Where did all the hippies go?

Sometimes it’s hard being the hippie. Sometimes you feel like the guy standing on the side of the road waving a poorly written sign proclaiming that the end is nigh.

Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t. Who knows. But I do know that often what I believe about health and wellbeing is so different from the mainstream views it sort of does make me look like a crazy person.

That because advertising claims, health ‘professionals’ and seemingly everyone we talk to believes on way it must be do.

And that thinking any different is well crazy.

Anyone who lives a so-called alternate lifestyle faces it at one point or another. That’s not what my doctor/mother/the packet/this opinion piece says so you must be wrong.

Sometimes it’s not even about wrong or right, it’s about not wanting to change. It’s easier to be ignorant to the truth or to just not care.

Attachment parents you know what I’m talking about. Homebirth, co-sleeping, extended breastfeeding, homeschooling, baby led weaning, babywearing, gentle guidance, night time parenting.

Sometimes it doesn’t even matter how much evidence you have on your side you’re wrong.

There is mounting evidence that breastfeeding your toddler is good for them but don’t because it’s creepy or weird.

Or that coconut oil is good for you during pregnancy and while lactating… But that’s hippie crap, how the hell would you even cook with that, doesn’t it make all your food taste like coconut?

Let’s not even get into choosing to be chemical free, wait, let’s go there.

Lots and lots of chemicals are legal and are readily used in a range of products from beauty products to cleaning products, and they’re doing us damage. Why would cancer rates be 1 in 2,000 at the year 1900 and are now in 2012 believed to hit 1 in 2 in generation X’s life time? What’s changed? What we eat has changed, what we use to clean ourselves and our homes has changed, how we live, how we work, it’s all changed.

Now as most of my readers are also tree hugging hippies I know that you’ll understand what I’m talking about

We’re up against it. The EU have made herbal remedies harder to obtain removing consumer choice.. There are constant calls for natural medicine to be banned or restricted here in Australia. Vaccination is being linked to payments that had nothing to do with vaccination at all.

Effectively our choices are being stripped.

And as the majority of people go along with it and follow authority with blind trust, to question and to march to the beat of a different drum is to declare yourself a crazy hippy. It’s just like standing on the side of the road warning passers that the end is nigh.

And maybe it is, because most of what we warn about will decrease your health span. Sure you’ll live to 70 or 80 but what kind of a life? Will you be happy and healthy in old age or will there be degenerative disease?

And what about our kids?

So what are the crazy hippies doing?

Eating organic

Exercise
It’s not just for weight loss. Exercise is important for everyone for long term health. The longer you stay active the longer you’ll stay healthy. Walking a bit each day can be the difference between remaining independent or not in older age. So what do you do? Walk to the shops, ride a bike, dance, take up a team sport, it doesn’t have to be weights at the gym and it doesn’t even have to cost you anything. Yoga is great for the body and the mind.

Get rid of the craptastic chemicals
And if you want help knowing what is safe and what’s not then feel free to get in contact with me. On Facebook or email me – amandareimers@live.com.au

If you’re not sure then read about it.
Seriously, google is your friend. Read a whole bunch of opinions and chose for yourself. Doctors, nurses, naturopaths, nutritionists, they all put their own personal spin and opinions on their advice, if you are not sure then do your own research. Some professionals will say that it shouldn’t be up to parents to have to read labels and studies. I don’t agree. I think taking responsibility for our own health and the health of our children is of utmost importance. Health professionals should be empowering us and giving us the tools to make those choices.

Don’t be afraid to be different

Sometimes it may feel like you are the only person in the whole world who cares about labels, organics, processed and refined food, homeopathics, chiropractic care. While others think a massage is something of a nice treat you may be the only one believing that massage and touch are important healing tools. It’s okay, truly it is. Because look hard enough and there are others too. Keep your ‘mainstream’ friends, it’s the differences that make us interesting, but join groups and meet people.

If you’re a homebirther then this group is the one for you.

Breastfeeding? Check out your local ABA group.

Feel free to shout out on my Facebook page who you are and where you’re from, I’ll repost and hook you up with some new friends.

Don’t worry hippie mums, other hippy mums are out there .