I hope this message finds you well—better than I found myself this past week after a run in with a migraine.
I don’t typically struggle with headaches, but that day, I got a painful glimpse into what many people endure. My younger girls were home for spring break, and we had guests over who kindly brought breakfast—pre-made, boxed blueberry waffles. Normally, I’m very selective about what I eat. If we have waffles, they’re made from scratch with simple, whole ingredients.
But not wanting to be rude, I toasted one up and ate it.
Not long after, I was in misery. A crushing headache started to build, leading to dizziness and then nausea—it hit me like a freight train. The pain was so intense I ended up throwing up multiple times. It hurt to lie down. It hurt to walk. My head kept pounding. I have deep empathy for those who suffer from severe migraines regularly—it was terrible and felt like my body had turned against itself.
Slowly, my system started to recover. I managed to sip some warm sea salt water and keep down a pickle (not the first time Grandma Julie’s pickles have come to the recscue), which helped replenish lost electrolytes. But the experience left me literally shaken—I found myself wondering: What just happened? The only thing I had eaten that morning was the waffle, so I checked the ingredient list on the box—and I was stunned. A long list of additives, preservatives, food coloring, and artificial ingredients. The “imitation blueberry bites” alone had 19 ingredients—none of which were blueberries.
I don’t know for sure if that’s what triggered my reaction, but it made me think: How did we get to a place where this is considered food?
I started reading more about migraines and food sensitivities, and I came across Dr. Angela Stanton’s research. She explains that migraine sufferers often don’t need a pill—they need the right minerals and fats. Processed foods, especially high-carb and refined foods, can throw off electrolyte balance, leading to headaches, fatigue, and more.
Some of the most healing foods she recommends are:
* Homemade bone broth – the perfect electrolyte replenisher
* Real salt – critical for brain function
* Raw milk, cheese, and cream – because calcium needs fat to be absorbed
* Eggs, meat, and healthy animal fats – a high-fat diet provides steady fuel for the brain
Reading her work made me realize why I likely felt so awful—our bodies were never designed to process artificial, food-like substances. No wonder so many people struggle with headaches, fatigue, and chronic inflammation.
But the good news? Our bodies are incredibly resilient when given the right fuel. That’s why I’m so passionate about raising real, nourishing food. Most of what we eat comes from right here—beef, pork, chicken, eggs, dairy, vegetables, and little fruit. Simple. Whole. Healing.
Jodi Ledley, who suffered from debilitating migraines for years, put it perfectly:
“We were living what we thought was a healthy life, but when we started looking closer at what was actually in our food, everything changed. Once we removed harmful ingredients, my migraines disappeared. It was like a miracle—but really, it was just giving my body the real food it was designed to handle.”
We have the ability to take back our health. It starts with simple, whole, nutrient-dense food. I know I’ll be sticking to my farm-raised sausage, eggs, and occasional homemade waffles (see recipe below) for future breakfasts.
Wishing you vibrant health, I’m so grateful to be on this journey with you.
Leah
Our delicious HOMEMADE SOURDOUGH DISCARD WAFFLES, topped with a thick dollop of raw whipped cream and real maple syrup. Made with whole, simple ingredients: 2 cups sourdough starter, 3 eggs, 3/4 cup plain yogurt, a pinch of sea salt and 1 tsp baking powder. Crisp batter in a generously buttered hot waffle iron and enjoy the goodness.
