another great success story!

Posted by Alicia Silverstone on Mar 9, 2010

Kind Lifer Amanda Jacob wrote a blog on her profile page here on The Kind Life about the changes that she has experienced since starting her plant based journey. Her results are so exciting. Take a look:  

“It has been one month since I decided to get rid of meat, egg, sugar, soy, and processed foods in addition to not eating gluten and dairy. I thought it would be harder than it has turned out to be. Just listing what I don't eat makes you think that it is quite extreme but it doesn't feel that way at all. It has been pretty easy to replace items in my diet and add more veggies, grains, and beans. The recipes that I have been cooking (I am now the designated family cook) are so wonderfully yummy that it shocks me. If I knew that the natural foods tasted so good I would have done this a long time ago. It has been fun experimenting and enjoying the new foods.   

The changes in my body have been another great part of this journey. Before, I mentioned that I struggle with digestive issues such as gas, bloating, constipation, and always feeling full or nauseated. I was going through a bottle of Pepto Bismal a week, taking GasX everyday, and tending to want to throw up so that my stomach didn't hurt after I ate. I was at wits' end in figuring out what to do to solve the issues and feel better. I mentioned earlier that within a week my stomach wasn't hurting anymore. What a relief! I have had a few days of detoxing and days where I was bloated because my body was having to get used to all the fiber, but being the amazing machine that it is, my body has adjusted and is working better than ever. No more trapped gas and bloating!

I tend to find pleasure in the small things so I have been super excited about my poo. Yes, my poo. Not only am I going regularly but it doesn't smell like it used to!!! It doesn't completely fill my bathroom with toxic gases. I don't get embarrassed about having to go in public places anymore. Even when I have to pass gas, there isn't a trail of stink leading to me. I get so tickled about it all. After years of my digestive system screaming at me and punishing me for the horrible treatment I gave it, it is rewarding me.

In addition to my digestive system improving, I have noticed a change in my skin. This is what I have also been waiting for anxiously. I have been one big zit for years. I have been on antibiotics, birth control, prescription face gels, and even Accutane but nothing worked. It is quite frustrating to have adult acne because you aren't "supposed" to have it. As a teenager, it is expected (which ironically I did not have acne as a teenager). So when Alicia Silverstone mentioned that her acne cleared up with a vegan diet in The Kind Diet, I was excited to see those same results in myself as well. I still have a few zits here and there but it isn't at all what it used to be. I don't have to slather on the makeup as much as I used to. My skin is soft too! I know that my body is still healing and working out the toxins so I know that my skin will get even better as time goes by.   

To sum it all up, for the 1 month report, my digestive system is working and my skin is clearing up. I am also loving the food and cooking. Even if I didn't have ethical reasons for doing this, I wouldn't go back to eating animal products. Feeling the way I do is more than enough reason to continue being a vegan. Thanks for the support and going on this journey with me.”

This is so exciting, Amanda! My skin also got so much better after I started eating kinder foods.

I just got this update from Amanda, and things are still getting better for her:

“It has been 2 1/2 months now and things get better and better. I am still free of stomach and digestive problems and my skin is better than it was in high school before all my acne problems began. Before going vegan I thought I would have to go on Accutane again but no need now! Everyday when I wash my face and put on my makeup I am filled with such thankfulness for having the skin I have always wanted.

I also am now the family cook. My parents decided to go vegan along with me and we are always talking about how great a decision it was. The food is more delicious and filling than anything I have had before. My favorite fruit are strawberries. I had one a few weeks ago and it tasted like it was the first time to try one. It was so flavorful I told my mom I had a food orgasm! It is like a whole other world has been opened to me.  

Thank you for deciding to share your knowledge and help others. I am spreading the word about your book and the vegan lifestyle. I have one friend that has become vegan and we meet one night a week for support and to try out new recipes. Currently, I am helping my cousin switch to a vegan diet. I get so excited to see the changes in others too! Thank you again.”

This is beautiful. Nothing makes me happier. Thank you Amanda.   

This week on the website I’ll be posting lots of blogs about my favorite natural skincare products, which were inspired by this success story, and the many questions that have been posted on the site by all of you. This is going to be a fun week filled with all kinds of great products for your skin!  

If any of you other Kind Lifers have stories like Amanda’s, please post them on the site! I love reading and sharing them. Just write about your success on your profile page, in the forum, or anywhere else you want to... And then flag it as “cool”.

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Categories: health , success stories

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77 Responses

jon mccormick
Mar 23, 2010
70

There are many good substitutes for milk -like soy milk and rice milk. I actually think vanilla soy milk tastes better than regular milk also. I blend some soymilk with fruits like frozen blueberries/strawberries in a blender for my morning meal. Unopened Soymilk will also last many months unrefridgerated.
I really cut into my protein intake (like a problem liver/PKU dieter would) = Cheese and regular milk have much more protein than Soy/Rice. Even whole milk would be a better choice than skim/1%/2% = more fats/less protein in whole.
I have not seen any exceptional vegetarian cheeses. They have cheese shreds that are fair and could be melted. I was recently tempted by some fine Irish cheese.

jon mccormick
Mar 23, 2010
71

Liz, Like she says in her book. It takes the fluffy look off of you and transforms your body.
If you compare Alicia from "The Crush" (1993) to Clueless (1995) to now you can kind of see this. When you goto a vegetarian diet your skin will look better, you will slowly loose (or gain if a poor eater) weight and you will feel way better.
Try 30 days just for your skin alone. =No animal proteins for 30 days. Low glycemic foods = fruits and veggies.

Em Carson
Mar 23, 2010
72

This is awesome! What great updates. I'm really hoping my vegan transition will provide similarly wonderful results. :) Thanks for sharing this!

Judie Mickelson
Mar 24, 2010
73

I have started reading the book and am having difficulty getting through it. I have been a non-meat eater for a year and a half and have not had any problems with this lifestyle but wanted to take it further and eliminate fish and dairy. Fish will not be a problem and I want to do these changes in little steps so I don't overwhelm myself. Dairy on the other hand seems to be more difficult. I just can't seem to get myself into some sort of routine with vegan lifestyle.

Jen
Mar 25, 2010
74

Removing dairy from your diet is also beneficial to your health. Studies show a link between dairy consumption (namely the proteins in dairy) and cancer, osteoporosis and other diseases. Dairy isn't natures perfect food like we have been told for so long. It can actually be quite detrimental.

jessica armenta
Mar 25, 2010
75

i dont understand this vegan diet.how can substituting artifical powders for milk and meat and eggs and cheese be healthy if its not from the four food groups that people need to survive.if we dont eat meat we will be overpopulated an dthats not good.i dont think kids will be getting their nutrion if they eat artifical things.i dont understand it at all.