Don't Give Up . . . Just Make It Easier

by Linda
(Connecticut)

Hi Rick,

Great story! I agree that our "modern" lives are in many ways unhealthy. I just wanted to let you know that I think it's possible to get nearly the same benefits that you found without having it take up all of your time and money.

For me, the most important things are diet and stress management. It's not always easy, but it is always worth it to stick to "safe foods" and keep up with yoga, relaxation, sleep, and simple, unhurried routines as much as possible.

I use unscented products as much as possible, but I do not worry about eliminating all exposures to chemicals.

I have found it is easy and not too expensive to stick to organic poultry, wild caught seafood a couple of times per week, medium and hard cheeses (cheddar, Colby, Monterey jack, for example); and fresh fruits and vegetables, organic if possible, but I don't worry too much if it's not organic.

What I don't eat is as important: sugar in any form other than straight from the fruit; caffeine; processed/junk foods of any kind; glutens and grains (including bread, pasta, rice, quinoa, oats, etc.); beans; nuts; dairy except for medium and hard cheeses. This is basically the first phase of the Specific Carboyhydrate Diet described in the book Breaking the Cycle by Elaine Gottschall.

Finally, eating a little food when I'm hungry, at regular intervals, 4-6 times per day, rather than three big meals a day, helps a lot.

This does take some planning--packing cold chicken and fruits and veggies in the morning to last me for the day--but this is a lot easier than dealing with an IBS attack.

Great site! Thank you!