As we at MamaSezz well know, changing to a plant-based diet can change your life in ways you never expected. Some treat chronic pain, while others reverse disease. In this series, we talk with some of the world’s most soulful, dedicated (and often funny) individuals. We get to hear their stories of suffering, transformation, and service — and we learn how food is an essential part of their journey.
This week, we're talking Terri Edwards, a woman who suffered from painful swollen joints and high blood pressure. Blood tests and doctors visits proved inconclusive. So Terri decided to give her daughters suggestion a try: To watch the documentary Fork Over Knives. She was ready to treat her chronic pain. Today Terri as immersed herself in a plant based lifestyle, educated herself and joined PCRM. She has her own plant-based blog and helps others heal their bodies with a plant based diet!
Before we get started, start your own plant based journey here with the MamaSezz Guaranteed Weight Loss Program. No deprivation here! Lose weight on a full stomach a learn lifelong weight loss skills, and enjoy meals for high cholesterol.
What prompted your interest in a plant-based diet?
My personal experience is that in 2012, at 45 years old, I was suffering from increasingly painful and swollen joints, as well as other health issues that had started around age 35 and were progressively worsening. I didn't know how to treat my chronic pain. My mother has debilitating rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, vasculitis, neuropathy, and other health issues, and has been disabled since her 50s. I was terrified I was heading down that same path, so I knew it was time to make a change.
After numerous doctors’ visits and blood tests with no answers, I decided to investigate nutritional options. My daughter recommended the Forks Over Knives documentary, which my husband and I watched on February 15, 2013, and became instant plant-based, whole food consumers.
How did you treat your chronic pain?
Since that time, I’ve resolved my inflamed and painful joints, learned to treat my chronic pain, lowered my cholesterol from 220 to 141, dropped over 50 pounds, resolved adult acne that previously required prescription medication, and recovered from sleeping issues.
Sometimes I have to pinch myself to believe this is the same body I had just a few short years ago. Honestly feels like I traded the old one in for this newer model.
How were you able to stick with such a dramatic diet change? Did you enjoy meals for high cholesterol reversal?
It’s been almost 9 years since I went plant-based, and I could never go back. Pain is a great motivator in my experience. Knowing how profoundly the wrong foods negatively impacted my health and made me feel so badly keeps me on track. There really is no food that taste as good as being healthy feels.
What is your life like now?
Here's what happened to Terri after she was able to treat chronic pain with diet:
Eating plants changed everything for me—my health, life, and even my career. Once I saw the power of eating plants had for healing the body, I began to research and study more about it. I ended up taking the Plant-Based Certification course through eCornell and then applying to the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine to teach their Food for Life classes. Since 2015, I’ve taught plant-based cooking classes at medical facilities in the Carolinas.
In 2014, I started a blog called EatPlant-Based to share recipes, cooking tips, and health related, and it really took off. In 2016, I was able to leave my office job to focus completely on running the website. Now, EPB gets views from all over the world and nearly every country and is impacting lives every single day. I am living a life I could never have dreamed about 10 years ago. My passion is helping people to realize that what is hanging on the end of their fork has the power to make them sick or help heal them. I want to always be the one that helps them choose health.
What is your favorite MamaSezz food/dish?
My favorite MamaSezz products are the protein strips and the garlic ginger are probably my favorite.
What are you most proud of?
I feel like my most meaningful accomplishment that makes me proud is helping people regain their health, whether it’s through teaching classes or through publishing recipes and articles on the website. There is no better feeling than the one I get when an email shows up in my inbox telling me how a follower lowered their blood pressure and cholesterol, or they recovered from some other medical issue. They are so excited and empowered. Knowing that I helped them reach that point in some small way—there’s just no better feeling.
If you could meet and have lunch with one person (alive or dead) who would it be?
Jesus of Nazareth
Ready to start your own health journey?
Sign up for the MamaSezz Guaranteed Weight Loss Program today!