Amanda Andrea Britanie Christy Helen Jaime Kellee Kelli Lisa Nora Paul Ricardo Shazzie Shelly Werner

Home > Raw > Raw Transformation > Andrea

Andrea's raw transformation Andrea before Growing up, I had all the "normal" childhood maladies -- colds, fevers, flus, ear infections -- plus a few that were not so normal like bronchitis, pneumonia, and debilitating menstrual cramps. In December of 1999, at age 24, I got really sick. I thought it was just the "flu", but it didn't go away. I moved in with my mother and literally slept for a full month, between doctor visits. The flu-like symptoms finally subsided but I was left with frequent panic attacks, pains all over my body, severe bladder "infections", and extreme lethargy. The doctors were saying things like "auto-immune disorder" and "fibromyalgia" and were prescribing tranquilizers and Prozac. I took the tranquilizers, but refused the Prozac. I saw counselors at the behest of my doctor, to see if my problems might be emotional or psychological. Andrea after In the summer of 2000, I had lunch with a friend who mentioned raw foods and told me that my illness might have something to do with my diet. I was clueless about nutrition, even to the point of thinking that meat and milk were healthy foods. In November of 2000, my symptoms worsened. I had to lie on the bathroom floor while I brushed my teeth because I didn't have the energy to stand. I couldn't get to the kitchen to eat so my mom would stockpile my room with snacks. Being bedridden was becoming a lifestyle for me. My friend who had told me about raw foods continued to educate me about how to take better care of myself, and I was starting to give it some serious thought. It all seemed to make so much sense. The doctors had settled on liver problems by this time, but still didn't know the "cause" of my illness. On December 12, 2000, my parents took me to the emergency room, barely conscious. I was given a blood transfusion to counteract the "anemia" the doctors said I had, and to fight the "virus" that they theorized had caused my problems. My friend had told me enough about food and lifestyle for me to realize by this point that I was causing my own problems. It all gelled when a very large nurse brought me a pork chop lunch. At that moment, as I looked at the foods that these "health professionals" were trying to feed me, I realized that I would not be getting well if I stayed in the hospital. Not only did I refuse the lunch, I immediately called my friend to come pick me up. The attending doctor discharged me against his "better judgment". I went home and right away started making changes to my diet and lifestyle. I had been a huge consumer of dairy foods, and overnight I stopped eating dairy. I started eating fewer refined and processed foods and more fruits and vegetables. I hadn't given up fish yet, but I was off other meats. Unfortunately, I got really into tofu, tempeh and other soy products, but the other changes I had made were already reaping benefits. I started losing weight and to my great relief I was starting to feel like my normal self again (the way I felt between illnesses, that is). I read everything I could get my hands on about nutrition and the raw diet, and went to hear a couple of raw authors talk. I finally went 100% raw in 2001 for a whole month. During that month I had terrible cravings for pastries and other sweets, and finally gave in and went back to eating junk, although this time at least I was eating organic and vegan. On July 4, 2002, I decided to start an herbal "cleanse". I know that cleanses are not the best for our bodies now because I understand more about Natural Hygiene and how the body works, but it allowed me to avoid cravings for sweets long enough to make another attempt at staying raw. After that all the summer fruits were available and I found fruit so satisfying that I didn't need anything sweeter. I was completely off cooked food by now, eating mostly fruits with some greens and nuts. In November I went to the Ann Wigmore Institute and learned a lot about digestion and food combining. In my ignorance, or maybe just out of habit, I was still visiting doctors to try and determine what had been the source of my problems. In December of 2002, I visited my doctor for the last time. She performed some tests and, without so much as inquiring about what I was doing to reap such incredible results, she sent me home with the advice to "continue doing" whatever it was. With every improvement I've made to my diet, I have experienced commensurate increases in the level of my health. I didn't realize how awful I felt during all those years of being sick, but it makes me appreciate the way I feel now all the more. I have even energy now without highs and lows. I sleep less and feel more rested. I'm not enslaved by food. I didn't realize until I went raw how much of my life revolved around food, and how much I depended on food to entertain and comfort me. Now, after being raw over a year, I'm eating mostly fruit mono-meals, with the addition of some greens and very small amounts of nuts. I'm just in the beginning of my raw journey, but it has already had such an incredible impact on my life. In January of this year I left a 6-figure job because my employer made me choose between my job and getting vaccinated. I loved my work but my health is my priority now, and I won't compromise it for anything that is within my control. When the pay-off is optimal health, even things that might at first seem difficult to give up are no sacrifice. Now I'm learning about things that I was oblivious to before -- things like organics, sustainable farming and how my food choices affect the planet. I haven't yet decided what path I will follow in the future, but I know I have a great raw life ahead of me. Andrea Shazzie says... Andrea wrote this on November 5th, 2003. I love the way Andrea's inner knowing won't let her compromise her health ever again, even when life tests her with big money and dirty vaccinations! This is one strong woman, and I wish her all the love in the world... If you want to add your story and before and after pictures to this section, please email them (no bigger than 200k each please) to us with your name, the dates of the photos and your age when the photos were taken. If you would like me to include a URL to your site, or any other information, please let me know. If you want to change your life for the better, buy Shazzie's detox delights -- it contains the recipes I used to transform myself from a struggling caterpillar into a butterfly with magic slippers!

You can order raw foods, my products and lots more online. or by phone. Give us a tinkle on 08700 113 119.

Copyright © 2000-2008 Shazzie | All Rights Reserved | Privacy statement | UK raw food events | Raw food UK | Special things | Products | About