I’m many things: Mom to children and pets, wife, student; happy, demanding, empathetic, logical… a dreamer. I live with dysthymia/depression/SAD, type 2 diabetes, and have struggled with weight issues and prioritizing caring for myself my whole life.
Through my studies at the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition, I not only learn how nutrition (good and bad) affects our bodies, but also why. The more I study towards my getting my holistic nutritionist certification, the more my mind gets blown. Never in my younger years, did I think I’d be fascinated with the ins and outs (literally!) of our body’s digestive system.
I first discovered detoxing and the raw vegan diet in and around 2010. Thus started my health journey. A decade later, I have to admit how difficult it is for me to stay on that path. Let’s face it, I’ve spent more time not focused on my health than I have succeeding at it. It’s a daily struggle. But studying makes me aware of the nuances of how the body works and how nutrition affects the eleven organ systems of our bodies. It’s fascinating. Our bodies are amazing machines that when provided with the proper nutrients and protected from toxins, can experience vitality and self-healing.
When I started this website a couple of years ago, I came up with some basic guidelines that revolved around a raw vegan diet goal. However, as I gain more and more understanding of how the body works, I have adjusted my diet focus. (There is nothing wrong with a raw vegan diet as long attention is paid to getting all nutrients the body needs.) Textbook after textbook after textbook focuses on the importance of proper digestion as the key to health. There are ten guidelines for a healthy diet, I blogged about them briefly here. Proper food combining is crucial to our digestive health, among other things, and has a direct affect on our vitality and quality of life.
I came up with guidelines for myself. The word guidelines is important – they are not rules. Rules are hard and fast, black and white, inflexible. I use the word guidelines because they imply flexibility. Guidelines are forgiving.
My 6 guidelines:
- Follow the rules of food combining, with a lean towards raw veganism, at least 80% of the time.
- No sugar. Read the ingredients lists. Is there sugar? Put it back.
- No dairy. (I’m lactose intolerant)
- Drink LOTS of water.
- Don’t be so strict that your friends stop inviting you out. Stay social! There are ways to make healthy choices in restaurants.
- Exercise regularly, with LOTS of variety.
A Flexitarian Journey 