Cheers! Hi, I’m Tracy Fortune.
And I guess my story is a little different. I’m here and I can just say that I’m just honestly, just grateful to be alive in my body.
I haven’t always been like this. I was an emotional eater. So young, I ate a lot of different foods that, of course, weren’t the best. So, you know, kind of living on those little debbies and all the little fun things. And I didn’t really think about nutrition. My family wasn’t into nutrition. And a lot of years through this, it wasn’t so much the weight. It was what was going on inside my body. And after so many years of this, I was just in pain all the time. And I think I just got used to being in pain. Literally just walking and joints would hurt. And I just was functioning in this way in my life. I mean, probably around the age of about 20 years old. And I’m 41 right now. And so this just kept accumulating and accumulating.
And I was getting into back problems. And I had a back issue for about 15 years. And it just kept getting worse and worse and worse. And I went to chiropractors. After chiropractors, I was seeing one seven days a week. I was being put under for shots. They would put me to sleep. And I had an MRI. I was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease. I was getting arthritis in the spine. I was wearing a back brace at the age of 36 years old. And I literally could not function. I was an alcoholic. I was addicted to every pain pill you could imagine. And everything just kept getting worse.
At this time, I was a mother. And I could barely function, let alone take care of my children properly. I ignored myself. I ignored my health for so long. It was getting so bad. And literally, the pain pills weren’t doing anything anymore. Nothing was happening. And something happened. This was, to be honest, this was extremely spiritual. I was laying on the ground, and I was desperate. The doctor told me I was going to need back surgery. And I’m like, no, 36 years old.
There was all these implications. And I literally was in my bedroom. I got on my hands and knees. And I’ve never been religious. This was my opportunity to connect to some sort of higher power. And I prayed. And I just, please help me. I’m laying here. I can’t move. I’m immobile. I can’t take my kids anywhere. I can’t play. I couldn’t hike. I couldn’t do the things that regular people could do, let alone working out. I mean, people would work out. I couldn’t even bend over. My feet hurt so badly that I had to stay behind. Like anything that was active was just out of the picture.
Drinking, eating, and socializing were my life. I functioned that way. I didn’t understand any other opportunity of life other than that. So I got some great ideas about doing smoothies. So I started doing a bunch of smoothies and then found these ideas about juice.
Juicing
So I started to juice. And I started to juice. And I kept juicing. And I kept juicing. And I started to feel a little bit better. And what I mean by that, it wasn’t like, yeah! This was, ah, I can bend over and make up my bed today. This is the simplest things that I… You become in gratitude. Just to be able to, you know, maybe walk with your children. You know, to go down the slide. I mean, this may be something not important to some people. But as a young mother, like, I’m 36, I thought I was young. I couldn’t do these things. This was just out of the question. So that’s why I became obsessed with juice. Because I was getting relief. I mean, the smoothies was like, oh, I was getting introduced into some healthy foods.
But it wasn’t until I really, really started to do this that helped me with the inflammation. The next step was I was able to get off of all pain pills and alcohol. And with that went a lot of friends. So I didn’t care. I just wanted to feel okay. I just wanted to be functional. I just wanted to not have all these issues. And not be able to provide for my family because I couldn’t provide for myself.
So I kept at it. I kept at it. And I went into, I know it’s controversial, but I went in and got my medical marijuana card because of the pain. And I wanted to get off of all opioids because I had a nice selection in my cabinet. And when I got my medical marijuana card, everything just went in the trash. I threw everything away. And I said, that’s enough.
Vegetarian Transformation
I’m going on, I’m going to start a vegetarian diet. That’s how I started. I said juice. And I cut out the meat. And I still ate a little bit of eggs from here and there and a little bit of cheese. I was still doing that. But cow’s milk was out for me. I still saw a dramatic increase. And then I got my family involved in it. And then I noticed how much it was improving their life. It really didn’t stop there.
I got diagnosed with another chronic illness, which was Hashimoto’s, which is a low thyroid autoimmune disease. And the doctor told me, oh, this is another thing that’s incurable. Just like my back was. This is incurable. And I said, thank you so much for the information. And because I know my ability to heal my back, I said, challenge accepted. So I focused on what I could do to heal myself. I did some certain juices, but I also used my power of faith to help me heal.
I don’t understand how it happened. I don’t know all the logistics. I can’t explain how someone heals themselves. All I know is that I changed my diet, and I did some energy work. And I had another transformation. I had blood work done. There was absolutely no signs of any thyroid. And the doctor was pleased. He was jumping up and down. He goes, I’ve heard of this happening. I’ve heard of people healing themselves. I’ve read this, but I’ve never actually seen it. And I’m sitting there going in awe still, in shock. I’m like, really? I didn’t believe it. I’m like, this only took three weeks? Like, how did I do this? This was three weeks. And I don’t get it. But it was empowering. And I just kept doing more and more and more and more juice cleanses.
I do a seven-day cleanse probably at least once a month or a month and a half. I’ve done lots of 14-day cleanses. I’ve done about five or six 30-day cleanses. And I’ve done a 50-day cleanse. And I just finished a 55-day juice cleanse, which was my longest one. I finished that about three weeks ago. And that one was my most transformative. I haven’t even talked about any weight loss because that really wasn’t part of my journey. It was the health.
Vegan Journey
A lot of people have their way into veganism through lots of different ways, as Tanner explained. You know, the environment, there’s the animals, there’s your health. And 100%, it was my health. I literally thought I was going to die. The next step was death for me. The pain was just so bad that I wanted out. Like the cycle, the cycle, it was just horrible. And then the surgeries and all this and the pills for thyroid.
So now, as of right now, I don’t drink any alcohol. I don’t even take an aspirin. I’m never sick. I literally don’t take any supplements. I juice. This has got everything that I need. I have high energy. I’ve never felt this good. I don’t even remember. I mean, even as a kid, I ate Twinkies and all the yummy things. So I don’t even know if I really felt good back then either. So it was really learning how to transition from shopping in the center of a regular grocery store with the processed food and learning how to shop on the outside where all the fresh stuff is, and especially the grocery section, which was scary for me. I had no idea where to start. So it’s trial and error. It’s a little bit here and there.
And if you team up with somebody that’s a mentor, a good friend, one of my really best friends, Juliette, she was the one who helped me into stepping into veganism. She took me to the grocery store. So find a friend. Find someone who loves you and cares about you. I mean, a little at a time, and anything is possible.
I’ll tell you, I am beyond blessed to be standing here in this healthy body. There’s just probably no better gift ever than to feel alive again. I mean, so that’s my story. Thank you.
Audience Question: What’s your favorite juice that you make?
Oh, I have so many. But I started off with my tropical greens as a basic green juice. It’s very hydrating. And it was probably something that I drank every single day for a really long time, just so I could make sure to get the greens in. I’ve never drank anything green in my life when I started. Ever. In fact, I would look at people with that, and I’m like, what is that? They’re like, it’s kale. Well, I didn’t really know what kale was, let alone, you can put that in a drink? And how do you do that? It was literally that. I mean, I’m coming from a family that did different hamburger helpers and things like that. So it’s like, what is this? Like, I don’t know. It’s super sketchy. But it’s really good, and it’s for your body.
I mean, you have this body, and it’s a gift. The body is a gift here. And that’s what I’ve learned through my spiritual experience, through transitioning into a plant-based diet. It’s truly, your body is the gift. There is no other gift than the body and how you feel about it, because that is what you’re going to attract to you. So I encourage anybody to take care of it, because once you take care of it, it will definitely take care of you!
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Learn More About A Juice Fast
Author: Bliss
Dedicated to making a positive difference for people, animals, and this beautiful planet!
Juicing has become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason. Many people now recognize the health benefits of consuming a variety of plant-based foods regularly. Juicing offers a convenient and effective way to incorporate these foods into our diets, as it allows us to easily extract the nutrients from fruits and vegetables. One of the most significant benefits of juicing is the abundance of vitamins and minerals it provides. Fruits and vegetables are rich in essential nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, and magnesium. By juicing these foods, we can consume a concentrated dose of these nutrients, which can promote overall health and wellbeing.
Another advantage of juicing plant-based foods is that it can contribute to weight loss and weight management. Many fruits and vegetables are low in calories but high in fiber, which can help us feel fuller for longer and prevent overeating. Additionally, the high water content in juice can help hydrate the body and support healthy digestion, both of which are essential for weight loss. Juicing can also be a useful tool for cleansing and detoxifying the body. The natural enzymes and antioxidants found in plant-based foods can help eliminate toxins and waste from the body, allowing it to function at its best.
Incorporating juicing into our daily routine can also improve the health and appearance of our skin. Fruits and vegetables are packed with antioxidants, which help fight free radicals and protect our skin from damage. These antioxidants can also promote collagen production, which keeps our skin young and healthy-looking. Additionally, the hydration provided by juice can help keep our skin moisturized and plump. Juicing can also boost our immune system and help prevent illnesses. The nutrients found in fruits and vegetables can strengthen our immune system, making it more resistant to viruses and infections. This can lead to fewer sick days and an overall improved quality of life.
Lastly, juicing plant-based foods is an excellent way to increase our daily intake of fruits and vegetables. Many people struggle to consume the recommended servings of fruits and vegetables each day, but juicing can help bridge this gap. By juicing a variety of fruits and vegetables, we can obtain a wide range of nutrients that support our health in various ways. Whether it is through enhanced digestion, improved energy levels, or a strengthened immune system, incorporating more plant-based foods through juicing can have a positive impact on our overall health and wellbeing. So, why not give juicing a try and take advantage of the numerous benefits it has to offer?
🌺 Mmmmmm Fresh, Yummy, Great For You…. Juice🌺
Juicing fruits and vegetables has many benefits that can transform your life. From boosting your immune system to enhancing digestion, this simple practice has the power to invigorate both body and mind. Packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, juicing is a natural way to nourish your cells and promote overall well-being.
Not only does juicing provide a concentrated dose of nutrients, but it also allows for easier absorption by the body. By breaking down the cell walls of fruits and vegetables through juicing, you unlock their full potential, making it easier for your body to extract the goodness within. This means that you can obtain a higher concentration of vitamins and minerals in just one glass than you would by consuming whole fruits or vegetables alone.
Additionally, juicing offers an incredible variety of flavors.🌺
How to make juicing and plant-based eating work for you
1. Juicing fruits and vegetables for health and happiness:
Juicing is a great way to get your daily dose of fruits and vegetables, and it can also be a delicious and refreshing way to enjoy a healthy snack or meal. Juicing can help you reach your daily recommended intake of fruits and vegetables, and it can also help you get more vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
2. Going plant-based for health and happiness:
Eating a plant-based diet can be a delicious and healthy way to enjoy food. Plant-based diets are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, and they can help you reach your daily recommended intake of fruits and vegetables. Eating a plant-based diet can also help you reduce your risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and cancer.
3. The benefits of juicing and plant-based eating:
Juicing and plant-based eating are both great ways to improve your health and happiness. Juicing can help you reach your daily recommended intake of fruits and vegetables, and it can also help you get more vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Eating a plant-based diet can help you reduce your risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and cancer.
4. How to make juicing and plant-based eating work for you:
There are a few things you can do to make sure that juicing and plant-based eating work for you. First, make sure to choose a variety of fruits and vegetables to juice, and be sure to include some leafy greens. Second, experiment with different juicing recipes to find ones that you enjoy. And third, if you are new to plant-based eating, start slowly by incorporating more plant-based foods into your diet.
Juicing plants and vegetables is not only a delicious and refreshing way to quench your thirst, but it is also a fantastic opportunity to fuel your body with essential nutrients. By incorporating these vibrant juices into your daily routine, you are taking a proactive step towards creating a healthier body for yourself. But the benefits don’t stop there – this simple act of juicing also has a profound impact on animal welfare and our planet’s wellbeing. By choosing to juice and consume plant-based foods, you are actively supporting animal welfare by reducing the demand for animal products and the suffering that comes with them. Furthermore, this conscious decision also contributes to lessening your carbon footprint. Each time you juice a fruit or vegetable, you are essentially making a statement of compassion for our planet and its inhabitants. As stewards of this blissful planet, it is our responsibility to ensure a sustainable and thriving environment for future generations. Juicing plants and vegetables is one way to fulfill this duty while nourishing our bodies.
When we consume animal products, we not only compromise our own health but also contribute to the environmental degradation that harms our planet. The livestock industry is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and water pollution. By choosing to juice plants and vegetables, we are reducing our demand for animal products, thereby lessening the environmental impact caused by this industry. It is a simple yet impactful way to take charge of our own health while actively participating in the collective mission to protect and preserve our planet.
By incorporating more plant-based juices into our diets, we can experience numerous benefits. The abundant vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants found in plants and vegetables provide the essential nutrients our bodies crave. These nutrients not only boost our energy levels but also help strengthen our immune systems, promote healthy digestion, and support overall wellbeing. The array of colors and flavors found in plant-based juices ensures that we never grow bored of exploring different variations and combinations. From vibrant green kale and spinach juices to refreshing citrus and carrot blends, the possibilities are endless.
As the compass of compassion points us towards a healthier body and a better planet, we must remember that our choices have real-world consequences. By embracing the power of juicing plants and vegetables, we become agents of positive change. Each glass of juice we consume solidifies our commitment to animal welfare and a greener planet. Let us rise as stewards of this blissful planet, nourishing our bodies and nurturing compassion for all beings that call it home. Together, let us sip our way towards a brighter, more vibrant future for ourselves, our fellow creatures, and generations to come.