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

Most “Wellness Starts Here” events will be held on Saturday, January 7th.
Earth Fare’s Knoxville – Bearden and Johnson City stores will host their events on Sunday, January 8th.
Times vary by store, so check your local Earth Fare for details.
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Back by popular demand, our “Wellness Starts Here” event brings together our knowledgeable Team, current trends and featured products, all aimed to improve your health!

Since we love our customers and you all love freebies, we’ll have free demos, free samples and we’ll raffle off 50+ gift baskets during the event! And, that’s not all. There is a new Phatcycle Sea Breeze street bike (estimated retail value $275) waiting for one lucky winner!

Get a sneak peak of all the great giveaway items on your store’s Facebook page. Entering the raffles are easy: simply attend YOUR stores Wellness Event!

If you are like most people who start off the year with good intentions of eating better, exercising more and getting healthier, be sure to join us this weekend and jumpstart your healthy resolutions with guidance from your helpful Wellness Team. Let’s make 2012 your healthiest year yet!

Congratulations to Jamison C. from Columbia who won the $50 Earth Fare gift card for answering the question: What are your 2011 highlights?

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!

Well the Earth Fairy is back, and she is taking you on a behind the scenes tour of life as an Earth Fairy! Watch as she discusses Santa Claus, clementines and her most very favorite thing in the whole world — TWITTER!

What would you like to see the Earth Fairy do next? Deliver valentines. Hide shamrocks. Plant a tree for Earth Day. Christmas may be her favorite holiday, but when you are in the business of spreading cheer – the possibilities are endless!

What an interesting year 2011 has been for me: new friendships made, my eldest child graduated high school, a personal journey to find “myself” again and a new job. The last may have been one of the biggest changes, since I left a job of 15 years to make the leap to Earth Fare!

I was looking for the next great adventure in my life. When Earth Fare came to Cleveland, Ohio, I knew that adventure had arrived!

From opening day, through the holidays, working at Earth Fare has foreshadowed at great 2012. I’m going to be one of those people that enjoy going to work every day. I’m going to continue to be the social butterfly that I am. I’m going to eat healthy and be healthy and feel healthy!

So, goodbye 2011! You were a great year, full of changes and the beginning of my adventure. Now it’s time to say “Hello 2012! It’s so nice to meet you…”

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Stacy’s life went through a lot of great changes in 2011.
What are your 2011 highlights?

One of the comments below will receive a $50 Earth Fare gift card for a healthy start in the New Year! Submit your comment on this blog from today until 11:59pm EST on Sunday, January 1, 2012.

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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More stories like this:

Jennifer’s Healthy Change
Tiffany’s Calling It Off!
As Young As He Feels! Mike’s Story…

From Dennis W. (Chattanooga, TN)

From Jessica V. (Asheville, NC)

From the Malcolm Family (Johnson City, TN)

From Lizette T. (Huntersville, NC)

From Catherine S. (Charlotte, NC)

Thanks again to everyone who shared their holiday card with us!

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There will be more chances to win in 2012… What contest would you like to see from Earth Fare in the new year?

Last year, we serenaded you with our version of “The 12 Days of Christmas.” This year, we bring you “Did You Get What I Got?” inspired by the Christmas classic “Do you hear what I hear?” The Earth Fairy is back again!

The Earth Fairy will be delivering these holiday freebies to your email and each are valid for two days. Click to sign up for the Earth Fare emails, so she can make that delivery!

If you want to know what freebies to expect this week from the Earth Fairy, she gives you some hints (and some answers) in the video!

Which freebie are you looking forward to the most?
Tell us in the comments section below!

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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More stories like this:

Audrey’s Poem about her Healthy Home
Healthy Food, Healthy Baby! Amy’s Story
Clean AND Healthy — Penny’s Story