Why Should I Read This?

Because it might make you feel better. I'm no nutritionist, physician or health-buff. I'm just a woman who figured out an empowering way to get healthy. Let me explain...

Five years ago, I ate whatever I wanted. I had a serious love affair with butter, cream and french fries. When I met my (now) husband in 2003, I remember telling him that, "I don't do nonfat." Along with a decadent relationship with food, I rarely exercised but still looked good. Good enough to get attention/compliments from others, and go below the radar of what's deemed unhealthy. After all, black women are rarely berated for being overweight. I wasn't terribly overweight, just a big girl.

But underneath I wasn't feeling great. Without eight or nine hours of sleep, it would be a rough day for me. Without 3-4 cups of coffee, I was done. And last but certainly at the top of the problem list: I was suffering from ovarian fibroids. Small, non-fatal growths in my left ovary caused severe menstrual cramps that felt as if someone was sticking a knife in my lower back, severe bleeding, along with frequent and irregular monthly bleeding that followed no schedule. It sucked.

I just thought this was the way it would be for me. After all, my mom and older sister went through the same thing, as did so many of my other girlfriends who (interestingly) were minorities.

My sister recommended that I see a friend who helped women in my condition. He recommended making simple changes to my diet by eliminating refined foods, sugar, wheat, yeast, dairy and nothing but organic/kosher/halal meat. I also started taking herbal supplements. All this for the woman who didn't 'do' lowfat!

In a few weeks, I noticed some results. Not only did my bleeding start to regulate almost immediately, but the cramping subsided after a month. An added benefit, I also lost 25 pounds in about four months. My thought process became clearer. I slept better than I had in many years. I started to workout because I had more energy.

Prior to this, I really believed that a recommended surgery or medication were my only alternatives.

Never did I believe that I would be the one to make the difference. And by making strong choices, my entire life changed. It wasn't the herbal supplements, they provided additional nutrition, not medicine.

After three months of taking a moment to think about what to eat BEFORE eating a meal, I became healthy. The ultimate discovery? Eating bad food could make me sick.

I started sharing my story with other women, because I spent so many years suffering. So why should other women have to? My twin now refers women to me in hopes that I might be able to provide something for them. After hearing yet another story about a woman who is needlessly suffering from fibroids, I started writing this blog.

It's not just female trouble that can be caused by unhealthy eating. I see so many women and men that can feel better everyday, simply by making solid choices on how they eat. But the big assumption is that the food will be bland. I'm here to create a new listening around health food: that it can actually taste good.

There's no ONE way to do it. I'm not recommending that you follow this path, I believe everyone can find their own.

The larger lesson I learned was to be aware of the choices I make at each and every meal, and every time I take in a drink. Throughout these pages, I have recipes and ideas that worked for me and restaurants that have good selections. I'm always experimenting, so check back often and see the results!

Mona