As I sit here, cradling my 14-month-old son in my arms and feeling the gentle stirrings of new life within me at 20 weeks pregnant, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the profound healing I have experienced on my journey. It hasn't been an easy road, but looking back, I am amazed at how far I've come.
For years, chronic illness had cast a dark shadow over my life. I struggled with debilitating symptoms that seemed to have no end in sight. Doctors were baffled, and despite numerous tests, treatments, and surgeries I was left feeling hopeless and defeated. But deep down, I knew there had to be a way out of this darkness.
Tired of feeling victimized by my own body and frustrated with the conventional medical paradigm, I was determined to take control of my healing journey. I had experimented with various "alternative" approaches in the past, but none had provided significant relief.
Left without any faith, I was ready to step away from the system that had failed me and countless others.
I immersed myself in extensive research, seeking answers beyond the typical medical recommendations. At this time my dietary restrictions had become so severe that I was left with only a few foods I could eat. This challenge being what ultimately led me to discover the concept of a diet composed solely of animal products - an ancestrally appropriate "carnivore diet."
The more I researched, the more convinced I became that this approach could be the key to my recovery. I spent hours, days, and even weeks scouring the internet for people's personal experiences with the carnivore diet - their successes, challenges, and insights. Finally, I realized that I had nothing to lose by giving it a try.
So, I jumped in head first and the results were nothing short of miraculous. Upon eliminating the few remaining plant foods from my diet and completely embracing a carnivore approach, my symptoms started to subside almost instantly. The inflammation that had plagued my body for years began to recede, and my energy levels soared. I felt like I was finally reclaiming control over my health and my life. After doing so poorly for so long even the slightest improvement was beyond noticeable.
It was truly a revelation to me that I could not only get all the nutrients I needed to heal but to thrive solely from eating meat. The idea seemed almost too simple, but the results were undeniable. As I continued on my carnivore journey, I discovered a whole community of individuals who shared my experience and believed in the incredible healing power of this deeply nourishing diet.
My journey has included numerous surgeries and many diagnoses, though I've learned not to define myself by them. Some of the conditions I experienced, according to the allopathic framework, included severe endometriosis that spread throughout my body and contorted my anatomy as it caused my organs to adhere together, resulting in infertility and debilitating chronic pain and fatigue.
Additionally, I faced other challenges such as Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia (POTS), insomnia, mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), which made me often feel like I was reacting to everything and nothing simultaneously, CIRS, Lyme and co-infections, complex migraines, which often mimicked a stroke and caused extreme neurological symptoms, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) and severe GI distress and malabsorption, which we believed to be from Crohn's disease. As I was moving away from the allopathic care model, I chose not to pursue an official diagnosis despite my healthcare team treating me as if I had Crohn's disease. In light of my past experiences of not responding well to numerous surgeries, I made the decision to avoid surgery if possible.
After extensive research, I discovered that a carnivore diet had shown great success with Crohn's patients and believed it could help me as well. If necessary, I knew that I could revisit the possibility of an official diagnosis in the future.
As I nourished my body with nutrient-dense foods, I experienced profound changes at an extraordinary level. My emotional and mental well-being improved drastically and I gained a newfound sense of clarity and focus. I regained control of my health and saw the light again.
Furthermore, I became increasingly in tune with my body's signals and needs, which helped me tailor and enhance my healing approach.
At the peak of my health struggles, I was confined to my bed, struggling with significant disability and cognitive impairment. There were times when I almost lost hope and was unable to continue searching for a way out of that dark abyss. Despite that, my sheer willpower enabled me to find my way back to health.
For years, I had been a frequent visitor to the hospital, but today, I no longer consider myself a patient. My body is no longer broken, despite what many health professionals may have tried to have me believe.
Despite facing numerous obstacles, including the heart-wrenching challenge of infertility and recurring loss, I refused to give up. Empowered by the knowledge and healing that the carnivore diet had given me, I persisted, and against all odds I was blessed with the miracle of motherhood - something that, at one point, I could only dream of and was told far too many times, was not possible.
I firmly believe that correctly nourishing my body played a significant role in my ability to overcome these challenges and experience the joys of motherhood.
The remarkable transformation my health has gone through is almost unrecognizable compared to how it used to be. I am now truly filled with renewed vitality and vigor that I thought were lost forever.
Throughout my journey, I have developed a newfound appreciation and passion for practices that align with our ancestors' way of life. Embracing natural rhythms and reconnecting with the earth has been an essential part of my continued healing journey, and I have found that it has allowed me to go further beyond the limitations of conventional medicine. When facing the discouraging news that there was no cure for many of my conditions, these practices also gave me renewed hope and reminded me that our bodies are incredibly resilient and can heal when given the right tools.
One of the practices I have adopted is grounding, also known as earthing. It is the practice of connecting with the earth's natural energy by making direct skin-to-ground contact. This can be achieved by walking barefoot on grass, soil, sand, or other natural surfaces that are not covered in synthetic materials or paint.
The theory behind grounding is that the earth has a negative charge, which can help to neutralize the positive charge that builds up in our bodies as a result of exposure to environmental toxins, electromagnetic frequencies, and other stressors. By making direct contact with the earth, we can allow our bodies to discharge this excess positive charge and absorb the earth's healing energy. Research has shown that grounding has a number of potential health benefits, including reducing inflammation, improving sleep, and increasing overall well-being, just to name a few. This just goes to show how disconnected we are to our nature and to earth and all it truly provides for us, as our modern world has taken us so far from this practice that most people will still often find themselves wearing shoes even in their homes.
I have also redefined my relationship with light by prioritizing exposure to natural light and reducing my exposure to blue and filtered light. This simple but powerful shift has helped me regulate my circadian rhythm, improve my mood and sleep, and mitigate the negative effects of artificial light on my health. Moreover, I've experienced the profound benefits of direct sun exposure, which has been instrumental in my healing journey, enabling me to tap into the true healing power of the sun.
Along side this I've made a conscious effort to reduce my exposure to electromagnetic frequencies (EMFs), which are emitted by electronic devices and wireless communication technologies. EMFs have been linked to a range of health impacts, including increased oxidative stress, DNA damage, and disruption of the body's natural energy fields. By minimizing my exposure to EMFs, I have been able to support my body's natural healing processes and reduce the potential negative impacts of modern technology on my health.
Spending time in nature has been incredibly grounding and nourishing for my mind, body, and soul. Whether it's taking a walk in the bush, swimming in the river or water hole, or simply sitting outside, soaking up the sunlight and enjoying the beauty of the natural world, I make it a point to spend time in nature as much as possible.
In addition to these practices, I have completely cut out all beauty and hygiene products, including deodorant. Through allowing my body to function as it was designed to, and supporting it with a healthy diet and environment that is free from unnecessary toxins, I have found that I do not need deodorant, as I genuinely do not have body odor.
When it comes to skincare, if I feel the need to provide further moisture to my skin, I use tallow, a traditional and nourishing fat that has been used for centuries. I even render it myself at home! By doing it myself, I know the source and ensure that my body is only exposed to the purest, most natural ingredients - nothing added, nothing altered. Plus, the fact that it doesn't cost me anything is a bonus.
As for washing myself, I do not use any products, no shampoos, hair products, body washes, or soaps. Instead, I rely on my body's natural ability to cleanse and maintain itself, and when needed I find that simply washing my hair and body with water is sufficient for cleaning, and I'm never left feeling dirty or with an odor. While this approach may seem unconventional, my hair has adapted extremely well to this practice, and I've actually noticed that it's healthier and more manageable than it was before. In fact, my hair is quite long, reaching all the way down to my tailbone, even after a trim. It's amazing to see how our bodies can thrive when we give them the chance to function as they were meant to, without being overloaded with synthetic chemicals and toxins from commercial hygiene products.
Similarly, I do not use any toxic chemicals in my house, including cleaning products. Instead, I rely on natural substances like bicarbonate soda, salt, vinegar and lemons from my own tree when needed. These simple ingredients can be used to create effective and natural cleaning solutions, without the harmful effects of synthetic chemicals.
By eliminating harmful products from my life, I have been able to further reduce my exposure to toxins and support my body's natural ability to detoxify and heal.
I've also made a conscious effort to prioritize natural fiber clothing, such as organic cotton and linen, over heavily chemically treated or synthetic materials like polyester. This decision was based on the harmful effects that synthetic and chemically treated clothing can have on our health, particularly on the endocrine system. Many companies use PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and other chemicals to produce these materials, which have been linked to negative health effects, including cancer and thyroid disease. In fact, these chemicals are so persistent in the environment and the human body that they are referred to as "forever chemicals", as they do not naturally break down and can persist for a very long time. By choosing natural and sustainably produced clothing, I am not only supporting my own health but also the health of the environment and those involved in the production process.
Reflecting on my own healing journey, I am filled with a sense of purpose and a desire to share my story with others. Through my experience, I have come to understand the importance of honoring our ancestral roots and embracing a more natural way of living. By doing so, we can restore balance and harmony to our lives and tap into the innate power of our bodies to heal.
Genuine healing requires a comprehensive approach that considers the interconnectedness between our bodies, minds, emotional states, and environments, and takes into account our well-being as a whole. Unfortunately, this approach is often overlooked in a profit-driven healthcare system that focuses on symptom suppression rather than true healing.
So, If you're on a similar journey of healing and self-discovery, I encourage you to explore beyond conventional norms and embrace a more holistic approach that honors the wisdom of our ancestors. Remember that everyone's journey is unique and requires patience, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment. Listen to your body, be open to experimentation and self-discovery, and seek guidance and support when needed. Healing is a journey, not a destination, and by tapping into the innate power of our bodies to heal, we can achieve a healthier and more fulfilling life.
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