My Mimi (grandmother) had a book that sat on her coffee table: Food: Your Miracle Medicine. Growing up, she taught me that what we eat will eventually find its way into how we live and grow. And, as always, she was right. I grew up in Claremont, CA; a little college town nestled in Southern California. The lifestyle promoted constant physical movement and whole food-based diets. My mom made time to make sure my dad and I ate fresh fruit, veggies, and meats, probiotic dairy, and aloe vera juice daily. I thought everyone ate like this. But, hanging out with many of my friends, I learned that this was not the case. Sleepovers at friends’ houses included opportunities to eat sugar based cereals, American cheese and deli meat sandwiches on white bread, and fried foods. And while I loved spending time with my friends, my stomach didn’t love that food.

I didn’t know why at the time, but