March Is National Nutrition Month

Discovery.....

We know that when a woman is healthy she becomes a better mother, partner, friend, sister, daughter and citizen of the world.   I’m so glad that you landed here for whatever reason, it’s not an accident that we’ve connected and my hope and prayer is that you will find some benefit and peace of mind from the content within this website and please pass it on to others you feel would benefit too.   2013 is the year I turn 60!! 

It was quite frustrating being ill with such a myriad of symptoms and no one could quite figure out why.  Perhaps you can relate to what I’m saying?

The medical profession’s answer was always to take this or that drug.   Some of the symptoms I had weekly and sometimes even daily, were debilitating migraines, irritable bowel, stomach issues, skin issues, terrible itching, severe joint pain, foggy head, memory loss, depression, and thyroid issues for 33 years.  I was on thyroid medication starting at the age of 22 up until 2005.   I found a holistic doctor in 2005 who finally offered to do food allergy testing blood work. No doctor I had ever seen had ever suggested food allergy testing? Sure enough the test came back showing a high allergy to gluten and wheat.  Consequently she recommended a gluten free diet. 

I was in denial for almost three years, thinking I could eat wheat and gluten now and then and that a little would be ok.  Boy was I wrong!  I start becoming sicker and sicker to the point of almost walking with a cane.  It became so extreme that I could barely function, could not think straight, my memory was lapsing almost to the point of dementia and I could barely get out of bed some days.  My body was deteriorating and I looked almost 80 years old. Every morning was horrible, literally thinking I was going to die and actually felt like it at times because I was so depressed.  This was the final wake up call!

My holistic doctor watched me slowly decline after recommendation after recommendation and finally said, "Sue if you don't change your lifestyle habits you are going to die, because your gut is being destroyed by the gluten and wheat."   I had no idea that gluten and wheat was slowly killing me and my body was actually attacking itself with my immune system weakened and my adrenals failing.   This was really serious now.

This got my attention and I began to look for resources to help change my lifestyle because I wanted to LIVE and enjoy my life.  I was missing out on everything including my family, my work, socializing, going outside and enjoying the beautiful weather,  smelling the roses, and just plain walking!  

Making a lifestyle change like this was challenging and frustrating at first, but I started slowly changing my diet in 2008 and have been gluten free since and feel better than I have in years and actually look younger now at age 59. 

The Journey Begins....

Personally I didn’t need some scientific evidence to show me all this. My body is all the evidence I need but having those test done probably saved my life and I’m very grateful to Dr. Nichole Hewitt for finally discovering what was wrong with me!   When I do eat anything with wheat or gluten I become sick, not as bad as before but my body immediately tells me not to eat certain foods and if I do I pay the consequences.   Recently she has conducted further saliva testing and has recommended that I go off all grains too including corn, rice and gluten free breads that contain grains.  Since I keep a daily food diary I can tell when symptoms pop up what caused them.  So I highly recommend keeping a diary. 

I've also been off all prescriptions including thyroid medicine since 2005.   After taking synthyroid for 33 years I had a bone scan and it showed ostopenia. I listened to a blog talk radio show a few years ago with another holistic doctor who specializes in gluten sensitivities and Celiac disease (see link). He mentioned a correlation between thyroid issues and gluten sensitivities on that show.  He also mentions other symptoms with disease names such as Diabetes, Fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, depression, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohns disease, Lupus, and the list goes on. These diseases seem to be main stream in our society today aren't they?   And oh yes there’s always a drug for each one!    I've been taking Dr. Thomas O'Bryan's Gluten Sensitivity Pack since June 2012.  This is a combination of products to heal the gut and I’m seeing some very good results.  

Putting Out The Fire & Rebuilding The Body....

CLICK HERE TO SEE  my daily personal health regimen.  I started using YOLI Better Body products too in 2009. The Alkalete product in particular has been instrumental in my health recovery.  No other company has this product in their weight loss system.  The reason I love and recommend YOLI shakes too is because they do NOT have artificial/chemical sweeteners like sucralose/splenda. They are gluten and wheat free too.   Click here to read here about the dangers of Artificial Sweetners then you decide if you want to put this in your body and the bodies of your kids!  

Yoli Better Body products are also soy free.  Click here to read about the benefits of Whey vs Soy protein. 

I certainly do realize what's it's like to be caught like a deer in the headlights in the grocery store wondering what on earth to eat that won't make you sick.  I can relate to the pain, challenges and frustration you may be experiencing too or experiencing with a child. 

Living a gluten free lifestyle can be quite a challenge at first. I feel so much better because I've stuck with it until it's become a habit.   I look younger, have lost over 25 lbs, gone down three jean sizes, and feel better than I have in years.   All the issues I had for years listed above have all disappeared and if I do feel a headache or migraine coming on I take a product called Alkalete and it knocks it out within 15 minutes.  It's a safe natural alternative.   These issues usually creep back when I eat gluten or wheat or may happen by accident and of course I do fall off the wagon at times (very rarely now after four plus years of being 100% gluten free) and then quickly get back on track after a two week or more period of symptoms.   

*Note:  I have noticed that since taking Dr. O’Bryan’s gluten sensitivity packs when I do get gluten or wheat in my system that the symptoms and pain are now shorter lived than before and the skin issues I had are clearing up. It's called Dermatitis Herpetiformis, The 'Gluten Rash' and I had it all the time when ever I got gluten in my system.  The skin erruptions would show up on my arms, back, legs and some times my face.   I've been taking Dr. O'Bryan's supplements now since June 2012.

Some people ask, isn't all this expensive? My response is "at what cost do you value excellent health"? 

I do not feel this lifestyle is expensive compared to medical bills we encounter when we’re sick. How can we do our work, and/or care for our families when we’re too sick?  When I was so sick I couldn't work, think, walk, go out, take care of my family and was barely existing.   Besides, personally, I'm self-employed and have no health insurance and simply cannot afford to be sick all the time. Besides that I cut out all the junk food I was eating before, in particular eating fast food every week. I have not eaten at fast food places since 2008.  That alone has saved us thousands of dollars. 

So I didn't go to culinary school, and no I'm not a medical doctor. I am however, very passionate about gluten free living, cooking good wholesome food and feel that I'm very qualified in helping and supporting others on their health and wellness journey.

Whether you're goal is to become gluten free for medical reason's or to live a more healthy lifestyle, lose weight, have more energy, endurance during exercise or everyday living, I hope this information is beneficial for you and your family and that you will continue to follow this journey with me.   My purpose as a health and wellness consultant is to help people transition to a gluten free lifestyle.  

Be sure to book mark the site and drop by often to check out recent Blog post, added resources, print out scrumptious Gluten Free recipes and find out about new gluten free products.  Feedback is always welcome on what you'd like to see more of on the website and happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have.  Share your thoughts and any topics you'd like to see that would help you on your health and financial journey.    Appreciate you passing this blog on to your friends who are interested in Gluten Free and getting their Healthy back!

Fill out the Contact Form Here or click on the Free Consultation on the menu at the top of the page..

I'm looking forward to hearing from you soon!

Enjoy the Journey! ~ Sue

                        I'm helping to launch a new company called Uncorked Health & Wellness out of Redding California.   To find out more about my  business, our mission, the community we're building, our support system, training, articles and other resources visit SueSeward.com