I actually spent @ 4 hours reclining in one of our zero gravity chairs under the apricot tree with the misters on yesterday.  I read a whole magazine and just dozed.  I could really get use to this:-)

I am so excited that Keri's stomach is feeling better.  Hang tough little sister, the cravings for the foods that you crave will subside and you will find substitutes.

I ate lots of veggies yesterday in the form of couple of different fresh salads.  And I had a beef burger last night.  It was so yummy, it is from one of the steers we butchered recently.  Since going on this yeast elimination diet I have lost 8 pounds.  I am really hoping that it helps with the fatigue also.

Here is a new salad idea for you:
Arugula and Pea Salad
2 cups peas, shelled
6 cups arugula
4 cups swiss chard, stem removed and torn into bite size pieces
3 green onions thinly sliced
1/4 c olive oil
1/4c lemon juice

Cook peas in boiling water for @ 3 minutes.  Plunge into ice water to cool off.

Place arugula, chard, onion and peas in a bowl and toss.

Mix together the olive oil and lemon juice.  Drizzle over salad and toss or drizzle or individual servings.

Salt and pepper to taste.

I especially liked it, since I was able to use peas and swiss chard from my garden.  Unfortunately the peas are down for the season, but I still have swiss chard and my tomatoes are starting to set!

Eating to live not living to eat!

Eating to live not living to eat!  This has become my new motto.  Not that "Clean" eating is not tasty because it really is once your taste buds decide it so!  I just need to remind myself that I am doing this to live better and feel better but sometimes as the old mind set comes flooding by and tells me lies like, "just one little taste of that yummy roll won't hurt", well yes it does because then I want more!:). 

I woke up feeling so much better yesterday.  Thursday I ate very well and my stomach was so happy!  Yesterday was another success!  The only thing I still have to give up is the coffee and a bit of creamer and I hope to resolve that today when I go to Trader Joe's for some grocery shopping.  I will pick up one of the substitutes that is on our diet plan.  It has also helped to prepare my meals, several portions, ahead so that I am not tempted to eat the wrong things.

This morning I am dragging a bit, but I also worked Thursday night, doing one of my last hair clients, and I worked yesterday in my new position at the salon as mentor, educator and coach, which is quite frankly by dream job.  I am sure the extra pain I had last night was the aftermath of doing the hair, but just not being home and resting when I need too also plays a part in that.  Each week of my life finds me learning what I can and can't do and how much I need to pay attention to my body is telling me. 

Here is to another day of success! 

Keri

Drove into Prescott (32 mi one way) to run a few errands and pick up some groceries yesterday.  I was feeling pretty peppy until about half way to my destination.  Needless to say I just focused on the groceries and basically forgot the rest.  I really wanted to get some seafood/fish to mix things up a little more.  Keri suggested tilapia, so I go that and shrimp and scallops at Trader Joe's.  I pan fried the tilapia when I got home in a small amount of olive oil. I had dipped the tilapia in almond meal with lemon pepper for a little bit of a crust.  I added left over grilled squash and a huge tossed salad with lemon juice and olive oil for dressing.  Yummy!

The quinoa, oatmeal and pumpkin cereal really filled me up yesterday so I did not eat any lunch.  I did have a rice cake about 3:00 p.m with sunflower butter as I was leaving town.

I looked at the list again this morning that Dr. Susan had given me for a candida elimination diet and realized that the Yeast Connection books are also trying to help you with any and all food allergies.  So I think I will follow that food list.  I do know for me that gluten and corn are a problem so I will not eat anything with either of those ingredients, which I already do.  And I will just minimize the other potentially high allergy foods.  As with everything it is a process to figure out what is a problem and what is not.

Today my energy level is very low.  I told Keri yesterday that sometimes I just wonder if this is all in my head!  I am not a lazy person and I could push myself to accomplish all kinds of things, but then I think that I will only be twice as tired tomorrow!  I have to just take a deep breath, thank God again for the time off from work with pay!!!!  Thank you Lord, I again ask you for Your energy, it is the very best!!!

I started my period late Tuesday night, which always adds to the fatigue and the nerve pain. Not to mention sending me on an emotional roller coaster.  I have a call in today to Dr. Susan about the Evening Primrose Oil, since my period started much later than it should have.   I have to admit I have been feeling like such a whiner.   I don't look like I am not well and when someone asks me how I am feeling I hate telling them I am bone tired, because then I think they think well so am I, everybody gets that way.  And to be honest then I start thinking I am just a big baby and to suck it up or "cowboy up", especially when I have a spurt of energy and I want to jump into some project or another.  Take a deep breath Pam and just take care of yourself, and don't worry about what other people think, it is not important.  I know that is what Keri is thinking as she is reading this:-)

As for the diet, I notice that the yeast rash on my foot is all but gone.  I am not sure if it is the diet or the monistat I have been rubbing on it.  My guess is that it is both.  Either way I am glad that it is clearing up.

Yesterday, I ended up only eating a late breakfast and dinner.  I have to confess that I usually have a plain rice cake with almond butter and my Teeccino when I first get up.  Dinner was grilled summer squash and beet greens from my garden, yum!  Everyone else had hotdogs, corn on the cob and watermelon.  I could not think of any meat that I was interested in eating.  I was actually quite satisfied until about 9:30 ish when I had another rice cake with almond butter.

I tried a new recipe this morning for Autumn Power Porridge
3 c water
3/4 c steel cut oats
1/2 c quinoa, rinsed
1/4 tsp salt (I did not add)
3/4 c canned pumpkin
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice (I made up my own by looking up a pumpkin pie recipe)
3 tbsp agave nectar or maple syrup (I used a touch of stevia to just my serving)
1/2 c dried cranberries (I did not add, but I wanted to)
1/3 c coarsely chopped walnuts toasted
Milk optional (I splashed on a little almond milk)

In a large saucepan, combine water, oats, quinoa and salt.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat: cover and simmer for 20 minutes.

Stir in the pumpkin, pie spice and agave nectar.  Remove from the heat; cover and let stand 5 minutes or until water is absorbed and grains are tender.  Stir in cranberries and walnuts.  Serve with milk if desired.  Yield 4-1 cup servings

I made the full amount and have stuck the excess in the refrigerator for any easy breakfast for the next couple of days.

Day 4

Yesterday was a great day of following my diet.  The only thing I haven't given up yet is the coffee and creamer, which I hope to find the coffee substitutes that my sister mentioned this weekend!

I have been sulking a bit this weekend, wishing that I didn't need to be on such a strict diet!  Oh how I was longing for the days when I could get up have a Dr. Pepper for breakfast, eat some fast food for lunch if I ate lunch and then whatever I wanted for dinner.  How healthy I was...NOT!  Here's to another day of success!  I have noticed my stomach is not giving me such fits!  YAY

Happy Independence Day

What a hot dry summer we are having here in Middle Tennessee.  I can't remember this ever happening in the 17 years Craig and I have lived here.  They have even banned fire works which is legal here in our county and sad for all the people who make their living selling them twice a year.I will definitely be staying inside today as the extreme heat really does me in!

Yesterday was another day of not really staying on track.  I did good for breakfast and lunch but ended my day by eating seven layer dip for dinner with corn chips...I am so weak.  We were supposed to go to a party and had made the dip for that but when Craig come home he was on the verge of heat exhaustion and so we decided we had better stay home.  Well we couldn't let the dip go to waste.  Poor excuse but it's all I've got.

This morning we slept in and so I skipped breakfast and  had salad with tuna and lemon juice, olive oil and spices for dressing.  Yummy!  Then I decided to toast some chick peas for a nice crunchy snack.  They turned out better than in the past.  I roasted them in a 425 degree oven for about 20 minutes shaking the cookie sheet about every 5 minutes.  Oh I drained the can rinsed and then patted them dry tossed them in some olive oil and garlic.  When they came out of the oven I sprinkled with sea salt.  They are pretty tasty!

We are headed to a 4th of July gathering so I am trying to make a few things so that I will not be tempted to cheat.  I will let you know!  Once I really get started it will not be so hard, the trick is to make things ahead so that you are able to grab things when you are hungry!

Thank you Lord for a beautifully cool morning and a little moisture!  It really helps.  I actually spent about an hour in the garden picking the last of the beets, harvesting swiss chard and a ton of basil.  Now to find some recipes to use up the beet greens beside sauteing them.  The basil I want to turn into pesto, but that includes cheese and olives.  I will have to see what other recipes I can find.

I ate a lot of chicken yesterday.  I wish I had a good source of fresh fish and then someone else to cook it for me.  I hate cooking fish.  I have to admit I have been eating  pork, but that is because one part of the book says to, so confusing!  I have one last little piece thawed out so will eat this morning and then avoid for awhile and see if that has any impact.  Lots of salad also yesterday also, which is great at this time of year.