Kathy Smith

For as long as she can remember, Silver Hills’ co-owner, Kathy Smith, has always been interested in health. However, a severe stroke in 2002 that almost claimed Kathy’s life at the age of 40, forced her to refocus her values and approach to healthy living. In the days and weeks prior to the stroke, Kathy recalls trying to maintain a hectic schedule of being a mother to teenaged kids, caring for aging parents, helping manage a business and fighting a terrible flu. This led to shortcuts in her eating habits and inconsistencies in other areas of her wellbeing. Her body was giving her warning signs, which she attempted to cover up with cough medication and antibiotics. The stroke left Kathy totally paralyzed on the right side of her body and with an incapacitated ability to write and speak.

Following the stroke, early diagnosis from doctors predicted that Kathy would have permanent damage and only time would tell the extent of the long-term impairment. The road to recovery looked bleak and overwhelming.

Kathy strictly followed the regimented rehabilitation program from doctors, but was determined to do everything she could to facilitate healing. So she began researching the best healthy living practices to aid in her recovery. In her investigating, Kathy discovered many significant health claims and benefits linked to following a plant-based, vegan diet. These findings prompted Kathy to integrate a very simple, plant-based diet into her recovery treatment, which meant eating only nutritionally dense foods and eliminating sugar, refined foods or animal-based products.

Today, Kathy has amazingly regained all of the motor use in her right side and has relearned how to write and speak. While she attributes her healing to many factors including a steadfast faith in God, excellent medical care and support from family and friends, she touts adopting a plant-based diet as a significant contributor – a decision that continues to be affirmed by ongoing research and findings in the field, which Kathy routinely references in business and personal interactions.

One such work includes a recent health and diet study conducted in China by Dr. Campbell, a nutritional scientist, and Dr. Esselstyn, a top surgeon and head of the Breast Cancer Task Force at the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic. The study revealed a startling conclusion – degenerative diseases like heart disease, type 2 diabetes and even several forms of cancer, could almost always be prevented – and in many cases reversed – by adopting a whole foods, plant-based diet. Kathy also emphasizes the importance of the work by author and nutritional activist, Michael Pollan, in helping shape her dietary beliefs.

Through this experience, Kathy has discovered that healthy living truly is a holistic approach and is essential to enjoying life, maintaining optimal health and preventing future ailments. For Kathy, this includes sufficient sleep, drinking lots of water, keeping a balanced schedule, regular exercise and adhering to a vegan diet.

As part of the Silver Hills ownership team, Kathy’s thankful for the opportunity to apply her dietary beliefs in helping create a line of wholesome, great tasting sprouted breads and bagels that are all vegan-friendly. With a commitment to learning, Kathy’s continually expanding her knowledge on healthy living and the benefits of a plant-based diet. She’s passionate about helping others achieve a better quality of life, and uses Silver Hills as a platform to share her experience and teach others the importance of healthy, balanced living and how it’s the most effective preventative health measure.