New Food and Being Grateful

    I am kind of at a standstill right now as far as introducing new foods. I joke with my doctor about this process and I am not sure he is very appreciative of some of my comments. Sometimes I have a tendency to be a little...sarcastic...(*gasp*). I know...it's hard to believe! When people ask me what I am doing to lose weight, my first response is, "I'm on the no food diet." Ha! I crack myself up!
     Last week, Dr. S asked me if there was anything else I could think of to introduce before the big gluten, corn, carb introduction. I responded, "Unless it is ice cream or chocolate, I am good for now." Again...not appreciative.
    In ALL seriousness...this diet has worked wonders for me and I am feeling better than I have in years! I am grateful I found this program. I am grateful for my family and friends and their support. I am grateful I can actually make it through the day without a nap...that one is a stretch as far as being grateful since I love naps. But, I don't actually have to nap to function. YAY! I still have some rough days...I probably will for awhile...but overall, I am feeling great!

New recipe to try this weekend:

Millet-Quinoa Tortillas
Dry Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup millet flour (or brown rice flour)
• 1/4 cup quinoa flour
• 1/2 cup tapioca starch
• 1 teaspoon corn-free baking powder (Hain brand or homemade for corn-free)
• 3/4 teaspoon xanthan gum or guar gum (I use a corn-free variety from Authentic Foods)
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Wet Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons pure honey or agave syrup
• 1/3 cup warm water
• 3 tablespoons non-hydrogenated shortening, such as Spectrum

Makes 6 tortillas
In the bowl of your electric mixer use the paddle attachment to combine the dry ingredients on low speed.
Add the wet ingredients and continue to mix until a dough forms around the paddle. Mix the dough on medium speed for an additional minute. The dough will be slightly sticky and springy. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and chill for 30-45 minutes.
After chilling, divide the dough into 6 equal portions and form each into a round ball. Keep the dough balls lightly covered with plastic wrap as you work to prevent them from drying out. On a lightly-floured counter, press down one ball at a time with your finger tips, until you have a flattened disk of dough. Using a floured rolling pin, roll out the tortilla to 1/8 inch thickness. Preheat a greased skillet to medium-high. Cook tortillas one at a time for approximately 1-2 minutes on each side, flipping carefully with a thin spatula.
The cooked tortillas will have golden brown spots on both sides and may bubble a bit as they cook. Flip the finished tortillas onto a plate, stacking them on top of each other as you go. Cover with an inverted plate as the little bit of steam that’s created is key. Serve warm. Store in an airtight bag in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. Reheat tortillas on a hot skillet or briefly in the microwave to regain their flexibility.
 
From: www.freeetsfood.com

I will post about how it tastes!! 

The Buffet And Drink More Water

    Right before school started, hubby whisked me away to Vegas for the weekend and some shopping to celebrate my weight loss (28 lbs so far). We weren't able to go to any of our usual places to eat because of the dietary restrictions. California Pizza Kitchen isn't exactly on my list of "foods that make me feel good" even though it is YUMMY! :) We decided to go to a buffet because of the variety of food offered. Can't go wrong there, right? NOPE! We went to the buffet at the M Hotel. Lots and lots of salads but no salad bar...and it was $40 per person. I couldn't handle paying that much money to NOT be able to eat the foods offered. So we ended up at Sunset Station. They had a salad bar...lettuce and a few toppings. Not the greatest salad bar I have been to, but at least I could eat something. I was thinking they would have some cooked veggies and some fruit. NOPE! I quickly learned that while the buffet claims to offer something for everyone, they don't have many options for those people carefully watching what they eat. It was a learning experience and I now know it is better to special order from a restaurant than go to a place with a variety of pre-made options.
     A similar thing happened when we took the kids to Golden Corral over the weekend. Even though it was a breakfast buffet and breakfast traditionally consists of pancakes, french toast, burritos...breads, I was hoping for some healthier options. The eggs had been sitting out and were rubbery and the fruit was from a can or not very tasty because it wasn't in season. It was very difficult to be there and watch everyone else eat. I learned I have pretty strong will power when it is really important. I didn't even cheat!! I am now back to making my own meals and not embarking on the adventure called "eating out" at this stage in the game!

WATER

     I've always known it is important to drink a lot of water. I never kept track of how much water I drank...I knew I drank more Diet Dr. Pepper than water, but that has water in it, right? Since I started this healthy way of eating, I have been very conscious of how much water I drink since it is ALL I can drink. I am actually starting to like and crave it. Strange!! I did start getting my plastic cup at Maverik and filling up with water after I blogged about that as an option. Some places charge full price but Maverik only charges $.25. It's a bargain and so much better for me! It costs $1.00+ for a bottle of water and I don't feel like "cool" because I have a big ol' fountain drink! So that makes it pretty easy to remember how many of those I drink throughout the day.
     Over the weekend, I didn't even drink one full cup on Saturday. I was feeling it the next day. My bones were aching and I had the worst headache I have had in three months. The good part was that I knew it was lack of water and was able to fix the problem pretty quickly. :) I just keep learning from this experience! I am grateful I found Red River Health and Wellness and I am relieved I feel really good this week!

More food please!!

As I mentioned in an earlier post, the introduction of foods began with eggs on July 9th. Two days after starting eggs, I broke out with a mild case of hives. No eggs for awhile. :( I felt so much momentum up until that point. I was very discouraged that I couldn't even eat the very first food I introduced. I wanted to give up, quit, eat whatever I wanted. With the support of family, I was able to stay strong and get through it! Since that point, I have introduced tomatoes, beef, and oats with NO problems. The introduction process allows me to eat one serving of the new food the first day, two servings the next day, two days off the food and on the fifth day I get to introduce another food and keep eating the current food. Each time I tried a new food, it was like Christmas! SO EXCITING!! Then came...peanuts!! As my mom predicted, that didn't go well. I've been a victim of migraines throughout my life and times of stress just enhance the probability one will surface. In the past, these headaches were triggered by peanuts, processed meats, and chocolate. DANG IT!! Still a culprit. I had a BAD headache for two days, body aches, sweats and just overall feeling yuck. Very frustrating because I LOVE peanuts...and used to eat them in one form or another almost everyday. Hmmm...that is suspicious, right?

Well, after the tragic introduction of the peanuts and the doctor's assurance that the reactions are pretty normal, I started Greek yogurt this week. Dairy takes longer to introduce so I don't get to introduce the next food until next week. Even though I am not really a big fan of the healthier version of yogurt, Christmas again!! It was exciting to create one more interesting combination! I added it to the almond granola (recipe to come later) I made and put some blueberries in it and feasted! Still feeling ok...

Since I started this journey almost two months ago, I have lost 10 pounds for a total of 25 pounds GONE! Weight Watchers has been a challenge since the points values for the things I can eat are either really high or worth no points. Tracking has been tough. Exercise is what is helping me the most. My mom comes to my house two or three mornings a week and we walk around the neighborhood. I walked 3 miles this morning! I haven't consistently exercised like that in...well...ever! Ha! She told my brothers she comes out to the neighborhood to "walk Emily" and they were appalled because that sounded like she was walking me like a dog. Unfortunately, that is about how it is. She is my motivation and my inspiration and I really believe I wouldn't make the effort to walk without her. She has been a HUGE resource along my path and I can't even express how grateful I am to her!

I working on finding some stress management techniques that will help me protect my body and emotions while recovering from adrenal fatigue. I attended a yoga class at Downtown Yoga and had an amazing experience! In the moment, everything was clear and my actions had purpose. I definitely want to continue with the yoga! Journaling has been a huge help in allowing me to express what I am feeling and what I need. Relaxing music to help wind down before bed has also been helping me. Exercise and having a walking partner to discuss the problems of the world is helpful. I have a LONG way to go before I completely tackle this stress beast, but I am definitely on the right path!

I wish I could say I am one hundred percent and everything is better but that is not the case. I used to have one or two good days each week. I now have one or two bad days each week. Definite improvement! However, I start back to teaching next week and I don't know how things will be when I don't have the time to focus on myself and my health like I have been able to this summer. I am excited AND anxious for a new school year! I am really looking forward to facing the school year with the newer version of me!

Berry Mango Sunrise Tarts

My search for a sweet treat resulted in the following recipe:

Berry Mango Sunrise Tarts

Recipe time: 4 hours total (30 minutes to make, 3-4 hours in freezer)

Ingredients (4-2 inch tarts)
2 mangoes (I used defrosted mangoes from the freezer)
1 c. raspberries

Ingredients for crust
2 T. unsweetened applesauce
1 c. raw walnuts
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ginger powder
1/4 c. shredded unsweetened coconut

• Mix the ingredients for the crust in a food processor. Pulse and process the mixture until it looks like a crumbly dough. You should be able to shape it with your hands. Use a spoon to press into the bottom of the tart forms about 1/4 inch thick. ( I used rubber heart-shaped molds because I didn't have tart forms)
• Puree the mangoes in a blender or food processor. Pour part of the puree into a bowl and set aside.
• Add the raspberries to the mango puree left in the blender or food processor and mix. 
• Spoon one flavor into the form.
• Spoon the other flavor on top of the first flavor.
• Place in the freezer for at least 3 hours

This was a nice treat and I think it would be fun to experiment with other fruit flavors and layers too!
Here is the original link and recipe I used for inspiration for this one! Enjoy!!

Original recipe found at www.fitchen.com

Introduction of foods

     I've never loved eggs as much as I do today!! Going without so many different foods has really helped me appreciate how good those foods really are and how much I LOVE to eat. My brother Eric brings us farm-fresh eggs whenever he gets more than he can handle. They taste better than the ones from the store anyway but I think I ate my ONE egg in about two seconds because it was so good. I get TWO eggs today and I am saving the experience for dinner. :-) I will actually feel like I am eating a real meal. I am going to try fried quinoa (like fried rice) but use turkey instead of ham. We will see how it goes...
Tomatoes are next! Hurry up Saturday so I can start adding tomatoes to my salads!
     I feel AMAZING today. Better than I have felt in years! I have been organizing and cleaning BUT I have to remember to still take it easy and not do too much. I went for a walk with my mom yesterday and today (thanks mom!!). We went just over a mile both days and I was surprised I handled it as well as I did. We have to go early in the morning because of the heat but it feels great to get out and talk to another adult! I feel like everything is going well. Next week we start treating the adrenal fatigue and things will just get even better!

Day 20

Tomorrow morning! I am very excited for my appointment and I am ready to find out what the plan will be for my treatment. I need to work on treating the adrenal fatigue next. Today has been tough! After traveling and fighting kids and staying in hotel rooms, my body is ready to shut down and take a break. My neck has been hurting today and my small headache  turned into  migraine. It is the first major headache in three weeks and I certainly DON'T miss them. I am feeling better this evening but I hate the feeling that I can't continue through the day without getting back in bed. Hopefully I will get more answers tomorrow. :-)

The diagnosis...Day 19

Two more days after today!! Traveling home today was TOUGH! I wanted my travel snacks more than ever before! When the travel weekend began, I didn't think I was going to make it without slipping up or cheating. I am so proud of how well I did and how strong I was! 

Lab results came back and show I have a severely depressed immune system and extreme adrenal fatigue. Both are treatable and I will be discussing treatment plans with the doctor on Monday. The anti-inflammatory diet seems to be step one in the treatment plan. Fortunately the tests showed NO food sensitivities so I should be able to introduce foods faster than originally anticipated! I am ready!!

Day 18

The biggest challenge so far with this "diet" has definitely been traveling! In the past, I needed to have my great big Diet Dr. Pepper, my chocolate, assorted treats and snacks for the kids and we were able to stop whenever or wherever we wanted to without a thought. What fun is a road trip without treats and drinks?!? I remember going with my parents MANY times to get a drink and treat and I guess that is why I still like to do it with my own children. They love it and have even come to expect it. Daegon has been such a huge help to me by reading ingredients and helping me brainstorm ideas for snacks that would travel well. I brought a bag of snacks my kids like but I don't so I wouldn't be tempted to cheat. I was able to get a salad at Wendy's for dinner and the only thing it had on it that I wasn't supposed to eat was a small amount of cheese. That was manageable! Bringing the cooler and booking hotels with microwaves and refrigerators are what has saved me this trip. This journey isn't impossible but does require some serious planning ahead. It does get easier. And I am getting VERY excited for the next step...reintroduction of foods!! 

Traveling...Day 17

Big challenge!! Not only is it the 4th of July...a  holiday famous for backyard barbecues and parties....but we are traveling to Salt Lake for a couple of days. Travel and not being able to eat anything...not a fun combination. I was prepared with my cooler of snacks, my salad dressing, my supplements, and my protein shake ingredients but I was not prepared for the 40 people in line at Subway or my reluctance to try Carl's Jr. We went into a gas station and looked past all kinds of candy and junk, hot dogs, soda, popcorn, etc. One teeny-tiny shelf had trays of fresh fruit and veggies along with some string cheese and Lunchables. I picked up the trays while doing my "Robert Irvine happy dance" (for any Restaurant Impossible fans) and silently thanked the smart managers at the gas station for providing me with something to eat! I was able to add some almonds and get in my protein and veggies for lunch. We decided to definitely find something good for dinner!!

We ended up going to Golden Corral because I knew they have a salad bar there. Even though I was prepared and brought my own salad dressing, I decided to just use the light Italian dressing they had. I had a HUGE salad with grilled chicken and some fruit for dessert. I may pay for the salad dressing tomorrow, but it was nice to eat out! Words do not describe the cravings and temptations I faced with the fried chicken, potatoes and gravy, and macaroni and cheese, And the desserts! It was SO hard and I was strong! I didn't go this long without foods I love to give up with 4 DAYS LEFT! I have everything I need to finish this out...even while traveling! 

Day 16

I finally figured out a recipe for salad dressing that I enjoy eating! A modified Italian dressing recipe allows me to eat many different types of salads and I don't feel like I am being deprived of food. Here it is:

Italian Salad Dressing

1  1/2 C Olive Oil

1/2 C Apple Cider Vinegar

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp sea salt

 1/2 tsp black pepper

1 tsp dried basil

1 tsp dried oregano

Shake it up! Let bottle sit in the fridge for about an hour before using to let the flavors blend together. 

I poured the dressing into small containers or small water bottles to easily slip one in my purse and take with me when dining out. I feel like the restaurant should have NO problem with me using my own dressing on their food. It they do have  a problem, my whole party can go somewhere else! :-)

Day 15

     I still crave sugar and diet soda but not nearly as bad as I used to. I took my kids into the gas station to get a drink and treat and I didn't even cheat! I looked at the candy then quickly moved the children along so I didn't have to think about it anymore. I did breathe a huge sigh of when I left the store with NOTHING for myself. I couldn't have done that a couple of weeks ago. I know this journey has helped me find strength and a strong desire to stay healthy. I will be able to eat foods I did before but in moderation and I will make smarter choices because I want to and not because I "have to". Yes, I am so excited to be able to have a cheeseburger or sugar cookie (thanks Eric!) but, I also have many healthy treats and meals I didn't even know about before. I can't believe I have gone this long! 

Day 14

I wasn't feeling very good all weekend and still "blah" today. I didn't stick to the regular eating pattern that has become normal and I am really feeling a difference. Aches and pains, headache, brain fog, lack of patience. It doesn't feel good! Today confirmed my biggest eating trigger is STRESS!! I always suspected it was but now I am sure of it. All I wanted to do is snack today so in an attempt to avoid snacking, I just altogether avoided eating. NOT smart and it won't happen again. I am so consumed with thinking about other events and situations going on in my life right now, I forgot to think about ME. On a positive note...I lost 3 pounds! Hopefully I can keep losing...
No new food finds today...

Day 13

     Feeling very tired and drained today. Heat outside may have something to do with it. Maybe my body is just trying to adjust. The brain fog I experienced everyday is gone most of the time now. I feel happier and more mentally at peace. Is that the diet or just the fact that I have less demands because of summer break?!?
     I tried a couple of new recipes today. I will post later...
I am working on developing a recipe for Almond Blueberry pancakes. I make Sweet Potato Fries for dinner the the kids and hubby liked them. They were pretty easy to make too:

Sweet Potato Fries

Instructions: Slice 1-2 sweet potatoes into fries or chips; put in a bowl with 1 Tbs Paprika,  1 Tbs Cinnamon, 2 Tbs olive oil (I used sunflower oil this time) and stir until coated. Place on cookie sheet. Bake at 425 for 20 minutes.YUM!

Day 12

     I tried the chicken nuggets again and they turned out MUCH better! I added more spices and I cooked them in a frying pan with the oil instead of covering them in oil and baking them. I liked them...the problem...I forgot to put them in the fridge and couldn't finish it later!

      We enjoyed a nice evening at the OC Tanner Amphitheater for my brother's concert. It was HOT but a fun evening! It is my favorite concert he does and I look forward to it every year. He brought sugar cookies for everyone and that was extremely hard to pass up, but I DID IT! Wouldn't have done that two weeks ago. I also had Rob get me a 44 oz drink of water and ice from Maverik (I can't go in...TORTURE!). The lady charged $.25. SO much cheaper than the bottles of water my kids got and I kind of felt like I had a real drink. I am getting closer to introducing new foods!!

Day 11...HALFWAY!!

     Wahoo!!! I can't believe I made it this long! I have been working on finding some kid-friendly recipes to try out while on this diet. My family has been great about trying some of the foods I am eating. They are ok with the smoothies...it's just a kid thing I guess. I got a NutriBullet today so I am going to start working on some green-smoothie recipes that include my protein AND my vegetables. Check back for those! My kids really haven't liked anything I offered them this past week and a half. The foods I am eating are pure and natural. I am a little sad I let my family eat so much bad food up this point. They are used to the unhealthy ways I have been teaching them. I agree that it all tastes SO good! I love butter and salt and sugar!! That is normal in our super-sized society these days. I do think with some of these changes I am making, they will slowly come around. Rob actually ate dinner with me this evening! We had turkey tacos with romaine lettuce. I know he didn't love it but he ate it all so that must mean something, right?! I am so grateful for how supportive he has been and I recognize how many things he has been giving up in support of me. We don't eat out anymore. We don't make our Maverik stops. We don't eat ice-cream or chips or candy. Rob and the boys went to Subway yesterday and after he texted and told me, I had a little tiny meltdown over not being able to eat there but realized this isn't forever and once I have answers, I will only have to avoid certain things rather than everything. :-) I tried to pretend my turkey sausage was a cheeseburger and my cabbage was fries but my brain and my taste buds were NOT having any of that. :-)
     Back to my kid-friendly recipes! I found one for sweet-potato fries that I will try out and post another day. I found MANY for chicken nuggets but they all had one or more ingredients I can't have. So, I made up my own and it turned out better than I thought. Normally, I wouldn't have like it, but in my quest for health, any new foods are exciting! Next time, I will add more seasoning, but it was a nice change! Here is what I did:

Chicken Nuggets 

2 chicken breasts, cubed

1 C quinoa flour
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tsp tumeric
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp ground mustard
5 Tbs. olive oil

Put the seasoning in a Ziploc bag or container and mix it up. Put cubed chicken in the seasoning and shake it. I could have cooked it at this point with very little seasoning on it. Add the oil and shake it again. Pour or spoon out pieces of chicken and bake for 12-15 minutes on a foil-lined cookie sheet.

Fake Honey-Mustard Sauce
1 C unsweetened applesauce
2 Tbs. Dijon mustard (or add until you like it)

It was simple and sweet but still a little tangy. (I can't have honey)

Keep in mind, I am still experimenting, but there you go!!

Small victories...Day 10

The food find for today is going to keep me going! I told my mom how bored I was getting with eating the same meal combinations with buckwheat and quinoa. I am supposed to have a protein and a veggie with each meal. She told me to try turkey sausage with cabbage. I laughed a little inside and thought that sounded a little strange.  (Sorry I doubted you, Mom!!) She gave me a head of cabbage and I graciously took it home. She told me how simple it was to make and I thought I might try it if I couldn't find something else to eat. Well, I was bored with the food choices I had, so I tried it. I am HOOKED!  I really can't believe how good and how satisfying it was! AND simple! I've had it twice already! This diet is definitely challenging my creativity and my patience. I have some really frustrating moments and some small victories. I know this is what I need right now and the changes I am already seeing are amazing. I have been headache free since I started eating this way and many of you know I have been having headaches/migraines DAILY! My neck has not been hurting AT ALL. I have not had to take ibuprofen or Tylenol to make it through the day. I haven't had to take medication to sleep at night. My blood sugar is lower than it has been in 1 1/2 years and is holding pretty steady instead of being all over the place. Most importantly, I have energy to play with my kids!! I know I will just continue to improve!

Turkey Sausage and Cabbage
(2-4 servings as a side dish...I ate it as a meal with a side of fruit)

Turkey sausage (ground, patties cut up, whatever you want and how much you want-mine was pre-cooked patties)
Cabbage
Seasonings...I used garlic powder, sea salt, pepper, and dried basil
Light Olive Oil

Heat the sausage in a little oil in the frying pan. Cut the cabbage into small squares and add to the turkey sausage. Add seasonings. Cook it all together for 5 minutes or to desired consistency ( I liked it still a little crispy).

I have been thinking of variations to this dish and maybe other things to add. I will post if I change it!

Water...Day 9

     My daily intake of water has increased so much that I think the amount now outweighs my previous daily intake of Diet Dr. Pepper...I know...NOT good that I was drinking SO much! I think that was how I coped with not feeling well. I love water but only if it is ice-cold. I have a cute plastic cup I refill with ice and water throughout the day and I feel better about drinking it.  I did think about going to Maverik, filling up a plastic 44 oz cup with ice and water and seeing if going through the motions of getting a drink would trick my brain into thinking I was having a "drink". I don't even go into gas stations right now...too much temptation!
      I think going off diet soda has been the most difficult part of this experience, and not necessarily because I crave it. I really just want a drink...of something sweet...anything! I have been using fruit to flavor my water and that helps a little, but I am just getting used to drinking plain water. I also tried coconut water. I like it ok...don't love it...not sweet enough. :-) I know water is good for me! Not having sugar, sweetener, splenda, etc. is really going to help me feel better. However, even though I know the logic AND medicine behind it, I am still looking for that secret drink that will satisfy my sweet drink cravings!

Day 8

     Time is an interesting creature! When I first started this 21-day journey, it felt like forever! Now that I am already on day 8, I am starting to feel like I can handle this. I look back at where I was and realize 21 days will pass SO quickly and is nothing compared to the years I haven't felt good.
     There are a few changes I believe may be permanent. For example, milk. I LOVE almond milk and didn't know what I was missing. I don't love regular milk but I never thought about other options. I went to Natural Grocers (yes...again!) and I discovered a whole aisle of flavored milks. Almond, coconut, etc. and in vanilla, strawberry and on and on! Awesome!!
      I also love my breakfast of buckwheat, almond butter and blueberries. It isn't difficult either if I make the buckwheat ahead of time. I will continue to eat this for breakfast...and maybe lunch. :-)
     One more change I am loving...fresh fruit! I have to be careful with my blood sugar and it is a delicate balancing act but fruit in the summer is delicious! 
     Dinner and lunch are both feeling a little boring, but I am ready to venture back into the world of internet-land and search for more ideas. Coming soon...

Hunger and faulty can openers...DAY 7

There is nothing worse than a growling stomach while looking at food you cannot open and NOTHING else in the house that fits in with your diet! I came home from summer camp and started to prepare my salad.  I got out the ingredients to use with my salad. Tuna fish (in water) and salad beans. I opened the tuna and got it ready. Then my can opener stopped working! What I mean by "stopped" is it just would not run anymore...it is battery operated...one of those automatic ones. It is also my only can opener since my manual can opener broke a couple of months ago. At this point,  I had the lettuce ready, the tuna fish was smelling pretty good and I started at the unopened can of beans. While debating if the lettuce and tuna were enough veggie and protein for my meal requirement, the cat smelled the tuna and came running. She started howling so I gave her a little bit of tuna fish on a plate. She gulped it down and then stood on her hind legs and clawed at me trying to get more. I also had kids running around wondering what they were going to eat. It was a MESS!! I ended up using some leftover white beans with the tuna fish and it turned out ok. So now I just need a recipe to use up the salad beans and I definitely need a new can opener.
I tried instant buckwheat this evening...not nearly as good as the regular. Blueberries are my best friends right now!

Day 6

I faced the most challenging temptation so far and handled it MUCH better than I thought I could! We went to the movie as a family and I drank water and ate sunflower seeds ( sorry...I did sneak them in!) while my kids each had an Icee and popcorn. I also curbed the desire to munch on popcorn with Spry gum. It is sugar free, soy free, tastes good AND is made in Utah. Yay!! This was a major hurdle and I am one step closer to good health!

Daily posts moved to main page...

I decided to move my daily posts about my anti-inflammatory diet to the home page so it will be easier to find. That way, each day will show as a new post for those of you who are following. If you are new here, scroll down to read about my reasons for doing this diet.

Pre-Diet

I went to a consultation with Dr. Swindlehurst at Red River Health and Wellness and he determined I was a good candidate for treatment there. I went through a variety of testing and started the program last week. In addition to supplements, I have a HUGE list of what I can't eat and a TINY list of what I can. :-) I spent a lot of time researching, planning, and preparing for this major life change. I just have to keep reminding myself that 21 days is nothing compared to 4 years of feeling yucky.

DAY 1

I started a strict anti-inflammatory diet today. It is already an interesting experience and have already been in contact with the doctor three times today to make sure what I am experiencing is normal. The following posts will provide details about what I am doing and feeling. Here goes nothing!! My mom came over yesterday and helped me prep some fruits and veggies. She also got me going with quinoa and buckwheat. I didn't know anything about either one of those until now. I am going to be learning how to eat differently and hopefully I will learn more when I can start reintroducing foods into my diet.

DAY 2

Today was harder in some ways and easier in others. I thought I was going to die from my caffeine headache yesterday. After talking to the doctor, I realized I can't go from drinking gallons of Diet Dr. Pepper to nothing. Rob brought me a small drink from Maverik and I felt like I would live. I have a few days to taper off. He said I could just ride it out but three kids won't allow me to do that.

My breakfast of buckwheat and almond milk was better with blueberries rather than the raspberries I had yesterday. We grilled some chicken last night and I heated it up with cooked carrots and quinoa for lunch. It wasn't bad. I feel so tired and weak. I feel like I am starving. I also feel like I might be able to make it. It will all be worth it when I have a better quality of life in a few more days. Hopeful!!

My favorite thing is the fruit-infused water I made. Makes me think of the spa! :-) Thank you Pinterest for the idea!

Day 3

I feel like I am weak and tired today but I have been able to finish more projects in the last two days than I have in months. I had my appointment with the doctor today and it went well. He asked me how my energy level is and I was completely prepared to tell him I am very tired and have no energy but I had to stop and think about it for a second and realized I do feel better. I am on the right track. I still have many moments of extreme weakness and I hope they will be less frequent as time goes on.

I spent a good part of today researching and trying out new and different foods. I am starting to feel like this time period in my life is manageable. I am SO grateful to my mom for helping me with food-finds and my husband for his patience with my crankiness. My kids are starting to understand a little about what I can and can't eat so that is helpful. I will post some recipes and foods I find are helpful when I have more time tomorrow.

Day 4

Today started out as a challenge because I woke up hungry. I had the immediate realization I am really doing this!  The first few days were manageable because I was researching and trying new foods and looking for ways to make this lifestyle change. Even though it is only 21 days before I start reintroducing foods into my diet, that feels SO far away. Just a few things I have learned so far:

1.  I have to keep busy or I want to snack.
2.  My kids are recognizing the changes and are very supportive for being so young.
3. I could not/can't do this without my mom helping me with food suggestions and ideas.
4. Pizza isn't worth feeling yucky for days.
5. I CAN live without diet soda
6. I love smoothies!

Even though I am still tired, I am starting to see some positive changes and I am more optimistic this evening than I was this morning!

 Day 5

Caffeine free!! I had to have a small diet Dr. Pepper the other day for my caffeine headache and I only drank half of it and put the rest in the fridge. My son D saw it and said to me, "What is that? That is the SMALLEST drink I have EVER seen you have!" Definitely seeing some results in how I feel. No headache and no neck pain today. This morning was easier than yesterday morning. I am actually excited about some of the recipes I discovered today. My mom made me some AWESOME "cookies" with instant buckwheat and applesauce. They help me feel like I am having a "treat". She also made me some crackers. I will post those recipes later. I made my own salad dressing. It is better than my last two attempts but I still don't love it.  I made a smoothie today with frozen fruit from Costco. I blended almond milk with strawberries, papaya, pineapple and mangoes. Next time I will do coconut milk and I will feel like I am back at the beach in Hawaii! It wasn't as sweet as I am used to but I loved it. Dinner was a HUGE success! I mixed ground turkey with white beans, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder (because onions make me sick) sea salt, and pepper. I used romaine lettuce for "taco shells" and I felt like I was having a feast! I feel like I am getting the hang of it. Here are some pics of what I have been doing:

1 orange, 1 lemon, 1 lime, ice, and water

Berry Almond Salad...thank you Wendys for the inspiration!

On my way...the history!

    My mother (Laurel Dodge) is such an inspiration to me in many ways. Her and my dad have always been my cheerleaders and biggest fans! I just started a strict anti-inflammatory diet this week and I decided to follow in her footsteps and blog about my journey. So here it is!
    It all started in 2008 when I found out I was pregnant with my third son. I started contracting at 18 weeks and was put on bedrest for the rest of my pregnancy. Not being allowed to do anything for almost 4 months was hard and a HUGE learning experience for me. It also caused the downfall of my physical body. The summer before this pregnancy, I attended a fitness boot camp and lost 40 pounds with Weight Watchers. I was healthy and strong at the beginning of my pregnancy but it didn't matter. Things were going to happen the way they were meant to....
    The first medical challenge I faced was 8 months after J was born. Kidney stones...lots of them and BIG ones. I had Lithotripsy twice and it wasn't fun for about 4 months. I finally recovered from the kidney thing and realized I wasn't feeling better. The doctor did blood tests and said he couldn't see anything wrong or out of the ordinary so he prescribed an anti-depressant. That wasn't working so I switched doctors for another opinion. That doctor did bloodwork and told me the problem was my thyroid. I was SO tired ALL the time and didn't have any energy. I had constant headaches and frequent migraines. I thought the problem was weight since I gained 40+ pounds with pregnancy but I just couldn't find the energy to exercise and the weight wasn't going anywhere. After several blood tests, I started taking Synthroid. That helped for a little while, but I was soon right back to where I was two moths prior. I was struggling with pain and body aches every day....and depression. I couldn't make it through the day without a nap. Fibromyalgia and arthritis were words thrown around but the symptoms didn't match up. I started seeing Dr. Kris Hansen and he treated me using NAET. I felt amazing after my treatments, but only for a couple of days. I went back to my family doctor. After some more testing, I was diagnosed with pre-diabetes. I HAD to lose weight. The Meformin helped for awhile and I started Weight Watchers again (I had given up about 3 times before this). I slowly started to lose weight then stopped losing and felt bad again. More bloodwork...more Synthroid...no help! My neck was hurting all the time and I didn't have an injury, just stress from not being able to handle my work life and home life while not feeling good. The doctor referred me to physical therapy and that was awesome! Until my insurance cut off my treatments. I scheduled a treatment with Dr. Dutch Workman, chiropractor, for my neck and after several treatments, I was able to make it through work and my headaches went away. He is great!  I still see him every other week or so and my headaches are less intense and less frequent. But what is the real problem? What is keeping my body from healing? Stress is a major culprit and I am trying to work through my sources of stress but it is more than that.
     I went back to the doctor about 6 weeks ago to let him know I am still not feeling good. More blood tests showed my blood sugar was back in the normal range. Yay! The tests confirmed that even though I had lost 25 lbs. my cholesterol was dangerously high. He prescribed another medication. When I picked up the prescription, I thought about it and talked about it with family members. I dumped the medicine down the sink and called Red River Health and Wellness Center and here I am. This has to work!

Here is the link to my daily posts...you can also find under "Pathway to Wellness"

http://www.stamfamilyhappenings.blogspot.com/p/pathway-to-wellness.html

Blogs

        It looks like I am LONG overdue for an update. I attended a class at SUECON this school year and one of the sessions was about blogging. The teacher was great and her blogs were beautiful! I've had a blog for years but didn't really know what to do with it. I have several friends who have beautiful personal and school blogs and I want to do the same! :) I still don't know what I am doing, but what better way to learn than by trying it out, right?
        I had to opportunity to help my mom start her blog today and I learned SO much just trying things out. I will admit, it was frustrating at times but it did get easier. She has lots of fabulous things to share with readers about her weight loss journey and I am excited about how many lives she will change just like she has changed mine. She has so many tips and tricks for things to eat, ways to add activity to the day, awesome quotes and sayings that are motivating and her amazing story. What a beautiful inspiration and a an example of strength! Check back later to find out when her blog will be launched! :)