Why I Stopped Being Vegetarian After 13 Years (and What Happened Next)

How Food Helped Me Heal—and Taught Me That Genes Aren’t Destiny

For 13 years, I was a dedicated vegetarian. I believed I was making the healthiest choice for my body and the planet. But over time, I started to feel less and less like myself. My energy was low, I was constantly getting sick, and my digestion felt off. Still, I ignored it, convinced that I just needed to try harder—eat cleaner, drink more green smoothies, cut out sugar completely.

Then, COVID hit, and for the first time in my life, I was forced to slow down. As I recovered, I felt drained in a way that scared me. Nothing I did seemed to restore my energy. I kept hearing about bone broth, so, desperate for something nourishing, I decided to try it.

I will never forget that first sip.

It wasn’t just warmth; it was deep nourishment that I could actually feel in my body. It was like something inside me had been missing, and now it was being restored. I had never experienced food that way before.

For the first time in over a decade, I started to question everything I thought I knew about food. Could I have been missing something essential all along?

Unlearning What I Thought Was Healthy

I wrestled with the idea of eating meat again. It felt so foreign to me, but I couldn’t ignore the longing my body was expressing. After three days of debating with myself, I walked into the grocery store and bought one bison burger. Just one.

I was nervous, unsure of how I’d feel. But the moment I ate it, I felt… grounded. Energized in a way I hadn’t felt in years. My mind was clear, my body felt stronger, and something inside me clicked.

That first bite opened up a world of healing and discovery. I dove deep into the work of Weston A. Price, Catherine Shanahan, and Mark Sisson and started to understand why my body had been so depleted. I realized that our ancestors thrived on nutrient-dense, whole foods—including animal products, organ meats, raw dairy, bone broth, and fermented foods. These weren’t just

“nice-to-haves” in a diet. They were foundational.

Weston A. Price, Epigenetics, and The Power of Food to Change Your Future

Dr. Weston A. Price traveled the world studying indigenous diets and found that traditional cultures were healthier, stronger, and free from modern diseases until they adopted processed foods.

His research aligns with what epigenetics now confirms:

👉 The food we eat has the power to turn certain genes on and others off.

This fact blew my mind when I first learned about it. As a cancer survivor, this concept felt empowering beyond words.

For so long, I believed that genetics dictated my health. But the truth is, genes are not our destiny. What we eat, how we move, how we manage stress—these choices send signals to our genes, influencing which ones are expressed.

💡 We have the power to activate the genes for vibrant health or unknowingly trigger the genes for chronic disease.

That realization changed everything for me.

As moms, we are shaping not only our own health but also the health of future generations. The food we eat, the nourishment we prioritize, and the habits we model all have a profound impact—not just on us, but on our children, and even their children.

This is my why.

I am not just eating well for myself. I am eating well for my daughter. For her future. For her ability to grow, thrive, and one day pass down the same wisdom.

When we nourish our bodies with whole, traditional foods, we aren’t just supporting our health—we’re shaping the health of our children and grandchildren.

This is not about short-term diets or trends. This is about honoring our biology and returning to the foods that have sustained humans for generations.

Bridging Ancestral Wisdom to the Modern World

One of my greatest influences in nutrition is Mark Sisson, author of The Primal Blueprint and founder of the Primal Health Coach Institute (where I received my certification).

Sisson teaches the power of ancestral health through a character called Grok—a primal, hunter-gatherer ancestor who thrived on whole foods, natural movement, and a deep connection to nature.

Grok didn’t count calories. He didn’t fear fat. He didn’t eat processed snacks or chug artificial protein shakes. He ate real food, moved naturally, and lived in alignment with his body’s rhythms.

The truth is, we are still biologically wired just like Grok.Our bodies thrive on whole, nutrient-dense foods. The problem is, modern convenience has disconnected us from this wisdom.

💡 The question is “How do I eat in a way that supports my body’s natural design?”

Finding Your Why: Nourishment as Self-Care and Empowerment

As moms, it’s easy to put ourselves last. The endless responsibilities, the daily demands, the meals that need to be made, the snacks that need to be packed—it’s overwhelming.

But when we prioritize our health, we:

✅ Boost our energy, making it easier to tackle daily responsibilities.

✅ Improve our mood and emotional resilience, creating a more harmonious home environment.

✅ Lead by example, showing our children that self-care is an essential part of life.

Nourishment is a form of empowerment. It’s a way of taking back control in a world that often feels overwhelming.

When we choose to eat well, we’re sending a powerful message:

💡 My health matters.

💡 I am worthy of care.

💡 I am building a life that reflects my values.

If I can pass on one piece of wisdom to my daughter, it’s this:

👉 Honor your body’s wisdom

When health becomes part of who we are—not just something we “should” do—it transforms our relationship with food and empowers us to live our best lives.

Your Turn: What’s Your Why?

Before we dive into the how of nourishment in future posts, I invite you to reflect on your own WHY.

📝 Journaling Prompts

Here are a few prompts to sit with this week:

• Why is nourishment important to you? 

• How can you deepen your relationship with food? 

• What is your body calling you to add/delete/pause/continue in your diet?

You don’t have to know all the answers. Just be willing to ask the questions.

💡 One Small Step to Take Today:Pick ONE thing to upgrade in your diet this week. Maybe it’s swapping margarine for butter, making a homemade broth, or simply sitting down and eating mindfully. Small steps create lasting change.

Final Thoughts: Start Small & Build from There

You don’t have to have it all figured out overnight. Nourishment is a journey, not a rigid set of rules. Start with one small change, and build from there. Over time, these small shifts add up to lasting change.

And mama, you are already doing an incredible job.

If this resonates with you, I invite you to join the Wildly Well Mamas community where we dive deeper into simple, real-food nourishment and raise thriving families together.

👉https://www.facebook.com/groups/wildlywellmamas

🌿Stay WILD & Be Well,

Jamie