Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Love Offering

I am in love.  Deep, deep, cannot sleep at night, way too excited L-O-V-E, love.  The kind of love where you aren't sure you dare lean into it because your heart may break if it all falls apart.  Even writing this is a little scary because putting it into words makes it real and adds a certain layer of vulnerability to the situation.  But here goes...





There is a farm seemingly in the middle of nowhere and yet perhaps in the middle of what could become a bright spot of love to be offered as a gift to anyone who needs it.

Goodness knows we needed it a few years ago and I am a big believer in the saying, "Be the change you wish to see in the world."

I think this world needs more community.

This world needs more places to go and be loved and supported.  Unconditionally.

This world needs a place where someone will hold your hand when life totally sucks and tell you that you are doing a good job and that they will stand by your side for as long as you need them to stand there.

A place where a Mama can learn to cook, 1850s style.  A place where a kiddo can be fed beautiful, healing foods and play outside in a carefree manner in between meals/snacks.  A place where those foods can be raised naturally and without chemicals.

The healing Mamas in this world need a place where others who know and understand the path they are on can support them as they heal their children.  Goodness knows the professionals involved with healing these kiddos care deeply, but they cannot be there 24/7.  But we can.

I have no idea how this dream will come to be, just that I feel compelled to move toward it.  I am just realistic enough to acknowledge that I am moving toward it a bit like a moth to a flame.  Hopefully with a different outcome, since the one I can imagine is so amazing and beautiful it is worth the risk of becoming a moth Phoenix.  LOL.

As a beautiful bit of symbolism we are not able to put in an offer on this farm until February 14th because the sellers' realtor is out of town.  Somehow that just seems perfect.  We have checked the soils, spent time talking with the county, and generally decided we would really like to make this bit of land the center of our universe for years to come.

So here's hoping, that this bit of paradise will become the gift we dream it will be.




Friday, January 4, 2013

2013 - The Year We've Been Waiting For!

I hope you have had a wonderful holiday season and that you are feeling full and inspired for this wonderful new year ahead.  As a friend posted to inspire anyone feeling a little nervous about the much-maligned number 13...

As we embark on 2013, remember that the number 13 was considered a lucky number when our nation was founded. There were 13 original colonies represented by 13 stripes on our flag and also referenced throughout our patriotic symbols on other ways - be on the lookout for them. When George Washington attended an event, 13 toasts were always given to honor the General, making for some drawn out evenings according to his contemporaries!

Or for a more international inspiration, look to the Chinese who consider the number 13 to be a very lucky number.

So what is in store for this year and why have I been totally MIA for almost six months of online blogging?

First, I am really excited about a pilot study (four children with autism) that seeks to replicate the results our family has had on a combined low oxalate + specific carbohydrate/GAPS diet.  Really excited.  The food will be prepared by a wonderful chef in Richmond (big shout out to Todd Johnson at Mezzanine) and researchers will track a multitude of observational criteria over a five month period of time that will include two food challenges (foods not on the proscribed diet).  I'll write more about this in another post.

Second, we have sold our home and are camping out with both sets of parents (decidedly NOT where I thought I would be living the year I turned 40, particularly when my husband still has a job - LOL).  We have one more home to sell (long story) before we are completely foot loose and fancy free and we hope to get that on the market this spring.

We have spent the past year dreaming of the kind of supportive environment we wish had been available when we undertook this lonely path of natural healing by using foods.  As Ghandi so wisely said, "Be the change you wish to see in the world."  So we will do exactly that.  More to come on that also in future posts.

But for now, breathe deeply, eat great food, love your little ones, and say a few prayers that these two über-important projects will have the strength and weight behind them the tiniest members of our society need them to have.

Love and peace in 2013!

- Kati