Our Stories

Julie’s Journey

Who Knew? – that because of a herniated disk I would be motivated to change my diet & lifestyle radically to eat completely alkaline and some how convince my sister to join me in this journey. Eeeek-she had no idea what she was in for and nor did I. After 18 months of on and off terrible sciatica pain and despair from a lack of relief no matter what external treatment I tried, having exhausted almost every option I could from, chiro, physio, acupuncture, aqua therapy, osteopath, surgery, cortisone shots, on-line exercise programs and some serious medications for pain, I finally realized that I needed to heal from the “inside out – NOT the outside in”. This realization arrived in the way of a CT scan that I had to practically beg for. It showed my disc as unchanged from the 1st CT scan 18 mos prior with a 13 mm bulge- this is a huge bulging disc! Regardless of all the therapies, my body had not gone into action to begin repairing the bulge- it was incapable of improving the health of my disc because my inner terrain was obviously very unhealthy.

With a reference from a friend to a local alkaline lifestyle facilitator I was lead on a journey that began with a 3 day juice cleanse- really a “feast for your body”. Upon the realization of the radical shift I would have to make to my diet I felt desperate for camaraderie to be sure I would stay on track and have a support person- who better than my sister- who willingly embarked on this journey with me that neither of us knew would be so profound.

15 months ago we began. Initially we ate 100% alkaline leading to where we are currently eating 80% alkaline foods & 20% Acidic foods.  The results have been astonishing and the education has been life changing. I am no longer in any pain with my disc and have been pain free for 12 months now as I have eliminated all the inflammation surrounding my disc that was caused by an overly acidic body and I also stopped taking every medication I was on for pain. I lost 30 lbs that I couldn’t shake with various other fad diets which also helped relieve pressure from my disk. My energy soared & my overall well being improved ten fold leaving me free of colds & flus. My sister has lost almost 50 lbs and is on a journey to return to her pre-pregnancy figure and is almost there. She has also experienced a complete shift in her well being.

Who Knew? We began with very little idea of what we were committing to and it has completely changed our lives and we can’t help but want to shout it out all over the world. So here we are with our new blog site, sharing what we have both become incredibly passionate about. It has brought us closer together and we have the comfort of knowing that we understand each other and we both crave and want to cook the most healthy food possible for our bodies and our families. So here’s to The Alkaline Sisters .com and to inspiring you and many others to choose a healthy alkaline lifestyle that will change your life. Our goal with our blog is to share our continuing experiences, the process, ideas, recipes, products, courses and resources. We look forward to your participation, feed back and success.

Yvonne’s Journey

My name is Yvonne and my story is very different from my sisters. I grew up being more or less average height and weight. Of course compared to my sister, who was always very petite and small boned, I was the bigger sister (not older though). When I was in high school, and through my twenties, I maintained my weight around 125 – 135. I am 5’6” so this was just right for me.

As I got older, and had children, the pounds started to creep on. I began to yoyo diet. I have tried everything from Herbal Magic, Sure slim, Weight Watchers, drugstore diet pills, Isagenics, Slim fast shakes, boot camps, plus tried many others via books like the GI-Diet, Suzanne Summers Diet, etc. you name it, I have done it. I did have overall success from Weight Watchers, and Sure slim as they had basic meal plans I could easily follow for the most part, plus regular weigh ins and I did lose about 30 pounds – which took months of total dedication as I was only losing 1-2 pounds a week. But before long, I would get comfortable again, and go back to my “old eating habits” gaining all the weight I lost plus more, and then I would have to diet all over again. I was a great procrastinator and had a real hard time starting a diet, as I knew my commitment level was all or nothing and hated the thought of depriving myself of all those yummy fattening foods and drinks. This propelled the problem of my weight gain as I would eat the things I knew I wouldn’t be able to eat when on a diet.

I was 197 pounds again, and stuck. (I figured as long as I was under 200 that was OK) I was at a comfort level with my weight and although I wanted to be slimmer, I guess I didn’t really want to change anything I was doing so avoided thinking about it. I hated having my picture taken as I would have to face the fact that was actually me, and I was fat.

My children and husband bought me a WII fit for my Birthday in June of 08. I had gone to Jamaica with my husband in May, and after looking at photos, I realizing how big I looked. I thought it was a good idea to start to exercise. I am not too big on exercise. I hate to sweat. When I got on the WII, I had to create an profile of myself. My little WII that started off looking slim ballooned out and said, “You are obese!” I never considered myself obese. I was 215 pounds! I was the fattest I had ever been. You can imagine that it took a while before I faced that fat WII character again.

I went through the summer knowing I had to do something, but what? I was not very motivated. I was actually going through some depression as the economy was turning and my business was in the financial industry and things were slowing down and money was tough.

My sister was suffering from a very very bad back. She could not stand or sit for more than 5 minutes and spent most of her day lying on the floor. She had been in this terrible condition for over a year, and had gone to great length to do everything in her power to fix it to no avail.

It was September and she told me about these two sisters that she had begun to see. They tested her blood, took hair samples, and began to advise her on how she could heal her body from the inside out. The process started with a cleanse and some kind of a new diet. Our families had dinner on the Labor day long weekend, and she kept saying that this was the last binge before she started this new way of doing things. I never thought anything of it, as it was her doing it not me.

Well, the following week, she asked if I could help her do all this juicing as she was starting this detox. She said it was only for three days, and I should do it with her if I am going to help her. I love my sister, so I was happy to help her, and thought it couldn’t hurt. I had done cleanses before, and understood how good they were for you, and it was only three days. I had no intention of starting any kind of diet, nor had I even given it any thought. I went to my sisters every day first thing after taking my children to school, and juiced a feast with her daily, for three days. It was a bit of an event when I look back. I was there until mid afternoon juicing and home in time for my children after school. I made sure I took home enough juice to last me till the next morning when I would go back and help her more. It was definitely a detoxifying cleanse.

At the end of the third day, my sister told me that the next part of her program was 3 months long and would I support her and stay on it with her. I thought it was going to only be for three days! 3 months? The juicing was over, and now stage two. Hmmm…. I had just endured the hardest part she said, and she reminded me in a very supportive kind way, that I would probably lose some more weight as I had already lost some, so it couldn’t hurt. I thought, well, by Christmas it would be over and I could manage till then if it would help her. I liked my wine on the weekend and I had to give that up, but thought heck, I can do that for 3 months… I did it for much longer when I was pregnant and nursing. I agreed to do it and support her.

I had no idea of the journey I was about to embark on. Ok, no Alcohol, no meat – oh my, and then no dairy…plus eating raw… hmm this wasn’t the kind of diet I was thinking of. However, it was not a diet. It was an understanding of a different way of eating that feeds your body and gives you energy and restores your health. After I had been on the “Diet” for two weeks, we went to see Tony Robins in Vancouver. I was surprised and fascinated by his one day of health and that cemented in the facts that I was on the right track and doing the right thing. It just made so much sense to me after that weekend.

I followed it religiously, and lost 30 pounds by Christmas. I had become educated on what food does to you and that completely changed my ideas about food, not wanting to eat the old way anymore. Yes, I had some spirits at Christmas, but I never went “OFF” my diet… as I wasn’t on a diet. I had adapted a new conditioning around food and have easily managed to continue on the journey, loosing another 10 + pounds and I feel great. My little WII Character says I am over weight now instead of obese and I understand food and how my body deals with it verse counting calories and portion sizes. I learned it’s ok to zig and zag a little as long as you keep a balance and it works.

I would still love to get down to the weight I was when I got married, at 130 pounds, but this was never about weight loss. That has been a big benefit of course, and I am very glad. The bigger benefits are I feel energized and healthy. I haven’t been sick since I started, although the normal colds and flus have run through my family, I have not been affected.

I have an excellent understanding of the alkaline lifestyle and am doing what I can to implement it into my families diet as well. More importantly, my sister’s health has been a true inspiration. She is almost 100% now, and although she cautiously goes about things, she is virtually pain free and able to function normally. I am a true believer that a PH balanced body can mend itself from the inside out, and she is testament to that. I can go through life knowing that I will not die of cancer, nor any other disease. I have the cure inside of me, as the saying goes, “You are what you eat!” couldn’t be more true!

In our journey, we have developed a passion to share our knowledge with others that maybe discovering this new way themselves in hope that we can give back and add value to your life and your health!

Print

{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }

Lisa March 5, 2010 at 3:00 pm

Hi – Ive just started trying to do the alkaline way of eating. Its been 3 weeks of cold turkey from a 30 year eating disorder (bulimia) and two full weeks if not longer of trying to eat alkaline. Im very acid according to my ph in my urine. I have been doing green powders 3 – 4 times a day along with eating all veggies and staying away from acid foods. Although, I have been eating some oatmeal in the mornings. (the only thing I have gone back too) This morning I through some green powder in along with my cinnamon and few rasians. (ha ha this made me feel better about eating it). Ive actually dropped 5 pounds (which I dont want to do) but my pants are tight and I feel bloated and such. Im sure its a combination of having food in my stomach all the time and not getting rid of it, and having things that are hard to digest. Im trying to combine the rights foods in eating so it digests better. I feel like I need some help – not sure where to turn. My doctors are not much help here – they would rather give me a pill for everything. To do the alkaline diets everything is sign up and pay – and Im a little unique as I mentioned I have had bulimia for too many years. Are you up to helping me? Im trying not to be in too big of a hurry to “fix” my body… I have taken 45 years to get to this awful state. Im actually in good health (Im a runner) but my hair has been falling out for the past 7 months very bad. Im wearing a wig. Im hoping some day that my hair will stop and come back – but Im not sure. Anyway – whether my hair comes back or not Im committed to getting healthy. I feel like the Lord has directed me to your site – hope you can help me. Thanks for your time

Lisa

Julie March 5, 2010 at 5:19 pm

Lisa
I am thrilled you found our site. I am so passionate about the alkaline lifestyle because it worked for me and has healed so many! I would love to support you and at this time I don’t have any programs- maybe one day! I would love to keep in touch and answer your questions and share what really seems to work for people. You are doing all the right things. The hair will stop falling but it’s the normal response of the body to shed the old toxic parts and start fresh. You won’t lose all your hair and you won’t get too thin and it will grow back better than before. Just be sure you get your protein from lots of broccoli and lots of raw veggies (I eat some wild fish for protein but that’s it) and hemp seeds, hemp milk in smoothies if you don’t like the taste. Your body weight will go where it is normal and healthy for your body. I recommend switching to spelt flakes which is very similar to oatmeal but it isn’t a stored grain so less chance of molds and it is less acidic. I posted a recipe on the site you can peek here http://www.alkalinesisters.com/whats-for-breakfast/238/ at if you didn’t see it yet. I highly recommend supplementing with vitamins and minerals and I use all DR. Youngs products on the Inner light site right here http://www.balance-ph-diet.com/alkaline_nutritional_supplement.html. The best ones are the liquid ones that go straight to your blood but I take both. If you need help here let me know. I also take the phor salts which are a forever product for me with minerals that most of us are really depleted in so it’s a daily thing like the green powder –for ever!! Happy to help!! Julie

Anna March 17, 2010 at 6:57 am

Julie and Yvonne, what an inspirational story! I am so happy for the both of you and I do believe that your health starts from the inside out. You have inspired me both to look at my diet. I will look at the rest of your site to see what else I can learn.

Jo-Ann April 5, 2010 at 7:26 pm

Great site! Your photographs and recipes are very inspiring. Thanks for sharing both your story and all this great information.

Julie April 5, 2010 at 8:24 pm

Glad we inspired you Joann. Stay tuned for lots more yummy recipes to come! Thanx for your comment.

Bronwyn April 30, 2010 at 11:17 am

Yvonne I can so relate to your story. We are the same height and weighed the same through out our 20’s. I actually only weighed 115 lbs. when I graduated from high school. I am older however, 58, and climbed the scales to 218 (my all time depressing high). Presently I am hovering around 206 and seem unable to budge from that. I have been researching the web for information however, on more than just losing weight. In Sept. I was diagnosed with osteoporosis in my spine and my hips. I was so overwhelmed and devastated. It seemed that it was such a frightening diagnosis and devastating for the future. I also was so mad at myself for my years of binge eating on sugar especially chocolate. I have been reading about the importance of an alkaline diet for your bones. I so wish you two had put together a plan of exactly what you ate and were in a position to publish and sell that info. I do have Youngs book and I guess I need to just sit down and start to work on it. The mention of drinking clay and water didn’t excite me too much however………..I thought your plan may be more feasible. If you have any information that could be photocopied and sold I would for sure buy it…….menu plans and so forth. I am sure I am A.D.D………I have such a hard time getting started on things and feel overwhelmed by it all. I could use info to just walk me through…….where to start, what to do and so forth. You may even have this on your web site and I may not have found it yet.

danielle June 21, 2010 at 3:27 pm

So glad to find your website. about 1 1/2 years ago I broke my leg walking the dog and never followed up with blood work and a bone density test. Now that I am in my early 40’s, my husband begged me to follow up. My vitamin D level was 9, very, very low. I researched and came across the book The Acid Alkaline Food Guide by Dr. Susan E. Brown and began to change my diet. I still have a long ways to go but plan on making this a way of life. I feel so much better all ready. My 17 year old son who became a vegan macrobiotic about 2 years ago and I didn’t understand it-now it all makes sense. Danielle

Julie June 21, 2010 at 9:52 pm

Danielle, Welcome to our world of Alkaline Living. I hope we can continue to inspire you with recipes and information to make your journey even more successful. Thank you for your comments and we hope to see you here often. Please hollar with any questions you may have and we will do our best to answer them. A friend improved her seriously low bone density score by over 50%- it’s totally do-able. If you don’t have a vibration machine to stand on you must get one- it’s the key to rebuilding bone density along with an alkaline diet of course. Using it 2x’s daily for 10 minutes each time is all it takes. The one I have was only $500 cad vs the commercial ones that are in the thousands. Let me know if you need more info. All the best in your journey.

Bronwyn June 22, 2010 at 10:51 am

Julie I am really interested in your vibration machine. I had totally given up on the idea of getting one when I saw the price in the $1000’s of dollars. Where did you find one for $500. I am also Canadian and so I hope you found one in Canada. Do you feel the lower priced one is of similar benefit. I have considered a mini tramp but I am concerned about that because of the osteoporosis in my spine and hips. I also have osteopenia in the other areas and as a result have an ankle full of plates and screws……..I also have a bad knee and just simply didn’t know if the mini tramp would be good because of my physical problems.

Danielle I have just ordered Dr. Susan Browns bone program. They are unable to mail to Canada so I have had it sent to my cousin in the States and she will then mail it to me. Do you use her supplements?

Julie June 24, 2010 at 11:34 pm

Bronwyn this is the link for the whole body vibration machine and it has come down in price. This company is based in Vancouver and ships to your door. http://www.ycyhealth.com/products/WholeBodyVibration/PFM002.asp
A friend of mine found great relief for her arthritic ankle with this vibration therapy. I take Dr.Youngs supplements as I believe in his products and have found them to be very beneficial and easily absorbed especially the colloidal supplement drops. Let me know how you make out.

Kim July 15, 2010 at 11:34 am

Hi Ladies! Thank you so much for your inspiring site. I’m a performer who depends on her voice and can’t afford colds and flu because then I can’t work! Whenever I was exposed to a cold, I began eating in an alkaline balanced way to get rid of it faster. After success eating this way in a temporary manner, I began to look at it more seriously as a way of life. The rest of my story is similar to Yvonne’s and I’m happy to say after my first month of alkaline balanced eating, I’ve dropped 6 pounds (many more to go, but that’s not the point). Better than that I’m feeling great. I’m turning 50 in 2 weeks and I have more energy than I’ve had in 5, maybe 10 years! I’m motivated to exercise more because I feel good about what I’m eating. I’m hoping I’ll go through the next few years with no colds or flu instead of worrying about warding them off. Thanks!

Julie July 15, 2010 at 2:05 pm

Big congrats to you! that’s amazing, we love these kinds of stories!! Have you tried a juice feast? If not see our post here for details http://www.alkalinesisters.com/juicing-and-the-feast/552/
You feel quite amazing and very clean after this! Keep up the good work Kim:)

Leave a Comment

Get Adobe Flash playerPlugin by wpburn.com wordpress themes
Disclaimer: The content on this site is not written with intentions to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatments. Our content is for information purposes only and should not be used to diagnose or treat health issues of any sort. Our information and statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Copyright Julie Cove and Yvonne Becker, 2009-2010. Please do not use or copy any information, recipes or photos without permission or without noting its origins on your blog or website.