 Lisa's
raw transformation story
As a child, I spent numerous days in the hospital and stayed home from
school each year, with asthma, allergies, and hay fever, just to mention
a few. On an average year, I would miss 70 days of school. At age 12,
a severe asthma attach put me in the hospital for over a week, most of
which time was spent in an oxygen tent. During this time I turned blue
many times due to a lack of oxygen. After leaving the hospital, I began
changing my eating habits, no one told me to, but for some reason I did.
I began a vegetarian. In my childhood years, cheese, eggs and fish with
the only "meats" I ate. Sometimes I still needed my cheese,
I admit I was addicted.
The change in diet helped and my health became to improve. I believed
I was doing the best I could for my health.
At age 24, I was involved in a major car accident. With no feeling in
my body from the neck down, the doctor informed me that I would be in
wheelchair, probably for the rest of my life. After he left the room,
something amazing happened, an electrical current came from within starting
in my head and working its way down to my toes. I immediately sat up and
walked out of the hospital. This was the turning point in my life. I knew
that my body was capable of amazing things, although I did not know how
or why. With new respect, I began to listen to my body's messages.
About 6 months later, I met my future husband. Here was a man that always
had animals, the furry kind and loved the outdoors. A few months later
we got a dog, the first time I had ever owned a dog. I figured if I could
walk out of the hospital, how much harm could a dog do.
Wanting to learn more about my body's functions, and sensing that I needed
to trust more fully in its capacities, I began reading in the area of
natural health. My curiosity only grew the more I learned. I am so excited.
Well after having the dog for about 6 months, he began to have seizures,
the dog had epilepsy. We immediately put him on vegetarian dog food and
he improved, no more seizures. After having Zak for a year, we both decided
he needed a friend, so we got him a girlfriend, Keva. We just automatically
started feeding her the vegetarian food, well she began having spells
where she would stop breathing. Yes, we gave Keva mouth to mouth. We quickly
found out she had allergies to all preservatives, and this was her reaction.
Next step, feed them what we were eating, cooked vegan diet. Both dogs
thrived well on this diet and were so excited every day about their dinners.
Over 2 years ago, after attempting to resolve some of my health problems,
I went to a naturopath, who informed me that I had very weak kidneys and
a borderline diabetic. I could not understand. I had changed my diet,
and tried to live a simple life, what more could I do. I did notice that
I did not have a lot of energy, and although I slept 9-10 hours a night,
I still woke up tired. I decided I needed to take action.
December 1, 2000, I began a 30 day juice fast. It was not nearly as difficult
as I had thought. Upon completion of the 30 days, my kidneys had rebuilt
themselves and the signs of diabetes were gone, as well as 30 lbs. That
was an added bonus. Then I was faced with the question of what to do next.
During my studies, I had read a lot of books by Dr. Shelton, and I asked
my body if the raw diet was for me. The response was a resounding "YES".
I began eating very simply, one kind of food at each meal. Sometimes I
will vary this to include a salad with tomatoes, cucumber and greens a
couple times a week. I must admit I prefer only the fruit.
Well, I decided if I was going to eat this way so way everyone else. During
this time, we got another dog, Smokey. He had lived on the streets for
4 months of his short 6 month life. He transitioned the easiest to raw,
and will not eat anything cooked or processed even if offered. The average
meal for the dogs is cabbage, carrots, tomatoes, green pepper, avocado,
and some nuts. Snacks throughout the day include dried fruit, papaya is
a favorite along with bananas. There is nothing funnier than watching
the 3 of them snacking on papaya jerky. They just love it.
Zak has only had one seizure in the 8 years since he has been taken off
dog food. Unfortunately, this was due to a neighbour spraying their lawn
for bugs. Keva has not had another seizure. Smokey every now and then
decides he needs some extra protein. It is not unusual for him to go in
the backyard, catch a mouse, and eat it. Yes he is a dog, not a cat. They
have never eaten raw eggs or raw meat and are extremely healthy. The muscle
tone in these dogs is incredible and their coats shine.
As for me, my allergies and hay fever are gone as well as another 10 lbs,
that is 40 lbs in total. I did not even know I was overweight. I still
have occasional bouts with the asthma, but I know too that that will vanish
in time.
As for the simpler life, we have also gotten rid of out about 75% of our
furniture and material items. If we cannot make it ourselves, we do not
get it. Not quite self-sufficient yet as we live in a small city outside
of Toronto, Ontario. We do grow a lot of food indoors in the winter and
have a large garden in the summer. How big is our yard, not that big,
but then again we do not have any grass.
Enjoying the raw simple life.
Lisa
www.at1withnature.com
Shazzie says...
It seems like a very powerful force is working through Lisa. Each
time I hear another story by her, I'm more mesmerised. Her love of animals,
and respect for nature serves as a lesson to us all.
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!
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