BlessedBabe

The previous year I went, had a nervous breakdown in the bathroom (complete with crying and hyperventilating) and ended up sneaking out and having my mom tell everyone (all 25 poeple) that I was sick. That was true, sort-off- I was so depressed and socally-anxious that my thoughts made me ill.

This past year, after working on Dialetical Behavioral Therapy for 9 months and meeting with a therapist before-hand, and doing creative visualizations of Easter Sunday going well (and also visualizing it going terribly but surviving anyway)... I WENT, fully planning on having a nervous breakdown, but prepared to radically accept this when/if it did happen again. Well, it didnt! I actually had a good time, and didn’t cry in the bathroom at all. Pretty cool.

Now I’m volunteering with my local ART MUSEUM (after a three-month training and graduation) to bring large art-posters into local elementary classrooms and engage the children in conversation about the art. We talk about the elements of art first, then I ask them what they think is happening in the painting. they have so many ideas and get so excited and engaged with the discussion… it’s very rewarding.

I’m on a lifestyle/diet right now, and after a month have Zero cravings for other foods. I’ve also lost 10 pounds. Now, writing this, it sounds like a story but it’s true.

I did a lot of research first, and it took me a while (several months) of trying and being patient with myself until I was actually being dutiful and not slipping up anymore with un-eatables. Find at the library: Brenda Watson’s book ‘Gut Solutions,’ and also the book ‘Ultrametabolism,’ which is by a man I cannot recall at this moment, but he’s published other things too.

HERE is what I refrain from eating:
gluten (including wheat, barley, rye, oats, etc)
sugar (all kinds)
fruit (Except berries)
dairy (milk, butter, cheese) <—this was tough at first
eggs
peanuts (possible allergen)
strawberries (possible allergen)

That’s it! I HAVE been eating meat (hormone-free, organic) chicken, (wild-caught) fish, organic beans, organic corn and rice, lots of organic vegetables, avocados, tomatos, lots of water, green tea and even dark chocolate with 85% cocoa or greater (this way I get minimal sugar and optimal healthy cocoa fats).

My appetite has decreased so much that sometimes I have to remind myself to eat. I have loads of energy! I’m exercising and using the sauna when I can, as sweating is another good way to rid the body of toxins. Lemon in your water is yummy and cleansing. Also been mixing Bragg apple-cider vinegar with some inexpensive green clay (powdered in a jar at Whole Foods) and making a facial masque (mask) regularly (2x a week) to draw impurities out of the skin.

Oh, and one more thing- the other non-food products we use are not regulated the way we think that are, and actually contain many harsh, damaging and cancer-causing chemicals and compounds. Read the labels and stay away from any parabens, phalates and other natsy ingredients. I use SUKI face wash and lotion, JOHN MASTERS ORGANICS and MAX GREEN ALCHEMY ‘Pure Plant Origin’ shampoo and conditioner and hair-care products. It’s been over a year of using these products and my skin has really improved- it’s clearer, rosier and softer. I found the above at Whole Foods, and suki has a good website too. You pay a little more, but a little goes a long way and it’s for your health and beauty. What else do you value more to spend your money on? Definitely worth looking into.

Good luck to all!