MEET THE FACE BEHIND THE BODY EDIT

As I sit here wondering what to write about myself, I can’t help but think back to 2015; when my journey with health awareness truly began. I had just graduated high school, I was eager to embark on a new life path at Western University in Ontario, Canada. My health all throughout my final year of high school was outwardly great, I was in the best shape of my life, I was a high performing athlete, and I was what people thought to be “healthy”. Nobody knew about the internal battles I was dealing with regarding my health. That year alone I battled 8 UTI’s, I had multiple kidney infections, passed kidney stones, and dealt with crippling PMS symptoms for 1 week of every month including cramps so severe I would have to skip school and sports. My body was constantly trying to tell me that something was not right, but I trusted the healthcare system and bombarded my body with rounds of antibiotics to “address” my never-ending cycle of infection.

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I thought I was in-tune with my body; I knew when an infection was coming on, so I would rush to the ER to get a leg up on the healing process. Thinking back, I was probably on antibiotics  for the better part of 2014/15. It wasn’t until August that I discovered a new crippling sensation in my abdomen, a pain that would be passed off as another UTI from multiple ER doctors. I was sent home with yet again another round of antibiotics even after persisting that they take another look whether that meant an ultrasound or an MRI, I wasn’t sure. Two days later the pain was so severe that I needed to return to the ER. Again, I was dismissed and told that I needed to let the antibiotics take their course. I knew something was truly wrong, and if I hadn’t listened to my gut instinct and demanded more testing I’m not sure what would have happened. The next hours were a blur, I had an ultrasound done where Doctors quickly realized I had a ruptured appendix, something that I most likely had been dealing with for the past two days. On the brink of sepsis, I underwent an emergency appendectomy and was hospitalized for almost a week.

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I listened to my body; I was my own health advocate when the system in place failed to protect me. I’m not sharing my story to scare you, I’m sharing it to let you know that there is ANOTHER way, a harmonious partnership of both conventional and holistic interventions known as integrative medicine. Defined as "all factors that influence health, wellness, and disease are taken into consideration, including mind, spirit, and community, as well as the body", integrative medicine can not only save lives, but lead individuals down an abundant path towards health and wellness for life.

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For the following years I was left with horrible gut issues including bloating so severe I could barely eat healthy foods. I became afraid of food because no matter what I ate, I felt uncomfortable. Nobody told me that antibiotics kill not only the bad bacteria in your gut, but also the good bacteria. These good bacteria are crucial for keeping inflammation down, keeping your brain functioning optimally, and allowing your body to digest food. My "healthy body" was not so healthy anymore, and I came to find out that my path to healing had to be approached in a personalized way.

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This ultimately led me to where I am today, discovering the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition and completing my 3 years, becoming a Registered Holistic Nutritionist. Throughout the last 3 years I have been educated on topics such as hormone health, gut health, pre and post natal, sports nutrition, herbal remedies, anatomy, physiology, biology, pathology, spiritual health, and eco nutrition.

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Healing encompasses the holistic approach to well-being. You cannot effectively tackle illness without first recognizing the body as a complete entity. Food, being the fundamental source of human health, holds significant importance. Understanding the intrinsic connection between your body and food, rooted in our ancestral evolution, enables a revolutionary perspective on health. The dynamic interplay between my relationship with food and my body is ever-evolving, inspiring the concept behind "The Body Edit." As a species, we are in constant transformation, shaped by the forces of nature and our relationship with the Earth.

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I encourage you to start by reflecting on the relationship you have with your body, which is the only one you'll ever possess during your time on this planet. Take charge of your well-being, ask questions, foster curiosity, tune into informative podcasts, connect with nature, practice mindful breathing, engage in physical activity, and nourish yourself with wholesome GOOD food. I appreciate your presence here. xo, Sara.