Food.
That simple thing all of us must consume daily to sustain life. No matter how poor or rich or what type of cuisine we are used to, it all boils down to calories, nutrients and minerals that are there to nourish the body, mind and spirit.
“Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food.”
-Hippocrates
As I think through the single biggest change that allowed me to live through the death sentence of scleroderma and stay healthy enough to not just survive – but thrive – more than 15 years with this horrific disease, I look at food.
What We Put Into Our Bodies Matters
The familiar phrase, “Garbage in, garbage out” doesn’t just apply to a computer program. It applies to food, too.
It is the way we use food to nourish ourselves that expresses itself outward as health, illness, attitude, and even hair texture. Hangry – being irritable and angry because you’re hungry – is humorous, but rings with truth. It is our inner core saying “feed me.” I know I can’t go on with a right attitude or energy without nutrition of some sort.
“When diet is wrong, medicine is of no use. When diet is correct, medicine is of no need.”
-Ayurvedic proverb
Back in 2004 when I was in the deep throws of scleroderma, before I had knowledge of what disease I had, there was nothing but processed foods in my home. As a working mom in a new marriage, things in my life were hectic. Maybe you can relate.
Then my world stopped. Complete stand still.
I received the diagnosis that I was extremely sick. Death was not far off.
And there weren’t a lot of medicines to help, either. The medical professionals could help with the symptoms – but not with the underlying disease.
Eat Healthy, Live Healthy, Be Healthy
After receiving that diagnoses, I went home and did a lot of thinking.
I started to think about what I was putting into my body. And I decided that I wasn’t going to simply accept the diagnosis. I was going to live my own truth.
And that started with my diet. That day, I took the step to change my life.
Please know I am not saying the outcome was rosy and perfect from that day forward. That is not the case.
Food, diet, change, and grit all went into a massive fight for my life. Fifteen plus years later I am still here. That’s proof enough for me.
It is 2020 and I am better than I ever was.
Attached here are two photos, one from back in the late 2000’s when I was getting ready to do a walk to raise money for scleroderma. My hands were so swollen they barely moved, my skin stiff and hurting. But I was clearly still in the game of life to win.
Fast forward to one from a few months ago, thriving. A picture truly is worth a thousand words.
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