My personal healing journey began with a diagnosis of an Autoimmune disease

This hopeful debut finds Miller charting her holistic path to wellness after being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Prescribed medications with brutal side effects—and with little reassurance from doctors that her condition would improve—Miller turned to alternative treatments and lifestyle changes, including engaging a naturopath for primary care, making dietary changes, and eliminating toxins from her environment. Those methods enabled her to not only manage symptoms, but to eventually heal them completely, giving her “a life of freedom to do all the activities I want to do… [and] an endless sense of excitement.”

Readers interested in natural remedies will find Miller’s guide a wealth of information. She shares personal anecdotes of her medical journey as well as references to the healing methods she learned along the way, including a “how to” handbook at the end with tips on common autoimmune disorder symptoms, parasitic cleanses, and more. One of the primary tools she shares is advocating for herself, not just with doctors, but with friends and family as well. “Learning to trust your gut and speak up for yourself is an instrumental part of the self-healing process,” she writes. That skill serves Miller well as she navigates recommended treatments, divorce, and even masters self-love.

Miller’s writing is encouraging and informative, consistently prompting readers to feel empowered for change. She includes crucial healing information—ingredients needed for heavy metal cleanses, healthy food recipes, specifics on alternative treatments—alongside individualized exercises to help readers embark on their own wellness journeys. From Reiki sessions to smudging to decluttering, Miller recommends a host of methods to drive recovery, gently reminding readers that this is a long, layered journey—“Finding your purpose is no small feat,” she writes, “you need to be able to suspend your ego and look at your life with a growth mindset” —but the reward of a healthy body, mind, and spirit is well worth the work.

Takeaway: Illuminating guide to self-healing, packed with practical information.

Book-Life

This deeply personal and profoundly empowering book weaves together themes of self-advocacy, emotional resilience, and the pursuit of mind-body-spirit alignment to encourage readers to take control of their health journeys.

Marla’s story is one of unwavering determination. Diagnosed with autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, she courageously rejected the notion of a one-size-fits-all medical solution. Instead, she embraced her role as her own advocate, asking questions, exploring alternative therapies, and questioning conventional protocols. Her mantra, "Yes, I have it, but not for long," embodies the kind of conviction that inspires change—not just in one’s health, but in one’s outlook on life.

If you’ve ever felt unheard or dismissed in a doctor’s office, Marla’s account will resonate deeply with you. Her unwavering belief in her body’s capacity to heal is a call to action for readers to advocate for themselves with the same tenacity.

What makes Open-Minded Healing truly exceptional is its holistic approach. Marla doesn’t just focus on managing symptoms; she digs into root causes, including toxic loads, gut health, nutritional deficiencies, stress, and even unresolved emotions. Marla provides a treasure trove of ideas and strategies for readers who seek to heal beyond conventional methods. Her dietary shifts serve as a practical guide for anyone considering lifestyle changes, offering actionable steps rather than vague theories.

Marla’s honesty about the ups and downs of her healing process is deeply human. She openly shares her doubts, financial struggles, and moments of fear, creating a safe space for readers to acknowledge their own vulnerabilities. At the same time, she offers tangible solutions, from managing medical side effects, to decluttering physical spaces as a symbolic act of making room for healing. Her genuine storytelling, coupled with practical advice like healthy snack swaps, affordable detox options, and exercise tips, makes this book a roadmap for change that feels both inspiring and achievable.

Ray Catania, Author

Written from the heart, Marla shares her own physical, mental and spiritual journey after being diagnosed with a serious autoimmune disease.

Her story encourages anyone with an autoimmune diagnosis to explore a variety of self healing modalities as viable alternatives to traditional western medicine, incorporating healing techniques that best fit the reader’s lifestyle and budget.

The writing style is relatable, an “easy read” but with enough detail to make her self healing recommendations actionable.

~ Karen Bernosky