Hi and Welcome!
Monica here. A diagnosis of Crohn’s disease in 2015 ignited a passion to figure out the root cause of my illness.
I was aware that my poorly managed stress levels were likely a major, if not the, reason for my gut dysbiosis. However the results of my colonoscopy left me both shocked and devastated. Upon receiving the news I read all the literature on how to heal myself and complied with things like meditation, supplements/pharmaceutical medication, sleep/rest, yoga, and strict elimination diets. Fortunately my body has healed over time; unfortunately I’ve had two flares since the beginning of my health crisis. Suffice to say, I haven’t cracked the code yet. I’m also still adhering to many of the things listed above to this day.
The elimination diet journey was originally what sparked my intention behind Manifest2Heal. In 2021 I was following one called the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) and started to create my own recipes based off of those parameters. I had friends visit me that year who witnessed the commitment this diet required, my passion for innovating new recipes, and encouraged me to post my concoctions to the world. I had already wanted to give back to the autoimmune community and this seemed like a perfect way to do that.
I graduated from the AIP diet in 2022 and found that when I’m in remission I can consume practically anything in moderation. This celebratory discovery left me somewhat lost as to how I wanted to proceed with Manifest2Heal since I was no longer restricted. Knowing I feel best when I cook at home with nourishing ingredients, I decided to start sharing recipes prioritizing whole foods to reflect my preferred way of eating while my disease is under control. I hope they bring joy to your gut as well.
Now onto my interest in 🍄🍄🍄 ~
I am self-diagnosed as having OCD, suffer from anxiety, and was curious about the medicinal benefits of mushrooms during my autoimmune healing journey in 2021. I’d never taken pharmaceuticals to treat my mental health but was aware of the way my mind could wreck havoc on my body (hello, Crohn’s!) and had used plant medicine like cannabis to relieve symptoms for many years prior to my original diagnosis.
In 2022 Colorado voters passed Prop 122: The Natural Medicine Health Act which decriminalized the personal use, sharing, cultivation and possession for people 21 years or older of 5 psychedelic plants and fungi. Included in the list were psilocybin and psilocin “magic” mushrooms. I’d incorporated many stress relieving techniques to my routine, some ongoing, but I hadn’t tried microdosing yet. The passage of Prop 122 (and a special friend) sparked an interest to start growing at home and I found myself instantly fascinated, not only by the cultivation process, but also by the noticeable mental health benefits I felt after starting a consistent dosing schedule. For one I was calmer. I was also more creative, awake and alive. I felt like I could connect with others easier and started to build like-minded community. I was energized and found myself saying “yes” more than “no” to opportunities. It’s led to beautiful self realizations and I am continuing to grow as a person. All this to say, mushrooms are very healing for me and I’m forever grateful!
I’m highly optimistic about the future of fungi, excited to be a part of the community, and eager to learn more. I’ve been involved in Prop 122 compliant gifting opportunities (pictured), promoting and capturing local mycology events, and educating the public on how to easily grow and capsulate their own mushrooms at home. I look forward to many more endeavors and would love to hear your ideas if you have something in mind.
I have many aspirations for Manifest2Heal but due to a full-time gig I never have enough hours in the day. I am active on Instagram stories, regularly posting mycology related content and events. Check out the Contact page for other ways to connect with me. Thanks for stopping by.
Mush Love! ♥️