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!
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Saturday Night Crash
This past week was outrageously busy. With all the cooking and trying to keep everyone in green smoothies and not 'starving', I was constantly on the go. Through into that a few trips to the store for more produce and a doctor appointment, and it was busy!
I am so thankful that I was able to keep up, for the most part. It felt so good to be doing all the 'doing' that needed to be done. It has been months, six to be exact.
I should not have been surprised, when on Saturday night, shortly after dinner I utterly and completely crashed! Exhaustion like I have not felt in a long time filled every cell of my body. I was shocked by how quickly it came over me.
The emotions began to get out of control as the tiredness took hold of me. I began to cry for absolutely no reason other than EVERYTHING felt too big.
I showered, and cried. I got my snuggly clothes, and cried. We went downstairs for our 'date', and I cried. I cried because I love Brian so much. I cried because I was hungry and didn't know what to eat. I cried . . .well, for anything and everything! ;-)
I didn't sleep that well, but not horribly either. I awoke so tired again. I have sort of forgotten that this and worse is how I felt for months! Obviously I need to take it slower, if possible this week.
I need to remember to praise Him for the ALL I was able to do and also praise Him for calling my to rest! That is the hard part. Don't we just want to do and do once given the opportunity? This is a journey. I am still learning how to rest. Just when I think I am getting somewhere with it, I push and push!
It is okay to rest! It is okay to slow! We cannot do it all, nor does HE expect us to. Let's take the burden off of ourselves and joyfully do only what He allows us to!
For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning [to Me] and resting [in Me] you shall be saved; in quietness and in [trusting] confidence shall be your strength. . . (Is 30:15)
I am so thankful that I was able to keep up, for the most part. It felt so good to be doing all the 'doing' that needed to be done. It has been months, six to be exact.
I should not have been surprised, when on Saturday night, shortly after dinner I utterly and completely crashed! Exhaustion like I have not felt in a long time filled every cell of my body. I was shocked by how quickly it came over me.
The emotions began to get out of control as the tiredness took hold of me. I began to cry for absolutely no reason other than EVERYTHING felt too big.
I showered, and cried. I got my snuggly clothes, and cried. We went downstairs for our 'date', and I cried. I cried because I love Brian so much. I cried because I was hungry and didn't know what to eat. I cried . . .well, for anything and everything! ;-)
I didn't sleep that well, but not horribly either. I awoke so tired again. I have sort of forgotten that this and worse is how I felt for months! Obviously I need to take it slower, if possible this week.
I need to remember to praise Him for the ALL I was able to do and also praise Him for calling my to rest! That is the hard part. Don't we just want to do and do once given the opportunity? This is a journey. I am still learning how to rest. Just when I think I am getting somewhere with it, I push and push!
It is okay to rest! It is okay to slow! We cannot do it all, nor does HE expect us to. Let's take the burden off of ourselves and joyfully do only what He allows us to!
For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning [to Me] and resting [in Me] you shall be saved; in quietness and in [trusting] confidence shall be your strength. . . (Is 30:15)
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Thyroid Crashing
I went to the doctor again this week. I have noticed my resting heart rate is very low, in the 40s. Also, I feel like I am chasing my blood sugar a lot lately, even though I am eating very well. I simply cannot even fudge a little on waiting to eat. It has not been that bad in a long time.
I have also lowered my pituitary supplements, at his advice. He said to lower them slowly until we found the right amount. Well, I think we went a little too far, because the same sense of well being that came when I increased them left as I lowered them!
He had put me on some minor support for thyroid last time, but this time it is apparent that I needed something stronger, so he added a new thyroid supplement as well as increasing the pituitary supplements.
He said all the things I needed work on were pancreatic and endocrine, so it all made sense with the symptoms I was having.
I thought it might be beneficial to list all I take in the form of supplements, but I want to say that you simply cannot look at what one person takes and apply it to yourself! He muscle tests me for each and every supplement. When I was at my worst, he would test me for something that seemed great for me only to have me crash on two or three days later. (paradoxical reaction)
These are in no particular order.
Folate 5-plus (one a day)
Cytozyme PT/HPT (this is the pituitary support) (currently back up to 8 a day)
Gammonal Forte ( this goes with the PT/HPT) (currently back up to 8 a day)
Cytozyme AD (adrenal support) (3 a day)
Destress (2 in the morning and 2 at night)
Thyrostim (this is the first thyroid support he put me on)(three a day)
Glucobalance (this is just an all around great support) (3 a day)
Bio-Glycozyme (3 before bed)
Bio-D Mulsion (a great vitamin D) (2-6 drops daily)
GTA (recent addition) (one a day)
Optimal EFAs (six a day)
Iodine (6 drops, 2 times a day)
I also take a digestive enzyme with meals, when I remember ;-)
Occasionally I take Betaine with meals.
And, I cannot forget my beloved L-Tryptophan and Melatonin
I have also lowered my pituitary supplements, at his advice. He said to lower them slowly until we found the right amount. Well, I think we went a little too far, because the same sense of well being that came when I increased them left as I lowered them!
He had put me on some minor support for thyroid last time, but this time it is apparent that I needed something stronger, so he added a new thyroid supplement as well as increasing the pituitary supplements.
He said all the things I needed work on were pancreatic and endocrine, so it all made sense with the symptoms I was having.
I thought it might be beneficial to list all I take in the form of supplements, but I want to say that you simply cannot look at what one person takes and apply it to yourself! He muscle tests me for each and every supplement. When I was at my worst, he would test me for something that seemed great for me only to have me crash on two or three days later. (paradoxical reaction)
These are in no particular order.
Folate 5-plus (one a day)
Cytozyme PT/HPT (this is the pituitary support) (currently back up to 8 a day)
Gammonal Forte ( this goes with the PT/HPT) (currently back up to 8 a day)
Cytozyme AD (adrenal support) (3 a day)
Destress (2 in the morning and 2 at night)
Thyrostim (this is the first thyroid support he put me on)(three a day)
Glucobalance (this is just an all around great support) (3 a day)
Bio-Glycozyme (3 before bed)
Bio-D Mulsion (a great vitamin D) (2-6 drops daily)
GTA (recent addition) (one a day)
Optimal EFAs (six a day)
Iodine (6 drops, 2 times a day)
I also take a digestive enzyme with meals, when I remember ;-)
Occasionally I take Betaine with meals.
And, I cannot forget my beloved L-Tryptophan and Melatonin
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!
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