{get to know me!}

This has been the hardest section of my blog to write- writing about myself just seems so awkward, it is the same feeling that I use to get in 8th grade when I would have to get up in front of the class for my current events presentation; sweaty palms and all.

Sunday Morning Banana Pancakes was created back in 2011- the start of my blog was the start of my healing journey. In 2008 I became very ill - Doctors were not 100% certain what was wrong. I was "diagnosed" with acid reflux, heart burn and a myriad of minor illnesses. I was given several different medications which I reluctantly took, but even with all the medications and Doctors visits I wasn't getting any better - my weight had dropped and my symptoms of nausea, stomach pain and burning were not subsiding. After 6 months of "trying to figure it out" my PCP ordered an emergency cat scan - the Doctors had diagnosed me with Crohns. Say what Crohns? The problem was I didn't suffer from the "normal" Crohns symptoms - I wasn't convinced and to say the least I wasn't confident in my Doctors diagnosis or abilities to properly treat this so called "Chronic Illness" , a disease I still wasn't convinced I even had. Never been one to take multiple medications - an aspirin here and there but nothing more I found myself bombarded with a scary list of medications with even scarier sounding side effects. All of a sudden my world came crashing down and with it came a Chronic Illness with no foreseeable cure and an endless list of medications, along with not so fun poking and prodding. Needless to say I went for a second opinion. After meeting with a new team of Doctors I had more hope than with the first team- new Hospital, specialized Doctors & hope. I started to feel a bit better, however my symptoms never fully subsided - I began to feel as if my new Team wasn't hearing me. I would go back time and time again with the same symptoms and they would simply push more medication my way. I thought to myself- this can't be right- there has to be something more, a better way to beat this thing. 

It was at this point I stopped my medications as I felt they were no longer a benefit to me. With Justin's help we began researching more holistic means of treatment - herbal supplements and probiotics. I would have good days and bad days, I was happy that I was no longer putting unnecessary chemicals into my body. Honestly, I think I tried to convince myself I was getting better, the reality of the situation was I was a lot sicker than I wanted to believe. When I looked in the mirror I still saw myself- the problem was that wasn't what others were seeing; I was wasting away. I couldn't keep anything down, severely dehydrated, malnourished- so much so on two different occasions I passed out - once in the shower and the other on my way into the kitchen. My parents, sister, Justin and loved ones became really concerned - they finally pushed me to make an appointment with a Doctor that an older, really good friend of mine recommended. I headed down to Boston to meet with a new Team of specialists- the initial meeting was so positive and hopeful. For the first time I really felt as if I was being heard. This was back in November of 2009. From that meeting a variety of tests were scheduled for December, the second round of tests landed me in the hospital- I was so sick the Doctors couldn't believe I had made it this far without hospitalization. Truly this was one of the best days of my life- this was the start of my true recovery. It was determined that I did have upper Crohns which only 3% of people with Crohns are diagnosed with, I was treated at Brigham Women's Hospital in Boston for 7 days. It was there that I met my hero, Dr Makrauer - he is amazing. Dr. Makrauer placed me on predinsone and 6MP which I stayed on for 1 1/2 years, finally I began to feel my true self again. My stomach was no longer angry and I felt like I had my life back. 

105 pounds, Christmas 2009 just before being admitted to Brigham Women's

September of 2010 I became Vegan. I would like to tell you that I first became vegan because of my health or passion for animals, but in all honesty it was more of a personal challenge. I was one of "those people" that said I could never give up cheese or eggs - I wanted to prove to myself that I could. After becoming vegan my health improved 10 fold, I went off of all my medications and have been in complete remission for over a year - I truly believe I have my plant based way of life to thank. When people ask why I made the decision to go vegan I would answer because of my health - slowly that answer started to change.Once you are emerged in this way of life it is hard to ignore the cruelty and suffering the animals - I became even more compassionate and soon my answer to this question became for my health and for the animals.

Up until a little more than a year ago my better half Justin was still a Vegetarian - after watching Vegucated I declared that he was on his own when it came to cheese & eggs, I would no longer purchase or prepare these items for him. Being the supportive partner he is Justin made the change to a "vegan" status in support of me and the animals. Justin was actually a vegetarian prior to us meeting, he that was biggest influence in my change to vegetarianism over 9 years ago. Before meeting Justin my diet was horrendous, I have always loved fresh fruits and veggies but I also consumed my fair share of processed and fast food-
I was the poster child for the SAD.

The start of this blog allowed me to love food again, that love of food slowly turned into a love of food photography and food styling. I am so thankful to have my health and happiness back - the powers of plant based compassionate living are truly amazing.

I am passionate about life, all living things and believe that each individual can make a difference in this world no matter how big or small the movement is, it all adds up in the end. Nearly every Sunday Justin and I make Banana Pancakes or some sort of Pancake to start our lazy Sunday's together, it's those Sunday's that inspired the name of this blog.