Little did I know that my journey to a whole food, plant based diet started before I was even aware. When I was growing up my parents fed me in the best way they knew how and I love them for it. We ate a ‘healthy’ diet—including dairy and meat on a daily basis to get our protein and calcium, vegetables and fruit to get our vitamins, and whole grain bread. (I was so jealous of the white bread sandwiches my friends enjoyed!) The holes in our diet were filled in with a daily supplement regimen to help guard against disease. All in all, it worked! We stayed relatively healthy and enjoyed ‘good’ food while doing it.
Once I had my own children, I fed them the way I had been taught and we all continued to experience good health. As we all aged, however, I began to notice a pattern in my immediate and extended family—the pattern of getting sick as we grew older. My grandparents and many of my aunts and uncles on both my maternal and paternal sides were succumbing to the typical aging diseases of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s. Watching this process produced a lot of fear in me and caused a general sense of helplessness. I felt as if I had no control and that because of my genetic makeup, was doomed to similar outcomes.
When Peter and Lisa Hanfileti introduced me to a whole food, plant based way of life, I was skeptical at first. After watching the documentary Forks Over Knives and surfing the internet for more research based information, I became incredibly hopeful. By changing the fuel I used to feed my body, I could make significant changes in my current and future health AND even change my genetic markers for disease. I adopted the way of life immediately. After a lifetime of yo-yo dieting, I feel I have found the answer to weight loss (have lost 25 lbs in 15 months!) and a lifetime of good health.
I feel great and am excited to share what I now know—that I can feel empowered instead of feeling like a victim and that I can be informed and proactive instead of blindly eating my way to poor health outcomes. I invite you to join me on my path to wellness! Hop on the whole food, plant based train—it’s a rewarding ride!
UPDATE January 2017! (From Lisa) Our beloved Cynthia was offered the proverbial “job she couldn’t refuse” that allowed her to do three things that she could not do at Points of Origin. Namely, work (1) full time, (2) with her husband and (3) from home! We are so grateful for her contributions to Points of Origin over the last two years! She promised to stay in touch and make special appearances at our ongoing health and wellness classes. Thank you, Cynthia!
If you’d like to learn more about how to transition to a whole food plant based diet, send us a quick email or call our office at 360-449-4500 and we’ll put you at the top of our notification list so that you’re notified as soon as we schedule new classes.
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