Modern-Day Concentration Camps

In the book Breaking Free, Beth Moore shows how the ongoing themes of politics and warfare in scripture are actually symbols to represent captivity and freedom in our own lives, in various ways. She writes--and I absolutely agree--that we are all in spiritual bondage in one way or another, and usually we don't even realize it.

 

Well last night I saw the movie Sarah's Key, based on a novel I really enjoyed. This story takes place during the holocaust, and seeing it on film brings it to life so much more. Every time I think of the holocaust the one big question that comes to my mind is this: Of course we believe in evil and there could be a leader or two doing horrible things. But what amazes me is how thousands of soldiers area also doing those horrible things without even thinking about it; they essentially must become unconscious to their own actions. How else could a human being inflict such pain on another?

 

So having Breaking Free fresh on my mind, I saw this holocaust in a whole new perspective. If warfare is an ongoing symbol of spiritual matters in our own everyday lives, what else could this concept apply to?

 

Is our society free of genocide? Do we ever harm entire groups of human beings without real cause, without even being conscious of the atroticity we are committing- just because our leaders or our forebearers did it?  How are we in bondage without even realizing it??

 

I would like to hear your thoughts, but a few things come to my mind within seconds. In this country we inflict harm on millions of innocent baby boys, for no other reason than blind tradition and unquestioned ignorance. Not only boys; we continue to inject poisons and make our babies and children cry out in pain multiple times a year - but why?? Another group of people harmed is those diagnosed with cancer, who are given false information and kept from the truth, while also being fed poison and draining bank accounts.

Just like the concentratio camps, we have millions of doctors standing in as "soliders" enforcing these evil orders which really don't make any sense at all, and if they only stopped to think about it and open their very eyes, they would realize the atrocities their own hands are committing.

Pregnancy Update: 33 weeks

I have still been real busy with my business and homeschooling. The past month or so I have been very productive and active without needing naps or more than normal rest time (sleeping appx 9 pm - 7 am).  So I feel good about that.  Probably the most productive I have been all pregnancy, oddly enough. Every week I have a couple very busy days with work, so I don't exercise those days, and then probably 3 good workouts a week.

 

Back to Running

 

I have been running again, the past couple weeks. Last week I did a 5K (just under 40 minutes) at about 80% capacity, which I felt was fine but it did make me tired for a couple days. Now today I wanted to do more of an endurance run, so I took down my speed just a bit and did 5 miles in less than 70 minutes. I felt fine the rest of the day, although I will say that running bothers a certain nerve in my back. It's like it squishes and compresses my back, basically the opposite of yoga. So I am sure yoga would actually be better exercise, all things considered... but I am just that stubborn!

 

Getting Ready for Birth

 

I have been thinking of making arrangements for a birthing tub, but everytime I look into it, my gut just kind of says "Nehhh..." so I don't really feel drawn toward it. I realized one reason is because I like birth to be spontaneous. Of course I agree with education and preparing for unexpected circumstances, but generally the whole appeal to me is to be natural and instinctual. And it doesn't "seem" natural to make big plans and arrangements. Even stressing over planning childcare like I did last time I delivered seems futile (I worried so much, and made several different plans depending on if labor came at different times of the day or before my mom came into town, etc... and of course, my body just waited until the perfect time and it all worked perfectly anyway).

 

I am just approaching it with a relaxed attitude, knowing things will work together for good.  Maybe it's a birth story I read recently that affected me - the mom was just doing he daily household tasks, didn't even call her husband, and ended up laying out a towel and just having her baby on the floor while her toddler watched cartoons! Just seems so much more natural when you turn your brain off and stick to your normal routine unless there's a good reason not to.

 

Eating

 

Since this is supposed to be a raw food blog, I will have to give a few words about eating. I've been eating about 50% fresh fruit, trying to include a green smoothie every day. Then I am eating a low-fat, whole foods vegan meal which is usually pasta, beans, or potatoes. I have been taking a daily probiotic supplement my entire pregnancy which has really helped me digest and assimilate these cooked meals. I keep thinking about when I will do 100% raw again but I would want more variety of fruit; also I am just not enjoying the foods that got me through 811 last year like sprout salads and carob. :(  but I think next summer I should be ready for a cleanse. Right now I am just eating pineapple, pears, raisins, and green smoothies, sometimes applesauce; there are no oranges, mangoes or papayas right now :(  and bananas don't appeal to me. Darn it!

 

Weight Gain, etc.

 

I started at 128 which I felt was a bit heavy (I am "normally" under 120), and now I am at 150. A good normal weight gain for the whole foods eater, I say. I feel fine about it but I admit I am not thrilled with the chunky thighs and everything.  I am looking forward to the post-baby year when I usually get real skinny. Only this time I will be muscular too since I have become athletic in the past year or 2.

 

Kids Adjustment

 

Well my 3-year-old daughter Elisabeth is showing some signs of regression (does that normally happen before the baby comes? I thought after).  We have given up on full potty training and let her wear diapers to bed and a daily poo diaper (stubborn thing won't even try to go on the toilet).  Also she used to sleep in her own bed but now she is taking full advantage of squeezing every bit of babyhood left in her, and sleeping not only with me but ALL OVER me as well. Lately she has also taken to throwing fits, specifically fighting naps and bothering people to get a rise out of them, and other grouchy behavior. Usually I take her to bed for some cuddles and books, but I admit to yelling on occasion also. But I still say I am handling her much better than when my first-born was in that stage; that was just a complete nightmare! Mostly my own anxiety whenever I see a tantrum begin, so I wasn't able to handle it rationally and calmly myself. But that anxiety went away with my five months on 80/10/10 last year and hasn't returned.

 

All in all, things are still going very well. I am so blessed to have a fully supportive husband and somewhat cooperative children! I love family life and am very excited to add to my bounty.