionally obsessed diatribes and people’s eyes would glaze over. Then I realised that people only change when they are good and ready and they need to approach you first. So now my philosophy is “live by example” and wait for people to come up and ask you what your secret is.
I promised to photocopy some stuff for her. She thanked me and went off to teach her next class and I turned back to my computer with a smile on my face. Another possible convert? Heh heh!!
About the Author...
Filippa lives in an ecovillage in southeast Queensland with her husband (K), her young son (Mr T), and "tummy bug" - due late September. She is passionate about nutrition, and enjoys nourishing dinner parties and luscious swims in the nearby waterhole. One day, she's hoping to say that she loves gardening too. First though, she's got to get past those childhood memories of Sundays spent pulling little weeds out of a manicured suburban garden bed.
Jun 5th, 2008 at 4:14 am
Filippa, your beautifully clear eyes and warm, juicy presence is inspiration enough to encourage others to follow you. Diatribes don’t work but clear eyes, full lips, soft skin, supple joints and relaxed nervous systems certainly display for all to see the benefits of the effort we Nourishers put into Nourishing ourselves. Sorry to speak in energy terms, but seeing you the other day, I noticed a huge change in your energy. You used to be way more cold and dry. Your warm, moist, fertile energy now radiates good health. I also noticed your emotional ‘health’ has improved. You know how Sally talks about children looking forlorn or even bitter, as though they’d missed out on what they deserve? You had that, years ago when we met. Now you feel to me relaxed and content, even though your life circumstances have not changed in the slightest, in fact you’re now under more pressure than ever. People may not know it but they notice this. They’re noticing it in you. Keep that lovely smile on your face and enjoy the flow of love between you and those you Nourish with your presence, you deserve it.
Jun 5th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
What a great reminder! How you live truly speaks louder than any soap box speech can! I need to remember this because I tend to be too outspoken and if I really want to be heard, I should shut my mouth and live out my example! Thanks Filippa.
Jun 6th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Thanks Jo :-)))
You are right that my emotional energy has changed - I am a much happier and stronger person now. Having a child seems to have really empowered me (awakened my inner goddess perhaps?). The diet has really grounded me too and I think that’s what keeps me going even though, as you said, I’m under the most pressure I’ve ever been under. Keep that Tiger’s Milk flowing, I say! People are telling me almost daily how well I look so that’s really encouraging too! And raw liver? well that’s the cream on the cake as far as energy to get through the day and cope with stress!