Hi friends!
We are officially entering the second half of 2024, and we were met with unexpected loss. Our beloved family dog, Bori experienced sudden liver failure and had to be put down on July 24th. An agonizing decision for our family, especially for my parents who raised Bori with so much devotion and love. Our house will no longer be the same without his presence, without his warmth and rhythmic clicking of paws on hardwood. It’s hard to describe how impactful a furry family member can be, and how devastating the loss, after what feels like a short 8 years of being together.
We were able to say goodbye over the phone, watching him slowly descend with closed eyes. David and I cried a lot and Emma kept bringing us tissues and wiping away our tears. It still feels surreal that he is no longer with us.
Goodbye my sweet Bori, and thank you for all the wonderful memories together.
glucose goddess
Do you struggle with sugar cravings?
I recently thought about how I use sugar as a way of coping—a quick dopamine hit and relief from experiencing boredom and stress. I have been mindlessly taking in sugar without fully knowing its impact on my body (and now Emma’s little body).
Jessie Inchauspè, a biochemist and author of Glucose Revolution, has an absolute gift for explaining the biochemistry in a very easy and digestible manner. I will try my best to paraphrase, but I strongly encourage you to read her book, or listen to this podcast.
Lately with the summer heat, I’ve been enjoying my share of matcha lattes, bubble teas, and refreshing ades.
After this drink, I have a huge glucose spike (high levels of glucose in my bloodstream). Glucose molecules are being delivered to my mitochondria to be transformed into energy but there is just TOO much of it. The velocity at which glucose molecules are delivered causes the mitochondria to be “drowned,” and as a result, free radicals (unstable molecules) are released. Too much free radicals, termed oxidative stress, may cause irreparable damage by modifying my genetic code (mutations) and poking holes in membranes of cells, causing dysfunction.
Secondly, with more glucose molecules in my bloodstream, the higher the chances of glycation, a “browning” of cells that expedites my aging process.
In addition, my pancreas releases insulin to try to store away these excess glucose molecules in the form of glycogen in my liver, and then in my muscles. Once my liver and muscles are full of glucose, it then has to be stored away in the form of fat in my fat reserves.
“We shouldn’t be mad at our body for putting on fat; instead, we should thank it for trying to protect us from oxidative stress, glycation, and inflammation.”
Wow. It’s fascinating to think that gaining weight is a protective mechanism the body has in place to prevent cellular damage and resultant diseases. These continuous glucose spikes affect out bodies—more cravings, brain fog and depression, aging, infertility, heart issues, the list goes on.
I feel empowered understanding what is happening on a cellular level, and knowing that there are small choices I can make throughout the day to feel better. Hoping to trial the hacks outlined in the book and conduct some me-search!
Did you know the impact of glucose on our bodies? I’m mind blown.
bubble girl
While I was out in the city for a girls trip, David called with the dreaded opening line, “Don’t get mad but Emma got hurt.” After a fun trip with Appa at the local spray park, Emma tripped over her own feet and fell face first into the pavement. She now has bandaids on both sides of her face—the left with silicone for her burns, the right with a hydrocolloid dressing for her deep abrasion. A cute little face adorned with bandaids.
The first thought that crossed my mind was, “Why God????” As if every mishap is an infliction from God. David and I have been feeling like we are barely holding on, so this collision with pavement felt even more crushing. I also felt this motherly pang of wanting to protect Emma, to put her in a protective bubble of sorts.
These thoughts led me to think about David Vetter, the baby boy who was immediately placed in a sterile isolator (“bubble”) after he was born due to his severely compromised immune system. The media and healthcare workers at the time questioned whether it was ethical to keep a child enclosed in a bubble. David lived in this bubble for 12 years.
Though it’s not due to a medical necessity, parents also choose to envelope their kids in their protective covering, barring their children from experiencing the world and its perils. I now understand. With enough of these incidents, I can see how natural it would be to hold onto control and to shield Emma from dangers of all kinds. But how limiting this would be for Emma and her exploration of the world, of others, and of her self.
I want to see the inherent curiosity and confidence grow in Emma which means I have to let go and let her fall too.
Do you feel like you fall into bubble-wrap parenting too? It’s so hard to let go of control!
july Park fam favorites 👧🏻👩🏻👦🏻:
Emma: playing with kinetic sand and glow in the dark animals, talking about tents (after a camping day at school), sleeping in her new big girl bed! 🛏️
Bomi: reading Hello Beautiful, using my apple watch to find my iphone, going on short 2km jogs in the mornings, seeing my family to celebrate umma’s 60th birthday 🏃🏻♀️
David: walking on (bomi’s) walking pad, interview with Dr. Sarah Paine (History and Military Strategy), celebrating his brother’s engagement like a college student 🍻