Puerto Rico Chronicles: College Since Kindergarden

I often notcie in Puerto Rico how life will soon be in the US according to the progressive plans of the government and their programs. I understand what the medical system will turn into, the neighborhoods, and today it was hit me in the face (and the wallet) the elimination of Public School.

When I was student teaching a teacher said that her father, 20 years before saw the end of public school. I've ALWAYS had the desire to home school. I still do. However, for some silly reason I wanted my kids to experience the Enchanted Island of Puerto Rico, and be apart of it. I want them to have the chance to meet native friends and learn Spanish. No matter how many books I bought to teach Spanish and culture I just wouldn't do it well enough. We also can't afford tons of social activities or desired home school curriculum while we are living off student loans. With a primary size of only 9 kids socializing will be limited. There is also one library and you aren't allowed to take books home from it. WEIRD!! So, all the things I leaned on for a healthy schooling interaction for my kids is suddenly a little more challenging here in Puerto Rico.

I've been told several times you can't send your English speaking white kid to public school in Puerto Rico. First of all, its probably 90% of the public school kids are from really poor government housing families.  Which I don't judge those children but it just brings down the standard of learning.  Americans who have sent their children to public schools have told me that when they return to the states their children are 2 or 3 grade levels behind. The school usually do not have air conditioning. They don't have their have school books provided and since they aren't allowed to require the parents to buy books they don't have books. They don't have pull out programs for children who don't speak Spanish. They don't have substitute programs. If the teacher is sick, school is canceled. My friend couldn't even talk to her child's teacher or any faculty member because nobody spoke English. Which is odd for a Island that studies English from Kindergarten, I talk in English to 9 out of 10 people I meet in a day. Who is running these schools?

It's probably grater than 75% of the children on the island attend Private Schools. We figured if I can work in Private school and be able to afford three tuition's and a little extra in our time of need, we could all have a grand new experience here on the island. I interviewed at a few schools, very expensive and quality Private schools. Tuition averaged $1,000 a month. However, those schools were offering first year teachers 16K/yr. 16,000!!!!  I about had a heart attack when she told me. That was about $8-$10/hr  for a 40 hour -10 month contract. Why the heck did I pay for an education? Those public schools that are also offered so little pay make $10,000 more than these grand private schools. Private schools can just pay their teachers less, even though there are SO many private schools on the island, and SO many children attending. I mean SO many!  With that income and the little tuition discount they were offering for the 1st year I could never afford it.

I found a Montessori school that caught my attention. It was from 2 years old- 6th grade. The only school I applied to where all my kids could attend and I wouldn't have to find a daycare for the baby. I make less than $10/hr and I only work 30 hours instead of 40. However, the tuition discount for my kids was greater, and I can afford it from what they are paying. Although it takes most of my income to pay for tuition, hopefully after the first 3 probationary months I can get a greater discount or a raise. Private schools, have a hard time keeping their teachers because Public School administrators offer them more money and steal them last minute from the mini privates. That won't happen to me because we are in a perfect situation and I don't speak much Spanish.

I choose the Montessori School because I love Montessori. I am excited to teach and for my children to attend. It is a very small school.  One class for each grade level. I was happy to get the discount so we can attend school this year but there is NO WAY I could do it the way everyone else does on the island. There is NO wonder why Puerto Ricans limit themselves to 1 or 2 kids. You really CANNOT afford any more. The government plans it that way.

I paid a few hundred for enrollment, and a few hundred for supplies. Then today I went to book store, because you have to buy your own books. My Transition to Practical Life student has 2 books, my Practical Life student has 9 books/ workbooks, and my Kindergartener has 10 books/ workbooks. They are all paperback, and I could only buy them NEW. Most students have to buy a $45 rolling backpack like the Zuca (which they sell them online for $140, odd). Students NEED rolling backpacks because they have so many books to bring with them everyday, and no where to store them at their desks or miniture classrooms.

It is a blessing that I only have Pre-K's and Kindergarten because there is no way I could afford books otherwise. Our 3 grade level of books came to $533 (tax free). With my 10% teacher discount it was just less than $500. I asked the lady behind me what she pays. She said her daughter is in 7th grade and books are $800 this year. The cashier told me I was only paying $500, and that's cheap! "CHEAP!!??" He explained that two children middle school and up would easily pay $1200- $1500 for books a year. I was honestly AMAZED!! I know that we have an unusually high rent and I'm sure it'd be different if we were natives, but most everyone else pays about $500-600 in rent. Still how can they afford SO MUCH in school supplies, books, tuition, and uniforms, and go shopping at the mall every weekend. I don't get it.

These Private schools have created monopolies in P.R. I could only get my books from one book store. I could try to order some online but shipping to P.R. is very expensive and who knows if I was actually getting the right books. I also can ONLY get the uniforms at ONE store. I thought I could get some hand me down pants.. NOPE, because even the pants have a label stitched to the side. I can only buy the uniform at one place. A white (YES WHITE!! ugh!) polo with their label was $16. INSANE!! Then I need pants and P.E. shirt and P.E pants. I got each kid one set of P.E. clothes, and 1 pair or pants and 2 polos for now. That was $250 with my discount. I know that doesn't sound like much when it comes to buying school clothes. BUT WOW!! The lady in front of my had one child and he had 5 pants, and 6 or 7 polos, a few pairs of gym clothes. Their total was $688. Imagine that times 3. Just another reason I want my kids to study in their PJ's..:)

Well, I'm SO broke, I'm so grateful for helping hearts who donated to my children s school funds this year.

Thank you for seeing the value in sending us to private school, and allowing us the chance to really get a fell of life on the island. KISSES to ALL KINDS of GRANDMAS!! We are going to be fine and I'm sure we will have all out needs provided! I'm grateful for this opportunity and I am just AMAZED by the value the island focuses on the Education of their children. The teachers are getting paid CRAP, and I just hope they are teaching good enough, at least on grade level, because these parents have been paying for college since Kindergarten.

Meeting the Onion.

I was making a salad a few days ago and giving it a tex-mex feel. So, I made a pico de gallo dressing with tomato, cucumber and onion. I was using my normal amount of onion and as I was cutting it up I was having my normal reaction of irritated eyes, itchy face, and burning tears. I thought quietly to myself that maybe my food is trying to tell me something.


I've been trying to learn more about Heavenly Father's foods; the living food of the earth, and its relationship with my body. Onions and garlics seem so important to me, especially in the field of healing. They are antibiotic and anti-fungal, however when consumed raw they're so sharp, and disgusting. They also make me smell for days and I never want to kiss my husband when we eat them. I was thinking how they must be reacting in my body, even if I'm not sick. It's like taking medicine that I don't need. They are in almost every home remedy, just like vinegar which gets its healing properties once rancid and fermented.  Just like the vinegar and alcohol which are fermented material, they are designed for the cleaning and healing of the body. Doctrine and Covenants 89:7. Not to be ingested. I wondered if onions were like that too in some way.

Today, I decided to do a little onion research and came across this:

http://www.raw-food-health.net/Onion-Toxicity.html

I was fascinated, maybe it's not enough research but it was interesting to me. Sure, cooking the onion makes them so much more appetizing and bearable. Cooking downsizes the goodness and natural benefits of everything. I think these foods are marvelous and I look forward to using them for their specific design.

As a child I HATED onions, I would take them out of everything and wouldn't go near them.  As an adult, I got use to them but only as a topping for a burger. Then added them more and more in my lifestyle. I don't know very many children who love them from the beginning. I know my kids frown against them.  I think for the first time since I was a little child I allowed my body to be aware of those warning signs of the things I put into it. Meeting the onion a few days ago is a good example. I had the promptings while preparing: is this good for you? what will you benefit from it? Do you want this in your body? Unfortunately, I didn't listen and maybe because I didn't have any answers. My dinner was just okay and I ended up with an upset tummy, unsatisfied, and stinky.

As I grow closer to life, I feel so much more in tune with the promptings from the Holy Ghost. Even in all areas of my life. Maybe it's because I'm looking for them, ask and ye shall receive, right?

It's been fun, but I have SO much more to learn!

Ants Bite

I was moving plants around and cleaning up our front area. I dug my hands in the earth and it felt like I had glass pieces all over my fingers. I quickly went inside to wash the area. I couldn't see anything. 10 minutes later my fingers began to swell. Its been about 10 hours and my hand is still very swollen and there are two sting areas. One on my pinkie and one on my middle finger. My fingers and knuckles are still very swollen and pretty painful. Now that I'm starting to feel them again its starting to itch and burn on those stung areas. I saw a black and yellow centipede, like the picture,  in the ground shortly after along with fire ants. I don't know what happened but I pray it resolves soon. I hate my life on Benyadryl. I'm not sure it helped the swelling earlier but at least I was able to sleep.

Lesson Today: Wear Gloves when Gardening! DUH!


** Update: Well, they are only FIRE Ant bites and they are forming those little puss pockets finally. After a day of swollen hands they are finally starting to ITCH like crazy! I ONLY have 4 bites but man I must be allergic!**

Grocery Shopping in Less than 30 Minutes

Day 6 on Banana Island and Sunday is day 7.  What if on day 8 I'm ready for more food?  I knew I needed to go shopping since tomorrow is the Sabbath. I don't want to stave!! So, I went to my grocery store. Here I spent a longer amount of time because I wanted to know some prices on the bulk mangoes. I'm starting to grow a relationship with the produce guy, although I speak English and doesn't at all. Then it took me 20 minutes to find gluten free pasta. The one I found isn't 100% corn. It's 70% and 30% rice, which I'm fine with. I also got two produce I've never tried before. Then I went to Costco to get some produce in larger amounts. I'm thinking now I probably will eat a little bit more, and my family loves to eat it too. So, we will just have to see how long it last us! At Costco I also got a new melon I've never tried.

I WAS IN AND OUT OF COSTO on a Saturday in huge lines in less than 30 minutes. Shopping is so quick and exciting when you only shop in the produce section. There are so many options, so many colors, so many smells. People are examining and touching their soon- to- be food. I love seeing that kind of interaction, finally. They are seeing if it's good enough to eat, just like we should all their food.

I can't believe how fast it was and then we were done! I was even shopping with my oldest two boys. They loved it too. They got to pick some of the produce. We learned about weighing our fruit and picking ripe melons. I really had a very fun time! I usually get irritated with them with me, and impatient, and distracted. It wasn't like that today.

Leaving with a full cart of Real FOOD made me feel so happy! We were all excited to get home and unpack. Everyone tired whatever we wanted when we got home. I broke my Banana  Diet just for a short taste test, I couldn't hold back. Perhaps if I had eaten my lunch I wouldn't have dug in but I just wanted a taste of those beautiful grape tomatoes. it exploded in my mouth!! I also tried raw dates for the first time! YUM MY and sugary and rich like pecan pie!! I also had a sweet snack size pepper and 2 Puerto Rican Mangos. The mangoes are beautiful, juicy, and tangy.  My favorite moment was that mini tomato!


After 5 days of eating only bananas I was surprised that immediately after eating my little taste test I wanted  Bananas. I made BananaMylk with 5 bananas and only drank half. Today is was really watered down to resemble more of milk than milk shake, and I liked that!

I'm exited for my food this week! :)

Something Always Hurts!

My sweet husband wants for the day where I don't complain about something hurting. I always complain, because like every human something is always wrong with me. Adam would tell me, Heavenly Father gives you these sad things to deal with so you can figure out how to happy with them. I believe Heavenly Father has a plan of happiness. I can overcome these ailments and live a happy life without them, I need direction to do so.

Since I was in high school, I learned that if I wanted to get rid of my autoimmune disease I had to get surgery, but that wasn't a long term. I found a link of someone who got over it because she ate clean. She didn't eat dairy, meats, sugars, and caffeine. She claimed that it went away and didn't come back. For 10 years I've known this and when I'm crying because I can't sit down, or walk because my raw flesh is being exposed I think about it. However,  I live with it every day, and learned how to hide it and maintain it because I could never go without those things. That's just not good for me. Even since then, I knew that living a clean life I could eliminate it, I knew it in my heart but I couldn't dedicate myself. I guess we will see if it is actually true, because I'm sick of being sick! (I promise I will talk about it in the next blog entry, I have been silent for too long).

I want to list today all the things that are hurting my body right now. Not because I want to complain, or worry about them. I just want to list them, so I can see if any of them clear up or disappear after being on new eating habits and exercise. I want to see how long it takes to achieve the healing that I want. If Food is Medicine! :)

Sorry if this grosses you out with TOO MUCH INFORMATION. The body is gross when you gross it up, right! I just need to create  a check list.

TODAY HEAD TO TOE

1. Dandruff, several years
2. Weak Hair, several years
3. Scabby Ear Cannals, several years
4. Eye Allergy, 1 year.
5. Nasal Allergies, 2 months
6. Geographical Toungue
7. Semi- Lock Jaw Symptoms
8. Neck Rash, 1 week
9. Stiff Neck and Shoulders, constant. I'm too fat and top heavy
10. Sharp Pains to Chest, Heart, Lungs, can't breath until it passes. (not today but frequently)
11. Weak Nails
12. Carpul Tunnel
13. Hidradenitis Supperativa, 18 years
14. Knee Pain, 1 year
15. Toe Plantar Wart, 4 years

Those sound like the majors at the moment.
HAPPY HEALING!!

WHY DO I WANT TO EAT CLEAN?

8 years ago I had a Vegetarian roommate, and I guess it was her who sparked the interest for not eating  meat. It was so foreign to me, I thought it was impossible. Then a couple years later I met some Vegan friend in Missouri and became more intuitive asking so many questions. I've made posts about not eating meat, and then I was eating it again. For the past two years I've had several months on Vegan or Vegetarian and then fall off the wagon hard. I was embarrassed to tell people I didn't eat meat, or drink milk. I didn't want to cause controversy or even conversation about my diet. I didn't want a label, so in group situations I would not eat the way I was eating.  I would go weeks without meat, but even one bite of meat, usually in a social situation or pressed by someone else would ruin it all.  The next day I would have meat, then next day and then the next. To the point where all I'd want is meat, then cookies, chips, and junk food. Adam would walk up to me and say what about the Veggies I bought you, you want a salad? And I would turn up my nose and want nothing to do with it.

The last time this happened I realized I was addicted to processed foods. I realized I was wanting the wrong things and I need to fix it quick. With prayer and lots of study  I realized I want to eat Raw Whole Foods diet. I want Heavenly Father's food. I spent some time reading and re-reading the Word of Wisdom, and cross referencing the Old Testament, Moses and Abraham. Learning what I could about food, and what Heavenly Father wanted me to know. I didn't want to do something unpleasing, drastic, and I no longer feel like I am. I would always give the excuse  of needing moderation in all things, and quit eating Vegan just for rancid cheese. I've now realized, I need moderation in all GOOD things. My journey is to find and cherish those good things.  I think focusing my eating on a Low Fat Raw Vegan lifestyle is what will give me the vibrant life I want.  Does this mean, I'll never have cooked foods, or I'll never eat oils or whatever? No, I don't know!! I still believe the Lord has blessed me with so many food options.  I'm not explaining myself anymore to people. I'm not feeling guilty anymore about food and how I eat it. I'm going to try to eat what I feel is right, no matter which way I eat it! I know its a self-mental complex I have to feel the need to explain myself and please others. I hope that too goes away! Finally, I'm doing something to please myself.

Food is Medicine!! 

Here is what I want from eating CLEAN ... 

I want clarity of mind.

I want more patience with my children.

I want to be more tolerable with my family.

I want energy to play with my kids

I want to eliminate my anxiety.

I want greater strength, even in my hands I can't open bottles sometimes.

I want healthy vibrant not very sick pregnancies.

I want my autoimmune disease eliminated.

I want joy and peace.

I want my family to know I'm healthy.

I want to move my body and not have difficulty lifting my own weight. I'm not huge, I've had 3 babies and each one has left me with 10 pounds of unnecessary fat.

I want a slim body, or my natural body to take over

I want the energy and vitality to love my husband better.

I want to maintain my childishness innocence, and feel youthful.

I want to enjoy and delight in God's food.

I want to allow food to be my medicine.

I never want to see a doctor again. 

I want greater knowledge and quicker understanding.

I want to run and not be weary. 

I want to grow my hair long, I've been having so much trouble.

I want to be a greater example of clean living for my family.

First 5 Days on Banana Island!

I recently joined the forum 30 Bananas A Day so I can have some greater guidance, and example from people who live a life style that is interging and real to me. I'm in need of a serious cleanse. I was using their blog option for the week, but decided to transport those week of interies to my daily blog full of good morning kisses and sweet good nights. This is diffidently something that is in my life right now. I want to remember it.

BLOG:

I've decided to really launch my NEW life, I needed a SERIOUS detox and back to reality. I've been living a partial flip floppy whole foods diet for 2 years but only a couple months at a time, and when I fall... I FALL!!  To the point where looking at a green leafy thing is gross, and I'm achying for a cookie. If that doesn't describe addiction completely.. because I know it is. I'm tired of being addicted to nasty crappy food. I know in my heart Earth's foods, God's food is what will heal me, and make me strong.

SO, here I am trying again. I bought myself TONS of Bananas and I think my husband is even excited for me. (Plus, he's been eating his fair share of nana's too!)

DAY 1:

Easy peasy! I started mid day after a Mono meal of Pineapple because that was what I had. Then for lunch I had 8 under ripe bananas. YUCK! I guess I never realized what I was eating my whole life wasn't ready for me to be eaten. But I ate them, and felt great full. But right away I could tell it wouldn't be so great to digest. For dinner I went to EVERY store around looking for ripe bananas. I found a few boxes of baby bananas ready to eat. So, I had 5 babies. Then I remembers I had frozen ripe bananas! So, I had my first BananaMylk with 1/2 frozen, 1/2 babies. YUMM YUMM!! My husband had some and said.. "what did you put in this?" I said BANANAS & Water! He asked me 5 more times because there are something so special and spicy and wonderful! 

My tummy felt WAY sick that night. I was grumbly and full. My dreams that night were me throwing up.. it felt like I was dreaming that for hours.. throwing up. Weird.

DAY 2: 

BananaMylk for Breakfast, 10 Baby Bananas for Lunch, and I went back to those ripping bananas and when I grabbed one, it fell off into my hand. Just like Banana Girl described.. It was screaming EAT ME! What a difference the way the bananas tasted today. However, for dinner I had 5, and couldn't take it. Then a couple hours later felt grumbly so I went and had 2 more.. but I was SO FULL!! I made or even went over my Cronometer calorie. I also drank TONS of water today! More than I have in a long long time! 

I have energy, and I wish I could move more!! 50 Squats two days in a row have made me sore. It's bedtime and I'm feeling sick again. My tummy aches, and it's grumbling. I don't feel the got-to-go feeling but I don't feel happy either. I think I need more water!

I'm waiting for the day where I notice something great happen! I'm waiting for the sign of being cleansed.. and really launching into a Raw Lifestyle. I guess my next shopping trip will be Bananas.. but I am excited to stock my fridge with TOO MUCH FRUIT! 

My kids will love it!

Well Glo DAY 3

You are doing great! Last night was really awful though. I had so much energy, I just couldn't fall asleep. My body must have been begging for Cardio but I just didn't give it. So falling asleep was really hard. My tummy ached really bad, but I wasn't hungry and I didn't want to eat anything. I finally fell asleep and I think I woke up too early. My body was aching for more rest. I'm going to bed early tonight!

I woke up and drank my water! YUM! and made BananaMylk with my now perfectly ripe Puerto Rican Bananas! I had 8 big ones and 2 babies in my Mylk. It was very delicious! I heard that I could have lettuce and celery but I just don't have the desire for it yet. 

Making lunch for the family was easy and I didn't have any desire to eat what I was making like I had in the past when trying to eat better. I even made hubs a salad and although I know those things are super good for me, I just wasn't interested. My cravings are gone, and my body is not gittery. I have tons of energy! I finally gave myself some cardio today. I was nervous because after 10 jumping jacks I'm wiped out.. or even 30 seconds of running. I just didn't think I could do it. However, I just started jumping!! And Jumping and Jumping!! I did like 80 jumping jacks. Which is kind of big for me. (lame i know). And I started jogging in place, and jogging and jogging.. and then running around the room. I'm starting to tear up a little writing this because I would usually have a side cramp in seconds or get just quit. Even when my calf started to hurt, I just did cardio in a different way.. and different trot. I didn't want to stop but eventually after 10 or 15 minutes I did just sit down.. and then got right back up and walked the house. I know I'm in a already sweaty P.R. but I never sweat before working out. I'm not even sure if this counts as a workout but I was so sweaty, and my skin was super itchy and red, especially around my heart! I feel so good!! I hope I remember this in a few weeks or when I run into difficult situations!

Had more water, and now I'm on to lunch. BANANAS!! I'm letting a Plantain ripen on my counter and I can't wait to try it one day! I know that i have grumpy moments and upset tummy but I'm cheering it on!! I know that it is clearing me OUT!! 

I wonder which day is most difficult!?

DAY 4

I almost forgot what day it was.. maybe because I don't care anymore about getting though it. I'm just trying to get into my Bananas like Freelee the Banana Girl suggests. Today was the first day I had some adversity. I woke up and had my water, and Banana Mylk then i suddenly became very dizzy. I was worried that I might be doing something wrong for my body. I then realized I hadn't really experienced many detox side effects yet. I was feeling suddenly sick and ripped off a piece of Romaine Lettuce and put it up to my lips to see if I wanted it. I just didn't. So, I just carried on. Hoping the Toxins will pass. I then was socializing at lunch time and so glad I brought my bundle of bananas. The cooking food smelled good, and I started to crave just a little bit. Then I started eating my bananas and the hunger went away. I felt bad inside by not eating the food I was offered. It still makes me feel so rude.

While eating my now very ripe Bananas. I almost felt sick again and overwhelmed by the sugary sweetness of the bananas. I'm not a sugary lover in general, and I don't really know what this is all about but UCK! SO overly sweet! I had Mylk for dinner and it was very satisfying. The only worry I have is not enough side effects because I know I'm toxic, but I don't feel the cleansing part. My Hydrodenitis sores are still around, and I didn't have as much clarity today. I actually felt very sleepy and a bit dizzy. I also haven't passed the toxic waste from my body at all today. That makes me worried. 

I hope the Bananas I bought today ripen up a bit by dinner time tomorrow or I might run into problems!

P.S. Breadfruit grows a lot on the island. Tons of fun fruit I've never tried does. I'm new to Puerto Rico, but I'd like to try it if I can figure out how it is when it is ripe.

DAY 5:

I started to read The 80-10-10 diet yesterday and the first chapter was so fun. I ran into the living room 12 times to share with hubby the coolness I was learning. I was happy to see he agreed and understood everything I was saying. (except the cheese thing) 

I'm having an odd rash on my neck near my lymph's. It is really bad when I'm sweating and cleaning the house. I'm not sure if its an effect of detox. Other than that it was a simple day. I also was thinking about the "recommended" calories. I heard I needed 2500 calories, but I'm a bit over weight and I don't even eat that many now. I found it very difficult the past few days to eat that much without feeling very uncomfortable. Today I ate when I was hungry and consumed an amount of calories that I was normally getting to the others days when I felt full, which was about 1800. I believe I need to listen more to my body about how much food I need and how many calories I need to feel full. It's been a fun day otherwise. I went swimming, I have tons of energy. I really need some more sleep. I want to stay up late and watch videos about LFRV, or read but I know I need more sleep. I guess I've lost about a pound a day, but I'm not concerned with that right now. I expect it to take time. I'm doing this for other reasons which I will post soon.

I made eggs for the kids for dinner. The 2 little babies didn't like them. I thin they've been consuming bananas on the sneak! :) But I actually gagged when I was serving them and cooking them. All I could think about was Chicken Discharge. It really grossed me out. It smelled awful, it looked awful. I honestly believe I am gaining a greater emotional connection to animals around me, and my role as a human, which I had never bothered with before. 

My favorite part of the book last night was the image of us walking into a farmer market, fruit stand and being surrounded by sweets fruits and vegetables. I mean just thinking about it right now, it makes me breathe in deep and salivate. I just want to dive right in and gobble all the juiciness up. That feeling is natural. Then imagine when we walk into a butcher shop or when I walk past the meat and fish counter in the grocery store. It smells gross and kind of uneasy. I manage to take it home without "dripping" everywhere and cook it, and then cover it with condiments. Very Interesting!! :) hehe

I'm excited for the morning. All I had for day 5 was BananaMylk, I enjoyed it very much! I can't wait to have it again in the morning! I wonder if I'll experience some more detox symptoms. I just don't feel a lot. I think detox will take several months on the cellular level.