Crayolagirl's Page

<p>I always thought I was a pretty healthy eater, since I had gotten pretty into fitness in my 20's and followed a high protein, low-fat diet. I had hypoglycemia so I also followed a no sugar diet (except some low-sugar fruits), and had a milk allergy so skipped dairy. By the time I was 40, I had maintained a good weight and fitness level, but had developed asthma and many more food allergies (gluten - which means most grains and pretty much all processed foods, corn, wheat, yeast, oats, peanuts).</p> <p>I had had one scary asthma attack, and a lot of milder ones, and it was getting worse. By now I was wheezy every day, even with no nothing that triggered it. Inhalers gave me chest pain, and there's no way I wanted to put steroids into my body. I was really sick and tired of being sick and tired, lethargic, no energy to do normal things everybody else did. I couldn't jog more than 20 yds or so) whereas before I used to jog 5-7 mi. I knew I had to do something because asthma can develop into emphasema, so I kept praying for healing. The Lord has answered my prayers! I had searched online for "natural treatments" for asthma and came across a website for the Buteyko breathing method. Tried it, and I could see results right away. (Buteyko makes you more alkaline and adds CO2 to your system, so that your O2 can be used by the cells in your body). The books also emphasized a low protein/ low sugar diet/no caffeine, staying away from foods that are trigger your allergies (dairy, wheat, etc), lots of fruits and veggies. Well, I was already doing some of that, but this is a real challenge for me since you need protein with every meal when you are hypoglycemic, plus I have food allergies to most grains (where the non-animal protein is). But I reasoned that if Buteyko makes you more alkaline, then I need to follow an alkaline diet. They just don't call it that in the books. Well, I can say it really is a miracle, because I never would've had the self-discpline on my own to do the breathing exercises, follow a diet, spend 1-1/2 hrs doing the breathing exercises, in addition to working out every day. And its a miracle that I even tried it because I was skeptical at first. Now the asthma is getting better every week with the Lord's help!</p> <p>That's how I started following a raw foods diet, and I'm really enjoying it! What's so nuts is that I felt so "deprived" before being limited by all the foods I was allergic to, but just didn't realize what a world of great-tasting food was there (just in vegetables) that I just wasn't using! I was hardly eating any vegetables before (just focused on keeping away from my allergies and watching the hypoglycemia). I'm probably 50% raw, but I don't know if I can give up my boiled sweet potatoes, mashed with stevia. And, I haven't figured out how to get enough protein just on grains, seeds and nuts, when I am allergic to most all grains (but hemp is ok for me...I'm enjoying hemp/fruit smoothies for breakfast). But I"m hopeful that one day I will be able to, as I hear Buteyko also helps reverse your allergies. So I'm thankful to God for showing me the way, giving me the discipline and encouragement, and making our bodies so that they are able to heal; and for all of you who care and share wonderful recipies. Thank you.</p>