Let me start with a little story and then we'll move onto the present...

Back on Oct. 31st, 2008, (also my 29th birthday) I was in an overall slump. I was working a high-stress job, I had gained over 60 lbs since I stared dating my boyfriend 4 year prior, I was always tired and achy, my knees were constantly hurting, I was phlegm-y and mucus-y, I could barely walk up a flight of stairs, my stomach was in pain so much that I didn't even realize how much pain I was actually in anymore... and I was definitely depressed. I was breaking out into hives every day all day and my allergist, after informing me that some adults just get hives for no reason,) prescribed me a steroid and 2 allergy medications. I was  literally sick and tired of being sick and tired. I decided that I didn't want to be this way when I entered my 30's, and the next day I started on the detox that would give me the ride of my life!

I cut out all meat (except fish) as well as refined sugar, (including alcohol) dairy and gluten (substituting with soy & corn) and by December 21st I had lost over 35 lbs! I was convinced I was on the right track... my knees were no longer in pain and my energy was improving but I was still exhausted at night, (I started walking 3 1/2 - 7 miles a day, doing hot yoga 3 times a week, and biking and swimming as well.) I had dusted off the juicer my Grandma had given me 2 years prior and was making great use of it. I was drinking smoothies and eating a TON of raw foods. My stomach still hurt every once in awhile, but my depression was gone by the time Spring rolled around. By March of 2009, I was down a total of 70 lbs. I remember weighing in at 162 and thinking to myself, 'If I can just lose 7 more pounds, I'll be at my high school prom weight!' I had lost 65 inches of fat (that's over 5 1/2 feet, fyi) and went from a size 18 jean to a size 8 (which is WAY smaller than I ever wore when I was 17!) but that still wasn't good enough.  I was on a mission to becoming a low-fat, gluten-free, vegan raw foodist because I truly believed that was what was best for me then.

Sept. 08              Dec. 08             Mar. 09

I was still breaking out into hives, so I decided to see a Naturopath. She informed me that I was suffering from a condition called Adrenal Fatigue, another one called Leaky Gut, (or Intestinal Permeability) a slew of food intolerances, and a possible auto-immune disease that was attacking my organs one by one... first up... my liver and spleen. Needless to say, I was a little overwhelmed. Combine that with being stubborn and you have a recipe for disaster.

My boyfriend, who was always my number one fan, but never one to join in on the game himself, suggested maybe we try Rick Bayless' new restaurant. Normally, whenever we'd go out to eat somewhere, I was okay with requesting something special that wasn't on the menu, but for some reason I decided to try a sandwich with goat cheese... and it was amazing! That was the fork in the road & I had just chosen the wrong prong.

Not long after that sandwich, I decided that I was, under no condition, going to let my body designate what I could or could not eat! Who did this 'Doctor' think she was, anyway!?  I had a list of about 150 foods that were forbidden and there was no way I would ever survive without fruit!! Although I am able to say that I welcomed my 30th birthday thinner and in less pain, it didn't last long. The weight slowly started to creep back up on me. By my 32nd birthday I had gained almost every pound (and inch) back... as well as the depression, severe stomach and knee pain, more hives, ridiculously extreme fatigue, and I even got a little extra gift this time... acid reflux.

So I started to research again... I read every single book I could find... seriously... every. single. one. I visited 3 more Holistic doctors (one of which took complete advantage of me & swindled me for close to $700) as well as an MD from Northwestern Hopspital and all 4 said pretty much the same thing... you need to get it all out of your system and start from scratch... and you must give up all grains and refined sugar!

This eventually led me to Paleo, GAPS & WAPF - and it made sense. I always had a little voice in the back of my mind, even when I was on my raw foodie path, that said 'If I ever start eating meat again, it'll be grass-fed, high-quality for sure.' And eating lots of good fats made it a lot easier to transition for sure. The first time I made liver I almost puked. Not so much because of the taste, because I don't really mind that too much, but because I was actually holding liver in my hands- and then I had to cut it. Coming from vegan to eating organ meat is a little bit of a change. We for sure said 'Grace' that night.

And here we are today... I'm 2 1/2 months away from 34 & I've started to make small changes and accept what I can and cannot allow myself to eat. I make my own bone broth with extra gelatin and started brewing my very own kombucha! I eat a ton of coconut oil and am looking forward to making my own coconut kefir very soon as well. I joined a great website that has given me some great resources and I'm sure will help to keep me on track. I have my list of foods that I CAN eat (a mix of Autoimmune, Low Histamine & Low FODMAP to try and combat all of my issues) and I'm gearing up to get started on Aug. 19th. It really does finally feel right... feel free to check back for updates and recipes on my Journey Back to Me, (Take 2).