Full Day, Full Log, Full Plant-Based Living: "Parent's Day", homeschooling while multitasking, homemade cards, & research on telomeres.
5.11.2020
Yesterday was “Parent’s Day” in House Cappello. Our road to conceiving Q was over a year and a half in the making, sliced with a work-induced miscarriage, and every month brought weeping and worries that I’d never have a cub of my own. (<—Fully understand that many folks have worked longer than that, born more lost souls, and still haven’t gotten their wish: my heart breaks right along with them.) When we found out some life had taken hold for the long haul, I was more relieved and grateful than I’d ever been in my life; and thus we commemorate that day by celebrating it yearly.
I’m not sure if the stumbling path, my own wrought childhood, or propensity for a Pollyanna perspective propelled me into this cherish-every-moment mothering; but I can say that all the long nights and the omnipresent need from another soul, has never once gotten old. I breathe it all in with deep appreciation because I knew what I was getting into (<—kids need time, focus, and love) and I wanted it with every scrap and slip of my soul.
On May 11th, we meditate on the parenting process, exchange homemade cards, and remind Q how dearly grateful and thankful we are for having him in our lives. He’s inspired the whole household to grow forward and become healthier/kinder, because Ian and I are determined to be the best examples for him. It takes continuously learning, failing, and loving in a repeat swirl, and I love it all.
Continue on for: an explanation of “Parent’s Day”, a family thriving on Plant-Based Whole Foods and Lifestyle Medicine pillars, a day’s worth of plant-based whole-food family feasting, how we handle homeschooling and organization, how/why we almost divorced last year and how we’re now more in love than ever (and healthier too, and this is after 15 years of being together), handmade love notes, and the latest research on telomeres.
What the heck are telomeres?! They “are nucleoprotein structures that serve as guardians of genome stability by ensuring protection against both cell death and senescence.” (<—one of Ian’s favorite words/topics.)
The more you get into the weeds of nutrition and genetics, the more you’ll understand that the diet healthiest for the planet is quite beautifully and simply the same diet imperative for your own health.
Live kindly, feast kindly, grow forward.
The study of telomeres is one of those rabbit -holes Ian has been in for awhile and was new to my brain space. Cosmically, the longevity of your genes is controlled/bettered by your diet.
Read below for some new learning via Undo It by Dr. Dean Ornish and Anne Ornish.
Want more on telomeres? (I’d explain more, but a late breakfast, yardwork, and sunlight are calling).
Here’s some fun continued learning:
“Associations between diet, lifestyle factors, and telomere length in women”
“Telomeres, the Key to Longevity, Show Food May Be the Best Anti-Aging Treatment”
“Physical Activity and Nutrition: Two Promising Strategies for Telomere Maintenance?”
Listen to this great podcast interview with David Sinclair.