the purge {health update}

So last I posted on this I was on my way to see my friend, the voodoo nurse. 

I was hoping for no red, some yellow and more green on the test.

I am happy, no elated to say there has been big improvements.  

No red!

I kind of felt that way already but to see in print made a big difference.

She and I talked about my findings, the diet I'm on, the weight loss.

She was excited for me.

She also had recommendations for me.

Not many like in past visits.

She added one supplement to help supply me with more Calcium, Magnesium and Potassium with enzymes that I need right now.

She said my system was frail.  

I have to agree.

I am the most out of shape I have ever been in my life.

It's hard to admit but it's true.

Things haven't slowed down since camp began and the idea of starting a workout plan seems exhausting and stressful.

It will come.  

I will make it happen.

I've made good strides.

Now to continue.

the purge {update}

I've been doing my purge for a couple of weeks now.

Learned a lot.
Good and bad.

I've done a pretty good job of staying on task with it.
When I did go off (twice), I felt it.

Those were the times I was away from home.
It's hard being on this when you eat out.
Even when eating salad, I had to question what was in the dressing.

I really didn't have any sweet cravings, well maybe just once.
Art bought us an ice cream maker for our anniversary.
We've had fun with it.
I enjoy making it, the family enjoys consuming it.
Already made vanilla and chocolate.
It was  hard, but I was able to say no.

The GOOD:
Felt better within two days of being on it.
More energy.
Better skin.
No pain.
More aware of what foods set me off.

The BAD:
Pain
Headache
Acne
Weight loss 

Yes I have lost weight.  Now most would think that is a plus and at first I did too but to date I've lost 15 lbs.  I was not overweight for my frame but the extra weight (in certain areas) I carried made me feel sluggish and the typical female reaction to weight, unattractive.  When the weight first started coming off I was excited but now I'm trying to keep it from going lower. 

I am consuming a lot of proteins, veggies, some fruits and no sugar and yeast products which = weight loss.  So I've had to come up with some creative ways to still eat some carbs without adding yeast.  Gluten free bread (as well as regular bread) has yeast in it so I had to come up with something I could make here at home.  I found some options on pinterest (thankfully).  They are basically GF flour and water with spices added.  They call it griddle bread but I would compare it to pancakes.  It's helping.

I've come across a lot of yeast free bread recipes since in my research there are none on the market.  Not a big need for them I guess :).  Now I'm looking into finding a bread maker to help me do this easily.  Ebay is my friend :).

Bad news is that I am still not cured.  Ha!  That's funny.  I get duped into thinking I'm better because my body feels better but then I'm sent a reminder I am in this for the long haul.  Silly Nyla.

At least I know I am on the right track, at least my body is telling me that. 

I go to see my voodoo nurse soon for my yearly check up. 
My hope is that I walk away from her with a green report, meaning all my readings are green for 'Go' or 'Good.'  I would even settle for more yellow 'Caution' than red 'stop!'

So I will continue on the purge for a couple of more weeks, see how I feel and then move onto the next step in this process where I add in dairy. 

camp prep & hard to let go

Sarah is headed off to camp and I'm nervous just a bit.

Why?

Her allergies/intolerances.

I contacted the camp to see what the meal plan is going to be and they were very helpful.
I went from there and prepared some gluten free choices to add to the food they will serve that is okay for my...

Gluten intolerant
Lactose intolerant
Tree Nut allergy
and
Strawberry allergy
Girl

Shooo, that is a mouthful.

I put a plate in a bag for each meal with substitutions and labeled it with directions.
Hopefully this will be easy peasy for Sarah and the staff.

I'm still nervous though.
Gotta pray through it.
She's going to love camp I just know it.
I don't want to place my fears on her.
Gotta put on my big momma boots and buck up {as Art would say}.

She is going to be fine.
I know this.
Just hard to let go.

unfair

Heard the message yesterday at church.

We're going over the book of Habakkuk.
'Where are you God?'

Habakkuk had some issues with God.
He thought God didn't seem to care.
He thought God wasn't doing what he was capable of.
He thought God's actions were unfair.

We were to list things that don't seem fair to us in our life right now, that we believe God could change.

Here's my list:

1. Loss of a job I loved - it was not my doing, I am a consequence of a bad choice that was made by others.  This makes me bitter at times.  It makes me question God, it just isn't fair.  Do I sound like a child?  YES.  In fact I sound like my girls who tell me at least once a day that "that's not fair!" 
2. My health.  In my moments of pain and frustration it's easy to say that none of this is fair. Why is this happening to me?  Why can't it just be over? Why can't you intervene and make me whole again?  I made choices, choices that were what I thought was best at the time.  I made choices in what food I put in my body too, for that I have to take responsibility. 
3. My mom. Her decline into dementia is my biggest "this is NOT FAIR!" challenge.  Why would God allow this to happen to his faithful servant?  How could this in any way bring glory to him?  I see how it hurts her, how it challenges my dad who cares for her.  I've seen how my siblings and I have tried to find the silver lining but at times it just plain stinks.  No other words for it, than it is just UNFAIR!

I've prayed for all three of these unfair issues.  I've screamed out to him in tears over some.  Why God? 

God responded to Habakkuk. 
"Look at the nations and observe - be utterly astounded!  For something is taking place in your days that you will not believe when you hear about it.  Habakkuk 1:5

I am much like Habakkuk. 
What are you trying to show me Lord?

I pray.
I wait upon the Lord.
I cry out in my moments of doubt.
I waiver but I always come back to what my parents  have taught me.

I must place my hope in him.
Let him guide every situation.
Believe he has a purpose for our good.
Follow and obey.
Love.

my temple

Bought some of these today.

 

Our crop has stopped :(.

I knew it would happen but still sad.

 

Man these are good.

Having limited sugar has made me appreciate these and other berries more.

 

I've come to conclusion that even though I am feeling better physically, I have a long battle ahead of me.
And there are times I am reminded that I still am not 100%.
My temple needs some repair.
I've educated myself more on candida and it's not something that is going away easily or quickly.
I'm in for the long haul.

Most Americans have it.
They might not know it yet, their immune system isn't compromised.
Mine is.

Why is this happening?

Drugs/antibiotics feed the yeast.
We are society addicted to doctors and medicine.
Quick relief.

Sugar in EVERYTHING that again feeds the yeast.
We are a society eating too much sugar and finding out it is highly addictive makes things worse.
I'm guilty of that.
Poor choices time after time.
There was a time I craved it. 

Think of our great grandparents.
They didn't run to a doctor every time they had a sniffle.
Doctors were emergencies.
They ate a diet high in fat but lots of veggies, fruits, red meat and little sugar because it was costly.
They didn't have preservatives, GMO's, additives in their foods like we do today.

Not everyone believes in Candida.
I know my doctor doesn't.
But I'm a believer because it fits everything I've gone through the last ten years of my life.
I don't buy into everything, believe me there are some doozies out there.
Most of them are trying to sell you "a cure."

I found a new book.
Candida Crusher
I investigated the author.
Read up on him, his claims before purchasing.
It's 718 pages.
Can you say wow?
Got my Summer reading right there.

It feels good to feel validated again by reading it.
To feel what I've been experiencing has a name and there are others who suffer.

It just reiterates everything I've learned on my own and also with my voodoo lady :).
I really felt like I was going crazy, so many symptoms that didn't seem they could be related.
From head to toe I felt it.

I've been on this road for almost a year and have come so far.
Art is supportive and seen me at my worse and best.
He prefers the best :).
A wife who doesn't feel like she's crazy.
A wife not in pain.
A wife who isn't scared.

To further my health and recovery I am going to follow the diet proposed in the book.
It's not going to be easy by any means but I think I will learn so much from it.

First phase
Purge my system

No yeast products - bread basically
No fried food
No red meat
No condiments
No sweets
No sugar or it's substitute
No fruit (other than berries which are low in sugar)
No dairy

Sounds daunting doesn't it. 

Basically I will eat:
chicken
turkey
fish
vegetables
Olive oil, butter
Spices
Herbal tea
LOTS of water

I will have some supplements to help in the purging process as well.

For one week
See how I feel and either continue on this same purge or continue to phase 2.

I have nothing to loose but much to gain if this further helps me.

These are my findings.
Not to judge others.
Not to sound pious.
Just to better myself and live the life God has given me.