fibromyalgia – Page 5 – Real Food Rebel

Healing Mental Illness Naturally

March 29, 2016 Brenda Cosentino

By eighth grade, I was battling depression and not wanting to leave the house. I approached my mother, but her response was that I had “nothing to be depressed about.” I learned from that day forward to keep such issues to myself. I remember feeling very lost, alone, sad, … [Read more...]

Lyme Disease – Remission or Cure

February 13, 2016 Brenda Cosentino

This is a question that I have been asked many times. In the early months of recovery I automatically responded that I was in remission. The Lyme doctors seemed to think that remission was the best that we could hope for. The word "cure" has become a dirty little four letter word … [Read more...]

10 Benefits of Exercise for Chronic Illness

January 1, 2016 Brenda Cosentino

I know, I know! Most of you are thinking, how the heck am I supposed to think about exercise when I can't even get out of bed? I get it! I too was often bedbound and housebound over my 20 years with Lyme disease and other co-infections. But the truth is, you have got to get … [Read more...]

My Faith Journey with Chronic Illness.

December 26, 2015 Brenda Cosentino

I have lost my faith at least 100 times but have found it at least 101 times. My faith journey has been so varied, painful, disappointing, difficult, amazing and incredible. We have a saying in our recovery group. "Religion is for those that are afraid of going to … [Read more...]

10 Reasons You Can’t get Rid of Lyme Disease, Parasites, Candida and other Co-infections

December 13, 2015 Brenda Cosentino

I began researching and visiting Lyme forums after being finally diagnosed with Lyme Disease in 2012. As I read others' stories, I began to recognize that the often-promoted kill, kill, kill approach was not working. Many were taking antibiotics, strong essential oils, … [Read more...]

The Long Road Back! How I overcame 20 years of Chronic Illness Naturally!

By 2007, my health had reached an all-time low. I was given a chronic fatigue/fibromyalgia diagnosis. I was on heavy psychiatric medications for bipolar disorder, major anxiety, chronic migraines and post-traumatic stress disorder. Most days I relied on painkillers for my increasing levels of pain. By this time I had been sick for over fourteen […]

18 Months of Lyme Disease Recovery/Remission

I still have days where I can’t believe I am Lyme Disease free. I just returned from a one week backpacking trip to Palenque and San Cristobal de Las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico. I climbed every single one of the ruins pictured above. It was a full 9 hour day of ruins, rivers, jungle treks, swimming […]

8 Years of Complete Lyme, CFS and Fibromyalgia Remission

I am happy to report another year of complete remission from all things Lyme and Co-infections since November, 2014. I keep getting older (60) but seem to improve more and more with each passing year. This is a miracle considering I was chronically ill for 20 years and physically disabled for over 10 years. You […]

6 Years of Complete Lyme, CFS and Fibromyalgia Remission

What a miracle to have had 6 years of great health after being chronically ill for over 20 years. It is possible to heal yourself by changing your diet, fixing your microbiome, detoxifying and making lifestyle changes. You can read about everything that I have done in this article to completely recover my health. A […]

Super Healthy Green Smoothie

This was the game-changer for me while fighting Lyme and Co-Infections, CFS/Fibro and 20 years of chronic illness. My hair tissue analysis revealed several minerals that were very low despite eating a conventional Paleo diet for the first few years. This is the most nutrient-dense breakfast that I have found so far. It is packed […]

Lyme Disease and Parasites Love Sugar

Sugar was my drug of choice long after I quit drinking alcohol. Well….that and caffeine, but we’ll leave that for another time. My favorite dessert has always been a chocolate brownie with lots of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream and strawberries. I mean, who can top that? Back in the day, I wouldn’t pass up […]

Nutrient Deficiencies and Chronic Infections

Nutritional deficiencies and chronic infections go hand-in-hand. Each perpetuates the other in a never-ending vicious cycle. After many years, I discovered that both need to be addressed simultaneously in order for the recovery of health. The image below is my first hair test, from December 8th, 2011. Prior to this test I had been sick […]

Parasites- A Serious Co-infection of Lyme Disease

Let’s face it. No one wants to consider the fact that they might have worms. It is not only repulsive, but we live in a society that tells us this cannot be a problem here in North America. With today’s sanitation and standard of living, we are never taught about routine parasite cleansing. Years ago, […]

Success with Buhner’s Protocol for Lyme Disease

In May 2014 I picked out my coffin and was planning my funeral. I had been sick for almost 20 years and was also battling a serious kidney infection on top of the Lyme disease and co-infections. I was given a chronic fatigue/fibro diagnosis many years prior to this. After I was finally diagnosed with […]

The Life of a Lyme Sufferer

I lost the ability to work in 2004 and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. This was one of the lowest and darkest times of my life. I lost my career, country dream home and most of my hope. Worst of all I lost countless precious years with my children. I was having so many health […]

Beet Kvass – Liver Cleanser and Blood Tonic

Every culture around the world has their own fermented foods that they regularly consumed for good health. My ancestors from Ukraine understood the many restorative properties of beet kvass. This Lacto-fermented, probiotic-rich tonic is made from beets. This is one of my probiotic staples that I don’t like to be without. This is one of […]

Success with Wahls Paleo Diet for Lyme Disease

The Wahls Paleo Diet is the diet that turned me around in less than a year. This eating plan has kept me in complete remission from Lyme Disease and co-infections since November 2014. I also treated the Lyme Disease with Stephen Buhner’s Herbal Protocol and had completed an extensive parasite cleanse. My parasite recipe can […]