health

Plastic is Poison

NPR published an article this month about plastic baby bottles shedding microplastics when heated. Years ago, I remember seeing a headline that read “We Are Drinking Our Clothes”. Since then, I’ve seen so many depressing articles about microplastics in the fog over our bay, in the air we breathe, in the water we drink. Plastic is all around us and our reliance on it is also our demise. I suppose on the bright side it’s good for the plastic problem to become more mainstream. Sad pun intended.

When Bubba was born, I was really terrified of three things: 1) him breathing in air pollution like truck or car exhaust or fertilizer (we live in a rural town surrounded by corn fields), 2) him coming into contact with the lawn spray that is so pervasive in our neighborhood and that our dog might track in, and 3) him ingesting microplastics or harmful metals like lead.

Let’s be real. I was worried about these things before he was born. But before I got pregnant, I only had myself to worry about. To bring another life into this effed up world, I feel immense responsibility to keep him safe.

Safe from plastic and toxins. This task just seems so…impossible. Unless, I put him in a bubble. Wait, is that an option?

Here is what I know about plastic:

  • All plastic erodes and becomes finer pieces of microplastic.

  • Plastic doesn’t ever leave earth. All the plastic that has ever been created? It’s all still on this earth somewhere.

  • Most of our clothing is made of plastic or some synthetic material like acrylic or polyester. Continuously washing and wearing our clothes creates more microplastic. I’m looking at you, yoga pants.

Here are the problems with plastic:

  • Plastic disrupts our delicate endocrine system.

  • A handful of big corporations are the biggest producers of plastic and thus plastic waste. Coke, Pepsi, and Nestle are up at the top.

  • Plastic pollution is nearly impossible to clean up. Microplastic especially.

To get sick from plastic, it’s difficult for doctors to diagnose plastic as the root cause. Cancers are unique to the individual, a special formula made up of small or large traces of genes, toxins, and other stressors.

Do we fight the plastic fight until something else kills us in the end? Do I fight for my child, knowing that it might give him a chance at a better life?

Yes, I believe I do. I’ll take that chance.

Bluegrass State of Mind

I'm currently in Lexington, Kentucky, enjoying a relaxing long weekend with one of my close friends and our pups. We're staying at a beautiful, sprawling horse farm and spending our days catching up, hiking the hills, and eating homecooked meals. Just a few of my favorite things.

Lexington is about a six-hour drive from Chicago and a perfect escape from the city. It's also known as the "Horse Capital of the World," which means a great deal to me because I love horses. I always have, and I always will. In the sixth grade, my dream was to be a jockey and work on a Thoroughbred farm. My siblings still make fun of the horse figurines on the dresser of my childhood bedroom. And, I completely relate to Tina Belcher in all episodes of Bob's Burgers but especially in "The Horse Rider-er" episode in Season 6. Tina Belcher is my homegirl.

My new friend

My new friend

My baby (with some icicles on her after she took a swim in the creek)

My baby (with some icicles on her after she took a swim in the creek)

This weekend also marks the end of the holiday season. New Year's Eve is tomorrow and it's time to reflect on all the things I should be grateful for. What a crazy year it's been: I got PMP-certified, finished planning a wedding, married my soulmate, went on an epic honeymoon, started a new role at my company, and hired a career coach. I learned a lot about myself. I learned to say "no" to the things that no longer serve me, and I learned to say "yes" to the things that fuel my creativity.

One personal thing that I'm really proud of this year is my health and wellness. (Except for this month. This month I totally ate like crap because Christmas cookies are everywhere. Why is it that the holidays obliterate all my willpower and routine.) Overall, I finally feel like I have a better relationship with my weight and self-image. I try to focus on eating nutritiously over listening to my cravings, and I prioritize my workouts. But even though the things I eat now are healthier and cleaner, I still struggle with portion control. My goal for 2018 is to practice eating until I'm 80% full. I'm going to need a lot of practice because I currently have no idea what eating to 80% full feels like. Usually being "full" means I can no longer move and someone needs to roll me out the door.

Changing my habits little by little each day can make a big difference in the long-run. I need to remember my own advice when I try to make healthy choices. Starting January 1st...For now, I'm still on vacation.

Wishing everyone health and happiness in the new year!

The delicious home-cooked meal that I ate until I was 110% full

The delicious home-cooked meal that I ate until I was 110% full

The cheese plate I made (extra cheese, please)

The cheese plate I made (extra cheese, please)