I’m an aspiring author that is looking to connect with everyone I possibly can. I’ve put together an autobiographical piece about how I recently overcame a lifelong battle with five severe issues: chronic skin issues, weight problems, depression, anger, and anxiety. With the help of natural healing, martial arts, and becoming an organic vegetarian, I have now found ways to mitigate and completely cleanse myself of these ongoing issues.
The premise of me putting this book together is to reach people with the same, or similar, conditions find a healthier, safer alternative as well. Conventional, western medicine relies primarily on using shots, creams and pills for a variety of issues; the problem with relying heavily on western methods is all the harmful chemicals, toxins and steroids that are inside of them.
Besides the writing, I’m a big clown and try to always laugh at myself. I enjoy a number of different activities: traditional shaolin kung-fu, hiking, surfing, Tai chi, Qigong, meditation, hot yoga, skiing, kayaking, being with family and friends etc. I’m also a huge supporter of the Venus Project and the Zeitgeist Movement. They both look to help society transition to a resource-based economy as soon as possible. I can’t stress this enough but please, when you get a chance, go and check them out on YouTube.
Hi Jon! Thanks for liking and following my blog! I am also a vegetarian and organic food enthusiast, so I’m so thrilled to hear that it made such a difference in your life. I’m glad to hear you overcame those challenges in your life and now are on your way to living the life of your dreams. I think your story would make a great book, I can’t wait to see it on the shelves at Barnes & Noble!!!
Thanks a lot…it’s always nice coming across like-minded people. Thanks for all the positive support about the book; I’ll definitely let you know when it “hopefully” gets to the point of getting published. I totally agree that Kashi is truly amazing, I can’t get enough:)) You also have a great layout to your page:))
Thanks for following my blog! I look forward to reading your posts, since I am interested in learning more about natural healing and emotional health especially since I’ve been discovering the harm done by Western medicine and etc.
Thanks, and the same with your future posts as well:)
Hi Jon,
Thanks a lot for taking a look at my blog and I hope you enjoy following it/me. I”m also happy to get the the opportunity to get to know your blog and writing. Good luck with the writing. I have a family with many members who have various multiple food allergies, so cooking for them can be a challenge—-the best/only way is to buy and eat fresh and organic, so I hope that we can share some ideas.
Vivienne
You got a great blog put together, Vivenne. I totally agree; you can never go wrong with fresh, raw foods. I guess it was good that my other two sisters didn’t have severe food allergies because my mom would have had to make three separate meals for each of us. I’m looking forward to connecting more as well:))
PS You might be interested in looking at a recipe blog that we have started to set up, in which we try to indicate allergy foods. perhaps you’d llike to add to it?
It’s at http://mackierecipecorner.com
Cheers,
Vivienne
Thanks for stopping my blog! I look forward to learning more about you and your little piece of the world here!
Thanks; the same to you as well
)
hi, Jon, thank you for your following my writing/photo blog. i appreciate the support and hope you enjoy my daily doses! best wishes to you, y
Thanks and the same to you:))
Thanks so much for following our blog, we so appreciate it! My sister (and co-blogger) and I are both lifelong vegetarians and put a lot of thought and effort into healthy, organic food and living. You sound so interesting and from the sounds of it, we have quite a lot in common. I’m also an aspiring writing, so I wish you the best of luck! I’ll definitely be stopping by your blog on a regular basis from now on!
We definitely have a lot in common , Emmy; it’s always a bonus running into another aspiring writer on here
Thanks again and I will be doing the same for you as well 
)
Just started surfing this summer too… after aspiring to do it for ages. Your description rings so true! I also found another passion out there.
Thanks for following my blog…
~ Another Barney
I totally agree; surfing has that kind of effect
) Same to you, Jen 
)
all the best… interesting stuff
Thanks, Nafees; same to you:))
Thank you for following me! I am loving your blog so far and look forward to reading more from you. I hope you are doing well. Maybe we can work together in the future on some pieces.
Thanks, Same to you; I would be honored to do that with you. I’m sure we can find something to build on:))
Thanks for the encouragement! Great blog ya have here, friend!
Same to you:)) I will definitely check out more of your blog as well:))
Hey thinks for the follow and stopping by. I look forward to learning from you too and expanding on my knowledge to help others. Keep it coming
I’m right there with you; meditating in the relaxed comfort of your bed is a always a recipe for a great meditation. Same to you, I’m looking forward to your future posts as well:)
Hi Jon! thanks for checking out my blog! Good to hear you’re focusing on a holistic and natural approach to health issues. I’m a pretty active organic flexitarian myself. Always good to connect with other writers – looking forward to your posts!
Thanks, Melissa; the holistic approaches have always worked for me
) Same here – bring on the future posts:))
Thanks Wartica for visiting and following my blog and liking the article about bomb Healthiest Foods.
Great to get your interest on this subject. I hope you checked the wonderful source (The George Mateljan Foundation for the World’s Healthiest Foods) and bookmarked it.
Soon I will write another article on foods & nutrition; herbs and alternative preventive/curative medicine; and symptom checker web services. I think health care and food industry are getting more commercial bias and people must take charge and maintain a good balance.
NutritionData.com and caloriecount.com supplement more information to the article you liked.
I’m looking through yours and enjoying it. Best wishes for you.
Thanks, Tarig; I will definitely check them all out
)
Hi Jon: I’ve always wanted to try surfing: really, I’ve just wanted to live in a place where surfing was even a possibility. Thanks for your comment on my blog.
Of course, Tonya; you have well thought out blog ideas
If you ever get around to an area that has waves, I would definitely give it a whirl:))
Hi Jon: What styles of Kung Fu and T’ai Chi are you studying? I am a long time practitioner/teacher of Wah Lum Kung Fu and Chen T’ai Chi. CMA can be a real rewarding pursuit, like a set of Chinese ‘nesting’ boxes, one opening up inside another as you age, same external shape, but with more and more detail. Good luck with it all.
Same to you:) I train in Lohan and Fa’men Chuans; we do the 18 hands of lohan, meditations, and all the famous tai chi family forms. That is amazing:) It’s nice coming across fellow martial artists on here…talk soon:))
yay jon! i will enjoy following your blog, thanks for finding mine!
Thanks for all the kind words; I feel the same about you and your blog:)) What kind of yoga do you teach?
very middle of the road hatha yoga … my most recent teacher is/was Donna Farhi … now i am going more towards Dru yoga, very gentle, flowing, more use of mantra and mudra, heart-centered … moves are influenced by Qi Gung i believe
yoga classes start again tonight, all ready for the new year!
That is great to hear:) You can never go wrong with any form of yoga.
Hi Jon! I just read a few of your pieces and you have it totally right. Eating healthy and treating our bodies with respect will afford us the life style we are craving. Thanks for reading my post on motivation!
I am excited to read your future posts….
Thanks and I feel exactly the same way about all of your posts:)) I now “crave” a better life:))
Hi Jon,
Thanks for following me and for your nice note. I’m inspired by your writing and am interested to read more from you. Love the post on surfing, which is something I have been dying to try.
Wishing you all the best,
Jen
Ho
Ho 
Ho 
HAPPY 2012 DRAGON YEAR TO JON 
Ho
Ho 
Ho 
Thanks and to you the same
))))
That’s very impressive and inspiring… All that you’ve altered to achieve a better life and more importantly, the idea of sharing your experiences and happiness with the world…
Thanks for checking out my post… and for your supporting words…!
‘Same to you:)) You’ve got a great blog as well…keep them coming:))
Hi Jon,
Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment on my blog. I thought I’ll drop by your blog instead of replying on mine. Like you, I’ve been battling with depression on and off and my blog has been a great help in releasing my thoughts. Good luck!
Hope
I know what you mean; it’s never fun having to go through that but the health blog sections offer you alternatives – and tips – on how to overcome these issues. which is a very big bonus.
Thanks so much, Hope:)) Writing is definitely a good way to get our emotions out – from time to time.
Thanks Jon for reading our blog and for the comments. I like what you have going on here with your blog; keep writing.
Hello,
Thank you very much for the comment and following me. You’re the first! I know you’re excited about that. I find your blog interesting and look forward to reading more.
Great to have you on board on here. Thanks for the kind words and yours is also great:))
Jon, when I read about you, it was a reflection of myself, except I’m not so healthy. So many obstacles. One small step at a time. But also, I too, LOVE to write. I enjoy your writing skills and your purpose here! I will be reading on! Congrats to you for coming such a long way!
Thanks for all the kind words; you also have a great writing style. I agree – baby steps all the way:))
Hi Jon.
Thanks for liking my blog and leaving a comment. I too had severe skin allergies and other than stopping using all products except soap and shampoo, the hives and itchy rashes continued until I found products and started my own business. Since these products are all natural I am able to use the shampoo, body wash and skin care products without any reactions! I am very conscientious about eating healthy and although have not become total vegetarian I do have vegetarian meals very often.
I have to check out these products, Cathy. Thanks for letting me know about them:))
Here is the link to my webpage. http://abundance.mybwtonline.com/
You could also check out my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/CathyBrooksUSANA
Hi, you have a great blog here. It’s good to know you follow a natural approach to health issues. Our family are also vegetarians, with our two kids raised vegetarians from birth.
I look forward to reading more of your posts!
Thanks for showing interest in my blogs, Jon. Though it may sound strange to you, perhaps, reading about local events, just the same, I hope you like them. Wish you always good health and good luck in your book.
Thanks and the same to you:)
Wonderful! Glad you stumbled upon my blog and I’ve now found yours. Best of luck to you in everything! -Jenn
Same to you , Jenn:)) Looking forward to more of your posts!
Hi Jon; thanks for liking and following my blog. I’ve suffered a few of the issues you’ve mentioned in the past and then discovered that I’m lactose intolerant – problem solved! It’s amazing to discover that working with nature can improve physical issues that many doctors say we’re stuck with (unfortunately I am very much “stuck” with my epilepsy but them’s the breaks).
I’m now following your blog and look forward to learning more about you
Same about you; I’m looking forward to your future posts:) I’m sorry to hear that; the doctors always told me that my skin issues would NEVER go away; now they’re gone – go figure.
Hi, thanks for liking and following my blog-though I accidentally re-published it because I forgot to add the title so it doesn’t show up that you liked it nor that you are a follower of my blogs-yikes I am still new at this. But, I do look forward to future blogs from you, and sorry to hear about your head-ouchie!
Don’t even worry about, I can just go back, like it and follow you:) Thanks and I’m just glad the aches are gone:)
Thank you for reading and the “Like”of my post.
You got it:)
Hi! Great to know you are organic vegetarian.Very nice blog! Health is Wealth! Let’s share this good diet with more people. Cheers!
Thanks, and your blog as well. It would definitely be better if more people were vegetarians:)
Hi, Thank you for liking and following my blog post. We sure can encourage each other in this challenge of sticking to the plan. I also do the 90 day plan and a monthly review to keep me focused an what it is I said i was going to do. Kind of fix it and celebrate as I go along. I will be following your blog. Peace and Love.
Good for you, Kathleen; doing monthly reviews can only help you track your progress:))
Thanks for taking a look at my blog. Sounds like you’re doing well. I look forward to seeing your book in stores. Cheer. Patricia Cohen
Thanks Patricia, I will let you know when it’s ready to go:))
Good on you Jon! For turning your life around.. for discovering that natural healing is the healthiest, holistic, most nurturing and sustaining way to recover (whenever possible).. our bodies are meant to return us to health. Thanks for dropping by my blog. And good luck to you!!
Thank and the same to you. Natural healing techniques are the way to a better life:))
I am an aspiring author myself, although my cause isn’t as worth as yours. I look forward to hearing more about your journey to better health. I am such a fan of non-Western medicine myself and would rather focus on eating healthy now and preventing sickness in the future. What’s the status on the book so far?
Great to meet a fellow writer and like-minded people. I’m done with the book, I just need to get it to a beta-reader for self-publishing. From there, I can start working on my next book:)) Do you have anything in the works?
This is a great resource you are providing, Jon. I look forward to your future blog posts and your book as well!
Thanks Anita, same to you as well:))
Thanks for stopping by my blog! It’s always great to be around people who share similar thoughts. I look forward to your future posts
Thanks April, and the same to you:))
Hi Jon,
It’s nice to see a fellow book author around. I wish you the best of luck. I know how difficult the publishing process could be. Feel free to check out my author site, and thanks for the WP support.
http://www.hgillette.com
It’s a great honor:)) Thanks for sharing the link and I will check it out:))
Thanks Jon. I look forward to your future blog posts.
Thanks and the same for your posts as well:))
Always a joy to meet others who share the same aspirations!
I’ll be on the lookout for that book of yours 
ttyl
Nothing better than that:) Thanks a lot; I’ll definitely let you know:)
Thanks for following my blog (and for liking today’s post). I look forward to hearing more about your story! Kudos to you for taking on the issues in your life head on and for sharing your story with others. Have a wonderful weekend!
Good for you! stay positive and thanks for commenting and the encouragment on my blog!
Of course:)) Great blog as well:)
Hello there Jon, nice meeting you and thanks for the warm welcome and really appreciate it! So now we’re now the ‘vegetable’ club? Can’t get enough of those – serriously
Nice to meet you as well:) I hear you on that, you can never go wrong w/veggies!
Thanks for finding time to visit my humble little blog.
Of course, I look forward to more quality posts:))
Hey! Thanks for joining my blog…right back at ya! From reading your posts, it sounds like we’ve got a lot of similar interests, so I look forward to the dialogue!
Mark
http://www.forthebetterme.com
Thanks, Mark:) I felt the same way, after looking through yours…good stuff man:)
Thanks for checking out our blog and for your kind comments. I look forward to reading through yours as well.
Peace.
Heather
Thanks Heather:) Same with your posts as well:)
Hi Jon, thanks for visiting and liking my blog. After reading many of your posts it seems we have a very similar outlook on life, particularly after reading your post ‘New “life” Resolution’. I went very much into 2012 with the same principle. Who needs New Year’s resolutions when we should be making conscious decisions to change our lives for the better every day!
Rachel
Thanks for all the kind words, Rachel…same to you:) It’s always amazing meeting people on the same kind of wavelength:)
Jon,
I wanted to thank you for taking the time to look over my blog and I appreciate your comment. I am also interested in living a healthy organic lifestyle and have a home business I am starting up based on that idea. If you need any help with your book Id be happy to contribute! Blessed Be.
Thanks and I appreciate the help:))
Thanks Jon,
I look forward to following you, anyone who has overcome issues with themselves and/ or health is to me a fighter and has plenty to offer people in similar positions. My goal is to inspire people to be better, stronger and HEALTHIER!
TTFN
Stef
I really appreciate it , Stef
You have a great approach to life as well:)
Thanks for checking out my blog. Your book sounds absolutely amazing. I wish you the best of luck! I completely agree that Western medicine is probably not the best decision when it comes to healing because of all those chemicals. There are better ways to do it and I hope to inspire some people to pick the better road in their health and overall life.
Thanks a lot, Aja; it means a lot to me:)) I, too, feel that the Western way of medicine , has its benefits, but there are so many natural approaches to try out first!
Hi there! Thanks for dropping by at my blog! Hope we can share stories!
I look forward to it:))
Thanks for following my blog! Looking forward to reading your posts as well. I have overcome lots of health issues and continue to struggle with headaches, so I know where you are coming from. I chose to work in natural health and wellness hoping to make a difference in people’s lives
Same here: natural approaches are definitely the better option:)
Thanks for following AthleteDad.com, Jon! Appreciated! I’m very interested in your book – as it embodies a lot that I’ve found to be true as well – that our lifestyle habits entirely dictate our quality of life. Best of luck in all your endeavors and let’s stay in touch! -B
Thanks, I’ll let you know when the book is complete:)) I look forward to sharing more posts with you as well:))
Jon,
If you are an aspiring author, I highly recommend you connect with other authors (aspiring and published) on 48Days.net (http://www.48days.net/group/writeforprofit).
Have a Victorious Day!
Marianne Clements
Thanks, Marianne; I will check out the site right now:))
Hi Jon, thank you for liking my post and following my blog. It is so refreshing to find like minded people. I look forward to sharing with you my progress. I appreciate your input and the way you have managed to persevere to become healthier, stronger and in tune with your inner self.
All the best!!!
Thanks Maria, and the same to you as well:))
Hey Jon,
I really admire all that you’re involved in. I’ve recently been involved with the Cancer Wellness Centre in my area and have tried reflexology and reiki which seem right up your alley and I highly recommend. They are great, natural, feel-good alternatives. I hope that coming out of my treatment I can adopt the have-at-it attitude that you have demonstrated. You’re great!
Cheers.
Thanks Sarah, so are you:)) I’m grateful that I can come across people that are trying to make a difference in this world:))
Hi Jon, we have similar aspirations as I am interested in writing myself. I hope to have a novella out in a fewmonths which is about my buddhist experiences and the upa and downs so will let oyu know when I am done. I wish I had ur energy : )
David
Great to meet another writer, David:)Please let me know the status because I will want a copy:)) My book will hopefully be ready by the end of this year:))
Hey! First of all, thanks for follwoing my blog. I see that we have quite a few things in common that will make your blog an interesting read! Can’t wait for your future posts
Same with you; looking forward to everything you put together:)
I just became vegetarian 2 weeks ago. It was something that I had always thought I should do, because of the animals first, and because of the healthiness of it second. So cool. Where’s your book–the autobiographical sketch you put together?
I have to wait until the summer because I’m self-publishing it and pushing the blogging ; as soon as I know when it’s officially coming out, I’ll let you know:))
Hi Jon! I’m always so happy when people find (and resonate with) my blog. I certainly put those quotes and photos up for my own artistic and spiritual joy, but I love, love, love knowing that they’re raising the vibration of others who visit my site.
Best to you as you write and journey along your path. It sounds as though you’ve done a tremendous amount of work already (healing), and the rewards of such awareness and commitment are always beautiful. Happy reaping!
Peace – Julianna
Thanks a lot, Julianna; it means a lot coming from such an amazing person , as yourself:))
Well, and I can tell that your vibration has a strong ripple effect as well. Keep at the uplifting, inspiring message!
Congratulations on such a great blog!
I enjoy reading it so much I have selected you as a worthy recipient of The Versatile Blogger award.
Visit http://xanderturian.com/2012/03/11/versatile-blogger-award/ to find out more.
Once again; thanks for a great blog.
Thanks a lot, I highly appreciate the nomination as well:))
You’ve been tagged! I hope you will play
See my recent post ‘Tag, You’re It!’ for instructions and have a great day.
Sounds like you are on a great path. I have found that if you just get out of your own way and allow your true destiny to unfold it is true heaven.
Thanks; I couldn’t agree more with you:))
Jon, thank you for following my blog. I’m looking forward to exploring yours.
Thanks Maggie; I’m also interested to read what posts you have put together as well:))
Hi Jon and thank you for reading and following my blog. I will be interested in how your journey into writing develops and will follow you back.
I am also a Tai Chi/Qigong practitioner, I eat only whole organic foods whenever possible, and find that all sorts of things get better when we stay away from chemicals in our food and environment.
Thanks for all the positivity, Catherine, and the same to you:)) That’s AWESOME, how long have you been training?
I’m not a very disciplined person and then my family and work always get in the way of taking care of myself. I am an off and on meditator and tai chi practitioner I should have said. Reading your blog will help me get back to it…that and spring.
That is still really good because most people will – unfortunately – never open up to this kind of training.
Jon – I’m delighted to have found your blog. Good luck with this project…it’s inspiring to see that there’s momentum building for altnerative – and healthier! – ways of defining the good life.
Thanks Lisa; it’s very good to see more people going natural – as opposed to using Western approaches:))
Hi Jon,
your blog is quite inspiring too. I’m happy to see so many people who enjoy good and healthy life.
Thanks, and so is yours:))
Hi Jon, thanks for your support, and I look forward to reading your posts as well.
Thanks Taylor – I look forward to your new posts:))
Thanks for liking/following my blog! Very interesting stuff here. I`m loking forward to read more about it.
Best regards, Adrian.
Thanks Adrian, and I’m looking to read all of yours as well:))
Hi Jon,
I’ve read your comment on Julien Matei’s site and I see that there is more …
Have a look at http://entkomplizieren.wordpress.com/2012/03/16/dare-to-be-yourself/ and we might see that we all follow the same higher aims.
Thanks,
Ricardo
Thanks Ricardo; just followed and commented on their blog. Thanks for giving me the suggestion:))
Hi Jon,
You have a lovely blog, makes me wonder why you opted for green…is it because you are a vegetarian?
Looking forward to start exploring more of your posts.
Veeh
Thanks, and the same goes to you:))
Hi Jon, thanks for checking out my blog hope you enjoy! I look forward to reading yours
Thanks:)
Thank you for following my blog. I look forward to reading your posts and learning more about your journey.
Thanks Gabrielle, and the same about your blog
)
Sounds pretty sensible to me: live a holistically informed and ecologically sensitive life and seek joy and peace within it. May you find wholeness in this!
Kathryn
Thanks for the follow Jon. Good luck with your writing.
Thanks Rich:)
Hi Jon,
Thanks for liking and following my blog. It’s great to know that you’ve found ways to mitigate and completely cleanse yourself from the challenges and issues faced. I’m sure you could write a great book sharing with people your experiences, and to inspire them as well
Feel free to share some of your experiences on my blog too.
Cheers!!
Thanks for all the kind words – same to you:))
Hi Jon, thanks for liking my blog and for following it too! I can relate to your issues around chronic illness. To manage my illnesses I became a holistic nutritionist and was my first client. I had poorly managed type 2 diabetes for almost 20 years and had been overweight almost my entire life. I now no longer have diabetes and am almost at my goal weight. I have never had more energy and with that energy, I can now go to the gym on a regular basis, which only adds to my energy! Last year I ran my first 5k (after never running in my life!) and I look forward to all the wonders my future holds. All this, I can attribute to good quality food! In good health, NutriSue
Good for you, Sue; you proved that the “impossible” is definitely possible:)
Thanks for the follow, Jon. You will be glad to know that while it is unlikely ever to be mentioned in a post, The Island That Was Eaten By Goats is a strictly vegetarian blog.
How on earth did you manage to get so many followers?
Thanks for the blog suggestion; definitely going to check it out. A lot of Hustling got me the followers – if I say so myself!