If Dr. Laleh used posters to advertise, I would likely be one of her poster “children.”

Putting me out there as an example of her work, however, would reflect poorly on me and highlight her remarkable qualities, and I own both truths.

I was referred to Dr. Laleh by someone whom I greatly respect, after spending over twenty years suffering with the side effects of Crohn’s disease.

Matters had reached the point where, on a daily basis, I was experiencing everything from far too frequent bouts of diarrhea, to trembling, to a lack of balance, to increasing anxiety, to dehydration and to the onset of sleep deprivation.

If you think I am exaggerating or being overly dramatic, I would be happy to introduce you to all of the expert doctors who tried to diagnose and “fix” my symptoms:  Crohn’s doctors; ear nose and throat specialists; neurologists; eye doctors; even a podiatrist. 

The list went on and on, and it went on for years.

Enter Dr. Laleh.

Initially I was quite, shall we say, skeptical.

Think about it:  has anyone ever told you that the fundamental cause of your serious health problems is food?

No one ever said that to me, not once, not through all those doctors and specialists.

When I am skeptical, I become cynical, and after cynicism comes pushback and protest.

I am a litigation attorney who owns my own law firm and have a national practice and, as I like to say, “I don’t play well with others.”

If Dr. Laleh could break through all of that, then maybe I would give her approach a shot.

After completing my initial survey, regarding which I graded myself an A for my-firmly believed healthy eating lifestyle, I received a very short and direct email from Dr. Laleh:  “The good news is that there is A LOT I can help with.”

Ok, sense of humor, points for her!

Next, we did the “live” (in Covid virtual) intake meeting.

About thirty percent of that call was a negotiation over whether I would give up drinking scotch.  Answer: “No.”

Her counter?

Not a lecture, not some condescending “I’m done with you because you lack a true belief in making a commitment to a healthy lifestyle” speech, but rather a simple question:  “How about switching to Tequila?”

In hindsight, what is so funny, and special, about that first conversation is that Dr. Laleh does not drink alcohol and yet she recognized that an evening cocktail was important to me and fashioned a work around.

We “shook” hands on our hard fought compromise and, from there, I never looked back and have never, ever, felt better.

Full disclosure:  the program, making the changes that must be made, is not easy; however, the results are so quick and incredible that I refuse to risk the chance of decline just for the sake of old, bad habits.

Dr. Laleh promised me that, if I followed her lead, all of my “urges” would eventually disappear and that is exactly what happened.

I have not had a scotch in three months, and it turns out that Tequila is quite good.

Seriously, within less than a week, every symptom I had was significantly reduced:  my bathroom visits became normal; my trembling was gone; my balance returned; I was hydrated; and sleep was incredibly better.

Twenty years of feeling really, really awful, and now over three months of feeling wonderful.

I also actually found the process and concepts really intellectually interesting and very empowering.

You think you know how to eat properly….just wait.

Viewed from any lens or perspective, what is clear is that the effort is incredibly worthwhile and that Dr. Laleh is a remarkably dedicated and thoughtful and tenacious (and at times very funny) inspirational groundbreaker who generally cares about you and your well-being.

Oh, and by the way, her recipes, especially the waffles (yes, I eat waffles every day with syrup and have lost weight), are delicious.

From the bottom of my heart, I thank and recommend her….

To your health.