My DRUG BUST (Should I Take Multivitamins? postscript or part 6)
Just a funny postscript to my comments about multivitamins:
My mother tried, with marginal success at best, a number of multi-level marketing businesses while I was growing up. She was an early Shaklee distributor, for many years. Shaklee was on the forefront of the fledgling vitamin supplement industry, circa 1980. I remember her demos where a Shaklee pill sat in water and disintegrated, compared to a competitor’s pill that just sat there, undissolved. The more products Shaklee released, the more convinced my mother became that we needed this one, and that one, and oh, about five of these…
By my senior year of high school, I was taking about 1/3 cup of supplements. Bright green Vita Lea multis (horse pills!), Vita C, a liquid-cap Vita E, yellow Vita B, a red iron pill, lots of alfalfa tabs, and sooooo many more. My brothers and I developed great skill in swallowing enormous quantities in one gulp. Not as macho as they were, I didn’t participate in their how-many-can-you-swallow contests.
I used every last second on hair and makeup before school, until my friend Kelly picked me up in her electric-blue Camaro. So, I often ran out of time–and sometimes when Mom wasn’t looking, I stuffed that large handful of pills in my jeans pocket.
Keep in mind this was the 1980′s. We wore TIGHT jeans.
So one day I get to school and sit down in AP English. The jeans being really snug, as I mentioned, that big bulging handful of vitamins in my pocket was bothering me. So I dug them out of my pocket and put them in my desk. I fully intended to get them out at the end of class and…..um….do whatever it is I usually did with them. (I’m being purposefully vague. I don’t think my mom reads my blog, but you never know!)
Anyway, of course I forgot. Went to my next class and never thought about the vitamin stash again.
Until 6th period. When a police officer walked into my science class and said, “Do you have a Robyn Openshaw in here?” I was an A student, oldest child, always obedient, never in trouble, so I was horrified.
I was then escorted by the police officer to the principal’s office, where I was confronted with the evidence: was it drug use, or intent to sell? Administrators wanted to know. Now, what would you be thinking, if that had been you?
This was my only utterly panic-stricken thought, which I blurted out before bursting into tears:
“Please, please—I’m begging you—do NOT tell my mom I didn’t take my vitamins today!!!”
That is sooo funny! So what happened?
Laughing police officers?
TOTALLY hilarious!! Cracking me up right now!
Haha! My husband’s mom gave them all the same huge doses of supplements. His sister used to stuff them into a hole in the vinyl of the kitchen chair seat pad, until one day….
That is a funny story! I have been super interested in this topic since I have felt like I need supplements in my diet. I do have a question about calcium though. I take a liquid calcium/vitD supplement and have noticed stronger nails and other improvements. I was diagnosed with low bone density as a teenager and wonder if I should continue taking my supplement. Also I have a question about your group buys and when you do them. Feel free to email me. My aunt just showed me your site and I just started reading a couple days ago and I’m hooked!
Renee, I don’t think taking calcium supplements will hurt you. I’d love to see you eating tons of leafy greens (blend them!) for much better holistic nutrition. We just ended the annual group buy but hopefully you’re on the email list–we’ll let you know when it happens again.
Also, if you had low bone density as a teenager, which is when you’re supposed to be BUILDING bone for the long decline of bone mass in adulthood, please please don’t drink sodas!!
I had the same experience but was sent to the deans office for gobstoppers jawbreakers.
Once, when my son was about four years old, I decided to do a major deep cleaning of his bedroom. When I went to clean the dust bunnies out from under the bed, I discovered to my dismay, about a year’s worth of chewable vitamins stuck together in a big, sticky, dusty pile. Apparently he had been putting them into his mouth, pretending to chew them up, but instead running into his room and spitting them out under the bed. Learned my mom lesson!
Hilarious!
Thank you!
I never really ever drank much soda as a teen and one of the first things the doctor told me with the low bone density was that I shouldnt drink soda. I havent had soda in years
I love your blog! Thank you so much for the info about supplements too. I was just the other day convincing my husband that I needed to get some more supplements. Then he caught me reading your recent posts and was like… “See you don’t need supplements.” I just started drinking green smoothies when my sister in law told me about them. Had one today with a bunch of spinach, broccoli, and beet greens! I thought I would let you know, I got into this whole foods eating when my baby girl was having digestive issues in her early months. I had to go on an ellimination diet to see what she could be allergic to as I was determined to nurse her. I cut out Dairy, Soy, and Eggs for a long time because it seemed to make her (and myself) feel a lot better. It was funny (and slightly sad) that a lot of people would tell me, just put her on formula, it would be too hard to eat dairy free. At first it was a huge struggle becuase I was accustomed to a slightly “healthier” version of the american diet. As time went on I learned more, did more reading, got recipes and eventually went completely vegan for a couple of months. Now I am eating mostly vegan and I am so excited about your blog and website as I am trying to eat more of my diet in raw form. Thanks again!
That is hilarious! LOVE it!
That happened to me in the second grade with candy coated multi-vitamins, except the police weren’t involved. Thanks for the memories. Very funny….I don’t take vitamin pills any more. I drink green smoothies, carrot juice, wheat grass, and eat tons of raw veggies. I’m not totally raw though, since I eat beans every day, too. I took herbs last year for some specific health problems. Together herbs and raw foods cured many maladies.
Hahaha! Having grown up a “Shaklee kid” myself – I totally can relate!
You should have been there the day I pulled out the china cabinet to vacuum under it . . . my poor little son was so relieved that he didn’t have to lie anymore about swallowing those hundreds of vitamins! The things we do to our precious children in the name of good health!!
Marsha–LOL!!!
So what do you people think of the Senate Bill 510 that passed last week and now they’re trying to get it passed in Congress this week that will give the FDA control over what they consider as appropriate food for us.
As it seems apparently patently clear that the FDA is in bed with the big drug companies and IMHO do not promote a healthy lifestyle, Please call your congressman or woman today and stop S. 510, which imposes expensive regulations on farms who gross $500,000 or more a year, we need to quadruple that number and not have the FDA in control.
Hi Robyn,
I have seen many vitamin D3 suppliments on the market and I purchased a liquid one which my son and I take by now brand and now I’m hearing alot about vitamin K?? Is there a brand of D3 that is better than all the others? And what’s the deal with vitamin K? Should I be giving that to my son as well?? My son has low iron and it seems he doesn’t absorb iron through supplemental ways according to the doctor…what’s a good route for his iron? I know your not a doctor but, I did want advice from someone who like me cares about nutrition and cares about the truth:)
Thanks,
Lisa
These articles are fantastic, valuable, and unique.
I totally agree with you that supplements are used as a crutch that gives many (probably most) of their consumers a false sense of security.
Many supplement consumers follow their faith in supplements like a religion, spending big chunks of their income on their food tithe.
On the other hand, the government is using the supplement industry as an excuse to take total control of all food, especially organic foods. A big chunk of the best quality wholesome foods come from small farmers, who cannot afford comply with various government requirements.
Everyone who wants to obtain good quality foods must totally support food freedoms and should immediately denounce (100%) all government control of raw foods as soon as it comes up in any conversation with anybody.
Most health enthusiasts are turned off by political talk, thinking that they will have the ability to maximize the value of their diet any time they want in the future.
But, getting involved with politics to protect the availability of good food is just as important as learning how to properly buy and use it.
Oh my gosh, my mom was really into many vitamins too- we’d take handfuls at times and cry and beg not to take them because they were too big to swallow or too many. She didn’t buy them premade though – she’d get the capsules and herb powders and fill them herself for us to take. Sounds like she was trying to do the right thing with them anyway…
So funny. What did the other kids in your class think when you got back?
Despite eating raw and organic vegetables, I’m concerned that the depletion of minerals from the soil due to pollutants is so bad, that I still prefer to take some mineral supplementation. Also, if you are drinking filtered or RO water, you are losing minerals. What’s your thoughts about these reasons?
This is laugh-out-loud funny! I’m VERY familiar with Shaklee supplements, so I could just “see” that handful of vitamins. I was one of those who got really good at downing a LOT of them at one time. =D
I remember Shaklee. That is HYSTERICAL! Thanks for giving us a good laugh.
hahaha my mom bought Shaklees when I was in high school. She made me take Vita Lee too!!! Those pills were HUGE! and also some absolutely hideous protein powder. She take Shaklee to this day, and she is a complete invalid, with heart disease, osteoperosis, rhumatoid, arthritis and she is on full time oxygen. She can barely walk with a walker and she is only 78 years old. I look at her and know I have to do something different or I’ll end up just like her. Forget Shaklee or other vitamins! Raw food is the only way to go/ it’s the real deal.
Renee, I agree totally with all Robyn’s suggestions. Also, research shows that bone density and retaining calcium are also about getting good magnesium and cutting out meats, sugar, etc. that rob the body of calcium. Americans rob themselves of what calcium they do get with acidic foods. You probably already know that, but just wanted to mention it. Raw! Raw! Raw!
O yea, and some calcium supplements can cause calcification, arthritis, and stones to form in the body. Learned that from David Wolfe’s research and personal experience! Ugh!!! Painful experience.
That is really a funny story! Everyone must have laughed at it when it happened.
That is a great memory.
Hey Robyn,
Do you have a “rant against” soda?
I seem to be stuck on Diet Pepsi.
I am looking for useful info on how “bad” diet pop is.
I love your stories.
I have a few of my own I am currently writing… Christmas memories.. when I was 10… that was in 1964
Richard in Omaha
Richard, yes I do! In August, I think it was, I blogged about the inside of my friend’s Diet Pepsi machine–check it out. And in Ch. 1 of 12 Steps, you’ve got a whole list of why to ditch the soda habit!
I prefer not to take calcium ever. Calcium calcifies, it does not help your bone density at all. What calcium in a non food form does for you is to slowly but surely calcify your ARTERIES that right I said calcify your arteries! I feel so sorry for those poor people who listen to their doctors and take rx bone building medications, it is so sad that our society is driven to take a pill for everything. Remember “let food be thy medicine, let medicine be thy food”. Always always use foods first, it really does heal you body as greensmoothiegirl has been teaching us. Thank you Robin.
Best laugh I’ve had in awhile. Thanks for letting us all benefit from your experience!
Lol Reminds me of when we were detained at the entrance of Disneyland on Grad-night for 2hrs because my friend had a baggy full of enzymes and other vitamins! We spent the rest of the night looking for our friends.
I am so confused- I also take some supplements- probiotics, and lots of fiber (physillium only)- I really like the thought of your plan ( a little expensive for me 150.00) and I wouldn’t know where to start- feel a bit overwhelmend but really need to find the answer. I’ve been going to derm Dr. for three years- once a month or more for pre- turning into melanoma biopsys. Help- I guess it would be just taking one day at a time but I am reading and absorbing a lot of info. I did weight watchers for years and finally 6 years ago I made it to my goal ( lost around 80 + lbs) I’ve gained about 15 back and go back on as soon as I gain and then lose some- but I really need to get healty- Im very unhealty. I do like HOT food though too and all I’ve seen is cold food and room temp ( smoothies, which I love- and room temp treats, crackers and such) I also purchased a Vita- Mix 5200 just last month- what do you think about that? I know you love the other one but do you think the Vita Mix is just as good?
Tara tclayberg@yahoo.com
Tara, VM is a great machine. My program is 60-80% raw–I like hot foods too, and we do soups, main dishes featuring legumes / whole grains, etc.
Hi Robyn,
Thanks for all of the info that you share! I have a couple of questions that I’d like to ask you…
1) I used to drink lots of diet soda for over 30 years, but I let it go a year and a half ago. I have now been drinking lots of club soda, seltzer water, and (natural spring) mineral water. Do you see any problems with any of these? My mother, despite being a big-boned, athletic person, has osteoporosis…obviously, I’d like to work to avoid this problem.
2) I’m really curious…what blood type are you? Your kids? (I’m an O neg, btw).
Thank you!
Christine, my kids and I are A+. I recommend against carbonation, as it robs the red blood cells of oxygen and isn’t natural.
I love your site and information and tell everyone about it. i just made a green smoothie of carrots, spinach and mixed greens for our 9 year old Gloden Retriever. I poured it over the dog food that has been setting there sense breakfast. Ginger loved it and liked the bowl clean!
Last week I did a green smoothie demo for a bunch of teenage girls. They also loved it. I also let them sample almond joy, veggie flax crackers, kifer and fruit, and then we made chia snowball cookies.
Thank you so such for what you teach. Your work makes simple what I have studied for years in a fun way!