How I Got Here

God.

That's the short answer, and I mean it in all seriousness. His guiding hand is the reason I started this detox, which sounds weird even to me, and the reason my life looks the way it does:  one amazing loving supportive husband, three adorable, brilliant and exhausting boys, a sturdy 1962 four bedroom split-level in a Chicago suburb, and a strong Catholic community.

The long answer ends with an Arbonne party at a friend's house.  My third baby boy was 7 months and I was more exhausted than I had ever been.  My body was screaming for sleep all day long.  I usually couldn't make it through the day without a nap.  I was irritable with my children.  Their constant noise left me on the verge of tears more days than not, and the day to day mess in my house left me feeling hopeless.

 I was carrying around extra weight that made me feel sluggish.  As much as I wanted to fit in my pants, the weight bothered me mostly because I suspected it was symptomatic of my overall health.  Something had to change, but how?  I was overwhelmed already and trying to revamp my diet threatened to result in more stress.  Where to start?  After a few frustrating attempts, I did what I should have done right away.  I gave it to God.

It was hard.  As a society, we see weight as something WE need to CONTROL.  I wasn't willing to hand it over to God.  After all, it felt like vanity, and why would he be interested in that?  But God wants ALL of me , ALL the time.  And it dawned on me that mood and exhaustion was interfering with my vocation as mother and wife.  He definitely is interested in that.  So I said to God, "Here, this is yours."  I didn't know what he would do with it.  But he has always been my loving father, so I trusted..

A week later I find myself at an Arbonne party.  We were asked what about ourselves we would like to change.  Immediately, I thought about those extra pounds, and my sluggishness.  But this was a cosmetics party, so I kept silent.  At the end.of the party, the rep mentioned the detox almost offhand.  As she started to describe the system, I was amazed at how many of my numerous criteria it was fitting: shakes that are all natural, vegan, gluten, whey, sugar and dairy free; meal plans with recipes and shopping lists that would eliminate major allergens from my diet; plus an Facebook group to provide support and answers to questions.

But it was over $200.  No way we could swing this.  Imagine my surprise when I briefly mentioned it to my analytical engineer husband and he immediately responded, "You should do it."   Okay Holy Spirit.

So away we go.....