Joy

The cleansing process is a challenge. It not only has it consumed much of my life in that every thing I eat must come from scratch and every item that goes in my cart at the store must be thoroughly investigated for off-limit ingredients, but it is also forcing me to evaluate myself and what role food really plays in my life. I didn't realize how often I used food as a comfort, reward or celebration until the majority of food was taken out of my diet. Food is an extremely emotional part of my life nourishing more than just my physical being. Now the task is to determine whether or not my emotional ties to the food I prepare and eat is healthy. A growth opportunity which I hope to take full advantage of, but can be uncomfortable to say the least. Analyzing oneself and admitting change may be necessary is never a fun process.

I titled this entry joy for several reasons. Though I am grieving my old ways of eating, the restaurants I will never be able to go to again, the food I will no longer be able to eat, I am finding joy in my new found health, joy in my increased awareness in the nutrition I am providing my body. Within two weeks I have started to experience radical change in my body. I am becoming more in tune to its needs and process. I can actually hear my stomach working again, my sinuses are clearing, I know the feeling of hungry and full and my migraines are diminishing! I savor my food and seem to be more aware of flavors and textures. My food is more wholesome and I am more whole. I am amazed at how my body is responding to food in its more natural form; how nature is so perfect and provides us with what we need to sustain and thrive.

Be Well!

Jessica

To start

Time to introduce! I am in my late 20's. I have a passion for life and one of my greatest loves in my life is food. Not just eating it, but creating it and sharing it with the people I love. Food is a common thread among all mankind. It can be an art form and a spiritual experience as it brings people together and unites them.

I have been battling chronic health issues since I was about 20 years old. I have exhausted all Western medicine in an effort to feel as alive and vigorous as I should given my age and how well I care for myself. All the tests and prescriptions have been to no avail and I have been left with no answers and poor health. I knew the situation had become dire when I was actually hoping the latest test for an auto-immune disease would come back positive. I figured if there was finally a diagnosis then I could finally get some answers and be able to work towards better health. Fortunately, the test came back negative. Unfortunately, I was left in the exact same spot - sick and tired of being sick and tired. The feeling of defeat was beginning to weigh heavily. About two weeks later my partner met with a Naturopathic doctor at a networking event. He was greatly impressed with her level of knowledge and knew so well the situation I was in. As a result I had an appointment 2 weeks later.

In my first appointment with her I explained my nearly decade battle to gain health and peace. We reviewed my symptoms and looked over all the tests I had taken previously. What we found was quite interesting.

Earlier in the year I had taken a comprehensive digestive system screening test. When my Dr. at the time reviewed it I was told to take some probiotics and a couple other supplements then sent on my merry way. What I wasn't told was the following: I lacked the necessary stomach and pancreatic enzymes to adequately digest my food, had significant inflammation throughout my intestine, Candida growing happily away in my digestive track, a significantly depressed immune system and an intolerance to gluten.

Now here I am a week and a half later on the craziest cleanse, the Candida cleanse, tyring to emotionally process the way I eat may forever be changed, yet excited that maybe, just maybe I may finally be well! The cleanse is overwhelming to say the least. As is the thought that I may never be able to eat gluten and potentially several other food groups again. In reality I haven't even begun to process that as the cleanse is taking up too much of my energy. I plan on describing my journey hoping to help others in their journey to better health and seek the advice of those who have gone before me in this quest. Thanks for reading!

Be Well!
Jessica