A bit of background...
A few months ago, in October 2012, I found that I simply did not feel well. My digestive system was waging war. My mind was cluttered. I could not sleep. I was totally unbalanced. I could not figure out why! I was eating (somewhat) right, working out, doing yoga, working doing what I love (www.ytga.com), and still finding time to spend with my cat, and friends. I had made numerous changes in my life to get to this point, and STILL! Not good.
After some research, I found the Mahaya Clinic (http://www.mahayaforesthill.com/) where their health team specializes in natural medicine. I began the journey in discovering natural remedies some time ago but I realized last year, that I needed more help. Setting up an appointment with Dr. Kate, I made my way to Mahaya in November, and we began treatments.
Unda drops are prescribed only by NDs (Naturopathic Doctors). They are a liver and kidney cleanse and might be where your ND begins. Here is some more info on Undas.
After the initial visit, we also added essential vitamins for a vegetarian combined with specific minerals. To date, I take every day: vegetarian omega, iron, b12, b50 complex, probiotic, vitamin d and the undas.
In December, my ND mentioned that come the new year, we would be starting elimination diets. We did some tests (blood typing) to figure out what exactly we would be eliminating. My blood typing revealed that...I may be allergic/sensitive to nearly everything except for air (thankfully) and water (thankfully as well!). So, the result was, my brand new diet for the next 30 days which I will be documenting - no wheat, no dairy, no caffeine, no alcohol. I looked at Dr Kate when she told me this and said (no joke): "But those are my four food groups!!!". I'm vegetarian sure, but definitely not the best kind. She laughed and gave me further guidelines which also included: no bananas, no potatoes, no tomatoes, no mushrooms, no melons, no peppers, and having to drink 2-3L of water per day no exceptions.
My reaction changed throughout my day.
When I first heard and read the guidelines, I was really, really depressed. I was concerned - I already do not eat much! So what is left for me to consume?
I came home, and looked at each of my family members. I pointed at each one of them and said "You will be on this diet too. And you will. And you will be on this diet too." Miserable, I sent a message to a few friends and vented.
Later in the day however, I found myself sort of...enlightened. This is my opportunity to have a full internal and external body cleanse. It's probably just what I need! I will be finding new foods. Clean foods. New recipes. And will break my addiction to sweets.
You see, the food that we consume on a daily basis is so modified. It is chemically processed, handled, and genetically altered. Our food is actually pretty bad for us. Just do the research if you don't know already. It sucks. Maybe the reason I felt so horrible all the time is because my body was telling me just how bad what I put into it really and truly was.
I think the hardest part will be breakfast. My usual breakfast includes...wheat, dairy, caffeine and a whole load of processed sugar. If you know me, you know I can't go a day without cookies.
So, here is my journey. I will find new foods. Exciting foods. Foods that you really feel good eating. And you know what? Maybe I'll lose some weight and tone up along the way.
In the blog section I'll be posting daily my meals and snacks.
Challenge accepted.
After some research, I found the Mahaya Clinic (http://www.mahayaforesthill.com/) where their health team specializes in natural medicine. I began the journey in discovering natural remedies some time ago but I realized last year, that I needed more help. Setting up an appointment with Dr. Kate, I made my way to Mahaya in November, and we began treatments.
Unda drops are prescribed only by NDs (Naturopathic Doctors). They are a liver and kidney cleanse and might be where your ND begins. Here is some more info on Undas.
After the initial visit, we also added essential vitamins for a vegetarian combined with specific minerals. To date, I take every day: vegetarian omega, iron, b12, b50 complex, probiotic, vitamin d and the undas.
In December, my ND mentioned that come the new year, we would be starting elimination diets. We did some tests (blood typing) to figure out what exactly we would be eliminating. My blood typing revealed that...I may be allergic/sensitive to nearly everything except for air (thankfully) and water (thankfully as well!). So, the result was, my brand new diet for the next 30 days which I will be documenting - no wheat, no dairy, no caffeine, no alcohol. I looked at Dr Kate when she told me this and said (no joke): "But those are my four food groups!!!". I'm vegetarian sure, but definitely not the best kind. She laughed and gave me further guidelines which also included: no bananas, no potatoes, no tomatoes, no mushrooms, no melons, no peppers, and having to drink 2-3L of water per day no exceptions.
My reaction changed throughout my day.
When I first heard and read the guidelines, I was really, really depressed. I was concerned - I already do not eat much! So what is left for me to consume?
I came home, and looked at each of my family members. I pointed at each one of them and said "You will be on this diet too. And you will. And you will be on this diet too." Miserable, I sent a message to a few friends and vented.
Later in the day however, I found myself sort of...enlightened. This is my opportunity to have a full internal and external body cleanse. It's probably just what I need! I will be finding new foods. Clean foods. New recipes. And will break my addiction to sweets.
You see, the food that we consume on a daily basis is so modified. It is chemically processed, handled, and genetically altered. Our food is actually pretty bad for us. Just do the research if you don't know already. It sucks. Maybe the reason I felt so horrible all the time is because my body was telling me just how bad what I put into it really and truly was.
I think the hardest part will be breakfast. My usual breakfast includes...wheat, dairy, caffeine and a whole load of processed sugar. If you know me, you know I can't go a day without cookies.
So, here is my journey. I will find new foods. Exciting foods. Foods that you really feel good eating. And you know what? Maybe I'll lose some weight and tone up along the way.
In the blog section I'll be posting daily my meals and snacks.
Challenge accepted.