52 Weeks to an All Natural Lifestyle – Part 1

November 3, 2009 by Melissa j
Filed under Green Living, Living Life at Home

Acquaintances are constantly asking me to “teach” them how to live a healthier lifestyle. I’ve even had one person ask if I’d consider teaching a class in my home.

I laughed at them. “Me? Teach a class? I’m still learning myself!”

“But,” they insisted, “you’re farther along than other people. You need to teach us what you know!”

The idea intrigued me, but where would I start? If I had a class to “teach” all I know, that class could take a year. There is that much info! Not to mention, I’m constantly learning all the time, so it’d be the never-ending class. It’s just not feasible.

So I figured I’d do the next best thing – -do a blog series on the subject. One that took things slowly and helped people make small, gradual changes that resulted in permanent lifetime changes. With 2010 quickly approaching, I figured this would be a great time to do this.

Instead of shoving a bunch of information at people and telling them the radical steps they need to take, I instead want to approach this the way I approached my own lifestyle changed – one step at a time. In the past, when I did it the radical way, I quickly gave up. It was too much to keep up with once.

For the past 1 1/2 years, I have done gradual changes, making one or two small choices weekly. The small changes were easier to get used to, weren’t such a shock to my system (or my wallet), and have stuck with me. For me, the key I was looking for, for sticking with a healthier lifestyle was a gradual process and I believe that is the key for many other people as well.

The official series will kick off in January. I’ll be writing on everything from fermented foods to natural laundry/cleaning products. We’ll look at juicing versus smoothies, kefir versus yogurt, and how to sprout food. From eating to cleaning products to gardening, we’ll look at it all.

Until then, I want to start laying a foundation for the series. To do that I will be discussing books that I, and others, have found helpful, as well as write some blog posts that will give us a strong start for the step-by-step changes we’ll be making. Titles for our foundation-laying will include:


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My friends are constantly asking me for advice on moving into a healthier lifestyle. I don’t mind. I like teaching what I learn.One asked me if I’d ever consider doing a “class” in my home. I laughed and said one class wouldn’t cover it–though I’m sure I could cover some basics. That incited my whirling brain however. How could I “teach” women how to live a healthy lifestyle? I’m a writer and I have a blog! What better platform than that?With 2010 quickly approaching us, now is the time for such a series. All through 2010 I will be taking a look at how the transition can be made into a healthier, more natural lifestyle. I’m all about taking it slow. When you do it overnight, resolution fades as the reality check of how much it costs and the time it takes sets inIn my series 365 Day to an All-Natural Lifestyle, we will do a gradual process of becoming healthy. While some may think slow defeats the purpose, my own experience, when I did it gradually, the changes stuck with me, as opposed to all the years I did it suddenly.With time on our side, sticker shock won’t be such an issue, and neither will sudden and harsh body detoxes. Instead, step by step, changes will be made that will be lasting, will result in more energy and vitality, and will leave you with such a feeling of accomplishment, you won’t have anydesire to go back to the old processed, sugary way of life.Between now and January, I will be writing a series of introductory articles to lay our foundation. Titles include:

~ Why Bother Going All-natural?

~ Is this Healthy Thing Worth it?
~ I Can’t Afford Healthy!

~ What Exactly, is a Healthy, All-Natural Lifestyle?

~ Developing Your Road Map (my favorite!)

I’m excited about this! I’m excited because I have seen the benefits in my own life to living this way and I can’t wait to pass the knowledge on to others. I’m excited because I have slipped up a bit in recent months and I can’t wait to get back on track (leading others does wonders for keeping you on track!) I’m excited to hear stories of change as the months progress.

Please help spread word about this. If you know of women who want to live this way, but aren’t sure how to get started, let them know about 52 Weeks to an All-Natural Lifestyle. This isn’t just for us personally. It’s for our families as well. We’re going to break the cycle of bondage to sugar and processed foods and all the sluggish, tired, worn down feelings that come with it. Not only that, but as we make changes we will begin raising our children to live a healthy lifestyle, and as as result, have much healthier lives than our generation has had.