I do essentially feel like a rock star today.  I’m almost sure it’s because I sound  fabulous singing at the top of my lungs to the Pitch Perfect soundtrack with Emma as I take her to school (NOT — even the dog cringes and covers his ears!)  Actually, I feel great today because I have such amazing patients!!!  I have to thank Bonnie for letting me share her story.  She has struggled with her weight for most of her adult life and now in her 60’s, she has developed multiple complications from her obesity including reflux, hypertension, insulin resistance, knee arthritis and most recently, discoid lupus (a bad autoimmune skin disease).  We have treated her symptoms with moderate success.  When her husband was diagnosed with diabetes, we had a serious discussion on the need to treat the root cause of her diseases.    I am happy to say that since “the talk”, Bonnie has gone on the Whole 30 eating program.  She has learned more about nutrition in the last few months than I have in the last year.  She came in yesterday having lost a significant amount of weight and surprisingly enough –her skin disease is much, much, better–to the point that she has scheduled an appointment with her dermatologist to start weaning her immune suppressant drugs!!!

The Whole 30 eating program is excellent.  It delineates what you can eat!!!  I am so sick of hearing what I can’t eat because it makes me feel like everything is off-limits.

For example, here is a brief list of healthy items for your pantry:

Almond flour

Coconut butter

Coconut oil

Nut butters

Unsweetened applesauce

Butter or ghee

Vinegar (balsamic, apple cider, red wine)

You can learn more at their website http://whole9life.com  or pick up the book “It Starts With Food” by Dallas and Melissa Hartwig