In 2001, I kept getting Bronchitis. I had it many times over many years and once had severe Bronchitis that lasted 2 1/2 months.

Over a period of about 8 months, it seemed I kept hearing from people all over that I need to change my diet. But I liked cheese a lot and did not want to give that up.

Finally in December 2001, I went out to Hallelujah Acres in Shelby and heard a talk about eating healthy and cutting out dairy and all animal products. I finally got the message and came home and threw out all the unhealthy stuff.

My four teenagers and husband struggled with this a bit (as you can imagine,) but eventually they accepted it. They really had little choice: I bought the food. We went on to cut out processed foods, all animal products and dairy.

As long as I cut back dairy to very minimal or preferably none at all, I don’t get Bronchitis any more. I am so thankful. My body functions so much more healthy and my husband’s does to. Overall my children eat healthier, not that they are completely vegan but they are more food conscious than they ever would have been. The doctors we see for checkups seem overall pleased with our health and tests prove pretty good.

We are thankful to have Earth Fare near us as we know we can trust their foods. I am learning to make vegan yogurt and other cultured foods and it’s nice that I can get what I need from Earth Fare. Thank you for coming to Charlotte. We appreciate you and that your store makes it easier to continue in good health.

You can share YOUR story with Earth Fare’s readers (and win a $50 gift card for yourself) by clicking here.

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More stories like this one:

Renee’s Health Journey
Katie’s Rejuvenated Java
Pat’s Fresh Start

Several years ago, it began to get worse and doctor after doctor after doctor could not figure out why. After my Aunt passed away 3 years ago, I found out that she had an immune disorder of unknown origin. She had experienced many of the same symptoms that I had over the years: migraines, repeated sinus infections, allergic rhinitis, stomach problems, ear problems and more. To make matters worse, I am a Nurse Practitioner and could not figure out the problem that was causing this!

When I started eating gluten free and avoiding many of the foods I was allergic to, I began feeling better. I found an “allergy” dietician and learned I was actually allergic to even MORE foods than I ever thought!

My food list now encompasses about 40 different items! Very, very limited at best. It was quite depressing.

I finally found a very compassionate colleague who sent me to a hematologist. We figured out it was indeed a very rare immune disorder. We tried various medications that just didn’t work. I finally began eating completely allergy free, processed food free and literally canning all my own foods. You see, I can’t even eat onions, garlic or olives! So, I can’t buy bottled ketchup, salad dressings or spaghetti sauces let alone wheat, rice, chicken, pork or even turkey!

I make all my own broths and sauces. I also eat flax seed oil and either organic Greek yogurt or cottage cheese every day!

My last visit to my hematologist was a few weeks ago and my labs were completely normal! My hematologist was stunned! He wanted to know what on earth I was doing. I simply told him of my “organic and allergy free diet” as well as the “flax seed and cottage cheese or Greek yogurt” every day. He is now telling his patients to do the same!

I have more strength and energy than I have had in 20 years! I feel so, so good! I now preach to my patients the value of eating completely processed food free, preservative and artificial dye free, sugar free and hormone free. Love it!

You can share YOUR story with Earth Fare’s readers (and win a $50 gift card for yourself) by clicking here.
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More stories like this one:

Livi’s Story
Meg’s Story
Allison’s Story

Our daughter Olivia was diagnosed with high functioning autism at two and a half years of age. Immediately, we were advised to put her on the gluten free/casein free diet. It was quite a challenge because the only foods she wanted to eat were made up, of course, of milk and wheat.

At the time, we lived in a small town that did not have these specialty replacement foods readily available. We heard about Earth Fare and traveled more than an hour each way when we could to stock up on some of her favorites. The variety was wonderful. We could not believe there were so many options and that they were reasonably priced!

We started to see some significant progress but found ourselves giving in from time to time to let her have some of her favorites that were not on the diet, especially at school parties and holidays – the times when it was the hardest to keep the “old” foods away from her.

Recently, she was also diagnosed with celiac disease so we have to be 100% gluten free these days and I honestly don’t know how we would do it without Earth Fare! She loves going to the store and picking out her own food and snacks and I love knowing that they will help to keep her healthy and happy.

You can share YOUR story with Earth Fare’s readers (and win a $50 gift card for yourself) by clicking here.
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More stories like this one:

Tiffany’s Calling It Off!
Snicker’s Story: Healthy pet, healthy person!
Misty’s Story: Jimi Meets Vegetables

Since I graduated from college a few years ago, my health and the food I put in my mouth have become increasingly important issues to me. I became a vegan over a year and a half ago for numerous reasons, including health. I started eating a lot of fruit, vegetables, and other non-processed food, and I preached the benefits of whole foods and organic/local produce.

I realized, however, upon reading Michael Pollen’s books, “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” and “In Defense of Food,” that what I was saying and what I was doing were not matching up. I often ended up grabbing the cheaper food rather than the organic food, opting for convenience rather than sustainability.

One of Pollen’s messages was that we spend less on food and more on healthcare, and I realized that I may be spending more on food at the moment, but in the long run, I would be benefiting myself, my community, and the world.

When a new Earth Fare opened up in my neighborhood, I started shopping there, and I’ve finally started living up to what I believe. I no longer say one thing and do another. I’ve been eating organic and as locally as possible for almost a year, and I have enjoyed every second.

I know my power as a consumer is having a positive effect on my community, and I continue to encourage my friends and neighbors to support whole foods movements, organic brands, and local farmers’ markets as a way to enrich their health and our community’s health!

You can share YOUR story with Earth Fare’s readers (and win a $50 gift card for yourself) by clicking here.
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More stories like this one:

Pat’s Fresh Start
Clean AND Healthy – Penny’s Story
Lisa’s Story: 100 Days of Real Food

New Year’s Day always brings a few traditions along with it – champagne at midnight, greens and black-eyed peas for lunch, the start of a new calendar, and – of course – New Year’s Resolutions.

It seems like the same resolutions are the most popular every year. Lose Weight. Exercise More. Eat Healthier. Resolutions are always easy to make, but tough to stick to – that’s why they keep coming around each January!

Setting blanket statements like these is often a recipe for disappointment.

For example, say you want to lose weight this year – is that as detailed as you’re going to get? By declaring your resolution with such an undefined goal, you are setting yourself for one of two scenarios:

1. You’ll lose a pound or two after your holiday eating dies down and you’ll pat yourself on the back for a job well done – but you need to ask yourself. Is that really what you meant when you said you wanted to lose weight?

2. You’ll lose weight, but without setting a very specific goal, you won’t get to feel that definite sense of accomplishment when the scale dips below your target number.

Either way, you will have an easier time reaching a set goal than a blanket statement.

This philosophy is true for all of the common New Year’s Resolutions.  If you want to exercise more, give yourself a goal for the number of times you want to exercise each week. Start out by exercising two times a week for three weeks in a row. When you achieve that goal, reward yourself with a new pair of running shoes and set a new goal. By the end of the year, you’ll be amazed at your new workout routine.

The same goes for eating healthier. Make a list of healthy ingredients that you would like to work in your diet, and start slowly. Try a new recipe twice a week, then three times a week, until you have checked off every healthy ingredient on your list! And each time you upgrade – like from processed cheese dip to homemade guacamole – you get to rid your pantry of one more unhealthy ingredient.

Whatever your resolutions are this year, we want to help you keep them. Sign up for our weekly emails to save money on healthy foods, and stay tuned to our blog for more tips and success stories.

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What will your resolution be for 2012? Tell us below!

This is not really my story but that of Jimi, my husband.

He grew up in a household that did not eat fruits and vegetables. They were not even offered since his mom did not like them or eat them, and therefore, she did not prepare them for Jimi or his siblings.

I can remember one time when we were in high school: I had packed my lunch with strawberries. Jimi did not even know what they were! I was shocked.

My husband’s family also has a very long history of early deaths from heart attacks. The men in his family are not obese but they just didn’t take care of their bodies effectively.

My husband now realizes how being healthy is so very important since he lost his dad 5 years ago. His father was only 50 years old. It devastated him as his father will not seeing our child grow up; he was only 6 months old when Pop-Pop passed away.

Jimi recently went to the doctor for blood work to check on the status of his heart, and the results were very scary and shocking. We were told that a drastic change needed to be made or he would not live a long and wonderful life. He may not get to see our little one grow up either if he does not make the necessary adjustments for his life. He was ordered to change his diet and exercise habits.

We didn’t know where to start but then we found Earth Fare.

Jimi is now eating wonderful fruits and vegetables! A whole new world of food choices has opened for him. We are actually doing the South Beach diet as recommend by his doctor, and we love all the meat and produce choices at Earth Fare. We have not had been disappointed with one item yet.

When others come to our home to eat, they ask where we have gotten things. Just the other day, my girlfriend said, “Is everything there this delicious” I immediately replied yes!

It does not feel like a compromise has been made for junk food to healthy food when it taste this good. We have been doing the diet for two months now and shopping weekly at Earth Fare. Jimi is down 25 pounds!

I have been doing the diet with him but have also reaped the reward of losing 22 pounds so far! Eating this great and losing so much weight is such a reward!

When Jimi goes back to the doctor for a follow up, we hope to see if the results are any better now that he has made the changes. We are hoping for the best! I need to keep him around and he needs to be here for a very long time!

You can share YOUR story with Earth Fare’s readers (and win a $50 gift card for yourself) by clicking here.
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More stories like this one:

A Healthy, Happy Traci
Nathan’s Healthy Change
Snicker’s Story: Healthy pet, healthy person!

When I turned 25, or a quarter of a century old, I still had that feeling of a 16 year old, where nothing can hurt me, much less food additives and chemicals.

But as the years passed, I ate much more processed foods and frozen foods. Then my heart started to hurt every other day or so. I began to feel less energized and took more naps than my grandma, and shes’ 92!

I finally went to the doctor and found my bad cholesterol was really high, that my heart was pumping twice as hard as it should have, and that I have high blood pressure….

My doctor suggested healthy living, and well I definitely wanted to live…

It is now almost a year into eating healthy, and by means of Earth Fare and a healthy lifestyle, I am healthy, happy. Earth Fare has truly made me live longer. My healthy lifestyle has branched out to my family, friends and animals, and we all now take less naps and enjoy each other’s company more. I can be fully confident my family will be here for me, I will be there for them, and Earth Fare is here for us.

You can share YOUR story with Earth Fare’s readers (and win a $50 gift card for yourself) by clicking here.
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Jennifer’s Healthy Change
Tiffany’s Calling It Off!
As Young As He Feels! Mike’s Story…

In August of 2010, I found myself in the ICU.

I was there for a week and a half, most of which I don’t even remember. My body was shutting down because, while I didn’t know it at the time, I am a type 1 diabetic.

My husband and I thought we were living a healthy lifestyle before my diagnosis, and certainly we did try to include lots of fresh vegetables, fruits, lean meats and whole grains in our diet. But when I was released from the hospital, I vowed to completely overhaul our entire outlook on food.

Over the past year I’ve discovered how to make pizza crust out of cauliflower instead of wheat flour; to love new and different vegetables like kale and chayote squash; and to cook with alternative flours made from almonds and coconut.

That research, creativity and willingness to try new, healthy alternatives has paid off more than I could have imagined. My medication doses have been drastically reduced; my doctors are continually impressed with my blood sugar averages and other lab test results; and I feel great! Even my husband and three-year-old son love the healthy recipes I’ve discovered and created, so I feel good knowing all of us are on a path to a long, healthy and happy life.

You can share YOUR story with Earth Fare’s readers (and win a $50 gift card for yourself) by clicking here.
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Audrey’s Poem about her Healthy Home
Healthy Food, Healthy Baby! Amy’s Story
Clean AND Healthy — Penny’s Story

Audrey’s story (in her own words):

Kids, Junk and Hyperactivity

After my divorce, my daughter and I went on a junk frenzy fueled by my guilt for all of the pain she was experiencing.

I just couldn’t say “no” to cookies and candies and high fructose ; OH MY!

We were spiraling down every day from our sugar high.

Laughing then crashing, repeat repeat.

She would do anything for an ooey gooey treat.

We decided enough was enough, to Earth Fare we go!

Dashing and slashing our cravings you know.

Over the Ravennel and away like a flash,

we found our new treats and built quite a stash.

So thank you Earth Fare for changing our meals.

We are oh so grateful and got lots of deals!

You can share YOUR story with Earth Fare’s readers (and win a $50 gift card for yourself) by clicking here.

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As Young As He Feels! Mike’s story…

Meg’s Healthy DIY Family

 Healthy Food, Healthy Baby! Amy’s Story

Abigial Faith was born August 6, 2010.

She was a gorgeous, healthy baby girl at 7lbs 4oz. But then she was jaundice with no reason to be. Abigail was born a few days after her due date, a completely natural birth with a midwife. She was even on home light therapy for the jaundice for a week. During this time she was also constipated. As a breastfed baby she should have been very regular.

By one month she was very gassy, constipated often and had awful baby acne covering her face and ears. Eczema spots were on her arms. She had a rash spreading down her torso. After finding a chiropractor that specializes in nutrition consultation, I found that she was very sensitive to dairy and corn in my breastmilk.

What I was eating was bothering her.

The Doctor explained that her liver could not handle all the toxins in her system. That is why she was jaundice early on. Her liver was already stressed. When your liver is stressed you will see it in your skin. Your liver acts as a filter for toxins in your body. I went home and threw out my NON-dairy coffee creamer that had casein(from dairy) and lots of corn syrup.

I cut all dairy, which I had done from early on I thought because she also had reflux that I knew was from dairy. I got rid of all corn. Wow! Corn syrup is in alot of products. I thought we ate pretty healthy already. The Doctor told me not to focus on what I could not have but what I could have.

I tried to just focus on eating more fruits, veggies and meats. In just 5 DAYS Abigail’s skin cleared COMPLETELY! She was a gorgeous baby girl again. The roughness was gone, the acne was gone, the rash was GONE! It took longer for her system to straighten out with her constipation. But, I am a believer in clean eating.

Abigail has changed our family in many wonderful ways. At almost 11 months I still can’t have dairy without her spitting up. She is doing so well now.

You can share YOUR story with Earth Fare’s readers (and win a $50 gift card for yourself) by clicking here.

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More stories like this:

Boosting Her Immune System! Allison’s Story

As Young As He Feels! Mike’s story…

Meg’s Healthy DIY Family