There is life after a blood panel......

A few weeks ago I made a call to my doc.  I had not done blood work in a long while and thought it was about time.  We used to have regular "Know your Numbers" events at work with blood draw, blood pressure and any other marker you wanted to have checked out.  Since the Affordable Health Care Act (aka Obamacare) we cannot offer the program free.

I had been feeling a bit sluggish, not that different from the first time I saw my alternative medicine doctor.  I figured it was time to get my act back together and take it on the road.

I got the blood draw (which was a very unpleasant event......even being hydrated they could not stop my veins from rolling to get a good stab).  We chatted about my health goals, where I was, what I was willing to do, etc.  I even paid the big bucks to have the food sensitivities done again....I could tell something was different.

A few days go by and I got the call the results were in and we needed to have a chat.  Let me say I am amazed what can be told by a few vials of blood.

I guess I live in a state of dehydration.  I think I am drinking enough water...but enough for whom?  An ant?  A dog?  Definitely not a human being of my size!  Then we talked about the components of my blood.  Not enough D, zinc, magnesium....the list went on.  Sheesh....I thought I was eating clean. or at least cleaner.

THEN she lowered the boom.  DIET......what was I eating, how did I feel?  At the time did I know that my lack of energy was really from the food I was eating?  I ate plenty of veg....truly; what else was I eating?  The dreaded list of sensitivities came out and I shut down.  The list was LONG...or so it felt.  I think they test 150 items that must be standard offenders.  The list came down to:

NO EGGS
NO DAIRY (except for goat products)
Avoid most grains ESPECIALLY wheat and gluten
POSITIVE for candida!!!!

After that I think I stopped listening.  I was the queen of eggs.  My sensitivities are to both whites and yolks.  NO EGGS, no omelets, no hard boiled eggs, no egg salad, no fried eggs with baked sweet potato, no poached eggs, no stopping at McDonalds or Starbucks for a quick breakfast.  This was a big deal.  I know I got testy.....I pushed back....HARD.  I wanted to cry.  CRY over an EGG.

I got an exchange list of foods, what to have from each category......and after I learned things I had to eliminate for 90-120 days we got to add to the list to fix the candida.  As I understand it, Candida is an overgrowth of yeast in the gut.  It feeds on sugar...natural or otherwise as a simple explanation.  So besides the long list of sensitivities, I need to limit or remove fruit, fruit juices, grains, legumes, starchy veg, mushrooms (the fungi of the GODS), pistachios, peanuts, alcohol,.....sigh.

I made a second appointment with the nutritionist and took my information home and tried to process it all.  I was MAD.....so mad that I ate every bit of junk food that struck my fancy.  Ding Dongs, Devil Dogs, Yodels, ice cream.......and I felt like hell.  I cried, I pouted.  I looked longingly at the dozens of eggs I had in the house.  I loved making eggs with sweet potatoes, mushrooms, onions for breakfast.  I mourned.  I mourned the foods I enjoyed.

I had already done the Whole 30 so I had friends suggesting I try this recipe and that recipe........as I read each one I found ingredients that I needed to cut out for this time frame.  I pouted and cried again.

I had to put my big girl pants on.  This is only a temporary situation.  I could do anything for 90-120 days right?  I started making lists of foods I did enjoy.  How could I make combinations with them?  Am I excited I can only use apple cider vinegar?  Not particularly but it will do.  I had another visit with Kristen and we chatted.

I talked about my mourning of food.......and she told me it was all normal.  I was making a HUGE change but it was going to make me feel better.  She recommended using a shake the doc suggested to keep blood sugar stable.  Initially I pushed back on that and said I want to do it all with natural food!!  Yeah, that did not last too long.  Limiting fruit limited my snack choices that I had wrapped my head around.  I chipped away at the wall I had built up.

I am living within the parameters set on the plan!  Imagine that!  There is lots of veg going on; unfortunately not my lovely winter squashes, sweet potatoes, beets.....though Kristen did tell me if I could limit it to 1 small serving ......and NOT every day I could use them.  Once she said that, gave me permission to spread my wings I did not feel so bad.  Grains are still a good thing to avoid mainly because of the inflammation markers.  I know there are pastas out there made with legumes (starchy!) so I will keep that tucked in the back of my head for future use.  I can have hummus and be creative with it........I did find that chevre is not bad!  I let it melt on steamed veggies and it is a great protein.  Goat cheddar cheese is nice too......probably can't use it to make a grilled cheese but I don't need a grilled cheese..I needed to feel like I could have cheese and be satisfied.

I prepared for a girls night out at the Cubs game (GO CUBS) so I could have a dog while cheering on my boys of summer.  I prepared for other little things I want.

What did I learn that was reinforcement of what I already knew?  I am not mean to be perfect.  I am finding my way.  Tracking on my fitness pal is not an option right now.  I need to know I am getting all my exchanges in so I created a label with a notebook and am writing it down......wow...sounds like tracking!  There are WW leaders cheering and jumping around.......someone is keeping track of their food consumption and not pissing and moaning the whole way!

I still have a lot to learn or accept yet.  I am taking baby steps and making sure I am enjoying the journey.  If I can't like it and am miserable, I will fail.  I choose not to fail.  I choose to win.

I normally end each post with a recipe.  I did find one that I do enjoy that fits in my new lifestyle!!

Beef and Broccoli MY WAY!

1 lb lean beef cut into strips
1 large bag frozen broccoli
2 medium onions sliced
1 tsp chopped garlic
coconut aminos
coconut oil

Slice the onions, set a big skillet on the stove and let it get hot.  Put in a little coconut oil and toss the garlic in.  Stir it a minute or so and toss the onions in.  Cook them until they are soft.....they do not have to be caramelized.  Toss in beef and stir until cooked to your desired degree of pink.  As it is finishing up, toss in the frozen broccoli and a splash of coconut aminos (great substitute for soy sauce)  If you feel the need for rice, use cauliflower rice.  It is tasty just as it stands!

Until next time......xxoo