Name:Carol Rivers
Age: 49
Location: healthintegrations.com
Job/Occupation/Life Passion: Board Certified Holistic Practitioner, Health Coach, nurse
How did you learn about the connection between nutrition and health?
My story began in 2013, where I adopted an eating protocol via Dr. Mark Hyman’s Ultrametabolism, after discovering my cholesterol was high. Following that plan, I lost 35 pounds in 5 months and had more energy for a period of time. But I started getting tired, having palpitations, wake-ups at night where I couldn’t go back to sleep, and others. I had already, over my lifetime, been diagnosed with being overweight, high blood pressure, tachycardia, chronic migraines, lumago, bulging disks, ADHD, generalized anxiety disorder, fibromyalgia, and others. I presented my issues to my doctor, whose only answer was the old, tired adage…”You are getting older, and this is what happens when you get older.”
Have you addressed health issues through nutrition?
I am autoimmune (discovered myself by literally forcing the conventional docs to test me for thyroid antibodies) based on my research of my symptoms from various functional medicine doctors whom I follow.., so I began researching healing autoimmunity. I eliminated gluten, dairy and similar proteins completely from my diet. This includes all store-bought breads, pastries, pastas, and milk and milk products…and replaced them with my own, home-baked, (primarily coconut flour), products, and nut milks, primarily coconut milk. This is where my fibromyalgia, headaches and low back pain went away for good, I hope indefinitely. I gave up beans completely (too difficult to absorb, even when soaked), nuts (too much phytic acid in a healing gut). I gave up all processed/packaged foods, and bought and ate/eat only organic (unless ewg.org‘s list says I can eat conventional). I consume pastured eggs only, grass-fed beef 1-2x/week, wild-caught fish, and only hormone and antibiotic free chicken and turkey. I don’t use any conventional oils, only olive for my homemade salad dressings, and coconut oil and grass-fed butter for higher heat cooking. I eat an 80/20 raw diet. I have eliminated soy, and soy products, though I must admit, I still consume soy lecithin, as Chris Kresser, whom I admire, says it shouldn’t be problematic. I have an adoration of dark chocolate, you see… 😉 so it is unavoidable. I would make my own, but my time is limited, as I am a full-time nurse, wife, and mother as well.
About 6 months later, after adopting the additional protocols outlined above, I felt great. I still do, another 6-9 months later. You wouldn’t guess to look at me that I’m going to be 50 soon. I feel better than I ever did in my life, and get around like a 20 year old. My only conditions remaining are gas (from all the cruciferous veggies I eat every day in my salad), and thyroid antibody levels that have plateaued still outside of normal range. I surmise, accurately I am sure, that this is due to undiscovered food sensitivities, as I cannot afford the testing required to pay out of pocket for IgG and IgA food sensitivity panels and interpretations. I wish I could, as I know these antibodies may continue to wear away at my thyroid over time, possibly resulting in a reversal of everything I have accomplished. Hopefully, as per Dr. Izabella Wentz (I am one of her recommended clinicians), my consumption of Thytrophin PM will target the action of the antibodies as opposed to my thyroid, and then all will be right with the world!
It should be noted, that I underwent all the above, totally alone. No family or friend support. It was very hard, but I was determined to decipher how powerful the proper consumption of food is for myself. From what I have read over the past 3 years (the same amount of time as you, apparently), the odds are extremely low for success while going it alone. I almost ended up in divorce from my husband, and estrangement from my daughter, as I tried to help them with their problematic behaviors before they became sick as well. Now, in order to keep the peace, I must continue to go it alone, and keep my mouth shut. So far it is working, but the clinician inside of me worries for them. I’m definitely not perfect, I do let out some thoughts once in awhile!
When did you change your diet, and what results have you seen? Please see above. I began my journey in 2013, and have since healed 24 conditions through the power of food and nutritional compounds.
What resources (classes, books etc.) or people were instrumental in supporting your healthy lifestyle? Dr. Mark Hyman, Izabella Wentz’s “The Root Cause” book, blog, FB…Dr. Aristo Vojdani, Dr. Tom O’Bryan, Dr. Perlmutter, Dr. Mercola, Dr. Axe, Dr. Datis Kharrazian’s “Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms When my Lab Tests Are Normal?” book…Empowered Sustenance, and all their respective websites and blogs…to name just a few…
What staple foods do you prepare frequently? My Weekly Salad, and baked goods without all the toxins
What is your favorite part of your kitchen? I have several sections dedicated entirely to myself, as my family doesn’t eat the way I do. The pictures are included in this email as attachments. I would say my fridge, as it is mostly all me with my veggies, fruits, grass fed beef and pastured eggs!!
What would you change about your kitchen? all the unhealthy food that my family eats in their section of the kitchen. I would love for them to be onboard.
What kitchen tools can’t you live without? My veggie knife, and my ultra small loaf pan for my Paleo breads. Oh, and parchment paper!
Are you a recipe-follower or improvisationalist? I’m a follower mostly. For my salad, I’m an improvisationalist. I throw in whatever is local and comes in my CSA
What are your favorite cookbooks? Not any one in particular, as I usually grab them online. A link to my recipe page is included here, where the authors are all acknowledged.
Want to share your Story of Sustenance?
I began blogging because I had a powerful enthusiasm to share my story of healing through food. If you have had that same experience, I want Empowered Sustenance to be a platform for you to share, as well. Tell us, how has food changed your (or your family’s) life? Readers and bloggers alike are invited to participate.
Email me at share@empoweredsustenance.com and I’ll send you the submission form. Take a look at my Real Food Kitchen Tour for examples of the kitchen tour portion of the submission.
Hi Carol, It was great to read about your story. It is so wonderful that you have been able to help so many of your health issues with food. I have found the same for me. Diet has played such a big part in improving my IBS. I can understand your frustration with your husband and daughter not being as passionate as you are about health and wellness. My husband at times can drink a lot, buys some of his food at Walmart (yikes!) and eats fast food often. This used to really bother me. I used to be on his case but than realized this wasn’t helping our relationship. It sounds like you had a similar experience. I than learned about co-dependency. Correcting my co-dependent tendencies helped improve not only my happiness but improved our relationship as well. A great book to check out that may help you as well is ‘Codependant No More’ by Melanie Beattie. it may help you find peace with your families decisions about their food choices. Also biofeedback may be a good way to help determine any remaining food sensitivities you may have. This really helped me and you can do it on yourself for free. Good luck continuing you wellness journey 🙂
Hi Madeline! Thanks for all the great information! Food is indeed, medicine, and I will never believe otherwise. I worry about the day when I end up in the hospital for whatever reason, and they try to give me their special medicine “food”. I’ll take many steps back. I have told my husband, that when this happens, he can make anything on my recipe list to come and bring me to eat! 🙂
I’m happy that even Walmart has begun selling organic foods. I never thought I would see the day, but it definitely seems that people are voting with their dollar, or it wouldn’t be happening. Even organic coconut oil! I am amazed!
Thank you for the recommendation on the book. I will check it out. I have tried the counting my pulse after eating foods, but it tends to always stay the same. Do you perhaps have a link you can send me on other biofeedback techniques? I would be very interested! Thanks, and success to you as well!
I don’t particularly enjoy preparing two meals, myself. Thankfully, DH doesn’t object to slow-cooked meats… however bland (AIP + FODMAPS = plain and simple).
Have you investigated the effects of oxalic acid on the thyroid? Since you eat a great majority of your veggies in their raw form, some of the produce may be contributing to your inability to stabilize it. Just a thought.
All the best.
Thanks to your thought…I am currently reading this article by Chris Kresser, who is one of my valued practitioners I follow: http://chriskresser.com/do-raw-vegetables-hurt-your-thyroid-health/
🙂
I was thrilled to read your story, Carol. I’m 45 years old and appreciate hearing from an older woman. I was especially grateful to read about the challenges you’ve had with your family and having to deal with a “divided” kitchen.
My husband takes thryoid meds every day, and yet the doctors never elaborate on why he needs them, other than something vague about the levels and getting the numbers down. No one ever wants to comment on what it means to have a thyroid disorder and what the causes could be.
I’m ADHD, chemically sensitive and I have Aspergers. I suffer from bloat every day, but self-discipline is a big struggle for me. We’d both like to revamp our entire kitchen and eating habits; it’s just hard knowing where to start. The GAPS diet is something that speaks to me, but I honestly don’t know where or how to begin.
My biggest concern is financial. We only buy organic eggs and Silk almond milk (non-GMO), but I’m not sure how to wean us off our dependency on wheat. It’s in absolutely everything. I make pizza from scratch every week and feel that’d be a good starting place, versus a total, radical strip down. If I can come up with an affordable, gluten-free and dairy-free pizza that we both love, it will motivate us to delve deeper and more seriously into the changes I know we need to make.
You have to start somewhere, right? Pizza!! :o)
Hi Carla! Believe me, I know how you feel! After implementing a much healthier mindset through the teachings of Dr. Mark Hyman in Ultrametabolism (started with that because I had high cholesterol!!), I then developed other physical problems and lack of mental clarity. My hours upon untold hours of reading and study pointed to…GO GLUTEN-FREE. I mumbled and fought with myself for a few months, and then gave in to all the learned people before me and did the same. What a difference in how I felt! I have since then, gone completely grain-free, and I realize now that I wouldn’t trade what I do now for anything. I will never go back.
There is a substitute for all the “frankenfoods” out there that I used to know and love. It just takes a bit more time, effort and love to make these things at home. A wonderful time to connect, if you are doing this with your husband. How wonderful!
Starting with Pizza is a good plan. There are many cauliflower pizza recipes out there that you and your husband can Google to find one you like. Cauliflower is not on the Dirty Dozen list, so no need to go organic. Just be sure to clean it well to get any residue that there is off. There are plenty cauliflower cleaning methods out on Google as well.
I have a cheaper cleaner method than your Silk Almond milk! Buy a can of organic coconut milk, Mix it up really well in a large mason jar with 3-4 cans clean, filtered water. That’s it! No harmful additives, and cheaper on the pocketbook as well. I use a LOT of coconut milk!
Please check out the recipes and guidance on my website…www.healthintegrations.com, or my Facebook Page,www.facebook.com/healthintegrations . There is a lot of good information there, and all things that I have tried and implemented myself in my own quest for wellness.
I look forward to seeing you!
yours,
Carol
Oh, and I wanted to add that my husband was diagnosed as having high cholesterol two years ago. We chose not to fulfill the prescription, based on everything I’ve been reading. It just didn’t make sense. The thyroid meds, however, seem necessary. But we hope to entirely eliminate them someday.
Carla,
Diet can indeed be the answer for your husband’s situation. Come on and get started!
🙂
Carol