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My Personal Preface to a Plant-Based Lifestyle Change

Health is wealth. If you feel great, you perform at your best. When you don’t, you won’t. For me, a plant-based lifestyle didn’t come about for animal or environmental rights, not even for trendy reasons. I was dying, and this was part of my path back to health.

In mid-2016 through to early 2017, I was diagnosed with HIV and cancer in back-to-back scenarios. After getting on harsh medications and undergoing challenging treatments, I was left with 23 T-cells – the frontline defender in our white blood cell group. This also meant that I had AIDS; when you are below 200 T-cells this is the category in which you fall.

Long story short, the doctors wanted to inject me with the Gardasil vaccine and give me chemo pills to “boost” my immune system. I said not a chance, so I changed it up – and big time. I detoxed my body of undigested sugars, proteins and fats, among other toxins, by combining dietary changes, supplements, external detoxing, like ionic foot baths, infrared sauna, lymphatic drainage massage, etc.

Within a few short months, I brought my T-cell count to 889 – on my own. What has helped me sustain a normal body pH (7.25-7.5), energy levels, sleep cycle, bowel movements and so much more is a predominantly plant-based diet and non-toxic lifestyle. 

For those looking to improve their overall health and wellness, going on a plant-based diet is an option many have heard about but few know how to implement effective change for sustainable health benefits.

Key components of a plant-based diet include avoiding processed foods and animal products, and not eating refined foods such as flour, oils or added sugars. Instead, your focus becomes eating raw and organic fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts and whole grains.

When food is cooked above temperature, important nutrients, minerals and enzymes are lost in the heating process. For veggies, you still want a crisp, crunch, so steaming is best. Canned fruits and veggies are always void of nutritional benefits.

Personally, I’ve taken it a step further with a page out of Dr. Sebi’s playbook, and I follow rhythmic eating, too. It works like this: Only eat fruits in the morning (5 a.m.-noon), salads and veggies in the afternoon (noon-4 p.m.) and solid/cooked foods in the evening (4-8 p.m.). Alfredo Darrington Bowman, better known as Dr. Sebi, was a Honduran herbalist and sought-after healer.

Research has shown that plant-based diets can reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease, diabetes and cognitive decline in older adults, such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

On a cellular-level, toxins in our food, water and personal-care products, such as aluminum-based deodorants, thicken and toxify the mucous film inside of our body; impair gut lining integrity, causing leaky gut; lessen enzyme functionality, which help to properly digest proteins, fats and sugars; and impede optimal liver and kidney function, which are the body’s detox organs.

A side benefit of a plant-based diet can be weight loss with easy maintenance. With close to 70 percent of adults in the United States being obese or overweight, just about everyone is looking for ways to maintain proper weight.

Plant-based diets are a great way to do that, mainly because of the high fiber content they provide and the absence of harmful chemicals found in processed foods.

One important thing to remember is that you or your family are not going to make all the necessary changes required for a plant-based lifestyle in a week, or even a month. It takes time, and transition. Slow and steady wins the race, not fast and furious.

Here’s some examples of how-to start a plant-based lifestyle and begin a transition:

  • Vegetables – Asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, kale, spinach.
  • Healthy starches – Sweet potatoes, squash, millet, buckwheat.
  • Bread replacements – Non-GMO corn tortillas, coconut flour wraps, sprouted breads.
  • Fruits – Apples, berries, grapes, pineapple, bananas, pears, citrus, pears (which are great for hormonal health).
  • Grains – Brown rice, oats, quinoa, barley.
  • Legumes – Peas, lentils, peanuts, black beans.
  • Healthy fats – Avocado, olive oil, coconut oil.
  • Nuts and seeds – Almonds, cashews, macadamia nuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, natural peanut butter.
  • Plant-based protein – Tofu, tempeh, leafy greens, nuts.
  • Milk – Coconut milk, almond milk, cashew milk, hemp milk.
  • Cheese – Goat cheese, swiss cheese or sheep cheese.
  • Condiments – Salsa, mustard, soy sauce, vinegar, lemon juice.

Here’s foods to absolutely avoid:                                     

  • Fast food – Burgers, hot dogs, chicken nuggets, french fries.
  • Dairy products – Milk, cheese, yogurts.
  • Packaged foods and snacks – Chips, crackers, cereal bars, frozen dinners.
  • Artificial sweeteners – Equal, Splenda, Sweet’N Low.
  • Low-quality meat products – Red meat, pork, raw or uncooked sushi.
  • Processed animal products – Bacon, lunch meats, sausage, beef jerky.

Are you looking for an all-in-one approach? I can help with that. I’m a certified live blood analyst and detox specialist. I’ll analyze your blood to see how well you are digesting proteins, fats, sugars; detect the presence of cell debris, like uric acid, parasites, candida; and any mineral deficiencies causing hormonal imbalances. From there, I’ll develop a 35-Day Detox and plant-based wellness program that is custom-fit to you.

Start with $25 live blood analysis consultation today. Call (248) 791-3936. Visit www.detoxdayspa.com.

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