Well, I had a physical earlier this week.
Discovered two important things ...
1. I have a chronic systemic yeast infection (candidiasis). It is likely at the root of all the problems I have been having for the past several years in combination with the gluten and dairy intolerance.
2. I have something going on with my liver as evidenced by some abnormal bloodwork.
Gameplan ...
1. Long-term antifungal treatment (like 2-3 months) along with some pretty severe dietary restrictions ... no sugar, no mushrooms, no berries/melon/stone fruit (too prone to mold), no yeast, no vinegar (ergo no pickles and no olives), nothing fermented (no soy sauce), no alcohol, no peanuts or pistachios (something about mold) ... did I mention no sugar and no vinegar?! Fuck. Combine that with no dairy and no gluten and ... well, I just don't know. It's been really really hard to even think about. I think I've done okay the past few days, but not perfect. Anyhoo ... apparently the antifungal can make you feel like crap so that should make this summer really fun.
2. I had more bloodwork today ... and have a liver ultrasound scheduled for next Friday. The doctor told me not to start worrying until we know what is going on, so I guess that is the plan there.
On the plus side, Matt is back to work, Duncan is feeling better, I'm almost done building my kids' new playscape (a girlfriend is helping me), and Michaela is done with school next Tuesday. My new job hasn't started yet, but I should hear by the beginning of next week when I start training.
Oh yea, and I'm down some lbs. Of course I can barely eat anything, so ... been walking and doing yoga, but not enough. If it would only stop raining here ...
Anyway, I'll likely start a new log ... should help me with crazy restrictive diet compliance. Bah. At least I won't be weighing/tracking/counting everything. Just eliminating half of the things I normally eat. (Do you realize just how much stuff has vinegar in it? Mayo? Check! Mustard? Check! Ketchup? Check!)
Bah.
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Life's a Journey ... Enjoy the Ride!
Well, I'm sorry about the new diet restrictions. But I'm glad they are finding out more about why you haven't been feeling well. I wish you not worrying vibes.
^^ yeah, the Dan John diet, meat, leaves & berries - well except the berries part I guess (bummer on that - could you go frozen or none at all from what you say). Meat, leaves & Citrus maybe?
And homemade mayo using lemon juice?
Ha! Yes, I am already down nearly 4# ... the weight loss should be easy.
I am roaming for recipes for homemade stuff ... mostly sauces to compensate for no mustard or ketchup ... and I do plan to make homemade mayo. Protein sources aren't an issue ... I can still have my beloved chicken, just no "preserved" meats ... so no deli meats, no ham, no smoked salmon. No restrictions on fats ... and all veggies are okay as long as they are uber-fresh (or frozen ... but I'm not a big fan of frozen). Fruits that are allowable are apples, pears, bananas ... all better if a little underripe. Berries are okay if frozen.
I did a little experiementing last night with 100% cocoa chocolate, carob powder, stevia, and vegan "butter". Tasted really good, but was a weird texture. At least it was chocolate.
I found a recipe for a good chimicurra sauce that I think I can make ... and I'll be making all sorts of pestos ... I had shrimp fried rice last night that was good. At least it is salad season ...
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Life's a Journey ... Enjoy the Ride!
...
Can ya' still eat chicken? Karla can suggest lotsa protein...
Yeah, I am the queen of eating protein (237 g a day average right now) with only 120g of carbs. I would love to say that there was some special way to make that sort of diet easy, but really I just changed my paradigms about what a meal is. Last night I ate 20 cooked shrimp as a meal for example. Some mornings I will have nothing but a piece of steak and that is my meal. Usually for lunch I eat some chicken and an orange. I have learned that my body functions okay with this amount of protein though and now hardly miss the carbs at mealtime. I generally only miss the carbs when I can smell them (such as doughnut day at work or near the pastery isle)
A couple of dishes that save my ass. Ceviche (you can make this with scallops, clilantro and lime juice) I use really fresh vegetables as a side. Salmon cooked on the grill (I use fake butter and cheese as a light brush and some sea salt). Cold cooked shrimp can be easily packed and eaten almost anywhere (carry wet wipes) And of course a finely grilled Rib-eye steak as well. It seems to help with the whole restriction concept when I am eating really fine (AKA expensive) foods.
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The BIGGER I get the smaller you look
I don't have a problem with the carb restriction (although I eat loads of veggies at each meal) ... and I'm allergic to beef ... it's more the lack of sauces/marinades containing vinegar that is the problem.
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Life's a Journey ... Enjoy the Ride!
I did a little experiementing last night with 100% cocoa chocolate, carob powder, stevia, and vegan "butter". Tasted really good, but was a weird texture. At least it was chocolate.
I'm not really a chocolate person, but I went digging in my old emails, since I remembered this one:
Ack, Julie, I'm so sorry about the medical issues and the dietary restrictions! Wow, Aoife is right--you're pretty much limited to grass and protein! (And cardboard?) Any idea about the liver tests?
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