New from SoCal

[bythebeach]

I just found this forum and I am very excited. There is so much wonderful information here. I’m in awe.

I am 37 and live in the Los Angeles area with my husband and my 3 year old daughter. I have a long history of health challenges, but I am ready to be healthy and committed to doing whatever it takes. In my life I am the only one interested in natural health. My attempts at doing a truly pure diet are often derailed because I don’t have people around me that share my goals. That is why it is exciting for me to read about others here who are already doing what I aspire to do.

My health history:
I was sick all the time as a kid and my doctor put me on antibiotics every time. I also struggled with my weight and did not have a healthy diet. I shudder to think what I used to eat. I remember those cans of mixed diced fruit in syrup with the pink cherries. Eeegads! As I got older I did extreme deprivation to lose weight. I had surgery when I was twenty to remove a nodule on my thyroid and a portion of my thyroid as well and then went on thyroid medication. When I was 25 I went on antibiotics for my skin. The doctor let me stay on it for almost 2 years. Then my health really went haywire. I developed severe digestive problems and dealt with frequent colds/flus, extreme fatique, depression, heart palpitations, and hormone imbalances. I also had several surgeries for advanced endometriosis. At about age 27 I started trying to get healthy and reading tons of books and doing whatever I could. I’ve been to chiropractors, doctors, acupuncturists, homeopathic doctors, Chinese herbalists, etc. I gave up gluten when I found out I was intolerant a couple of years ago. I’ve learned so much over the last 10 years and I have made some good strides, but now I am ready to take it to the next level and make some bigger changes. I want to feel good!

I still struggle with major fatigue, depression and some anxiety, foggy brain, frequent colds and flus. I want to have energy and strength and vitality! I also want to prevent any future illnesses.

I am doing a candida program and I am starting the Body Ecology Diet and will be working toward more and more raw foods as I heal and learn. I have a LOT to learn, but I am excited. It looks like I am in the right place.

[Vegan Princess]

Welcome!

Cindy

[Tetris15]

You've found the right diet! Welcome. I'm fairly new to this board too. I've been lurking in the shadows since I found this site a week ago.

Your childhood sounds like mine. My family discovered we had celiac disease (gluten intolerance) in 1996. We were always very sick: from minor things like monthly colds/flues/strep to more serious problems with IBS, lupus, thyroid, arthritis, etc. Even after cleaning the gluten (and then a few years later the dairy) from my diet I never felt quite right. I've also had trouble with fatigue, depression anxiety, foggy brain, frequent colds/flus as well as lots of pesky "tummy troubles". I first started going raw 1.5 years ago. I did it very gradually and I can honestly say that I'm now feeling better than ever.

So, rest assured, going raw will help you.

[bythebeach]

Hi! Thanks for the welcome Vegan Princess!

Hi Tetris15! Thanks for the encouragement! I feel like I am moving in the right direction. I sure have a lot to learn though. And I thought I knew about health. Thanks so much and congratulations on feeling better!

[Revvell]

Welcome ByTheBeach!

Revvell

[eat~to~live]

bythebeach,

Welcome!

I grew up in SoCal! Now I live in beautiful Alaska! I miss the water though!

This is such a great board so much help and info!

the best thing I ever did was watch Alissa's DVD's. As a visual learner these made this way of eating so doable. I get intimidated easliy cause I want to just jump in 100% and I don't want to allow for mistakes.

And of course read the book if you haven't already.. love it!!

[Dimond]

Welcome! :) I forgot to mention (on LHC) that I was able to get rid of my candida without following the food plan. I found it way easier to stick to eating raw & eat anything I want, than to eliminate foods on a SAD diet. Of course a good probiotic formulas is important at first too. Though I often think it's good to always take probiotics since they help your immune system.

[StarFire]

Aloha and Welcome!! Wowzers! You've already been through a lot in your 37 years!! I'm so glad you found Alissas forum here. RFT RAWKS! If you haven't already ordered Alissa book and DVD - you might consider doing so! Those were the two most important tools I had that help me transition successfully into the RAW LIFESTYLE.

I am excited to follow your journey - and to hear about all the amazing health benefits you are seeing. If you want to keep a record of your journey - head on over to the journaling section and start a blog. It's a great place to get tons of support and to read other peoples blogs and see what they are doing in their walk. Plus it's lots of fun!

blessings on your journey -- YOU'RE GUNNA LOVE THE RIDE!

WELCOME!!

[spicyfull]

I wish you everything you need to Stay RAW.......Welcome to MY World.

[bythebeach]

Wow, thank you for the warm welcomes! This is great!

eat~to~live: I'm going to be getting the book and DVD's. I don't have them yet. I'm the same way about wanting to do everything perfectly, but I know this will be a journey. I'll get there and I'm going to enjoy the trip.

Hi GilmoreGirl ;). Nice to see you here. I am taking probiotics and doing the anti-candida diet, but I am going to transition to raw as I learn how to do it. Did you avoid sweet foods at first? I'm a little nervous about "feeding" the candida.

Thank you Starfire, I was thinking of doing a health journal here. I started one on my own, but this would probably be more fun and productive.

Thanks everyone, it's nice to know I'm not alone in my quest for health.

[Dimond]

At first I tried to limit fruit, but then realized I wasn't enjoying raw as much and my main goal was to stay 100% raw. I couldn't do both raw & give up fruit. Also, it looked as if any candida diet for me would take months to work (since the candida was so severe) and it wasn't realistic. I tried for a few wks when SAD to do it & it was way too difficult. Even though I was use to eliminating things such as dairy, red meat, sugar, flour, etc. A lot of people on here will say limiting fats helped them. So everyone is different. If you aren't going to be 100%, then I would say yes, limit fruits & use agave as a sweetner.

[freelive]

Bythebeach, welcome! I also live in Los Angeles(Santa Monica) and I am 34 and I also have a 3 year old child(boy) and I also struggle with raw, because my husband is not too interested.
If you live not too far, we could meet with kids in the park somewhere. if you would like to, email me!