Well, we are on day 20! It is getting easier as I have been able to add in tomatoes! Apparently most of my cooking involves tomatoes! Our flavor profile appears to be Mexican and Italian.
My Isabella, with pretty bad eczema is actually doing worse. This is disheartening a little because I don't know if she is just having a bad day with it, or was something she ate, or she is detoxing . . .I just feel sort of helpless! I pray continually for wisdom. For now I am going to take back out nightshades for her, but something tells me this is not it.
We still do not have the big bad things in, like wheat, corn, gluten, dairy, eggs. My doctor says you need to have these out for AT LEAST 21 days before you can tell anything. So we shall see. Also, my other daughter outgrew her eczema, so who knows.
This diet has moved us to take our diet to a whole new level. It has opened the children up to new ideas in food. We closely follow Nourishing Traditions principles and have really taken it to a new level. We already did great, but I think there is always room for improvement.
Eggs and dairy have to come in first for us, as we have a bazillion eggs from our chickens and we have a cow share that is on hold. We are going to wait until next week to add them in slowly though.
My Blendtec is coming tomorrow!! I can't wait. I have made approximately 180 smoothies in my Bosch blender since we started this. I make six blenderfuls a day, hopefully the Blendtec will cut that in half! Yeah!
Showing posts with label Elimination Diet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Elimination Diet. Show all posts
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Day Seven - Day Eleven Elimination Diet
The days have been busy cooking and getting a bit discouraged that this isn't going to work. We have had lots of weird stomach issues this past week that I don't know if they are from a 'bug' or the diet!
There is constipation, severe gas pains, and who knows what else.
My six year olds eczema is pretty bad. I had hoped that it would improve at least some by now.
I question whether this is right for us right now as we don't usually eat this many grains and beans. I have felt for a long time that more protein, veggies and minimal grains was better for us. So this just 'feels' wrong. But then again, the children did eat grains, just in different forms, so I don't know!!!
It is hard at times being responsible for their diet. Sometimes I wish I just didn't know what I know and we just went on like the rest of the world.
I also feel like the GAPS diet or the BED diet would be very beneficial for some of my children. We shall see.
Today's treat was coconut milk and blueberries blended then put in the ice cream machine! They loved it.
We have added protein in to our diet in the form of chicken, beef and fish. I just don't feel right about the all grain and bean vegetarian type diet. We are still keeping out all of the big allergy type foods, corn, wheat, soy, dairy, gluten, ect.
We did add citrus in this week and haven't seen any changes, but I also don't know what to look for!
There is constipation, severe gas pains, and who knows what else.
My six year olds eczema is pretty bad. I had hoped that it would improve at least some by now.
I question whether this is right for us right now as we don't usually eat this many grains and beans. I have felt for a long time that more protein, veggies and minimal grains was better for us. So this just 'feels' wrong. But then again, the children did eat grains, just in different forms, so I don't know!!!
It is hard at times being responsible for their diet. Sometimes I wish I just didn't know what I know and we just went on like the rest of the world.
I also feel like the GAPS diet or the BED diet would be very beneficial for some of my children. We shall see.
Today's treat was coconut milk and blueberries blended then put in the ice cream machine! They loved it.
We have added protein in to our diet in the form of chicken, beef and fish. I just don't feel right about the all grain and bean vegetarian type diet. We are still keeping out all of the big allergy type foods, corn, wheat, soy, dairy, gluten, ect.
We did add citrus in this week and haven't seen any changes, but I also don't know what to look for!
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Day Five and Six of the Elimination Diet
Things continue to go well, but we are getting a little weary of the somewhat bland diet. We have kept out some of the spices that we usually cook with, namely chili powder. We are trying all kinds of new flavor profiles, some we like, some we don't. I am pleased everyone, well almost everyone, is willing to try them.
Having the little children help in the kitchen is going a long way in getting them to try new things.
One thing we tried was roasted root vegetables. Sweet potato, turnips, carrots, onion, garlic, baby bok choy and mushrooms. NONE of us like turnips!
One thing we have been enjoying is having frozen blueberries and coconut milk for dessert.
Having the little children help in the kitchen is going a long way in getting them to try new things.
One thing we tried was roasted root vegetables. Sweet potato, turnips, carrots, onion, garlic, baby bok choy and mushrooms. NONE of us like turnips!
One thing we have been enjoying is having frozen blueberries and coconut milk for dessert.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Day Four Elimination Diet
Mama is fading fast. I seem to be coming down with what the others have had, severe headache and tummy issues. Well, for now it is just the headache, hopefully I won't be up all night in front of the toilet like my 19 year old son was! Poor guy.
The kids are amazing me with their eagerness to try new foods! Today it was Butternut Squash Soup. They would not have tried it willingly in the past. I am praising God, as I think if nothing else, this has so broadened their palates. They are so willing and want to be in the kitchen helping prepare these new meals. Today they loved drizzling coconut milk over their soup, they thought it was so cool to do it themselves.
Tonight's dinner was Summer Vegetable Kitcheree. I varied it a little bit as I didn't have some of the spices, but it was okay. I had chicken soup, trying to keep it bland for now.
My day:
Green Smoothie (spinach base)
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
2 over perfectly easy eggs! served over a tiny bit of our hash (haven't had eggs in a while, loved them!)
1 cup squash soup
some fish
Celery w/ sunbutter
Chicken soup and romaine salad
Not as much 'raw' as I wanted, but I did not feel well. The last couple of days I have been having a hard time eating enough and soon enough, before my blood sugar crashes. I have lowered my pituitary supplements slowly over the past week, and I wonder if this is the cause. I also woke up today with an old familiar 'heavy' feeling which goes away when my pituitary supplements are at their ideal level. I go to the doctors tomorrow so we will see if I dropped too many pills. It could just be an off day, busy week, extra stress and three very good feeling busy days! Hard to tell.
Oh, and while preparing the butternut squash for our soup, my hand slipped and I ripped my thumbnail so far down and half way off the nail bed! It is by far the worst and the lowest I have ever ripped a fingernail. I cried and walked in circles not knowing what to do. The littles followed me and hugged me, it was so sweet!
So, all in all, not a great day, but I serve a GREAT GOD who has new mercies for me in the morning, goodnight ;-)
The kids are amazing me with their eagerness to try new foods! Today it was Butternut Squash Soup. They would not have tried it willingly in the past. I am praising God, as I think if nothing else, this has so broadened their palates. They are so willing and want to be in the kitchen helping prepare these new meals. Today they loved drizzling coconut milk over their soup, they thought it was so cool to do it themselves.
Tonight's dinner was Summer Vegetable Kitcheree. I varied it a little bit as I didn't have some of the spices, but it was okay. I had chicken soup, trying to keep it bland for now.
My day:
Green Smoothie (spinach base)
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
2 over perfectly easy eggs! served over a tiny bit of our hash (haven't had eggs in a while, loved them!)
1 cup squash soup
some fish
Celery w/ sunbutter
Chicken soup and romaine salad
Not as much 'raw' as I wanted, but I did not feel well. The last couple of days I have been having a hard time eating enough and soon enough, before my blood sugar crashes. I have lowered my pituitary supplements slowly over the past week, and I wonder if this is the cause. I also woke up today with an old familiar 'heavy' feeling which goes away when my pituitary supplements are at their ideal level. I go to the doctors tomorrow so we will see if I dropped too many pills. It could just be an off day, busy week, extra stress and three very good feeling busy days! Hard to tell.
Oh, and while preparing the butternut squash for our soup, my hand slipped and I ripped my thumbnail so far down and half way off the nail bed! It is by far the worst and the lowest I have ever ripped a fingernail. I cried and walked in circles not knowing what to do. The littles followed me and hugged me, it was so sweet!
So, all in all, not a great day, but I serve a GREAT GOD who has new mercies for me in the morning, goodnight ;-)
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Day Three Elimination Diet
Wow, is it only day three? I feel like I have been in the kitchen cleaning produce or soaking and cooking rice, quinoa and adzuki beans for weeks now! ;-)
Today went very well. Again, I am feeling so good, comparatively speaking. It feels like such a blessing to be able to be doing all this for my family, as it has been months of not being up to it! Thank you, Lord.
Smoothie for breakfast. They beg for these. We still are making them with tons of greens ,(organic romaine, organic spinach (yeah Costco) or kale) apples, pears and celery. Today I made one with blueberries and pears with the greens in addition to the original.
I try to drink a quart, the children drink until they can't drink anymore ;-)
I think they are hungrier sooner because I am trying to keep the smoothies 'pure' meaning no oils or seeds, as we are detoxing and doing the elimination diet. I do think when I add oils or young coconut water and meat they last a lot longer.
Brunch was more of the Yam and Adzuki Hash and rice and beans.
Then a couple of short hours later, more of anything leftover from the previous two days. . .
Then, carrots, celery and cucumbers with a tablespoon of sunbutter (sunflower seed butter).
Then, I had to beat them off with a carrot stick until dinner . . . which was . . .
absolutely fabulous, 'I could eat these everyday' Sunny Sunflower Seed Burgers from the Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook (not sure if the recipe is on their website) My husband LOVED them.
Basically they were sunflower seeds ( I soaked and dried them first for optimal nutrition) some spices, and cooked brown rice whazzed up in the food processor and formed into patties. I then 'fried' them in coconut oil. Delicious!
My daughters eczema is worse than ever, but I believe this is to be expected, as it may get worse before it gets better and the offending food needs to be out of the diet for more than three weeks.
As far as this adrenal fatigue mama and diet:
-1 quart smoothie (way more greens than low-glycemic fruit)
-1/4 cup sunflower seeds (soaked and dried)chicken, green apple, celery, cranberry salad with celery stalks
-(I crashed in the afternoon because I let myself get way to hungry, this is a big NO-NO for adrenal fatigue, I know this, but do it occasionally anyway!)
-Woofed down some fish and some sunflower seed and date balls.
-Dinner was a Sunflower Burger, lots of guacamole (yum) and green beans and a little more fish.
Okay, all adrenal fatiguers need to be in bed by 10:00 pm and it is now 10:14, so I am breaking another rule . . .I'm am off to bed!
Today went very well. Again, I am feeling so good, comparatively speaking. It feels like such a blessing to be able to be doing all this for my family, as it has been months of not being up to it! Thank you, Lord.
Smoothie for breakfast. They beg for these. We still are making them with tons of greens ,(organic romaine, organic spinach (yeah Costco) or kale) apples, pears and celery. Today I made one with blueberries and pears with the greens in addition to the original.
I try to drink a quart, the children drink until they can't drink anymore ;-)
I think they are hungrier sooner because I am trying to keep the smoothies 'pure' meaning no oils or seeds, as we are detoxing and doing the elimination diet. I do think when I add oils or young coconut water and meat they last a lot longer.
Brunch was more of the Yam and Adzuki Hash and rice and beans.
Then a couple of short hours later, more of anything leftover from the previous two days. . .
Then, carrots, celery and cucumbers with a tablespoon of sunbutter (sunflower seed butter).
Then, I had to beat them off with a carrot stick until dinner . . . which was . . .
absolutely fabulous, 'I could eat these everyday' Sunny Sunflower Seed Burgers from the Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook (not sure if the recipe is on their website) My husband LOVED them.
Basically they were sunflower seeds ( I soaked and dried them first for optimal nutrition) some spices, and cooked brown rice whazzed up in the food processor and formed into patties. I then 'fried' them in coconut oil. Delicious!
My daughters eczema is worse than ever, but I believe this is to be expected, as it may get worse before it gets better and the offending food needs to be out of the diet for more than three weeks.
As far as this adrenal fatigue mama and diet:
-1 quart smoothie (way more greens than low-glycemic fruit)
-1/4 cup sunflower seeds (soaked and dried)chicken, green apple, celery, cranberry salad with celery stalks
-(I crashed in the afternoon because I let myself get way to hungry, this is a big NO-NO for adrenal fatigue, I know this, but do it occasionally anyway!)
-Woofed down some fish and some sunflower seed and date balls.
-Dinner was a Sunflower Burger, lots of guacamole (yum) and green beans and a little more fish.
Okay, all adrenal fatiguers need to be in bed by 10:00 pm and it is now 10:14, so I am breaking another rule . . .I'm am off to bed!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Successful Day Two of Elimination Diet
Woo Hoo! I would say today went very well! Tons of smoothie making and cooking though ;-) My children are eating better than ever, and we already ate great. They love the Yam and Adzuki Hash.
For lunch I stir fried some veggies in olive oil, onion, garlic, broccoli, green beans, snow peas until tender. I add a little water to make a 'sauce' and served it over rice. (I do soak my rice according to Nourishing Traditions) They loved it, but did miss the Tamari sauce.
Dinner was a Lentil and Rice casserole from The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook. The reviews were good. I thought it was a bit bland, but I like things 'spicy'.
I did not eat it as I am sticking to the way I have been eating which is veggies and protein! Today I had Atlantic Cod (from Costco, it is awesome) and a salad with lemon and olive oil. The lemon is not on the elimination diet, but I don't think I have a problem with citrus.
I felt so much better eating the way I normally do. I am glad I tried the smoothies for a day, but it was certainly a closed door for this adrenal fatigued mama!
Brian did his second green smoothie day and did well.
I was so happy to be buzzing around in the kitchen all day. It felt a little like the old me, though I still tire easily. I can tell I am getting better ever since early December when my doctor put me back on some pituitary supplements and my diet was way more focused on no carbs again. That is pretty much how I have eaten since last February, but you know there are 'mess ups' here and there where I get off track. By God's grace I sailed through the holidays with very little sugar, praise God!
I also think the addition of some thyroid supplements and some essential oils last week will help, I just haven't been taking them regularly. :-(
I so want to do a separate post on what I feel green smoothies have done for me.
So, my diet today:
Green Smoothie (romaine, pear and blueberry)
Chicken, celery, cranberries, green apple (salad)
Kombucha (love it!)
Cod and salad
Enjoying a final glass of Kombucha as I type!
For lunch I stir fried some veggies in olive oil, onion, garlic, broccoli, green beans, snow peas until tender. I add a little water to make a 'sauce' and served it over rice. (I do soak my rice according to Nourishing Traditions) They loved it, but did miss the Tamari sauce.
Dinner was a Lentil and Rice casserole from The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook. The reviews were good. I thought it was a bit bland, but I like things 'spicy'.
I did not eat it as I am sticking to the way I have been eating which is veggies and protein! Today I had Atlantic Cod (from Costco, it is awesome) and a salad with lemon and olive oil. The lemon is not on the elimination diet, but I don't think I have a problem with citrus.
I felt so much better eating the way I normally do. I am glad I tried the smoothies for a day, but it was certainly a closed door for this adrenal fatigued mama!
Brian did his second green smoothie day and did well.
I was so happy to be buzzing around in the kitchen all day. It felt a little like the old me, though I still tire easily. I can tell I am getting better ever since early December when my doctor put me back on some pituitary supplements and my diet was way more focused on no carbs again. That is pretty much how I have eaten since last February, but you know there are 'mess ups' here and there where I get off track. By God's grace I sailed through the holidays with very little sugar, praise God!
I also think the addition of some thyroid supplements and some essential oils last week will help, I just haven't been taking them regularly. :-(
I so want to do a separate post on what I feel green smoothies have done for me.
So, my diet today:
Green Smoothie (romaine, pear and blueberry)
Chicken, celery, cranberries, green apple (salad)
Kombucha (love it!)
Cod and salad
Enjoying a final glass of Kombucha as I type!
Monday, January 11, 2010
Day One Elimination Diet
Today we begin, as a family, the Elimination diet. I was so excited and really felt the Lord leading us to this. We all prayed and let Him lead it. That is my consolation right now as I listen to "I am hungry", "is there anything else I can eat?" "what do get to eat in two days?"
Also, my two year old is having tummy troubles again which has resulted in a horrible diaper rash. My 17 year old's tummy and head don't feel well either. I am very hungry and wonder if it is okay to be doing this with my adrenal fatigue. I have to trust that God has led this, but I am continually crying out for wisdom with each turn here today.
It is 12:18 pm and I have made at least seven blender-fulls of smoothies! Keeping a family this size in green smoothies is proving to be pretty time consuming. I just realized, it might sound like I am complaining. I am not! Really, there is grace, just giving you a 'real' picture.
For the first two days we are supposed to only consume green smoothies. We do believe that the littles might need more and are willing to give them some rice, beans and quinoa if needed, but so far, they are doing great.
The two year old is eating rice, applesauce and bananas, in an effort to firm up his bowel movements. Bananas are not on the elimination diet, but we are not so concerned about him.
I also need to make sure everyone is drinking enough water, which I have found that if you give a kid a straw they will drink anything, and copious amounts too.
Main reasons we are doing this:
A couple of the children have eczema, one pretty severe that has not responded to taking out wheat and/or dairy.
Some of the children have 'elimination' problems, meaning they take way too long to go and don't always go regularly. Some go very infrequently and have a hard time of it.
One has some pretty bad attention problems.
The others are along for the ride. It is a very healing diet for the next several weeks, so we all can benefit from it. I do think there may even be some spiritual issues that will be addressed during this time.
We have an inside family joke going with this. Whatever symptom or ailment someone brings to me they get the same response, "you need the elimination diet". It might be a tummy ache, an earache, a sore foot, a blister from their boots, selfishness, pride, you name it, I am convinced (and trying to convince them ;-) that the elimination diet will cure it!
I might update later to let you know if we are surviving or not!
Also, my two year old is having tummy troubles again which has resulted in a horrible diaper rash. My 17 year old's tummy and head don't feel well either. I am very hungry and wonder if it is okay to be doing this with my adrenal fatigue. I have to trust that God has led this, but I am continually crying out for wisdom with each turn here today.
It is 12:18 pm and I have made at least seven blender-fulls of smoothies! Keeping a family this size in green smoothies is proving to be pretty time consuming. I just realized, it might sound like I am complaining. I am not! Really, there is grace, just giving you a 'real' picture.
For the first two days we are supposed to only consume green smoothies. We do believe that the littles might need more and are willing to give them some rice, beans and quinoa if needed, but so far, they are doing great.
The two year old is eating rice, applesauce and bananas, in an effort to firm up his bowel movements. Bananas are not on the elimination diet, but we are not so concerned about him.
I also need to make sure everyone is drinking enough water, which I have found that if you give a kid a straw they will drink anything, and copious amounts too.
Main reasons we are doing this:
A couple of the children have eczema, one pretty severe that has not responded to taking out wheat and/or dairy.
Some of the children have 'elimination' problems, meaning they take way too long to go and don't always go regularly. Some go very infrequently and have a hard time of it.
One has some pretty bad attention problems.
The others are along for the ride. It is a very healing diet for the next several weeks, so we all can benefit from it. I do think there may even be some spiritual issues that will be addressed during this time.
We have an inside family joke going with this. Whatever symptom or ailment someone brings to me they get the same response, "you need the elimination diet". It might be a tummy ache, an earache, a sore foot, a blister from their boots, selfishness, pride, you name it, I am convinced (and trying to convince them ;-) that the elimination diet will cure it!
I might update later to let you know if we are surviving or not!
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