Misinterpreted Passion

What are you passionate about?

If I scroll through some people's Facebook timelines, their passions are obvious: My mother shares scripture and teachings on her Twitter and Facebook more than once a day; She's passionate about Jesus. My Aunt Debbie shares photos and tips about making party food unique; it's safe to say she likes throwing a pretty party with a good theme. My cousin-in-law Raeia's timeline is filled with Pinterest pins of recipes that are genuinely whole foods and good for you, as well as work outs. She's passionate about being healthy, really healthy.

Do you know what I'm passionate about? Food. I should probably equal that out with exercise but that's a post for another day. Several years ago, I decided I wanted to learn to cook from scratch. At that point in time, I just wanted to be more like my great-grandmothers before me. I learned to can, freeze fresh produce, and make jams. Then I learned to bake bread. I even learned to make fresh pasta. While I've been on this journey, I've also learned a lot about our food system. It's not as safe as you would think. Additives, food dyes, and preservatives change our brain chemistry, over exposure to GMO corn can cause cause fertility issues, neurological diseases, and cancer.

I began to wonder why our great-grandparents had families of 8 or 9 children instead of struggling with infertility and multiple miscarriages. And how they rarely had troubles breast feeding or how rarely children developed autism. How commonly did people have Alzheimer's?

My mom says (if I remember correctly) that once your eyes have been opened to the truth, it's up to you to decide what you do with that information. You can keep it to yourself or share it.

It's been brought to my attention that: my desire to share the things I have learned is rude, I make people think that if they aren't just like me, I think they're stupid., and this is why I have no "real friends". I, in turn, feel like my 11th grade self who never understood why she was the only unpopular Varsity cheerleader ever.

I won't lie, I don't understand why we medicate our children for hyperactivity rather than changing their diets first. But, I never EVER meant, one single time, to act like I think I am a better mom than anyone else. My house is messy, there are always dirty dishes in my sink, and I just cannot keep from buying crackers to keep on hand. I am not perfect, I am just me. Warts and all. I get so excited learning to make things from scratch because I think it's fun. Maybe you enjoy gardening - I kill everything that can't tell me it's thirsty, or music - I can't play an instrument or sing, or art - please don't ask me to draw anything. It's embarrassing. But I can cook. I love it. I always have.

My heart is broken. Surely, you all didn't think I was that self-righteous and mean. But I am thinking more people feel that way than I'd like to know.

I'm hoping this may clear some things up, I'm sorry I offended so many of you.