Meet Mina Grace Solis Ward | The Graves’ Disease Chef, Author & Lifestyle Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mina Grace Solis Ward and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mina Grace, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I am pretty certain that if there’s such a thing as a “risk taker” gene, I was born with it. I’ve never been one to shy away from pushing the envelope, testing conventional “wisdom” and having the philosophy that it’s OK to move against the grain, as long as you’re not hurting anyone.

I was the student in college, questioning ‘authority’. Constantly. I wasn’t belligerent but I was curious more than anything. I was the “What would happen if…?” or the “Yes, but…” student. That ended up serving me well throughout my 20+ year career in politics and the media and now health and healing. I have definitely pivoted.

I’m convinced that because of my risk taking mindset, it’s what propelled me to know and believe that sky’s the limit in my personal and professional life.

So much so that I literally took to the skies and the seas a few years back when I celebrated my 50th birthday.

I was terrified of heights so I decided to sky dive and jump out of a plane at 13,000 feet on my birthday to know what it feels like to truly be ‘free’ of that fear.

It worked!

I was also deathly terrified of the water, especially the deep waters because I didn’t know how to swim so I made myself take private lessons to finally learn. When I did, I didn’t stop there. I got scuba dive certified so I could swim beneath the ocean floor with the sea creatures and sunken ships. Most of my family thought I’d lost my mind. I didn’t. Instead, I lost my fear of the water and heights.

Turns out, I’m definitely no shrinking violet. I don’t think shrinking violets take risks like that.

In fact, I’m convinced that it’s because of that “risk taking gene” that I chose to step out of retirement recently to write again and publish, not one but two books highlighting my journey to healing from an autoimmune disease called Graves’ Disease. It’s a debilitating hyperthyroid disorder that affects over two million people in the United States alone. I’ve begun a hell-bent mission to help every person around the world (not just in the U.S.) diagnosed with this dreaded disease because I knew to my very core that traditional Western Medicine wasn’t for me and that there was another way to wellness.

Too many patients still suffer in silence like I did, for far too long. I want to give them hope. I discovered things you didn’t know you could do for Graves’ Disease and now, I’m spilling the beans, the tea and the greens.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

I’m actually retired. I did that at 41 and just had my 59th trip around the sun.

I recently stepped out of retirement, however, to write and publish my Graves’ Disease Guidebook and a plant-based Cookbook – both launched in July, 2023. My career has always been in politics and education, and yet now, I find myself on a completely different path when my own health took a very sharp turn. That unexpected and frightening turn required me to expand my knowledge in health and healing.

I developed a thyroid disorder called Graves’ Disease, Hyperthyroidism. I won’t bore you with all the deets but for those who aren’t familiar, it’s an autoimmune disorder and your immune system – which is supposed to protect you from viruses and illnesses – begins to attack your thyroid instead of protecting it and your body starts to shut down.

Your thyroid thinks it’s under attack so it begins to overproduce thyroid hormone and suddenly without warning, your body goes whackadoo. It’s not often talked about even though millions around the world get diagnosed with it every year.

Before I share how that journey changed my life, it might be helpful for me to turn the clock back a smidge for perspective on why I’m now on a health mission – driven and determined to help those who suffer in silence from the very same thyroid disorder that I’ve been diagnosed with.

When I got out of college with a bachelor’s degree in political science in the mid-80’s. I hadn’t a clue what I was going to do with my PoliSci degree because I opted not to pursue law school which was the original plan. I’m what you’d probably call an overachiever. I graduated high school at 16, and finished undergrad at 19. Even though I had no clue what was next, I ended up being blessed with a very colorful career in politics on both the corporate and the government side.

I worked at the headquarters of one of the largest California based banks in the world for the Governmental Relations Department – right in the heart of San Francisco’s financial district. It was fascinating and sobering to see how corporate America and the banking industry collide and influence policy – heavily – that affects our day to day lives without us even realizing it. You’d be surprised! Turns out, corporate was not my cup of tea.

After a few years of that stint, I got brought on to serve in the State Senate as the Legislative Representative for a distinguished California State Senator in the San Francisco Bay Area. It was under his leadership that I earned my stripes and pardon my ‘french’ but grew some ‘balls’ which proved to serve me well on my climb up the proverbial ladder and ‘jungle gym’ of our country. I was one of the lucky ones because I didn’t work for one of those back room politicians. I actually worked for a respected Statesman.

Nearly a decade later though, I was recruited away from the California Senate by the County Superintendent of Schools in the Greater Silicon Valley to serve as the Director of their Public and Governmental Relations Office. That role opened my eyes to the nuances and complexities of the education structure in California. I’ve been gone for nearly two decades but looking back now, I’ve discovered, the more things change, the more they stay the same. The players change but not the problems.

It would be a few years later, when my career went into overdrive and I got wooed away again but this move involved relocating to the State Capitol with my young family in tow and a jet set life of travel across the country to take on the reins of the Communications Division of the powerful California School Boards Association.

I had big shoes to fill and many hats to wear because I wasn’t just the new director, I was also the Editor in Chief and Publisher of their award winning magazine, the company spokesperson and the director of all things related to the media, the press and strategic campaigns across all the statewide education alphabet soup groups.

In fact, I was also a ghost writer on education budget issues for then-Governor Arnold Schwarznegger so I got to travel often with him and his team on the campaign trail. The highlight of those days was when my then-young sons would be watching the evening news at home with their Daddy and they’d see their Mommy on stage standing right next to the Governor during his press events. NO red carpets, just podiums and talking heads. It was an interesting life.

There were times when I traveled so extensively across the state and coast to coast that I’d wake up in my hotel room and wonder ‘where am I?’ I’d have to stop and look at the bedside phone in my room just to figure out what city I was actually waking up in. Not glamorous but definitely colorful.

Was there icing on the cake from all these adventures? Yes and no.

During my tenure, I had the unique opportunity to personally interview three of our U.S. Presidents – 41, 42 and 43 (respectively Bush Senior, Clinton and George W) – during their time in office in the West Wing of the White House.

It didn’t matter where you sat in the political aisles – whether you were liberal, conservative, left, right or somewhere in between or not at all – getting to meet and personally interview three U.S. presidents during their terms in office was most definitely highlight moments of my professional career. Did I mention that the more things change, the more they stay the same. It’s true on the national level too. Not trying to be “political” just my humble opinion.

What did I learn from all of this?

I learned that you could accomplish whatever you set your mind to. Period. And I did accomplish much. Was it a rat race? Yes. Was it dog eat dog? Absolutely yes! I retired soon thereafter and I’m glad I did when I did.

And so that brings me full circle to where I am today and choosing to come out of retirement after my Graves’ Disease diagnosis and finding healing. Nowadays, I’m not doing the political thing but I am on a mission, committed and determined to reach those who’ve been diagnosed with Graves’ Disease to let them know, there is hope.

When I bucked traditional Western medicine and big Pharma, I realized there is a whole world out there waiting to be tapped who don’t know that we do have healthy options, despite what we get told – over and over.

There’s that “risk taking gene” again.

This Graves’ Disease Warrior is on a mission and thankfully, the mission is not impossible especially when it comes to your health and healing.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Hahaha! What a great question.

Did I happen to mention that I’m a plant-based Chef in Northern Cali which basically translates to the fact that eating out for me is rare – even though I’m a 100% foodie bon vivant for all things wholesome, clean, non-GMO and organic ingredients – I love dining out but not quite like I used to.

Here’s the thing… I know of no establishments up here that cater to that criteria except my own Graves’ Disease Chef Test Kitchen where I recipe develop and create simple to gourmet plant-based dishes from around the world using only the good, clean stuff the way nature intended. In the spirit of full disclosure, even when I travel to faraway places in the U.S. or internationally, I always make sure to book Airbnb homes that are outfitted with gourmet kitchens just in case and local farmer’s markets for the freshest of fresh.

However, since you’re asking… if I were to highlight a fun itinerary to welcome my bestie to town, I’d hang up my apron for the week and here’s what our date time might look like. A week long of food indulgence. Just FOOD with a few sprinkles of the obligatory tourist type must do’s. Hah because why not?!

I would start by taking her to our family owned European Italian restaurant in Davis – Osteria Fasulo. I’d take her there first so she could be treated to the most amazing, mouth watering dining experience this side of heaven. I happen to know the Executive Chef personally. (Giggles). He’s my son. In fact, all four of my sons play a role in overseeing the daily operations at our Mom and Pop home away from home restaurant for the last 20 years.

Sitting in the garden and dining al fresco will have you convinced that you’ve suddenly been transported to the Tuscan countryside.

After dinner, we’d head over to the Mondavi Center to enjoy a live performance and for our night cap, we’d have to make a stop at Rick’s Dessert Diner in downtown Sacramento – a cult classic – for their famous lemon bars or midnight torte.

The next day we’d stop for lunch at Veg Cafe and Bar where they make a mean all plant-based Cashew Korma Curry Bowl and sip on their housemade Cucumber and Jalapeño Margarita with Tagine rim.

After lunch, a visit to the Crocker Art Museum to enjoy their newest exhibit and then a nice leisurely walk around Old Sacramento for a wild wild west throwback experience.

You can’t go to Sacramento without dining at Kru where you’re treated to contemporary Japanese cuisine and a menu with amazing plant-based options. Everything is fresh, picture perfect and scrumptious. It’s an experience in fine Japanese food from their sushi and homemade ramen to their incredible salads and specials. It’s not just mouth watering but social media photo worthy and always, delish. Every. Time.

After our meal, if something fun is playing at the Old Crest Theatre, we’d head over there and grab a show or walk over to the IMAX theatre for surround sound entertainment.

In no particular order, we’d also do short road trips because living in Northern Cali is fun that way. We have Tahoe to our north and the San Francisco Bay Area Silicon Valley Peninsula corridor to the south.

I’d be sure my bestie had a chance to stroll through the renovated Ferry Building along the San Francisco Embarcadero Center, take a walkabout along the pier and of course, the obligatory tourist stop at Fisherman’s Wharf to pick up some hot freshly baked sourdough. We might even try to hop on the cable car if the lines are forgiving and not serpentine like.

The week would also include a must visit to Auberge du Soleil in Rutherford for a legendary French food lunch experience – where we’d dine outdoors on their patio overlooking the breathtaking Napa Valley. Then we might choose to visit a few of the smaller wineries to walk off all those butter laden calories.

We’d take advantage of an early walk across the Golden Gate Bridge just because (as the fog is lifting) and steal a few photos to prove she was there.

Before heading back to the City, we’d stop at the laid-back Mediterranean coastal town of Sausalito for ice cream at the famous Lapperts. Yumm. Then we’d head right back into the City for a walk through North Beach which would include a stop at the old school Italian Deli, Molinari’s, a San Francisco institution for some fun antipasto to take home. And to satisfy a neverending sweet tooth, we’d skip over to Victoria Pastry for a slice of their classic signature, to die for St. Honore cake.

During our week, we’d surely stop at Filoli House and Garden in Woodside, a historical museum with a library that boasts 654 acres of a beautiful and peaceful garden, before we continue our road trip south to Carmel and Monterey.

You can’t come to Northern Cali without heading to Carmel by the Sea. It’s as picturesque as you see on postcards but even more breathtaking in person.

Since it’s a bit of a drive, I’d make sure that we stayed overnight at one of my favorite Bed and Breakfast spots, the Tickle Pink Inn and book a suite that overlooks the ocean. No need for a gourmet outfitted Airbnb because I’m not cooking this week, remember? Then we’d grab an early lunch at Paprika Cafe for Lebanese fare before spending the afternoon at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. To top off our visit, we’d circle back to Carmel to have a late night supper at The Pocket before making the trek back to home sweet home.

It would definitely be a whirlwind foodie adventure for my bestie and me in Northern Cali.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Taking a page from both of my books, my heart gives incredible thanks to my four epicurean and bon viveur sons – Matteo, Massimo, Marcello and Marco who all walk bravely and humbly to the beat of their own drum. My grandson, Jayden who continues to be my daily dose of sunshine and cheerleader. And… my hubby/bestie, Nathan, who kept his promise that we would get through my stormy illness together and who never stopped believing that I would eventually find another way to healing when I chose to turn away from traditional Western medicine.

I shoutout to them for supporting and indulging me, along with my often “off the wall” and unconventional plant-based kitchen creations and their willingness to sample each experiment – funky and fancy – with enthusiasm, encouragement and so much love. They stayed by my side through every tear I shed and every pain I felt. I would not have been able to get through my suffering without them.

My heart overflows when I reflect back on those years when I didn’t know if I’d ever be healthy again. I’ve been in remission almost seven years and I’ve never felt healthier. and more alive than I do now.

Nowadays, I continue to heal loudly on social media platforms and on my website because I’m determined to help every person who continues to suffer in silence but isn’t sure where to start. I try to help them find their voice and the courage to be their own health advocate – just like my boys and my Nate did for me.

Website: www.thegravesdiseasechef.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thegravesdiseasechef

Facebook: facebook.com/TheGravesDiseaseChefMinaGraceWard

Image Credits
Nathan M. Ward