Weirdo-Billy

I had a companion on my mission who had a term for strange or out of the ordinary things.

When we saw a dead deer strapped to the top of a little white two door car in the middle of a multi million peopled city she sighed and said,

"Weirdo Billy."

When we were tracting in the coldest cold you can think of and our boogers would freeze to our nose hairs she would spontaneously belt out, "Weirdo Billy!"

I know some of you think I have gone around the corner to the luney bin with this new healthy eating kick I'm on.

No wheat, no dairy, no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.

And now I'm thinking of giving up meat.

I know, I know, don't roll your eyes at me.

Don't make me open this screen and smack you.

Stop it, I have my reasons.

I went to talk to the nursery leader in church today to warn her of impending changes.

I told her that next month Baby Cakes would be joining them in her class. At first she was looking at me like, "Ya, I knew that, we are excited for him to join us."

Then I said, "But there's a catch, he's allergic to dairy and wheat and artificial food additives."

She immediately looked at me like I was from outer space.

I may as well have not worried about tucking in my tail.

I went on to explain that he pretty much could not have anything prepackaged.

She grimly said, "So no gold fish or colored marshmallows?"

Nope, those would be out.

Seeing the lost, helpless look in her eyes I decided this was going to be more of a challenge than I had thought. I offered to bring his snacks for nursery in a baggie for him so she would not have to worry about finding things to feed the class that met my child's dietary needs.

I saw the relief wash over her face and as I turned to leave I swear I could her her sigh,

"Weirdo Billy."

as I turned the corner to go to Sunday School.

But guess what I found out?

I'm not the only weird one.

Guess who else changed her whole diet for the sake of her child's health?

Jenny Mccarthy, that's who.

You know, famous hot actress married to Jim Carrey, Jenny Mccarthy.

Ya, that one.

She claims to have cured her son's autism by eliminating wheat and dairy and other dietary changes. And you know what, if it's OK for her, it's OK for me. I am not ashamed to tell the world I'm changing how we eat so we can be healthy and happy. I am not afraid to spend double the amount of time cooking as I once did. After all, I really enjoy cooking and spending time in the kitchen with my kids.

So maybe I'm not the weird one after all.

Maybe the weirdo Billys are the ones who know they have health problems and have yet to try radical things in order to improve their health.

Maybe the weirdo Billys are the ones that whine and complain about being over weight but are not willing to give up the problem foods.

Maybe I'm not weird at all.

Maybe I'll live to be 107!

Check out Dr. Oz on Oprah and his research on Blue Zones, which are areas in the world where people regularly live into their second century of life.

"But it's not only about longevity—they live with strength, vitality and happiness"

Do you think they do that by eating Ho-Ho's and Dorito's? Guess again!

It turns out what we put into our bodies has a direct correlation between how we feel and ultimately how long we live. Go figure.

So weird or not, I plan to live in health and happiness for a long, long time!