Find your best health, by following Nature's Laws

My life was plagued with metabolic problems early on, extra large clothing, severe anxiety in dressing rooms, and just hating my body, literally. It had betrayed me! The bloating, tummy aches and fatigue made life unlivable. I vividly remember vowing to do better--exercising for hours daily, trying hundreds of diets and ways to try to be healthier, and "skinny like my friends and cousins."  Eventually, depression hit, and I gave up for a long while. I found a way to ignore it, until I became very ill and uncomfortable, constantly. 

Moving out on my own landed me in a practice familiar in my family, of natural medicine and nutrition. My grandmother, Violet, had a small supplements store in Evanston, WY called Nature's Rainbow. I spent many hours there, while my mom worked the counter/desk. Rows and rows of bottles to read and the comforting smells passed the time. But, despite a whole food homecooked diet (until teen years, that is!) and supplements, things still went wrong. What I learned at the School of Natural Medicine (1996-1999) under the expert tutelage of Farida Sharan, about my problem, was that it had many causes. I was not just lazy or a bad athlete. (I am NOT an athlete and exercise is still a challenge to enjoy...unless it is connected to outdoor activity!) My belly was the center of it; too many antibiotics; about 15 rounds and processed foods wrecked my metabolism. Trauma, I found, can also put health into a tailspin. The way back is sometimes long and difficult, but can be done naturally!  Yet, we will also not ignore where our doctors can help us, when all other methods fail; in the case of disease and growths/tumors, nutrition and supplements may not be enough. 

Nutrition and fasting for me, is at the root of recovery and surviving trauma in a positive way. I can say that the most consistent methods I have undertaken myself are, intermittent fasting, reduction or elimination of grains (even gluten free) and watching out for all simple carbohydrates and sugars, drinking half gallon of water daily, and eating nutrient dense foods in adequate quantities and consistency with supplements have made the biggest difference, including cannabinoids like CBD to help tune up my internal communication system.

Yet, in July 2024, after doing what worked for so long, I began to feel very unwell as menopause set in. I began an elimination diet of the carnivore slant. Within two days, the debilitating spine pain from auto accidents eased, hot flashes reduced significantly and I realized, my years of yo-yo dieting had left me malnourished. Planning for 90 days, and reintroducing plant foods one at a time is a goal. This was in conflict with my training; that animal foods are unhealthy in large amounts. Well, the results and ancestral diet aspect have me convinced. I then learned about anti-nutrients and toxins in plant foods, that I once thought were healthy. I am now doing without these, for optimal health. 

Small changes can bring great relief and progress! Do not give up! Your health is an irreplaceable prized possession. It is worth the work and time!