Enerji Sisters

Hello everyone!

I apologize for not blogging sooner. Let’s just say that it’s hard to elevate my legs and type at the same time! But let me go back and catch you up. A lot of you are wondering why I have been updating my Facebook status with things like “Meat…it’s what’s for dinner”. The last you heard, I was happy as a pig in mud eating raw foods. Over a month ago my partner, Erin, asked me why my ankles were so swollen. I looked down at ankles that seemed to belong to a pregnant woman in her third trimester! How could I have missed such a huge development?? I had been so busy preparing live, raw foods that I had missed my entire body swelling up like a whale.

Now that I think back, I did tire easily when walking my dog, especially when going uphill. And my legs hurt while exercising. And I was fatigued most of the time. I chalked it all up to the “detox process” that comes with eating raw foods- I assumed I felt this way because my body was ridding itself of toxins. I, like most of you out there, assumed I was eating too much sodium and that was the reason for my swelling. I cut back on my Himalayan salt intake for a week or so but my swelling got worse! So I grudgingly went to a family doctor for lab work. Labs revealed that my total protein levels were severely low. I did my internet research which said this can be caused by problems with my liver, my kidneys, or my diet. My spiritual mentors who are intuitive counselors felt that I needed to eat meat again. I meditated on this suggestion and felt it was the right thing to do.

But I still felt lost and scared and confused. I talked to a friend of mine who recommended another family doctor who is studying under Andrew Weil to become an integrative physician. “He is very knowledgeable in nutrition, even vegan and raw diets!” she said. So I went to see Dr. Will Lane of Lakeside Primary Care (704-316-1040: you may want to write this number down because he is great!). I was immediately impressed with this doctor who’s first question to me was, “Jennifer, what are your passions in life?”. I did a double-take because I am accustomed to doctors never looking me in the eye, half listening to me and getting out their handy-dandy scrip pads to push me out of the door. Dr. Lane was the opposite. He was interested in what makes me happy, he patiently listened to my health issues and then gave me a lot of good options to help bring me back to balance.

He agreed (with my intuitive friends) that the swelling (or osmotic edema, whichever you prefer) was caused by me not eating animal protein since November ‘08. He encouraged me to eat fish, eggs, and fowl (the less legs the better is his motto) at each meal to increase my protein levels. He also teaches the mediterranean diet, having lots of color in eat meal and most importantly, to listen to my body and give it the nutrients it needs. He gave me brochures on Reiki masters and therapists who do medical hypnotherapy. He told me where to go to purchase my own custom-fit medical compression leg ware (you should have seen me trying to get those tight hose on the first time! It took about 15 minutes! Funny sight. I have lots of compassion for the elderly who also wear them).

So now I am enjoying fresh local eggs, chicken and occasionally beef. I baked a mighty-fine salmon for dinner last night and am on my way to normal protein levels.

I am still wearing my medical hose daily (I have thrown fashion out of the window!) which is no fun in July and August. I am still eating lots of fresh salads and have started eating raw fruits again. Although I am eating fruits and vegetables that are low on the glycemic index, I fight feeling guilty for doing so. I know that my guilty feelings lower the vibrations of the foods I eat; so I have been thanking the local farmers, the sun and rain and even the animals for sacrificing their lives to keep me healthy.

I must admit that I am very disappointed that the raw food diet did not work for me. I had high hopes because it has helped so many other diabetics. I’ve asked the universe, “Why me? Why do I have to be the different one? I’ve tried so hard and this is what you give me?!” I’ve felt angry, sad and hopeless over the last few weeks and thrown lots of pity-parties. But the messages I keep receiving are “Just trust me. I know you think you know what’s best for you. I know you want to reverse your diabetes. Just turn it over and trust the process.” So that’s where I am today. I am taking it one day at a time. I am letting go of outcomes and trusting the universe. I am letting all of my feelings surface which is new and scary yet cleansing and renewing. So send me some positive energy when you can. Thanks for all of your love and support. I’ll keep you updated.