And here is the surprise! Who wants to wait until Monday anyway?
Does the above image look familiar to you at all? For two years that was my blog. The Healthy Cookie. This blog began a few days after my doctor handed me a life sentence. Crohn’s Disease. His advice essentially was for me to go ahead and eat cheese burgers and drink milk shakes. “You are young and have to live you life. Nothing you eat will really make much of a difference.” He went on to explain that there were great medications and procedures that could help me better manage the symptoms of this socially debilitating disease.
In that moment my life was turned all sorts of upside down as I contemplated my options. I had been sick for three years and when at last was told what was wrong, I was angry that I had been ignored and brushed off by nearly 20 doctors over that period. I also had this inkling in my upset stomach that there were other options.
A few days after my Crohn’s diagnosis, I started the blog The Healthy Cookie.
I knew that I needed to get the anger out before I could even attempt to get better. That was the purpose of the blog; a means to express what had been building in me for the years I had been sick. It took me two weeks before I was ready to hit publish and when I did, the response was overwhelming. I realized that I was far from alone in my struggle and so I kept writing.
This blog documented what I went through with doctors, my 100% natural and holistic approach to healing, my time in nutrition school, touches on a relationship or two and concludes with the beginning of my own practice in nutrition.
Due to the incredibly personal content, once I opened my professional practice, I chose to remove this blog from public access. I have since gone through the content, though I didn’t edit what i wrote, I removed what no longer served the story filled in some blanks, added some insights, a few photos and put it together in an e-book form.
This is not a guide on how to get you well (that book is in the writing stages, though papers are signed with an agent and hopefully sells to a publisher this fall). The Healthy Cookie: Unbaked is the story of how I got well. More than anything, it documents my discovery of life lessons that don’t just apply to Crohn’s but that can help anyone going through any kind of challenge. As my mom put it, this experience was my PhD on life.
What I am now ready to share is a journal that documents the greatest transitional period of my life (so far). And wow oh wow am I nervous about suddenly putting all this out there. In the last couple of months however, I have received dozens of emails from people asking not for nutritional advice but wanting to know what I did and what I went through to get better. So now, on the three year anniversary of my first trip out to LA to meet Dr. Ha, the man who played the greatest role in my healing, I am ready to share this story.
The 180 page e-book will be available on Thursday starting at 7:00am (EST) for download at a special promo rate of $10.99 (CAD) and will will be available at that price for 24 hours before it goes up to $13.99.
All this week, I will be sharing excerpts from the book and of course, some of my favourite Healthy Cookie recipes.
Fewf! It’s out there now! No turning back.
So exciting Meghan!
Oh this is so incredible, I’m just thrilled for you and your ebook! It definitely sounds like a great resource.
I am so happy for you! Congratulations!!! I can’t wait to review this for you, I have enjoyed living through your journey.
Can’t wait for the book!! AHH, I really can NOT wait!!!! 
:)
Congrats, Meghan! It’s an amazing journey and I know it will help so many people out there.
You were right I am thrilled that you decided to let all of us enjoy your journey. I have been wishing for a long time that there was a book like this that I could read for inspiration when times get tough. Thank you thank you thank you!! You are constantly an inspiration to me!
First of all, thank you for not waiting till Monday
Secondly, what a fantastic way to help others. I am always inspired and in awe of those who share their personal experiences to help others.
Looking forward to it!!
Wow! Ladies, thank you so much for your encouragement. You have no idea how nervous I am to be sharing this. I know it was once online but for some reason, seems different now.
YAY!! That is awesome!! I would love to buy the book but I’ll be on vacation next week (we’re leaving early tomorrow morning)
I loved your Lunar cycle tutorial!
This is an inspirational story of how a young person took a bad situation and made the best of it, changing her life and the lives of others in the process. I’m really proud of you.
This may sound corny but your blog and your wisdom helped give me the courage to change not only my lifestyle but also my career. You reminded me that I am the best person to determine what I want my life to be and that just listening to myself was the best course of action in all things. I rarely put my faith in experts, doctors, or the court of public opinion any longer. I am my own best expert in what makes me healthy, happy, and fulfilled. Looking forward to reading your book!
Meghan – so thrilled that you are sharing your story with everyone xo
Maybe your story will help the 19 year old daughter of a friend of mine. Although not diagnosed with Crohns, she has been told she is gluten intolerant (luckily not Coeliac). This girl is still in the anger stage and has been for a year now. She knows she has this problem but will not accept help. No one can get through to her, so she causes herself untold suffering by either continuing to eat things she knows she shouldn’t, or refusing to eat anything. For the last part I am suspicious that she is subconsciously punishing her mother, who is also gluten intolerant. “If I can’t eat what I want then I won’t eat at all.”
While I empathise with her, after a year of knowingly perpetuating her ill-health, I can’t help but feel the time has come for a kick in the pants and for her to start taking ownership of her life.
I am hoping that your journey will help her.
Thanks for sharing. I have forwarded your post to people who I think would be appreciate the content of your book.
Meghan, I can’t wait to read your book. I echo everything else everyone has posted so far. You certainly have developed an avid community it sees, so fear not, we are all eagerly awaiting your e-book! You are a constant inspiration.
Although I am still battling a bevy of health issues, you provide me with a real sense of hope. You also reinforce the empowerment I feel by choosing the foods that will help me fight back against disease.
There are no proper words (except perhaps, ineffable?) to describe the surge of hope that one feels when one decides to take an active role in one’s health.
Thank you again for standing strong and sharing your story with us all!
From the time I started reading ‘The Healthy Cookie’ I knew a book was in the making… congratulations on getting this one on the way, and get working on the next one! (that is when the kitchen is done!) Your Grandpa would be every so proud of you!!!!!!! (he was a writer as well.. a well known journalist!)
Mazal tov on the book and your wonderful healing directions!
Congrats! Looks very slick and profesh… will get it as soon as I wake up on Thursday (which will probably be around 9, if I’m really energetic). Haha.
I love to read people’s stories of healing, and yours will be no exception
Have a super fantastic day!!
I went through an almost identical experience (with the exception of school… I was 12). It was a holistic/naturopathic chiropractor that saved my life and brought into my life a love of healthy, holistic and natural living! Since then, I turn to sources like yours for everything. Thank you for sharing your story, it’s good to know we’re not alone!!
Meghan,
I can’t wait to read your book, congrats! I was diagnosed with Crohn’s in 2006 after 10 years of misdiagnosis and understand where you are coming from. I too use a holistic approach and healthy diet to assist in my well being. I find your blog very inspirational and look forward to learning more from you. Thank you for all that you are doing!