In December 2016, I had a cancer scare. I felt a lump in my breast and neck. I knew I did not want to become one of the statistics and from previous research and studies, I knew that the right diet and lifestyle would do the thing. Years ago, my husband was diagnosed with ‘ulcerative colitis’ which is an inflammatory bowel disease. It is inflammation in the digestive tract. The doctors told him to take certain medications that made him feel terrible and they told him that he would feel up and down and sometimes even be hospitalised, and that with his family history it could/would end up in colon cancer.

They would most likely have to operate. It was like a death sentence.

Now I am talking about 20 plus years ago, and he is still alive and kicking. Needless to say, our whole family changed our diet to support him and also make life easier for me being the cook in our house, and a working mom. My belief is that if we put diesel in a petrol car, the car won’t go any further and the ‘wheels will come off’, so to say.

Our bodies are so fearfully and wonderfully made that if we have a cut on our hand for instance, it forms a scab and heals by itself. The same goes for our bodies from within. By default, it will heal itself unless we keep on filling it with junk foods and lots of medications instead of healthy, cell-building food.

Early in January 2017, I decided to go on a 28-day juicing plan to give my body a break and to detox from all the wrong ‘fuels’ I have been putting into it. I also had the time to dive into the internet and books to study/research (https://veganslife.club/top-10-plant-based-doctors-to-follow/ ) even more as to how the body works and what it needs to perform at its best. It was a terrible two weeks of pain and agony with my body getting rid of all the toxins. My legs and head wanted to ‘fall off’. I rested a lot and drank water often in between my juices and my research.

By week three, it was all over — hallelujah! My lumps were miraculously gone —thank you Lord! It was such a relief and I felt on top of the world. I knew I had to make a more permanent lifestyle change and that I could not go back to what made me feel this way. This is when I decided to go ‘whole-food plant-based’.

It was the best decision ever. I had never felt so good in my life and the big bonus was that I lost 20 kg (44 Pounds) within the next 4 months. You think more clearly and have so much more energy. I got rid of the inflammation in my hands, migraine headaches, constant ear infections, my skin cleared up and my digestion has never been better. I had to change my way of cooking and shopping. I also had to change my way of thinking about food — I eat to live, and not live to eat anymore. That is something, when you come from a big family where both your brothers have six children, and family gatherings and birthdays always revolve around the kitchen; at the barbecue and around the dinner table.

I love to cook, even though it’s very different from before i changed my food lifestyle. I love to bring healthy and tasteful food to the table, even with all the meat eaters around me.

They also enjoy my dishes (most of the time) and have learned to accept my choices regarding food and my new lifestyle. They even ask and use my recipes often. It was tough in the beginning with some friends, family and clients not understanding or agreeing with my choice not to go with the doctors/medicine route, but to go plant-based. It stirs up lots of emotions and opinions. Some people might think that I am irresponsible. I was bombarded with so many questions and opinions, especially regarding my protein and calcium intake.

I never look back, and I know that I’ve made the best decision for my body. You learn to listen to your body.

What I do

Today, I love helping people improve their health (reversing symptoms), change bad habits, lose weight naturally (finding their ideal weight) and to make the easiest transition to a whole-food plant-based lifestyle without weighing anything or counting calories.

I’ll guide you on:

• How to go about stocking your fridge/freezer and pantry.
• How to go shopping.
• How to handle ‘eat-outs’ at friends/ family and restaurants.
• How to handle the ‘on the road’ or holidays.
• How to cook at home and to change normal standard recipes into the healthier version.
• How to handle people’s opinions.
• How to stay positive and motivated regarding your new lifestyle.

I have gone through this myself and am passionate to help other people with health concerns/issues, big or small to have access to this life-changing information.

I’d love to help you get your health, energy and natural weight to where it should be.

Let food be thy medicine and medicine thy food, is the old saying of Hippocrates, and it is so true! It’s time that we take responsibility for our own bodies and see the amazing results.”