Living Green
Guest Post!
Five years ago I was pretty much a white girl.
I did not think too much of what was a “green” action when I was buying something.
I lived in a moldy old building, slathered chemical-rich stuff on my skin every day and ate food rich in preservatives.
I wasn’t living green. I didn’t even think about it!
And I was gradually getting sicker and sicker.
Arthritis, migraines, inflammation, bronchitis…conditions that had been occasional became chronic.
Doctors were baffled at how to make me well for more than just a few days. Massive amounts of steroids and antibiotics gave me a little relief, but when they were withdrawn I was sick again.
My life wasn’t working.
No one thought about living green.
No one understood the problem – including me.
In desperation, I moved to another country.
A country where most homes are open a good part of the day to the fresh air, instead of being closed for air conditioning. I spent several hours a day outside.
I stopped using cosmetics and skin products that had anything in them I could not pronounce or that sounded like a chemistry class. Wherever possible I used a natural product like a little coconut oil.
I started making all my meals from scratch. Using fresh, natural, simple ingredients. Nothing processed or refined.
Simple food. Good food.
“From scratch” is a term they don’t understand here in Costa Rica – it is simply the way things are done!
No food preservatives go in to my body any more.
No soda…mostly water, an occasional glass of wine. Not much sugar, an occasional piece of home-made chocolate.
Very small amounts of meat, mostly locally raised chicken.
I now eat beans, rice, fruits and vegetables – and the tremendous variety of dishes you can make with them and local spices.
Honey….local honey has a taste that is simply indescribable! I actually smack my lips while I am eating it!
And I am well.
I am living green.
Author Bio: Sonya lives in a beautiful, friendly country with great health care and a low cost of living. Adjusting to Costa Rica is easy with the myriad of helpful tips and services she provides.
Picture Credits: Chemicals – microsoft. Costa Rica: microsoft / istockphoto
Thank you for printing my story, Clare. Every time I hear of someone with a chronic illness, I want to take them by the hand to Costa Rica.
Sonya Lenzo
Hi Green Goddess, wonderful guest post from the Frugal Retirement in Costa Rica for American Expats expert herself Sonya Lenzo and to hear of her personal story and her shift to greener living.
Happy Dating and Relationships,
April Braswell
Love the story! it is all about choice and then DOING something about it. Very inspirational!
Absolutely Margarita, doing something (I sound like the Nike advert!) is so important!
Thanks Clare and Sonya! A great post about the benefits of living green and doing it in Costa Rica!
Suzanne
Hi Sonya and Clare,
Very interesting post about how someone can change her health by changing small things like creams for the skin and eating healthier. We should all follow you on this!
Definitely! 🙂
Hi Sonya and Clare,
Fascinating story. I am glad you finally figured it out as many people don’t and just get sicker and sicker.
I would like very much to hear about the honey as I am a beekeeper! What do the bees in Costa Rica forage on?
If you go to the website http://www.ibra.org.uk and search under the term costa rican honey bees, you will learn all about what they like to forage on. For example, they like plantain but not cocoa.
Sonya Lenzo
I am so glad you found your way! It is amazing how amazing a transformation can happen and the power of the body to heal itself… Which also baffles doctors…
Come to think of it I don’t beleive I have ever been to a doctor for something where they weren’t baffled… Unless it was to fix a broken arm!
Maybe that 2 cents was only worth a penny! LOL
LOL Shane! 🙂
air, water, exercise, sun, simple real food – not very complicated, but it works!
You said it perfectly, thanks Dan!
Very important Post … most of us not realizing the source of our problems. At one time, we were looking for new facilities and found a great price on an old school building … this was before some needed legislation was enacted. Shortly after we moved in almost everyone was run-down, sick … it was the asbestos – – and think of all the kids who had classes there in years past.
My goodness! Yes, that legislation was sorely needed, but as you say, what about all the kids and teachers who used to attend that school – ghastly! Our environment is hugely important, as is staying clear of chemicals and other harmful substances. Thanks Lyle!
What a terrific little guest blog post! Kudos to Sonya for not continuing along the path that was making her sicker and sicker and more reliant on medications that weren’t really making her better either.
Michael
Agreed!
Mold can be a very dangerous problem. Most people have no idea that they are either living in or working in an environment that probably is infested with mold.
Yours In Health!
G.E. Moon II
Nice guest post Sonya. Thanks to Clare for publishing it. I suspect Clare on her Indian Ocean Island is a bit healthier and less stressed than in her former life and probably for a number of the same reasons.
Thanks, Clare and Sunny, for sharing the info on more healthy life styles.
My interest in Costa Rica grows with every post!
Many thanks.
Be Well.
Jc
Great lessons on how leading a simple and natural life has a positive effect on our health.
Regards
Peter Tamosaitis
What a redical and challanging move it must have been for you.