Joan

My own story begins at the end of 1995 when I was getting ready for Christmas vacation. I was overweight by 30 pounds. I was depressed, anxious, afraid or angry most of the time. Physically, I was at the end of a year in which my respiratory allergies had made me miserable. I had suffered four sinus infections and countless episodes of sinus attacks similar to migraines. I was tired in spite of getting all the sleep I needed. My asthma had improved as the result of intensive emotional recovery work, but I was discouraged about ever healing my lungs. For the two pervious years, I had worked a number of personal growth programs simultaneously to heal the wounds of my childhood so that I could get my emotional and respiratory problems under control. I had experienced improvement, but I was far from satisfied with the results.

I read about an eating disorders program that I decided to try. This program eliminates sugars, flours, and wheat in order to control brain chemical reactions that stimulate appetite. I was extremely pleased to lose my hunger pangs along with two pounds per week on this program. But I was positively stunned to also lose my allergies, sinus pain, fatigue, mental fogginess, depression, and rage. I removed all the sugars, flours, and wheat from my house. My family lost weight and a wondrous calm descended over my household. The crying and fighting over homework quieted down. My husband became less irritable. We left for outings calmly, well-organized, and without chaos. The sound of morning coughing disappeared. The children's daily afternoon headaches eased off. It was a miracle. With stability established in my body rhythms, I eventually was able to discern that citric acid and tomato sauce were contributing to my asthma.

I began to spread the word about reactive foods. I developed summary sheets of what to eat instead of foods containing reactive substances. Eventually I started teaching a system of eating that eliminated sugars and flours and allowed identification of other commonly reactive foods. I developed a network of abstinent people to track their progress, to offer them support, and to get support.

Today, I feel like I have walked away from a train wreck. I am shaken by my narrow escape, but I am otherwise unscathed. I turn around to go back and help people who are still on that train. Every time I talk someone into giving up reactive foods, I feel like I have pulled them from that train wreck. Through the grace of God, they also can walk away.