Kiss Your Doctor Goodbye

Foreword Diets have been around ever since mankind existed. In the times of Adam and Eve people did not refer to them as special diets. They ate what was available to them in the Garden of Eden and were content with it. Everything in those times was good and pure, including the air they breathed. There were no cars in Paradise, no TV, no newspaper, no smog, no money, no credit cards, and not much to worry about. Today, we live in a different environment. It has become almost an art to choose the most appropriate food for our wellbeing in a world where so much is offered. We do not live a pristine environment anymore, and yet the desire for health and happiness is greater than ever. We also tend to think that more is better. We want more food, a bigger house, a faster car, want to go to the most entertaining parties, choose expensive schools for our kids, wear the latest fashion, and go to exotic places on vacation, all for the lowest possible price. After chasing those dreams, and achieving some of them, we might still realize a certain emptiness inside. Everything is good, but on their own these things cannot fulfill us. It is nice to have “things,” but what we truly desire is good health, love, peace, freedom, and above all, more joy in our lives. We want to feel good and look good. Having more money, better health, a good education and beautiful objects can be valuable, but they are not our final goals. However, they may be stepping stones to achieve what is of true value. There are always difficulties on our path, and in a way it is exactly those difficulties that help us learn and grow. When we are sick, we want health. When we experience lack, we want abundance. Limitations awaken our desire. Whatever we want to do, be or have, most of it can be achieved as soon as we take responsibility and start taking action. It is our thoughts, words, and actions that determine what happens in our life. Pleasant experiences could be feedback that we are on the right path, whereas each obstacle, each downfall, each pain is a nudge by the Universe letting us know that it is time to change course. It could also mean: Don’t give up! Things are going to change soon. One way or the other, everything is a learning experience helping us to grow stronger and eventually have a better life. Our health is no exception. Although we can be happy in any situation, good health and beauty can be valuable assets for more joy and advancements. Gaining a better understanding of how our body works, and how it continually talks to us either through pain, wellbeing, or a variety of symptoms, it always guides us to get to the best possible condition. We can learn to slow down the aging process and remain youthful at any age. We have to know what to eat and what to stay away from, and as a general rule we need to keep things simple. This book is meant to give us guidelines. It covers some of my own experiences. Some guidelines are from ancient scriptures or from other teachers in the health field. Much of it I have learnt from my clients, working over forty years in the field of nutrition and natural health. Sometimes we learn the most from people who at one time were given up on by the medical profession and then found a way to become living examples of health, strength, and beauty. Learning to be healthy is an ongoing process and there is not one formula that works for every body. Eating natural food without too many additives should be our highest priority. We do not have to spend a lot of money on food. It also does not mean that we cannot enjoy a meal with friends who are on a different path. We have to find balance, a way that works for us. Often the simplest food, or temporarily eating nothing at all, may be best. Our overall habits and how we treat our body determines the way we feel and look. In the long run, our choices influence our relationship with others, and maybe even our finances. The food we eat may determine the places we frequent, the people we spend time with, the way we choose to spend our money, and overall preferences. People tend to think that diet has nothing to do with our wellbeing or that a healthy diet and eating organic food must be expensive. The alternative—being sick—is much more expensive. It not only costs money for doctors and prescriptions, but the time we lose could be used in more valuable ways. The pain and worry from being sick can be paralyzing, not to mention cause a loss of income. Another concern are side effects. According to the American Medical Association more than 100,000 people in the US die from prescription drugs every year. Taking prescribed medicine—not the wrong medicine—has become the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. In order to stay healthy and prevent calamities it is important to make better food choices. Our body is a living miracle. It is built to clean and repair itself. Making the right choices, we can stay youthful and naturally beautiful till the last day of our lives. Eating can be one of the greatest pleasures, but it can also contribute to our downfall. During my practice as a Nutritionist and yoga teacher, I have met people from three generations. I have seen tremendous changes for the better once people changed their diet. In fact, once we are in good health, we can feel ageless. What we eat or do not eat is important, but it is also important to stay physically and mentally active. It is important to always have something to look forward to, something that gives us joy. Being healthy, happy, and in love has nothing to do with age. It helps, however, to be in good shape to pursue our interests and find fulfillment in what we are doing. I love my work. It gives me an opportunity to meet some wonderful people. I also love to read, to dance, and travel, and I am always open to learning something new. When my husband died unexpectedly in 2002, it was a tremendous blow for me. Only my work kept me going, but life goes on. Now I am in love again. The relationship motivates me to find the most effective, natural ways to slow down my own aging process and to enjoy life again. Love, more than any food, helps us to stay young, and happy people make a better world. Temporary challenges can be tough, but they can be a blessing in a sense that they motivate us to seek improvement. Nobody likes to suffer, and we have always choices. One of my teachers, John-Roger, used to say, “If you spill the milk, you can either sit and cry or you can wipe it up and move on with your life.” Most of the time all that is required is to make a few simple changes. Are you ready?