Just because you don't eat meat or dairy doesn't mean that you're healthy. Chef AJ can relate.   She said, "For 26 years, I was the quintessential fat vegan.  It wasn't until I had a health scare.... that I realized I had to do something."  She is a self-proclaimed recovering food addict and a classically trained chef, author, and speaker. As an unhealthy vegan for most of her life, she jokes that "skittles was a fruit" and "cakes and candies" were a food group. 

When she discovered she had pre-cancerous polyps in her colon at age 43, things started to trained.  Refusing to undergo surgery due to a fear of anesthesia, she found the Optimum Health Institute in Southern California where diet and lifestyle were used to help people with diseases.  Six months later, the polyps were gone  she went a little deeper into nutrition and started eating a plant-exclusive diet and eliminated ALL processed foods for good.

After she became aware of her addiction to certain foods, she stopped eating oils, sugars, and added fats.  She has a facebook page, a YouTube Channel, and 2 books to guide people on how to overcome food addiction and how to maintain a healthy weight.  She also speaks around the country - that's how we met!  Chef AJ also says that not everyone has a food addiction problem (her husband does not), and that people can have varying levels of sensitivity.  

Check out her Ultimate Weight Loss Program!  

 

Listen Now Topics Discussed in the Podcast 

• Chef AJ's story
• What is food addiction
• What is classified as a processed food
• Oils + Sugar Addiction
• Refined carbs: sugar, flour, alcohol
• Secrets to Ultimate Weight Loss
• Her freshly coined term: cyclorexia

Links

• Chef AJ's website
• Chef AJ's YouTube channel
• Her book: Unprocessed
• True North Health Center
• Calorie Density Chart
• Chef AJ's Facebook Page

Support the Show

If you like my show, I’m aiming to make it an ad-free zone using crowdfunding to support it.  All donations will go directly to the production of the show. I’m raising money using Patreon.   A lot of podcasts sell ads to cover the production costs of the show, which can be quite high. I am not a fan of ads when I listen to podcasts so my goal is make this podcast an ad-free zone. The currently production of this free show is primarily supported out of my own pocket and a small portion is covered through the donations on Patreon. With my Patreon page, you can donate directly to the show which will help me cover the costs each week. If you find value and enjoy this show, you can donate any amount 200 dollars per month to as little as one dollar per episode (which is only 4 dollars a month!) I really appreciate your support!

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The Grow the Good Podcast is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.