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!