Meet our Herbie of the Week: Annija!
By going dairy-free and eating more whole, plant foods Annija was able to cure all of her skin issues and eliminate the painful bloating that plagued her daily.
Annija story reminds me SO MUCH of my own! Like me, Annija knew she wanted to change but she didn't know where to begin--and she didn't even know how to cook! (True, I didn't either!!)
Inspired by her boyfriend and his family's healthy habits, Annija just started experimenting (like me--I walked into the kitchen and hoped for the best).
Eventually she started a blogging her trials and now her online home is one of the most popular blogs in Latvia!
Here's Annija's story in her own words...
HH: What message do you hope to convey with your blog:
I think it is very important to tell other people about the benefits from healthy food. I cannot say I am 100% vegan (moving towards that though), but I can surely say I am a plant-based eater. I only support natural foods (without chemicals, colorings, preservatives etc.).
HH: What started you on your own plant-based journey?
I started blogging 2 ½ years ago, when I started feeling bad after eating. To be honest, I couldn't cook at all at that time, because I never thought it could be interesting for me. Then I met my boyfriend, who had eaten well all his life, while he was a child. I thought to myself - he has been well fed all his life, so I must take care of him too. I started experimenting with my meals and tried to quit some products to see if we would start to feel better.
HH: What benefits have you experience since transitioning to a more whole foods, plant-based diet?
My allergies have cleared up since changing my diet. When I was a child, I had serious allergies from milk products. I got a terrible rash all over my body, when I ate any milk products.
I had serious skin issues as a teenager. It was terrible, and I was about to cry when I saw myself in the mirror. My dermatologist told me that I should not use milk products, but I didn't want to accept that. I mean - all the advertisements and commercials were telling me that milk is good for your bones, milk is healthy, milk is good. Since my parents were zombied by this information too, we didn't want to believe my dermatologist.
HH: Did finally going dairy-free help?
Quitting milk made my skin better.
HH: Did you experience any surprise benefits?
Eliminating dairy also stopped my bloating issues, which made my everyday life very uncomfortable. Of course, when I changed my eating habits, I also lost some weight, but I would like to suggest people not to get too enthusiastic on losing weight, because insufficient weight can also cause health issues. All in all, the base of a happy body hides in a balanced diet, which means eating as much as body asks, but only good quality food, not junk food or "cruelty food".
Thank you so much Annija for sharing your plant-based journey with us!
Don't miss our next Herbie of the Week story. To get notified when we post it join our email list.
