ABOUT

My passion for autoimmune disease stems from my own personal battle. For many years, I suffered from a hormonal imbalance known as hypothyroidism. I experienced symptoms such as hair loss, poor digestion, weight gain, irregular menstrual cycle, brain fog and chronic fatigue. My doctor agreed that my thyroid was not functioning optimally, but chose to take a wait-and-see approach while my health continued to deteriorate.

I decided to take my health into my own hands and seek out a naturopath, who eventually diagnosed me with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. I started taking natural desiccated thyroid (NDT) medication and after a few months, began to feel like myself again. But the thought of relying on a pill for the rest of my life didn’t sit well with me. And I knew that medication was only a band-aid for what was really going on in my body. I started researching for natural alternatives and enrolled at the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition. I began studying nutrition and focusing on treating the root cause of my illness.

When you have one autoimmune disease, it’s not uncommon to develop another. It wasn’t long until I began experiencing painful periods, mood swings, bowel and bladder problems. A few month’s later I found myself in the hospital with severe abdominal pain. An ultrasound suggested that I was suffering from endometriosis and I was immediately referred to a gynaecologist. In January 2017, I underwent surgery to diagnose endometriosis and remove a large cyst from my ovary. While I felt significantly better, I knew it was just a matter of time until it grew back and my symptoms returned. My doctor prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs for pain and advised me to go on the birth control pill to help manage my condition.

Determined to heal my body naturally, I decided to look for answers elsewhere. I stumbled upon the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) — a diet and lifestyle protocol that focuses on treating autoimmune disease with a holistic approach. It works by addressing contributing factors to autoimmune disease, such as food sensitivities, nutrient deficiencies, gut dysbiosis, stress and other environmental factors. With an emphasis on nutrient dense foods and lifestyle changes, the AIP provides the body with a clean slate and the opportunity to heal. It’s health benefits are supported by scientific research and the many success stories of those who have mitigated and even reversed their autoimmune conditions.

I have personally witnessed the healing benefits and am amazed at how quickly it works. Throughout my experience, I have been able to heal lifelong digestive problems, reduce my thyroid antibodies and eliminate many troublesome symptoms. While I still have a long way to go, addressing my diet and lifestyle has truly transformed my health.

I created this space to share my healthy paleo and AIP recipes, nutrition tips and wellness advice. I write about my experience with chronic illness in hopes to support others on their own wellness journey. I hope that you find something in these pages that inspires you!

CREDENTIALS & AFFILIATES