Daily Inspiration: Meet Stephanie Bosch

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Bosch.

Hi Stephanie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
When I was in my early 40s, I began to have health problems. My reflux had gotten so bad, most nights I slept in my husband’s recliner just to get to sleep. I was taking two Prilosec a day and it was only getting worse. I had developed what they called Acid Rebound, a vicious cycle between the acid blocker and the body (whose natural response to no acid, is to produce more acid).

I suffered from a post-nasal drip cough and multiple bouts of sinusitis. I was often up for hours in the middle of the night (every night) drinking water just to clear my throat, leaving me tired and lethargic during the day. That first year after the baby was born, my doctor had prescribed me antibiotics four times. The horrible joint pain I had in both knees actually led me to have a medical procedure called PRP. The pain in my hands had become so bad I could scarcely bend my fingers without recoiling in agony.

My doctor told me that I likely had either Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) or Lupus. My menstrual cycles were a crime scene. In fact, I was afraid to leave the house the first day because of such extreme bleeding. I soon developed a severe iron deficiency. My nails were cracked and brittle, my hair had stopped growing, and I could hardly catch my breath when walking up the stairs. I was miserable and had become a shadow of the person I once was.

Then one day while at my chiropractor’s office, I began coughing. I apologized and explained to the doctor that I was constantly stuffed up and the drainage was worse when I was on my back. He asked me if I had ever been tested for a dairy allergy and encouraged me to meet with his wife a fellow chiropractor and nutritionist. On my way out, I scheduled an appointment with her to have my blood drawn for a comprehensive food allergy test. Little did I know how much that brief conversation would completely change my life.

I met with a nutritionist she spent an hour going over my IgG blood test. Dairy and eggs were definitely the biggest culprits of inflammation. Frankly, I was dizzy when I left, but I headed straight to Whole Foods. Within eleven days, I had lost nine pounds and my energy levels soared. I learned that this was likely the amount of inflammation I was carrying around in my body tissue. Within six months, I was down 24 pounds, and my joint pain and reflux were gone. People told me that I was glowing!

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I became fully plant-based after this. Being a vegan in Missouri is not easy! We are known for our BBQ and people look at you like you two heads when you say you don’t eat meat or anything that comes from another animal.

When I became a vegan almost six years ago the plant-based world was still quite small. I would have to go to places like Whole Foods or International markets. Most other nations around the world are quite comfortable cutting out meat. It’s easy to go to an Indian grocery or an Asian grocery and find options. It has gotten MUCH, MUCH, easier as time has gone on and the plant-based world has exploded.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As a foodie who was able to eat 100% plant-based and still truly enjoy my food I wanted to share that with the world I have a culinary background so I decided to obtain professional training and worked under teacher and chef Chad Sarno. He is a great guy and is continuing to do really good things in the plant-based world!

I also worked for a couple of years at the Kitchen Conservatory in Clayton teaching plant-based classes. I am most proud of the fact that I do not have to rely on medications to feel good. I avoided a lifetime of popping pills and putting bandaids on things that needed to be addressed through diet. My food is the only prescription I need!

I think what sets me apart from others is my holistic approach to health. I have expanded myself beyond just me and my family and have moved into helping the community. In fact, I just taught a cooking class through a city program in north St. Louis called Fit Food Connection. We made roasted veggie soup! The garden is in a somewhat forgotten corner of our beautiful city. There is so much revitalization in the neighborhood, though! It’s exciting to watch and be a small part of regaining some things that have been lost.

I think the true health of a community is the health of its residents. If there are no good farmers’ markets or grocery stores, there is usually no good healthy food. They call these areas (often found in rural areas, as well) food deserts. Once you cross over Delmar Blvd. their only food options are unhealthy fatty fast-food restaurants or convenience stores with pre-packaged “Franken-foods.”

When I found out that Fit Food Connection had a community garden and was trying to get fresh produce to their neighbors, it got me really excited. Helping those who need it most feels like I’m doing “real” work it’s truly being in the trenches with those who need it most. It’s a perfect fit for me.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My best piece of advice is to think “evolution” not “revolution.” Don’t try to change everything all at once. Find a few good alternatives to things like dairy. There are some really fantastic options out there! If you haven’t tried an Impossible Whopper, put it on your to-do list!

Also, be open to change. It doesn’t happen overnight. Get a good vegan cookbook. There are many! Minimalist Baker has an Everyday Cookbook with fantastic recipes that are either ready in 30 minutes, one pan ready, or 10 ingredients or less. Some recipes are all three!

Know and understand why you’re making these changes. Watch a good documentary-like “Fork over Knives.” A plant-based diet is the only lifestyle that does not cause disease. In many cases, it can even halt or reverse some diseases like diabetes. But know there is a difference between vegan and plant-based.

Vegans only skip animal products, but Oreo’s are vegan. A plant-based diet is free of processed foods. If it’s a plant eat it. If it’s made in a plant, don’t eat it! Plant-based eaters are also oil-free and primarily salt-free.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.avegangourmet.com
• Instagram: @chefsteph_stl
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chefstephstl