Why Nurture & Thrive Exists

My food sensitivity unravelled seemingly quickly and very suddenly in 2009.

My daughter was six months old, and out of nowhere I had a sleepless night. Then two or three in a row until it became a regular nightly reoccurrance.

From there, things got worse. More symptoms started appearing, and at the time they didn’t seem connected at all. I had visual disturbances, aches around my body, bloatedness, occasionally diarrahea, skin rashes, frequent mouth ulcers - to name a few. Now I know they were linked to inflammation, but back then it just felt like my body was falling apart.

I went to see my GP repeatedly. He didn’t really know what to diagnose me with, but instead of saying that, he said, “You have a virus.” That vague and - as it turned out - incorrect diagnosis stayed with me for five and a half years.

I remember feeling completely helpless and left alone by the medical profession. I was managing a young family, a job, and feeling awful most of the time. All the while, my symptoms were getting worse. I had wandering pains, swollen lymph glands, brain fog, and night sweats. At the time it all felt random, but I had a sense it was coming from the same place.

It wasn’t just the symptoms though that felt tough, it was not being heard and not having a proper diagnosis. It was a very unsettling time.

Eventually, a good friend of mine recommended an allergy specialist and he very quickly suspected food intolerances. My elimination diet showed that I wasn’t just reacting to one or two things. I had multiple food intolerances and was reacting everything - every food, drink, spice. There was nothing I could eat without wondering what it would do. I was treated with Low Dose Immunotherapy - a complicated, limiting and very expensive option but it gave me my sanity back. I slept again but new challenges appeared. I could only consume 40 different items across the full spectrum of food and drinks.

The planning and restrictions took their toll. Having to think ahead before a meal out, a trip, or even a normal working day in the office. Managing something that no one else around me could really see.

The allergy specialist couldn’t tell me what had caused my intolerances and he predicted I’d be living with the restrictions for the rest of my life. But I promised myself I’d find out what had caused this, and I’d heal myself.

The breakthrough came when I was listening to a podcast featuring Shann Jones, the founder of the Chuckling Goat, when it hit me. My food intolerances were caused by my microbiome no longer being in balance caused by too much sugar, gluten and dairy as well as repeat doses of antibiotics. Further research suggested that I had Leaky Gut - a condition where the one-cell thick lining of the gut was destroyed and particles would leak into the blood stream causing inflammation. With the help of a wonderful naturopath, I healed and eventually became well enough to eat almost everything.

The emotional toll and the practical challenges I’ve lived through - that’s what this space is about. No recipes, no treatment, but what it’s like to live with it.

I write from my own experience of figuring it out over time.

The tools I’ve created come from that same place.