The Body Ecology Diet: Recover Health & Boost Immunity Naturally | Gut Healing & Immune Support for Wellness

About 20 years ago, I found my way into a holistic healing practice centered around chiropractic work and nutritional healing and that is when I was first introduced to the Body Ecology book. I had never heard of an internal yeast imbalance, or candidiasis, nor had most people back then but I was only 29 years old and had a long list of chronic health issues already, despite eating what I thought was a healthy diet and exercising a lot; I was about 40 pounds overweight and climbing (even with exercising about 60-90 minutes, 5 days per week and consuming 1200 calories per day or less, for MONTHS), my asthma and allergies were constant and so bad I had a home nebulizer for breathing treatments to save on ER visits for them, I had acid reflux which was so intense I consumed a huge bottle of TUMS every few days, I woke up sneezing every single morning, never had any real energy (so the workouts were torture and I needed lots of caffeine just to function), my lower back would "go out" at the same time that my asthma would flare up (which was a lot), I was having so much pain during bowel movements I dreaded going to the bathroom and a few times it was so painful I literally cried, I had skin issues and frequent rashes and was generally just unhappy and negative (no shocker there).When a chiropractor I was talked into visiting listened to my laundry list of issues and calmly pronounced they were all tied to a single underlying cause which could be healed, I about cried right in front of her, but I was also skeptical. She sent me home with the Body Ecology Diet book and these specific instructions; read it through once then put it down and don't look at it for a few days. Then pick it up and read it through a second time. She said on first read it would seem overwhelming but to finish it and walk away for a while. During that time, I now know, those new concepts and ideas are slowly settling into your sub conscious at your own pace of acceptance. On your second read, it's like an entirely different experience and suddenly these concepts and ideas seem much more manageable and even interesting. For me, that technique worked like a charm. On my next visit to see her for an adjustment, we discussed the book, I got a lovely adjustment (of course) and went home with some other helpful components for an overhaul to support BED; a zapper (google that if you're not familiar, I still use mine all the time), probiotics and an anti parasite herbal remedy (I won't recommend the same brand anymore as it recently sold and the new owners changed the amazing formula).So I went for it, whole hog! It was brutal at first, no doubt. I felt like I had a terrible flu for the first week or so, but I just got through it, stayed on course, and after a few weeks the strangest thing happened...it started to seem easier every day. I was sleeping well, waking up without my "morning sneezies", looking forward to my BED meals, started to crave exercise for the enjoyment, had more consistent energy, was having pleasant bowel movements several times per day for the first time in years, never had acid reflux anymore and weight was falling off despite eating more and exercising less. Within a few months, I looked like my own younger sister or daughter, lol. I had lost 40 pounds while eating more food than ever, I was doing advanced step workouts and heavy weight training, with loads of energy and really enjoyed every second, became one of those upbeat and extremely positive people I used to find terribly annoying and went from being almost agoraphobic to very social and outgoing. It was like the body snatchers came and upgraded me!Now, I will fully admit that I didn't follow BED to the letter, I did some tweaking and sneaking. For example, I had diluted apple juice with a green powder each morning, because I needed at least some fruit juice to counter the taste and make it palatable for me. I enjoyed bowls of puffed millet cereal with either a homemade probiotic "milk" (recipe from BED) or some rice milk, as a weekly treat, and some vanilla powder and stevia (this was before there were flavors of liquid stevia available), I kept a carton of Rice Dream "ice cream" on and and once in a while (maybe once per week) I would have a spoonful and feel satisfied that I'd had some enormous treat. But generally, my routine was; green drink upon waking, eggs with sauteed veg/greens or quinoa flakes cereal with ghee, cinnamon, stevia and probiotic milk for brekkie. Lunch was often something like chicken or turkey with veg, dinner was often new potatoes with veg or millet with ghee, carrots and fresh dill. I actually loved those meals. I came up with about 10 go-to BED meals I enjoyed and rotated them around and found that very approachable and satisfying. I love food so I needed meals which were tasty but also easy to make, as I am not patient enough to cook meals which take more than 15-30 minutes, tops. And yet, I was able to make this work and once I found my groove with it, I stayed on this track long after it had given me the healing and positive benefits I was looking for in the beginning. After a few months, I added homemade goat's milk kefir with stevia, vanilla and frozen berries for breakfast sometimes (still a huge favorite).Was it challenging? Oh my yes. But I found I could go to just about any restaurant and order something like fish or chicken with veg or salad (I took to carrying a small bottle of my own homemade dressing with me, just in case). I even made a batch of sugar free homemade ginger ale and would sneak that into movies so I had something fun and sweet to enjoy. As I said, it takes a little planning but as someone who really hates to cook or spend much time in the kitchen, I was able to do this quite easily once I created a battle plan and found some meals I loved.I also did this without ever needing to purchase any of Donna Gate's products but I should add that I do love her Innergy Biotic drink and splurge on that when I can swing it, as it tastes a bit like champagne to me and I'm, just not going to brew my own at home. But this really doesn't need to cost more than the price of eggs, veg, chicken, etc. And I'll tell you what, the results and changes were so dramatic and so miraculous for me, I cannot recommend this strongly enough.