Systemic Candida is a real health menace that so many people are struggling with. That is why I am so excited that Amanda from The Raw Food Kitchen was willing to share her story about a missing link that helped her heal. I believe that by sharing each other’s stories, we may open up new possibilities for our own healing.
By: Amanda Brocket
What health condition were you struggling with and what symptoms did you experience?
I had systemic candida and other various symptoms from head to toe, bloating, weight gain, tired, brain fog, acne, cravings, constant colds, insomnia, the list goes on!
When did you realize you had to heal and why?
I realized I wasn’t feeling “myself” and would go to the doctor complaining of all my symptoms. After many months and many prescriptions for drugs (when I was getting worse rather than better), I decided I had to take my health and healing into my own hands.
What type of treatments did you go through to try to help yourself heal?
I tried so many things, anti-candida diet, probiotics, colonics, enemas, herbs, infra-red sauna, vitamin C IV, and all of these helped, but it was discovering raw foods that was the missing link in the piece of the curing puzzle.
How did you discover Raw Foods and what made you consider it as an option?
I was on a juice fast retreat and the last three days were raw foods. I didn’t even know what raw foods meant, but when all the food that came out was food I used to love (i.e., cheesecake, pizza, pasta) just done in a much healthier way free of inflammatory, candida loving ingredients, I was sold!
What was your diet like at the time you transitioned to Raw Foods?
It was a lot cleaner than it was originally, but on the anti-candida diet my naturopath had me on, there was still a lot of cooked foods and meat and improperly combined foods, so I was always plateauing with my healing.
Did you experience any detox reactions after you switched?
Yes, I did, but I had already experienced detox reactions on my many other healing journeys so was familiar with the process, and by this stage, I knew it was a healing reaction so welcomed it!
How long did it take before you realized your raw food diet was healing your body and how do you feel today?
The minute I had my first raw food meal I could feel my body tingling from the inside out with happiness! It really was very profound. My body was telling me this is the food it wants and needs to heal. So I listened to my body and followed the raw food path.
What do you do to ensure you get all the right nutrients into your diet?
It’s not that hard to do with raw food. I always encourage anyone who comes to my workshops, retreats, chef courses that every day it’s about asking yourself how can I get as many nutrients possible into my day in every way? i.e. dressing up a rainbow salad with a superfood dressing, adding sea vegetables such as arame to it, adding some sauerkraut, nuts, seeds. With the use of fermented foods, sea vegetables, superfoods, vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds, a raw food diet provides way more than the standard diet could ever achieve in a single day.
Do you have anything to say to people if they want to switch to a raw food diet for healing?
Start slow, enjoy and trust the process, and most of all make your meals so delicious it’s a no brainer to continue to incorporate raw into your life in some way. For all the healing benefits you will experience, it’s also a great motivator to pull you forward.
What is your favorite healthy raw food recipe that replaces a common unhealthy dish?
Oooh soo many I love them all, and I have many recipes for free available on my website to try (check out the sweet treats!) but for a super duper ‘healing foods’ recipe it would have to be a green smoothie, I will share the one I made this morning with you.
We’ll call it Revive Smoothie! This is a very medicinal, anti-inflammatory, immune boosting smoothie with added good fats and vegan protein powder, this would make a great post workout smoothie. You can see I have kept the fruit content low, as I wanted to keep the smoothie low GI.
Revive Smoothie:
Handful spinach
1 zucchini
1 frozen banana
1/2 cucumber
half an avocado
handful mint
1 lime, peeled
1 orange, peeled
1 cm piece turmeric
1 cm piece ginger
1 scoop sprouted vegan protein powder – vanilla flavour
1C coconut meat
1C coconut water (fresh)
1T coconut oil
pinch himalayan salt
extra water if needed.
Add all to a blender and blend till smooth. Adjust to taste. Drink!
Thanks, enjoy, Amanda 🙂
Amanda shares the power of healing and transforming through diet with raw vegan foods by teaching and inspiring others to reconnect to and love their bodies, learn what it means to feel truly nourished, gain more energy and vitality and change the way we think about the word “diet.”
Amanda is a qualified Raw Food Teacher, Chef, Coach, and published author. Check out her latest delicious raw food recipe book The Raw Food Kitchen Book, lots of your old favorites done in a much healthier, healing way.
Amanda loves hosting events, chef courses, workshops and retreats in Sydney and Bali, as well as offering transformational online programs. If you are ready to experience a quick and easy upgrade in mind and body with delicious recipes and guidance, try her 7 Day Plan.
Connect with Amanda: Website | Instagram | YouTube