A new diet

It is no secret that I have been having all kinds of problems with migraines.  I have also been questioning some other things that have been going on with my body.  I have been seeking answers, but still I am not sure if they have been found yet.  This search has led me to a new Naturopath.  I am a firm believer that we are what we eat and that gut health is a huge part of our overall health.

I had some testing and it turns out that my thyroid is low and that I am highly reactive to many foods.  Now the low thyroid is common for being postpartum, so I am not getting really excited about this.  Now the reactive foods really threw me for a loop.  I eliminated processed soy and corn from my diet two years ago because I did not feel that they were healthy for me to consume.  Really, once you eliminate processed soy and corn you eliminate a good portion of all the crap junk food on the market.

I am now cleansing my body and eliminating the foods that I am reacting to.  For three months I am avoiding dairy, chicken, eggs, turkey, kidney beans, lima beans, corn, filberts, wheat, rye and spelt.  At the end of the three months, I will start adding these foods back and I should be able to tell what I am truly reacting to and what, if anything, needs to be permanently removed from my diet.

So, what is left?  I am learning...LOTS OF STUFF!  Since I am avoiding all these foods and I do the cooking in the house, the whole family is following this.  We have actually been eating quite well.  I do not feel deprived at all.  Really, the only things I am missing are eggs.  There are some great egg replacers for baked goods, but nothing for a breakfast option.  Scrambled eggs and quiche are staples for us.  I am experimenting with gluten free vegan bread recipes, and they are not that bad if you eat them toasted.  I even made some amazing brownies that Lamar even happily ate.

My problem with much of the gluten-free options is that they are high on starch (tapioca, potato) and low on actual nutrition.  Several of the baked goods I have tried have turned out more gummy or bean tasting.  I will figure out what the best mix for me is.  I have invested a small fortune in "alternative" flours and I am up to the challenge.

By eliminating all these foods, I am also eliminating a huge amount of calories from my diet.  I am not doing this to lose weight, but rather to improve my overall health.  Since I am nursing Calum, I have to keep my calories up so he is not adversely affected.  I feel like I am eating constantly.
 
Shianne is thrilled by the high amount of goat and sheep cheese in the fridge and the high amount of sushi we have been eating.  She does miss her French Toast in the morning.  I have not had a decrease in migraines yet, but I have noticed that I have had NO HEARTBURN.  I have also noticed the 12 pounds that have disappeared from my body...a wonderful benefit!

Over the next three months I will post many of the foods and resources that I have come across and discuss this new adventure in our life.  I have named this diet the Gluten-free Vegan plus Beef Diet.  Lamar has named it MISERY!!

Wordless Wednesday

A weekend at the beach

Shianne, Nora Beth, Calum and I spent this past weekend with my friend Eryca at her family vacation house in Cannon Beach.  We had a great time doing nothing.  Our days were filled with naps, beach play, yummy food and great conversations.  The key to a great trip with kids is to make sure each kid has a friend of the same age.  The kids were occupied at all times and the moms were able to actually put our feet up and enjoy ourselves.

Sweet Pleasure

What is it about diapers hanging on the line that just makes me smile?

Maybe, it is that they belong to the sweetest little boy ever!!

Wordless Wednesday

 

 

TED Blog: Teach every child about food: Jamie Oliver's TED Prize wish, now on TED.com

TED Blog: Teach every child about food: Jamie Oliver's TED Prize wish, now on TED.com

Kidical Mass

Nora Beth has been looking forward to this day for the whole week.  All of her practice has paid off and she can officially ride her bike in public.  Yes, the bike has made it out of the garage and to a public park.  The kick-off ride for Kidical Mass was a great family activity and gave Nora Beth the confidence to ride in more open spaces.  I was so happy that the weather held out and we had glorious sunshine!

She could not wait for the ride to start.  She did take several practice rides around the driveway at Bush House.  There was a fall that I thought was going to derail our afternoon, but she got right back on the bike without a tear.  She did stop to pick some daisies to properly adorn the basket on her bike.  You should have seen her eyes light up as she discovered that she could ring her bell while riding...multitasking in style!

Nora Beth was not quite ready for a completely solo ride, so Shainne and I walked along side her.  It won't be long  until we can ride along side her.

(We even made it into the newspaper... Statesman Journal )

The ride was a little to long for Nora Beth, so we stopped once we made it through the park and decided to play on the swings to regain some energy before riding back to the van.  She was so proud of herself for her accomplishment today!