Dr Fuhrman's Healthy Getaway

We spent last week at Dr Fuhrman's Healthy Getaway. What a treat for me. All the food was compliant with "Eat for Health" principles and most of it was free of our allergens. This meant that I had a cooking holiday. What bliss.



I must admit that I was excited about going because I knew I was going to have a cooking holiday, but at the same time, I was rather leery of going as I was worried about being surrounded by the church of Dr Fuhrman. Thankfully the vast majority of the attendees were rational beings who were glad of the difference "Eat to Live" and "Eat for Health" had made to their lives but who were not sycophants.



There were a bunch of kids at the getaway so Ben and Shira got to see that they are not children of a space alien. They got to see other children and adults who also eat the way mommy makes them eat. A huge benefit was that Ben became more adventurous with his food choices. I was shocked. I have no idea why or how seeing all those different foods on a buffet three times a day worked, but Ben was merrily trying different foods at each meal. Now the hope is that this adventurous spirit will stay with him at home.

I am still trying to work out what top benefit of this getaway was to my family. The major ones were:

• I had a cooking holiday


• The children got to see other children who eat the way they do


• The children were allowed to go free range and demonstrated that they follow orders and are trustworthy


• The lectures by Dr F were worth their weight in gold. I was reminded of things I had forgotten and I am psyched again to ensure that our family has the best diet possible


• It was relaxing and rejuvenating. The grounds were absolutely beautiful

I almost think that the top benefit was that Ben and Shira were able to go "free range". They loved being able to run around without me tagging along. I watched my children mature day by day as they were given more and more freedom.

They were as happy as clams to be able to finally learn to fish. I have steadfastly refused to teach them to fish. I think that if you are going to kill animals you need to eat them. We don't eat animals, so I don't hold with killing them. I also don't hold with hooking and releasing fish as I don't think it is ethical to cause harm and pain to living creatures for self gratification. However, the kids' camp was teaching the kids to fish and I decided that perhaps if the kids tried it once, they'd see what I meant. Fat chance! Ben now wants to go fishing again. UGHH!



One of the attendees, Larry, is a great photographer. He took a all the photographs I am linking to in this post. If you want to see more photographs, have a look here.



We're definitely planning on going to next year's getaway. This time we'll plan ahead of time so that Marc can take time off and join us. We had a splendid time, but it would have been so much better if Marc could have joined us. It looks like my in-laws might join us at next year's getaway. That will be marvelous because the ratio of adults to children will be more favorable and I'll be able to do more of the adult activities.

One of the big side effects of the getaway is that I am now psyched again about exercise. I used to be an exercise fiend, then I had twins and developed osteonecrosis. Being overwhelmed and in pain took over my life and I stopped exercising. I am now psyched to start again. I started with a personal trainer this week.

I know it is a luxury, but I know myself, I need a bit of help with self discipline. Having a trainer come to the house twice a week will keep me on the straight and narrow in the beginning. She also checks that I am doing my cardio workouts. The accountability makes a big difference for me. The current plan is to do Pilates with her twice a week, yoga with her and the kids once a week, spinning at the Y 3 times a week and perhaps a Pilates class at the Y on the weekend. The kids have been begging to do a yoga class and I have no been able to find one in Norfolk. Yesterday I asked, Erin if she knew of a children's yoga teacher. To my great delight, I discovered that she used to teach children's yoga in TN. She is going to teach a class in my playroom for me, a friend and our four children. How cool is that? (and it's cheaper than going to the kids' yoga classes in VA Beach).

I am loving the burning, sore muscles I have. I am starting to feel alive again. Dr Fuhrman says that females should have a body fat of no more than 18% (males should be 10%). Suffice it to say that I am not near the recommended 18%. My plan is to be there by next spring.