Hi there! I’m Ana, a long-time psoriasis sufferer, plant-eater, & animal lover.
ABOUT ME
Hello! I’m Ana, a Chicago-based Certified Holistic Nutritionist, coffee lover, & dog mom to a 7 year old husky, Lobo. I’m on a mission to help normalize psoriasis and simplify plant-based eating.
My Psoriasis Story
For the past twelve years, I’ve suffered from psoriasis. At its worst, it covered 95% of my body. I spent years in and out of doctor offices, trying various ointments, creams, lotions, sprays, but ultimately just continued with pure discomfort in my own skin. I always felt that my psoriasis wasn’t being taken seriously. It was seen & put off as yet another skin issue when in reality it was beyond skin deep. It affected my mental wellbeing, I spent years feeling ashamed, embarrassed, anxious & alone. I was angry & frustrated that my own body had turned against me.
It wasn’t until I turned 20, almost 7 years into my psoriasis journey, that I decided to take measures into my own hands. Psoriasis went from being a burden to become my passion, I wanted to learn all about it, I wanted to understand it to regain control of my life. I had come to terms with having to live with it. However, I wasn’t going to deal with the discomfort day in and day out.
This is where plant-based eating comes into play!
My Plant-Based Journey
I was introduced to plant-based eating and veganism during college. At the time, the thought of never eating meat again was just unimaginable & unheard of to me! My family’s diet revolved around meat, it was the star of every meal. My parents had their doubts, they thought veganism was unhealthy & I was out of my mind. I didn’t let that discourage me. I was intrigued by its claims of health. My psoriasis was pretty bad at the time so I figured I had nothing to lose.
A couple of weeks into this new dietary lifestyle, I was shocked to realize how ill-informed I had been this whole time. I never realized just how fatigued I was on a daily basis. It only took a couple of weeks for me to notice significant improvements. I felt more energized both physically and mentally. I kept at it & a few months in I started seeing some improvement in my psoriasis. The many plaques that covered my body started to slowly fade away. For the first time in years, I felt comfortable in my own skin, I felt happy, & powerful. I fell in love with food, with the idea that I could fuel & heal my body from the inside out with wholesome, plant-based foods. It’s truly been the best decision I’ve ever made.
Animal Compassion
When I decided I was going to fully embrace this new vegan lifestyle, I wanted to do it the healthy way. I wanted to make sure I was nourishing my body in a safe and healthy manner. It wasn’t long into my research when I came across the ethical side of veganism. Why it never dawned on me the suffering & cruelty animals endured is beyond me. I was well aware meat came from chickens, cows, pigs, but I pictured them on grassy fields, running around freely. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined the torture they go through. I saw horrendous things that just encouraged me to stay on this plant-based path & I haven’t looked back since.
What You’ll Find on Healing Plant Life
I’ll be sharing things I’ve learned along the way. Some tips and tricks I wish I would’ve known from the beginning. You’ll find plenty of delicious vegan food recommendations, plant-based nutrition, products & strategies I use to calm my psoriasis.
More than anything, I want this to be a safe space. I want to be able to help & support you along the way. I know firsthand how intimidating, vulnerable, lonely, and overwhelming it can be. So don’t be discouraged, I’m here for you in hopes of making your journey much easier.
I’m so happy you’re here,
-Ana ♥