Wysteria Jackson’s Journey to Raw

My raw food journey began back in late August of 2008. I was about a month from my 27th birthday and suffering from multiple different health problems that were severely effecting my energy, happiness and zest for life…not to mention being life threatening at time. I was at my whits end. For the last year plus, I had been suffering from chronic hives which I had been to the doctors about and all they wanted to do was put me on Benedryl, an inhaler or steroids. Being a very holistically minded person I generally don’t like to put chemicals into my body. As you can imagine, these options weren’t ideal. My holistic chiropractor was able to alleviate most of the hives through adjustments, Kinesiology  and supplementation (but not all). This was only one of my issues as I closed in on my 27th birthday. By this point I had given up on doctors. Every time I went to see my doctor I got the nurse practitioner and nothing was ever resolved. Either they wanted me to do some expensive tests or they wanted me to take something that really didn’t sound right to me. I was 26 years old going on 40. Something was wrong and no one would listen to me!

On top of the hives I was constantly exhausted, I was having teeth problems (I became a vegetarian in February 2008 after years of being a “meat eater” who generally only ate chicken or fish), I had horrible anxiety attacks, and the last draw was all the lymph nodes under my arms swelling (possibly filling with fluid, my chiropractor wasn’t sure) to the point that I was in constant pain. I am sure if I thought about it a little more I would think of some other stuff that was going on but those were the biggies. At first I just attributed the changes (hives and exhaustion) to body changes…then driving home one day I fell asleep at the wheel and nearly went off the road. I just thought I was tired. Looking back now, I was tired and that wasn’t the first time or last time it happened. The exhaustion started in 2007 before the holidays…my body was sick and tired and wasn’t going to take it anymore! My doctors didn’t think anything was wrong with me…after all, my blood work was fine! Perhaps it’s just me, but a 26 year old shouldn’t be falling asleep at the wheel, having chronic hives, painful swollen lymph nodes, and anxiety attacks. The teeth problems was a whole other end that I hadn’t even realized yet!

On a hot day in August I was doing some research and came across talk about Raw, Living Foods. I was intrigued…I had come across it before but it never really interested me before. I was ready and willing! I started reading tons! Then I talked to my amazing, understanding, supportive husband and we both went raw overnight. We committed to 2 weeks of raw. Within a week my symptoms were disappearing. I had TONS of energy and wasn’t falling asleep in mid sentence on the way home anymore. Thank goodness hubby and I commute together! WOW! If that could happen in just a couple weeks then what would happen if I continued with it? Ryan wasn’t able to continue at the 100% raw, he dropped back to about 60% and I stayed at about 80 – 90% after the first couple weeks. We both went through a pretty brutal detox at about day three, but his continued much longer. I was fine after that quick, rough day but found months later that I started another detox process.

All of my health issues went away completely except the hives. I had plenty of energy and was feeling amazing. I still ate a little bit of dairy and bread but most of my diet consisted of fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. I continued the information binge I was on and have yet to stop! I keep taking it in. There is so much information out there. Initially I started with forums and blogs. Since then I have moved onto books. I have began to build a library of books and love them! They are such great resources, but are not a necessity by any means. There is so much info that you can get for free through the internet or your local library!

In December right before the holidays I decided I had had enough, I wanted to be 100% raw. I made this decision and went raw vegan overnight. Up until this point I hadn’t been vegan. Making this decision removed all refined sugars, wheat and dairy from my diet. It wasn’t as hard as I remembered it being the first time. I loved it! After a few months my hives went away! I was amazed and inspired! During my time 100% raw I also decided to start a ning site where I could connect all our local meetups in one place and I finally made my raw food coop come to fruition. I felt so incredibly powerful and alive!

In the past couple months I have been very unhappy with work and feel off the 100% raw path. My body is talking to me though and I am moving back towards my path. I never wandered too far (only getting down to maybe 90% raw) but for me that’s not good. I function much better at 100% raw. Since loosing my way I have noticed my anxiety coming back. The things that I seem to crave are cookies and other refined sugars. I have stayed away from wheat and have stayed vegan but sugar has found it’s way back into my diet on multiple occasions. I have decided the best thing I can do is be compassionate towards myself and work back towards my goal of being 100% raw.

Recently I have started integrating superfoods and that seems to really be helping get me back in touch with myself. It is also helping mitigate the stress that I feel from work. All things are good in my life and I am headed back to my raw path. Practicing compassion for myself has made the whole process very rewarding. This is not something that I can do by pure willpower. It is something I need to do because it is the right fit for me, not because I will it! The amount I have learned about both myself and my husband is amazing. We are both on our own paths and have to find compassion for each others choices. He is incredibly inspiriting to me! I hope that I am to him as well!

Since going raw back in August, I have released 15 pounds. I have toned significantly and gone from a size six to a size 2 pant. I have gone from a lifelong medium to a small! It’s amazing. I am in better shape then I ever remember being, have no more allergies (which is amazing this spring!), have reversed all of my health issues unless I get off my path (then some return) and feel all around amazing. My dreams are becoming a reality, my relationship with Ryan has just gotten better and better and my relationship with my animals has improved as well. I can honestly say I love my path and will never look back. Putting only living foods in my body has given me a new lease on life and I intend to tell the world!

Wysteria Jackson is an amazing raw foodist who has created a local co-op for raw goodies, and has her own website where she blogs about holistic health, wellness, and the raw lifestyle. Follow her on Twitter.

Everyone’s journey to raw foods is different. If you would like to share yours with us, find out how on our submissions page.

By rawfoodnation Tags: capital city raw, raw food journey, Wysteria Jackson
Posted in Raw Inspiration | No Comments »