Elimination Diet Day 3

So after a couple days of my program, failure at it's finest.  But also how I dealt with it.

Sugar addiction is a real thing.  Addiction to our standard American diet is a real thing.  Addiction period is real.  It's not a will power thing, it's not that I'm weak or lazy, or that I just need to exercise more and eat less.  It's a real chemical reaction in my body, backed by science evidence that shows what happens to our systems when we eat sugar, refined carbohydrate loaded foods that spike our insulin and other compounds in our body that make it near impossible to just quit.

I approached this journey with an attitude that I'm battling an addiction.  I'm no different then an alcoholic.  I need professional help as well as surrounding myself with like minded people who will support me.  I needed to remove myself from places of temptation, similar to an alcoholic not going to a bar, I stopped going out to eat.  I asked my family to not bring trigger foods into the home during this time, such as bread or pasta.  Like an alcoholic's home, you don't bring over a six pack for dinner, don't bring me bread, cake or cookies.

I enlisted health care professionals like the Cleveland Clinic Functional Medicine Department and utilized kinesiology and acupuncture/pressure to help curb my cravings and keep my body in balance.

I committed to 8 weeks, not a lifetime.

What I'm finding out after the 8 weeks is life changing.  Keep watching to see my progress.  My goal on a grander scale is to start the sugar addicts anonymous (SAA) group in this area and maybe develop it into a real program that can help others.  Through social media, blogs like this, online support and other ways maybe I can  help others with my journey.

First, I have to overcome my own addiction.

Avocado Bagel with Grilled Chicken

Whoever thinks eating well is hard has never really applied the Principles. 

#thisiseasy #waragainstsugar#eliminationisntsobad #waroninflamation

A little impromptu breakfast today.  Millet Bagel toasted and topped with my avocado spread, topped with grilled chicken.   This was so filling I didn't really want to eat lunch!! (which was amazing bone broth veggie soup with mung bean noodles)

My avocado spread is one avocado, a squirt of hot sauce (I like to use Siracha), pepper and garlic salt.  No garlic salt? I use regular salt. (sea salt or Himalaya)   If I have it I'll mix in my cashew spread which mimics sour cream.  I put it in a mug and mix it up until its smooth with a few avocado chunks. I didn't have an egg to top it off with protein so I used my left over grilled chicken breast.  Super yummy, super filling, super sustained nutrition.  A nice balance of fat, carbs and protein.

Millet bagel ingredients are Organic Millet Flour, Baking Powder, Filtered Water, Sea Salt. 
I get them frozen at the Oberlin Market, this amazing little organic shop downtown Oberlin, OH.  If you've not been go check it out.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-oberlin-market-oberlin

Chia Seed Pudding

I would love to take credit for some of this but I can't.  I can only take credit on trying things, fine tuning it to my liking and then re-sharing it with all of you.

This treat was inspired by BRIGID TITGEMEIER, MS, RDN, LD.  You can learn more about her at  https://beingbrigid.com/

I participated in a free 4 week reset she hosted called the Healthyselfreset and during the 4 weeks she provided meal plans that were in compliance with the elimination program for the most part.   Although I couldn't participate in the program as strict as I would have liked to, I did participate in many of the meals she provided. 

This was one of my favorites for breakfast or a refreshing snack, packed with fat!  32grams per serving.

Ingredients

for the pudding
1 can full fat coconut cream/milk
2 Tbsp collagen protein powder
2 cups unsweetened nut milk (I used almond milk)
1/2 cup chia seeds
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

for the topping
1 cup frozen berries (I used blackberries I had frozen fresh from the summer)
little splash of water
1/4 teas orange zest
1/4 teas vanilla extract
arrow root if needed

(Brigid's recipe has for topping, 1 cup frozen berries, 1/2 cup unsweentened nut milk and 1/2 water. Blend in blender until smooth)


In a medium size bowl, add the chia seeds, coconut cream/milk, collagen, nut milk and vanilla extract.  Whisk together well and place bowl in refrigerator for at least 1 hour.  For best results let it sit overnight.  Also be sure to whisk well. The collagen tends to get clumpy when first wet.

For the topping, place berries in small sauce pan and begin to heat on med/low  until berries are thawed and bubbling, add water if needed and a splash of vanilla extract, let simmer to thicken.  If needed add a teas of arrow root to thicken.  Add orange zest and mix well.  Let cool completely.

Put equal amounts of pudding into mason jars and top with berries.  Enjoy immediately or over the next couple days.

The Elimination Diet Day 1

Back in September I started a new and different journey of health and nutrition.  After two years of being on a waiting list, I finally had an appointment with Cleveland Clinic Functional Medicine Department.  If you are not familiar with Functional Medicine, look it up and find a doctor in your area that practices this way.  It's a life changer.

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/departments/functional-medicine

I wanted to do video blogs to track my progress.  It pretty much tells the story.  In the beginning I did them more often to tell hold me accountable.  But then habits became part of my lifestyle so the blogs are few and far between now.  Everyday is a struggle and I find the slope a slippery one that you can easily slide out of control if you are not careful.  Some days I win, some days the world wins.  But overall I'm on the right path, feeling better, looking better and ultimately preventing history from repeating itself.  (my mother)

If you want to follow my journey, this is the place.  This is the beginning.  In between the video blogs I'll post recipes and ideas I've learned along the way that have helped me.  I hope my story helps in whatever path you are on in life.  If it inspires you or just gives you a place of reference for a good recipe then I'm doing what I set out to do.