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Sed ut perspiciatis unde.
SubscribeWe were lucky to catch up with Stephanie Bosch recently and have shared our conversation below.
Stephanie, appreciate you joining us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?
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 to get to sleep. I took two Prilosec a day, and it only worsened. 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 to clear my throat, leaving me tired and lethargic during the day. That first year after the baby was born, my doctor prescribed me antibiotics four times. My horrible joint pain in both knees led to 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 I likely had either Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) or Lupus. My menstrual cycles were a crime scene. 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 on my back. He asked if I had ever been tested for a dairy allergy and encouraged me to meet with his wife, a fellow chiropractor, and a 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 that brief conversation would completely change my life.
I met with a nutritionist who reviewed my IgG blood test for an hour. Dairy and eggs were the biggest culprits of inflammation. I was dizzy when I left, but I headed straight to Whole Foods. I lost nine pounds within eleven days, and my energy levels soared. I learned that this was likely the amount of inflammation I carried around in my body. I was down 24 pounds within six months, and my joint pain and reflux were gone. People told me that I was glowing!
But it was really when my husband became plant-based that I knew it was indeed a defining moment! He was a huge meat eater and loved to grill and smoke meat! After a few months of watching me, he decided he wanted to try plant-based eating! Within a year, he had lost 75 pounds, his bloodwork improved, and he looked and felt better than ever!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?
As a foodie who could 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 obtained professional training and worked under teacher and chef Chad Sarno. He is a great guy doing good things in the plant-based world! I wanted to let people know they could still eat well and be healthy!
I was surprised to learn that many people need to learn to cook. And they need to learn how to cook plant-based! I also worked at the Kitchen Conservatory in Clayton for a couple of years, teaching plant-based classes. Every class sold out.
I also designed and taught a vegan cheese class that sold out every month! I am proud that I do not rely on medications to feel good. I avoided a lifetime of pills and put bandaids on things that needed to be addressed through diet. My food is the only prescription I need! One of my favorite quotes is an Ayurvedic proverb “When diet is wrong, medicine is of no use; When diet is correct, medicine is of no need.” I am also getting certified as a Holistic Health Practitioner.
I am a teacher, first and foremost. And I want to help others create a holistic, sustainable lifestyle that will benefit them and those they love. While healthy eating is essential, it’s not the only thing. Finding a community of like-minded individuals, getting outside and moving your body, taking time to be silent and calming the nervous system, and developing practices around mindfulness and being present make life more enriching. These things put into practice can lead to a longer life and improve your quality of life.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
When I first became plant-based, I struggled to figure out how to eat, how to replace proteins, and what to look for on package labels. I remember the day I found out I was having an inflammatory response to dairy and eggs. I went to Whole Foods and went shopping. Guess what? Most packaged products contain milk! I stood frozen in one of my favorite stores for the first time! I still needed to figure out what to do. It’s crazy!
Back then, the grocery store had no “vegan” sections. There were no plant-based substitutions. So, I bought cookbooks, watched YouTube videos, and hacked my way through until I figured it out. Eventually, I attended a plant-based culinary program and got certified as a professional vegan chef.
Once I figured out how eating differently changed me, I wanted to let everyone know! The problem is only some people are ready to change. There is so much misinformation out there most people need clarification as to what and how to eat. Giving up all animal products looks pretty extreme to a culture that eats meat three times a day. Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, MD, one of the leaders in plan-based medicine and lifestyle, said this. “Some people think plant-based diet, whole foods diet is extreme. Half a million people a year will have their chests opened up, a vein taken from their leg, and sewn onto their coronary artery. Some people would call that extreme.”
I was exhausted trying to explain myself to people. So, I stopped trying to be the little tug boat pushing a massive barge upstream and became a lighthouse for those in the dark! Now I have a happy community of followers on Instagram and Facebook. The more I stand in my light; the more people are drawn to my message!
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
I think by sharing my journey with my clients I am able to develop a solid rapport. Sometimes it can be comforting to know that other people have been where you are. By cooking for people, or teaching them how to cook, they learn first hand that plant-based eating is not only good for them but it also tastes amazing! They are able to take what they have learned and share it with others. Many of my clients come from referrals.
I also watch other plant-based chefs and how they engage with their clients. I am fortunate to have many wonderful mentors.
Finally, I have taken several food photography courses, and purchased various books on the subject. You eat with your eyes first, as they say!
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