Food Journal Day 2

[L.]

I woke up this morning a little sore but it is a huge improvement!! :)  For starters, it didn't take me 5 minutes to just get up.  My joints feel looser and more able to move!! :)  The foods I have eliminated must have really been causing me problems.  I can't wait to figure out a way that will allow me to eat raw as the bulk of my calories so I can help myself even more.  If you all are wondering why all the added sugar cooked desserts and why not just have fruit?  Well, a lot of fruit seems to make me have flareups for some reason, whereas the added sugar desserts don't seem to nearly as badly.  I am not sure why this is the case, maybe it's just a series of coincidences, but nevertheless, in my experience so far, that's how it's been, and now I am extremely hesitant to deal with fruit right now, but I'd like to try it again.
I also want to briefly mention that I believe my digestion has been improving. :)  Of course, I've been easier on it too, but that also gives my gut a chance to heal, I would think. 

 

The reason I upped my level of cooked foods from before, if you were also curious about that, is because they are easier for me to digest and lower in fiber, and my ulcerative proctitis has been improving ever since I made the switch.  If I juiced all the time, I could also achieve results that were maybe even greater.  I am working on improving this, but at this point in time, diving into a 100 percent juice feast is just not a viable option for me for a number of reasons.

 

I have eliminated: all whole beans (hummus I have only very rarely).  nightshades (except for the occasional hint of strawberry or raspberry, but those too will soon completely be eliminated.  tomatoes/peppers and the like are 100 percent gone).  meat/dairy (been gone for over a year now and don't miss them a bit).  whole corn (only have it in it's processed, easy to digest form).  all nuts, one hundred percent eliminated.  Never felt better about any food decision than nuts.  Glad to see they are gone.  Those I know for sure were causing me all sorts of problems. 

I have significantly lowered intake of fruit.

I have significantly lowered intake of seeds.  sesame seeds as of late (the last week or two) have been the only seeds I've incorporated in my diet, in either their whole (but ground) form, or their bottled oil (untoasted).  of course then there has been some sunflower oil in a few of the foods I have been eating.

I have paid attention to easier to digest foods, both raw and cooked, and incorporated more of those in my diet and lessened amounts of foods that I know are harder for me to digest (and therefore consequentially make my UP bleed).

I have paid attention and incorporated better food-combining techniques in my lifestyle.

I have increased intake of both chlorella and spirulina, as well as avocados (I usually only eat these substances in guacamoles).

 

Goals:

Now that I am able to be more active, get a job so I can afford my healthy lifestyle.

Sign up for courses this semester now that I know what career I am going for (school counselor).  6 credits is fine if WMU can't give me back my transcript quick enough (they put it on hold for some reason >.< )

Solve the hold with WMU

Find fruits that work for me and incorporate more of those in my diet.  I know papaya is anti-inflammatory and it didn't seem to bother me when I ate it the other day.

Enjoy more savory green juices, since they are so healing and I really love those regardless.

Drink just a little more tea.

 

Just going to take it slow.  I don't want to jump into 100 percent raw again and ignore all the benefits I've been having of late and then start having problems again.  Going to keep doing what I am doing and make small changes here and there until I am at peak health and eating the best foods I am able to without compromising my health.

 

Pain Levels (these are all the places my arthritis affects):

Upper/inner/outer thigh pains=almost completely gone!! :)  being active is SO MUCH EASIER now because of this one thing alone and I am so grateful!
Bottom pain=just very mild, but that's as usual.
Hip pain= sore.  but not horribly so.  feels like bruises to the touch on my hips and it makes getting up hard, but once I am up, thanks to the improvement in my thighs, it's a lot easier and more pain free to stay active and live out my day.  in fact, it's actually better I stay active all day with the way my current pain levels are, because the more I sit down the more the pains increase and now that my legs don't hurt when I walk, i could walk all day almost! :)
Lower back pain (spondyloarthropathy)=about the same, maybe a bit better.
Upper back pain=these are fairly new and I don't think they are from arthritis.  I think they come from a lot of different factors, both physical and mental.  It feels like what a lot of people have but it's very knotted in there, in my back and shoulders.  These blended along with the hip pain make getting up difficult but they are nothing debilitating. 

Face swelling is not as wonderful as it was before I left on my trip for thanksgiving in wisconsin but it is still hugely improved since ditching nuts and other foods that were bothering me.  It was the best after increasing avocado/chlorella/spirulina intakes as well as taking baths almost daily during this.  The change is minimal and probably could be for a multitude of reasons, my cycle is coming for example, so I am not too concerned.

 

I am feeling better than ever and on no medication...it's not the best but just this is just enough to allow me to live my life as fully as I've been wanting to...I hope it continues, I am determined to keep it up...I am so happy about it I could cry!

 

Breakfast

The same nachos I had last night minus the steamed cabbage/onion and papaya seeds. (tort. chips, daiya, dandelion greens, cilantro).  Had a small portion, stopped myself before eating more chips, daiya, and felt GREAT about how easy it was.

 

I looked at my hair in the mirror and it looks nice so even though I am dying to get into our hot tub for the first time in two years, I am not going to because it will ruin my hair for photos on thanksgiving.

 

I am making two things that are -almost- raw excluding one or two small things for thanksgiving to go with one of my desserts. :)  Coconut whipped cream and raspberry sauce! :)  I have to rush to mom's house to blend these...We don't have beaters here and I need beaters for the whipped cream :)  I might also make guacamole and buy baby carrots for the appetizer since my cousin said they were very low on vegan apps lol.  I wanted to make the healthier nacho recipe I've been eating for an appetizer as well and I also wanted to try making another baked recipe again since the other one, albeit good, didn't turn out the way I wanted it.  LOL I have given myself so many tasks!!!  So funny :)  But I am enjoying it.  I just want everyone to sway my way on how delicious veganism can be and how you truly don't miss out on anything at all! :) (especially since 1/3 of the relatives are already vegetarian...I mean it can't hurt to share all the dairy replacements in a subtle way ;)  course they can eat whatever they desire)

 

Will update more later :)  If you guys see any weird word usage in here let me know, the autocorrect on my desktop is a little ridiculous.  It keeps changing spirulina into spiraling for example :)

 

Lunch/Dinner/Thanksgiving

I had lots of cooked carbs.  Much healthier vegan versions but still carbs with some added sugar included and white flour definitely included.  Felt fine, great.  Even had something with peanut butter in it, but I only allowed myself one and everything seems to be okay.  I had to...it's my favorite cookie of all time and my mother, creature of tradition she is, opted to make it with almond milk despite previous protests...I thought that was so incredibly sweet of her.  They were just as good as I remembered.  For just one cookie I am okay with the sacrifice if it means so much memory and kindness toward my mother.

 

I had a wonderful thanksgiving...no weird drama--balanced people, wonderful children, and a lovely time was had by all...I love my mother's side of the family to pieces.  I surprised myself today--was a lot more outgoing.

 

Night time

A little alcohol with my sister in the hot tub, but my stomach wasn't feeling it so I stopped drinking after only a few sips, and after she left I poured the rest down the sink.  I am glad I can show her this example though--that yes, it's okay to refuse alcohol and all still be cool if you aren't feeling it.  She tends to brag quite a bit about her alcohol consumption, so I hope this will kind of deter it a little and show her it's really not as big of a deal as some make it to be, that it's just something to add to the fun but it certainly doesn't have to be the fun.  I know that she's smart enough to know that but this at least helps solidify that even more in her mind, so I'm glad alcohol was, "wasted." (not at all in my opinion)  I am also glad she sees now I am not as big of a drinker as she thought.  Just because someone previously worked at a rowdy bar does not mean they themselves are a big drinker! :)

We also watched Harold and Maude...interesting movie.

 

Had 3 bites of a cooked carb with coconut cream.  I am wondering if essentially this can be made raw--just the cream of a coconut refrigerated overnight, beaten with sugar--could do agave or something I assume.   Then refrigerated again, and it makes the perfect, perfect vegan whipped cream.  Now I have nothing to miss at all in the non-vegan world...I've found the perfect replacement for everything I love.

 

Had steamed cabbage and onion with daiya and lots of cilantro on top.  Could use papaya seeds ;)  I love those things...

 

Honestly I feel great.  I am moving around a lot more.  Even my spondyloarthropathy feels improved.  This is marvelous.  I think part of it is also all the baths, and now hot tubs ;)

 

Oh I also wanted to mention, I am coming down with a cold, I think. >.<  Have had a runny nose for the last few days--thought it was a cold but after I got out of the hot tub a few hours ago I was coughing a bit.  Stopped coughing after eating the steamed cabbage dish. :)  Going to fight this !!  We will see what happens!

 

I have a date tomorrow and I am freaking out a bit because I've gained about 5 pounds since we first met (and we've only met once. -.-)  Oh well, comme c'est comme ca.  I can handle anything.

[L.]

Wow, I would love to see that movie!! :)  Thankyou so much... I hope you did/do too :)

[Deborah Grissam]

That makes me think of several movies I have seen- not sure the names but the scenario  is that someone is badly injured or very very sick and they end up in the hands of the Chinese or some sort of Asian family.  The family will make them broths, and teas with some bits of cooked veggies and gradually more cooked soft veggies  as they become stronger. 

Sounds like you are on the right path.   Have a Wonderful Wonderful Thanksgiving - sharing your good food.  Sounds so creative!!