My Journey to Healing: How a Dietary Shift Transformed My Life
Growing up, my life was defined by my health. At just 12 years old, I was diagnosed with psoriasis, a chronic condition that would go on to shape every decision I made. From that day forward, I was on a quest to find a cure, trying every conventional treatment under the sun – topical medications, oral remedies, tar baths, and ultraviolet ray treatments. I even spent a year living in hospitals and 18 months in a tent at the Dead Sea in Israel, soaking up the sun for 12 hours a day in hopes of finding relief.
The Turning Point: Embracing Naturopathy
But despite my best efforts, nothing seemed to provide lasting relief. That was until I finally took the leap and committed to a naturopathic approach to health. With the guidance of a naturopath, I began to identify and eliminate inflammatory ingredients from my diet, following the Autoimmune Protocol.
A New Relationship with Food
As a chef and cookbook author, I knew my way around the kitchen. But making wholesale changes to my diet wasn’t easy – even for someone with my expertise. I realized that incremental changes were key, leading to a gradual transformation over time. Today, I enjoy all the foods I loved growing up, but now they’re made with ingredients that my body tolerates.
Swapping Out Old Favorites
I’ve replaced rice with quinoa, refined sugar with maple syrup, and dairy with coconut milk. Aquafaba has taken the place of egg whites, and gluten-free bread options have become a staple. But it’s not just about swapping out old favorites – it’s about adopting a new mindset. I’ve fallen in love with homemade corn tortillas and wraps made with cassava flour, and I rarely eat food from a package.
Listening to My Body
The most important lesson I’ve learned is to listen to my body. If I have a negative reaction to a food, I eliminate it for a while and then slowly reintroduce it. Food is medicine, and eating with an eye toward my condition has changed my life. I’ve managed my psoriasis, lost weight, and become a happier, more balanced person.
A Newfound Passion
Today, I’m passionate about advocating for normalization of cannabis and well-being through food. As a James Beard-nominated chef, bestselling author, cannabis culinary pioneer, podcast host, philanthropist, and mental health survivor, I know firsthand the power of food to transform our lives. My journey has taught me to read labels, be conscious of what I’m consuming, and to always prioritize my health.
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