My Health

I am going to start by giving you an overview of why I am changing my lifestyle for the better.  Over the course of my life, I have had many health issues and more surfacing all the time.  As a teenager I started to develop pains in my legs.  Once or so a week it would hit.  I couldn't walk without wanting to cry and they were painful to the touch.  They would throb with dull endless pain.  Doctors didn't really know what was wrong.  I was told growing pains, circulation problem and so on, and so I dealt with it.

I have had a couple miscarriages in the past and thought it was a normal thing.  A couple of my sisters did too, so I didn't think much about it.  My sister who is three years older that me, was pregnant and had a lot of complications.  She found out that she has a rare blood clotting disorder called Pai-1.  One of my parents have this gene apparently and all of my 8 siblings have a 50/50 chance of having this disorder.  I got tested and sure enough I have it but... I have the double inhibitor that gives me twice the chance of getting blood clots.  The doctor was baffled that I had two healthy pregnancies/children.  I only have Heavenly Father to thank for that!  The doctor was able to make sense of my leg pain being associated with the disorder and I could have developed a real problem.  I take aspirin daily and luckily don't have to worry about blood thinners until I get a clot.

After having my first child I found out that I have cysts on my overies.  The doctors didn't seem concerned so I didn't either.  I started growing random hairs, gaining weight, had adult acne and many more symptoms and knew it wasn't normal.  After having blood tests done I found out that I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PSOS) with elevated levels of Testosterone.  They treat PSOS with birth control or the estrogen hormone.  Unfortunately, because I have the blood clotting disorder, I cannot take any birth control or estrogen.  I guess I can manage with the acne and pluck the hairs:)

As an adult I have become allergic to peanuts and anything with a pit: peaches, avocados (my favorite), olives and so on.  I am stubborn, I didn't let it bother me.  I continued to eat them and low and behold... it got worse!!  I now carry an epi-pen, did it stop me?  Absolutely not!  I continued to eat it because I had the epi-pen and thought, if I have a reaction, well.... I am safe.  Well, two weeks ago I ate a protein shake with peanut butter and sure enough I had a bad reaction.  No more peanuts for me!!

Ever since I was a child I have had chronic stomach aches.  It became a natural thing and when I felt good, it wasn't normal.  I eventual didn't notice it as much because it was a normal way of life.  As I got older the stomach aches continued but I have managed.  I decided to diet and exercise to lose some weight.  I ate lean protein, well a lot of lean protein,  fruits, vegetables and whole grains.  I exercised daily and I got sicker than I have been in a long time.  The verdict is..... my body doesn't digest animal based proteins and fat.  As soon as I heard it, well I knew just what it meant.  No more meat and dairy:(  I am a carnivore and cheese lover at heart, it is going to be very tough for me!

I am creating this blog so 1) I can help anyone out there who may have any of the symptoms that I have had.  2) To prove to myself that I can eat a plant based diet and log my progress to encourage those who are in the same boat, and lastly 3) Post great recipes when I find them, for those who are looking for great vegetarian/vegan recipes.  I am excited to start!  I do love raw/organic food so it shouldn't be too hard.  I feel lucky to have been diagnosed when there are so many people who haven't.  I know what I must do to get to where I can be a healthy mother and grandmother (someday).  I have two amazing children and an awesome, supportive husband.  I want to be here with them as long as possible.  Now, without further ado... here I go!!