| When I learned I had breast cancer, I decided | | | | steadily lost 50 pounds, but I started to feel like |
| that I needed to find out as much as I could | | | | my younger self again. More energetic, less achy, |
| about how my diet might impact my health. I | | | | clearer skin. |
| absorbed everything I would get my hands on | | | | I found that by merging elements from a vegan |
| that discussed the importance of nutrition in | | | | diet and a raw food lifestyle I could satisfy my |
| regaining health and preventing a recurrence of | | | | family's needs of eating healthy. The elements |
| cancer. Shortly after I learned I had cancer, I also | | | | that I incorporated from the raw food diet is not |
| found out that I am allergic to dairy and eggs. I | | | | only eating more vegetables in their raw state, |
| needed to make changes to my lifestyle - fast. | | | | but also eating foods that are "pure". In other |
| The first thing to go was dairy. All of the years | | | | words, foods that are not processed or |
| that I was consuming massive amounts of | | | | otherwise adulterated. They don't contain |
| cheese was taking a toll on my health. Almost | | | | chemicals or additives as they are mostly freshly |
| immediately upon giving it up, the majority of my | | | | made and consumed. However, it was not |
| migraine headaches disappeared. Another | | | | feasible to prepare only non-cooked foods 100% |
| astonishing revelation was when, just as quickly, I | | | | or the time. Although, I do try to eat at least |
| no longer needed the Afrin nasal spray I had | | | | 50% raw each day. |
| come to depend on to clear my sinuses for 35 | | | | I needed to include hot healthy foods into my diet |
| years! I couldn't leave the house without it. Now | | | | as well. In the northeast the winters are cold and |
| my need for it had disappeared. I had no idea that | | | | it is just not possible for me to cut out all warm |
| all of these issues were being caused by dairy. | | | | food. As far as veganism, I have eliminated all |
| Suddenly it was obvious, but for years I went | | | | animal products, with the exception of some fish |
| along consuming dairy and suffering side effects | | | | on occasion for the omega 3 benefits. |
| without ever putting the two together. To | | | | My diet now focuses on a plant-based diet and |
| improve my health on all counts, I realized that I | | | | includes whole grains, beans and nuts. With all of |
| needed to get back to basic, simple foods. No | | | | the changes I have incorporated into my life, I |
| more processed junk foods, no more saturated | | | | have reduced my risk of having a recurrence of |
| fats, and no more refined white flours and sugars. | | | | cancer substantially. Consuming less saturated fat, |
| So, along with dairy, I cut them out of my life. I | | | | including an exercise regime, cutting out alcoholic |
| now eat a mostly plant-based diet that is rich in | | | | beverages and more leafy greens and cruciferous |
| nutrients and full of vitamins. | | | | vegetables all cut my risk. But my new regime is |
| I buy organic when possible to avoid the pesticide | | | | not only one that is good for those who have |
| and herbicide residues that are so prevalent in | | | | cancer. It is a lifestyle that we should all |
| conventionally grown produce. I cook my meals | | | | incorporate elements of into our everyday lives. It |
| from scratch. No more cans, packages or boxes | | | | is healthy and promotes optimal health. Healthy |
| (with a few exceptions). I now use my creativity | | | | food is key to optimal health. Making small |
| and Google savvy to put together healthy meal | | | | changes in lifestyle can add up to big benefits |
| ideas that work for my family. I noticed an | | | | over time. The next time you consider picking up |
| immediate improvement to my health. I not only | | | | a loaded burger, consider your health! |
| started to lose weight, and ultimately slowly and | | | | |