Weak and in severe pain, I questioned the Lord upon my return home and to work, "How did I end up in this condition?" And He lovingly reminded me of a conversation, which really was a warning, that He had with me in February 2022. “Stop eating Macaroni and Cheese,” it’s glue in a casserole dish. It immediately, clogs your digestive tract and your arteries, and the cheese is so sodium filled that it shoots up your blood pressure. And there is no nutritional value with it at all. Your just getting pleasure from the taste of it.” 

 

I heard the Lord’s rebuke, loud-and-clear, until I was asked to help prepare some mac-and-cheese. It was then, five days before the last mini stroke, that I felt the devil tempting me to partake; and I did, every day for five days straight. On top of that, I had already stepped away from my vegan nutrition plan for three weeks prior to indulge my tastebuds when my client offered me food. And I was not drinking enough water. To make matters worse, I was taking a calcium supplement with vitamin K in it. Vitamin K, is often confused with potassium, they are both listed on the periodic table as vitamin K. However, vitamin K, clots the blood, potassium does not. The medical establishment also uses vitamin K to stop bleeding in patients who suffer with bleeding issues. 

 

It was the perfect storm. I also found out during my research that the reason that most people are suffering from high blood pressures is because the potassium/sodium balance is off. We are supposed to be eating a 4:1 ratio of potassium/sodium. Which means that our potassium intake should be 3 times more than our sodium intake. But most people are getting more sodium in the diet than potassium. But be encouraged, it is so easy to get back into balance because the fruits and vegetables are loaded with potassium, and they are also low sodium. We just need to eat more of the right foods and avoid so much of the wrong foods.

 

After I came to my dietary and nutritional senses, I did my research, and I went back to my original vegan eating plan, but this time, I did it the way it was supposed to be done. My meal plan was a low salt, no fat, low sugar plan. I did the “Starch Solution” Plan, by Dr. John McDougall. It was challenging in the beginning when I realized that everything in my pantry and freezer had to go; it was ladened with sodium. I did his 12-day meal plan, and within 4 days, my blood pressure had come back to normal, just like he stated it would.

 

Upon a visit with a neurologist who suggested that I continue to take the blood thinner, upon which I refused, after I told him about a very bad reaction to medication in the past. He agreed that they do have too many chemicals. But my cardiologist offered a different opinion. He stated, “It seems that you are aware of your body, and if you have holistic methods of caring for yourself, you should continue to do this. And by the way, you put on the form that you have “high blood pressure,” but I am telling you now, that you don’t have high blood pressure and you don’t need to take any of those medications, although the neurologist may say different.” Finally, a doctor that I didn’t have to fight with over natural healing methods.

 

I am grateful that my body is responding well to my new nurturing plan, but I am grateful also that the minor emergency happened. For a few years, I did not have health insurance, so I was unable to go to my routine doctor exams. Finding out that my cholesterol levels were high, and my blood pressure was elevated to stroke level, really got my attention. Now, I understand why the medical community always tells us to, “Know your numbers.”

 

When I looked at a recent blood work report, I noticed that in 2017 my cholesterol was extremely high, but no one told me about it. The two recent reports for February 2022, and August 2022 showed that through my dietary changes, the numbers had decreased considerably, without me being on any medications. My diet was causing the numbers to drop even though I had no idea how high they were. It’s good to be able to view your own medical and bloodwork reports. You get a birds-eye view of your health condition on paper.

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I now monitor my diet, my blood pressure and dietary cholesterol intake. Our liver makes cholesterol, to run the body, but when we add too much dietary meat or seafood, we can raise our cholesterol levels significantly. Because meat and high cholesterol seafood is the only way for cholesterol to enter the body, we must be aware of what we are eating and how much. Some seafood, such as salmon is filled with the good cholesterol (HDL), which helps the body expel the bad cholesterol (LDL). 

 

I know it’s been a while since I wrote to you all, I’ve been regrouping. But I really felt that my bad decision, could possibly help to save someone else from suffering a needless medical emergency. So, I wanted to share my experience with you to encourage you, to please, “TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF!” And understand that eating is about living, not so much about pleasure. Pleasure has a place with an enjoyable meal, but it should not take first place in the meal.  Our first consideration at the meal should always be "nutritional value" for health, strength, energy, and well-being.

 

(Confession):

I had known what to do all along, I just stopped doing what was right. And as a result, I got consequences that I did not want. Knowing is only half of the solution, doing is the other and most advantageous part of getting the results we want. We reap what we sow. So let us sow the right behaviors to reap the right results.

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We put a lot of value on things, but we need to refocus on putting the value on the three most important aspects of our lives; our spiritual, emotional, and physical health and well-being. All we really own, are these bodies that God has gifted us with to live in to enjoy this life. And we also own our right to take the responsibility for our own care. We love the doctors; God has sure used them to keep me alive. But it’s not their responsibility to keep us well. Let’s take back control, and get back to living well, by eating well, hydrating well, doing well, and being well. I Love You All. Stay Safe and Stay Well!!!

 

Note: I advise you to please consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your health plan, listen to their advice, then make the right decision.

 

Prayer:

Father, I ask you to forgive me for putting the pleasure of my tongue over the nurturing of my body, and for me giving into gluttony and greed. I also ask for forgiveness for not gaining enough understanding to take proper care of this wonderful gift called, my body which is Your Temple. Help me to gain control over my unhealthy eat habits, and the emotional triggers that sometimes causes me to run to food for comfort. I present my body to you as a living sacrifice; will You help me to keep it a healthy, fruitful vessel, that is fit for the Master’s use. In the name of Jesus, amen.