Keep in mind that in the beginning, you may be more hungry than usual on BED. It’s normal. You’ll find that you can eat more food because your digestion is starting to work better. This is not the kind of eating that we once believed causes weight gain — even though you may experience some bloating in the first 2 weeks or so. It’s typical for the bloating to be there in recovery, then go away. If your kidneys are out of whack, you may experience bloating periodically. Trust your body. It will support you as you support it.

It’s great that you are taking steps toward your healing — and that you feel hopeful. Hope is like optimism, which can lead to positive thinking. The more positive you are, the more law of attraction works in your favor. Being in harmony with your body and in harmony with all things tends to show up on this journey. I’m sending you light and love as you continue to explore what works best for you!

With love,
Heather

Dr. Campbell-McBride wrote a great book called Gut & Psychology Syndrome: Natural Treatment for Dyspraxia, Autism, ADD, ADHD, Depression & Schizophrenia. In this book, she talks about depression, bipolar and schizophrenia having a great deal of overlap. She says that patients can successfully be brought off medication — BUT, it’s important to build them up nutritionally first and slowly, with supervision, bring them off medication.

Her findings show the studies into these patients — all have some nutritional deficiency, especially B vitamains (B3, B6, B12, B1and folic acid) and vitamin C, along with many important minerals (Magensium, zinc, magnese, etc.).

Her book has some really compelling information and she also suggests a diet to follow. It is very similar to Body Ecology Diet, with some differences. Consider picking it up — it’s not that easy to get, but you may be able to find it on Amazon. Donna also sells it on her website: bodyecology.com.

I wish you all the best in your journey and I acknowledge you for understanding that the medication you are taking is helping you…while at the same time, seeking new knowledge. The path you are taking is simultaneously self-caring and empowering — it’s beautiful!

With love,
Heather

i too have a history of severe binging and found relief from that painful pattern following the same food plan that i suspect turtle was following. in a lot of ways it worked for me. the structure, the community, the freedom from obsession with food. however, i was still in major clinical depression and it only got worse. i have taken anti-depressants twice (currently on) and it’s the only thing i’ve found thus far that has helped me to function each day. i have striven to eat all raw/vegan, but have not been successful.

i have been searching for years for an answer to this depression – diets, network chiropractic, acupuncture, emotional work/journaling, emdr, acupuncture, and on and on.
i would love to get off these drugs, but truthfully, if it is a choice between putting something that i know is toxic into my body/risking shortening my life or having no quality of life, i will choose the drugs. what’s the point of living if i want to die, right? i’m being flip, but i’m also serious.

anyway (wow – this e-mail got long), i am wondering if you’ve heard of anyone who was on anti-depressants and was helped by this diet? i feel the need to qualify – not people who were depressed – that word means different things to different people – but people who were/are taking medication for depression.

thanks so much. you are an inspiration. i celebrate your recovery and know i will find/ am finding the same.

love,
heather (also)
oh, i’m also a type o.

One of the things Donna said is that blood type A is very sensitive in costitution — and in fact, almost all of the well-known people in the field of nutrition are blood type A! She suggests calm activities and careers that are lower in stress. Blood type A is very similar to a type A personality. And although today’s world has made many people type A personalities, some blood types are designed to handle higher levels of stress than others.

We also learned ways to build the inner ecosystem, so that you can start digesting better. Sounds like you can eat fermented veggies, which I highly recommend. They will rebuild your system with healthy microflora — which is key to improving digestion and ending an ED. I’m not sure if you have been eating them yet — be careful because they cause gas and bloating at first. If this triggers any ED feelings too much, back off on eating it so much. Introduce it slowly into your diet. Also, young coconut keifer is excellent for adding B vitamins (and microflora), which you will need as a vegan. We talked a lot about vegan diets, so I’ll send you a note about what I learned.

More soon!

With love,
Heather

I completely understand what you mean about feeling isolated, overwhelmed, etc. in recovery. Especially if we don’t have someone to share our thoughts, concerns, breakthroughs and fears with. I know that this blog and readers like you are part of why I feel so joyful and committed in this stage of recovery!

With love,
Heather