Lyme, allergies, and illness were my lemons. Overcoming all of them and going to school to become a doctor so that I can help others heal is my lemonade.

Lyme is what I label it because it was involved, but it wasn’t the only factor. Allergies, sensitivities, over-toxicity, etc., were also contributing. Combined, they threw my immune system into overdrive. Every aspect of my physical, mental, emotional and even spiritual being was not left untouched. I was 30 pounds underweight (my 5’9 frame weighed only 120 for three years), suffered from amenorrhea, and I caught any illness that came near me. My liver was plagued by viruses and my body refused to detox. Because of my liver issue, the toxins came out of skin. I had itchy painful skin and sores. My hair was falling out.

When first diagnosed with Lyme a few short months after becoming ill, I was told by two separate doctors that a vegetarian/vegan diet would go a long way in helping me get better because it had helped other Lyme sufferers. In fact, it DID NOT help. It actually went a long way in making me extremely thin and sicker than ever. An allergist helped me to identify environmental and food allergies. When I discovered that my food allergies read like the rap sheet for THE most GMO’d foods in the U.S., I began to change my diet.

I went back to a plan that years ago had resonated with me: Eat Right for Your Type. This made sense because as an “O” blood type, I am designed to be a meat eater. My gut and metabolism scientifically require me to eat meat. I was not going to argue with that.  I also had genetic testing done to see where my genetic weaknesses were in order to support them – this also helped to identify food and environmental intolerances. This was a start, but I still had issues. It wasn’t until I eliminated all grains (anything even resembling one) and nuts (and definitely no sugar) and moved more towards an AIP/Paleo diet that I stated to see a major difference – I have been grain/nut free for 6 months.

I have mostly good days now and even though I’m about 10 lbs over the weight I’d like to be, I can call myself healthy again – I’ve even started weight training!  I’m now starting school to become a naturopathic doctor so that I can help others overcome illness. Six years was a long time and I absolutely do not want any of you to go down this road. I share about food because it was an important (but not the only) factor in re-gaining my health and if you are struggling, I don’t want you to give up. Keep trying, keep pursuing answers, keep asking God for wisdom believing that He will give it to you. And He will.