I have a confession to make.
These last few weeks, I have failed as an herbivore. It started on Super Bowl Sunday. I mean, with a menu like rib-eye steaks, wings, and BBQ shrimp, who could stick to the regularly scheduled rabbit fare?? It was a slippery slope from there.
From carne asada quesadillas and carne asada fries, Vegas buffets, and cheeseburger cravings, I’ve been very, very bad, and I am afraid I will be paying for it soon.
I’ve been a vegetarian/pescatarian (vegetarians who eat seafood) for the last three years. Three years ago, I sat across from the third doctor who threw me a packet of pills and said, it’s either this or surgery to treat my newly diagnosed Endometriosis. After some extensive research via books and the Internet, I set out to treat my illness on my terms. No pills, no surgery, and as natural as possible.
A major thing that I had to change was to stop eating all the crap that I loved to eat. I may look skinny on the outside, but inside, I have a 300lb fat kid that struggles to get out. She likes bread and sugar and lots of it. I also had to give up meat. I basically have an 80% anti-inflammatory and gluten-free diet. If I stray from it, I feel it about 4-6 weeks later in excruciating pain. If I eat cleanly, the next month passes with minimal pain. And let me tell you, pain is definitely a motivator to change.
Unfortunately, I know my illness is getting worse, which is why I have been making strides to focus on my health…minus the recent meat gluttony, that is. Sometimes it really, really sucks to have to eat a salad while everyone is enjoying steak, but honestly, being pain-free and healthy is more important…even if I trip up from time to time.
Endometriosis affects an estimated 176 million women worldwide. The following resources really helped me make some decisions to treat Endometriosis naturally.
Books:
The Endometriosis Natural Treatment Program: A Complete Self-Help Plan for Improving Health & Well-Being by Valerie Ann Worwood
Skinny Bitch by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin
Slaughterhouse: The Shocking Story of Greed, Neglect, and Inhumane Treatment Inside the U.S. Meat Industry by Gail A. Eisnitz
The China Study: The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted And the Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss, And Long-term Health by T Colin Campbell
Green Smoothies Diet: The Natural Program For Extraordinary Health by Robyn Openshaw
The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals by Michael Pollan
Crazy Sexy Diet: Eat Your Veggies, Ignite Your Spark, and Live Like You Mean It! by Kris Carr
Websites: