Traumatic Brain Injury Survivor

Since the launch of The Garden Recipe, I have been a follower of Somya’s vegan web site and I would like to share my experience with other followers. When I found her site, it was immediately obvious that the ingredients Somya chooses for her recipes are meticulously researched on their health benefits as well as the combination of flavors and how they improve nutrient absorption.

Somya’s recipes contain the nutrient dense meals that I need to heal from a serious accident that in addition to requiring multiple titanium implants to fix my broken spine, clavicle and crushed arm and face, I also suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

A world renowned TBI clinic in Provo, Utah, CognitiveFX, that was instrumental in my recovery provided me with a list of critical nutritional foods that are vital for brain and physical health and healing. I was excited to see that Somya’s recipes consist of these recommended foods for recovery and optimal health.

Our brain requires a continuous flow of oxygenated blood for optimal functionality particularly to heal from a TBI. Healing cannot occur and health cannot be optimized if meals do not contain a wide range of antioxidant rich whole foods. When I found Somya’s website, I was immediately drawn to it because of the simple and straight forward way she presents the instructions. She also includes the nutritional benefit of each ingredient and how it improves the bioavailability of nutrients. On top of that, as her YouTube channel launched, I immediately subscribed so that now I can receive not 1 but 2 recipes per week (1 comes in her newsletter weekly and 1 new recipe she publishes on Saturday mornings on her YouTube channel). This has immensely aided my recovery and I make sure to keep the ingredients ready for the recipes to come.

Because of the TBI, I lost my senses of taste, smell and no longer experience a hunger sensation, so I was eager to taste food again. After trying Somya’s uniquely creative and flavorful recipes, my taste and smell, to some degree, returned. It’s like my brain (the taste and smell center) goes into celebration mode when I taste one of her recipes. Lacking the necessary sense of hunger, my only reason for eating is to provide my body and brain with fuel that enables me to move through each day. Each day is such a blessing and a gift that I almost didn’t experience, so I show gratitude by making it a habit to eat and Somya’s nutritiously delicious recipes are my go-to source for meals.

Aside from the TBI, I feel like I am the healthiest person in my circle of friends and family. I attribute that to the holistic/Ayurvedic hug that my body and brain receive each time I nourish them with one of Somya’s health articles. Her articles are easy-to-understand and just contain the right amount of information needed without overwhelming the busy mind. I read each and every article of hers that is sent out weekly via the newsletter along with an article featuring the week's recipe, that includes colorful photos and a video to fully support those who are not chefs in the kitchen or need help trying a new style of cooking – a much tastier, healthier style that truly benefits the body by lowering inflammation.

I would like to update that after consistently eating Somya's meals, my sense of taste and smell have returned. I ordered many items that she uses in her cooking such as the spices, and the variety of seeds, which give robust flavor and health benefits. I now make recipes with such delicious and powerful taste that my brain can now differentiate flavors. Additionally, my sense of hunger is now returning.
Thank you Somya for your creative and healthy recipes and health articles that lead the subscribers 1 step at a time – closer to their health goals, for themselves and their family. All this have increased my healing and given me the confidence to cook again. 

It is my deepest wish that Somya is able to help more people achieve optimal health, with her nutritious meals and experience her beautiful, kind and supportive spirit via her coaching sessions and also by subscribing to the newsletter and her YouTube channel – just as I have. I support her business and have told many about it so they too can get the benefits that I have and continue to get.

JoAnne Wajer - Franklin, M.A.