ups and downs

I have to say this last week of the Elimination Diet sucked.  I was feeling better yes, but I was tired and cranky from the lack of Caffeine, Boyfriend, and Variety.  Funny how when you Eliminate everything you enjoy in life, it does not really matter whether you are in physical pain or not you are still gonna feel down in the dumps.  On the up side I have finally begun to see some pounds disappear. (while this is not the goal, it is one of the only good things so far)  I have lost 11 pounds!

The other nice thing in my life at the moment is that I spent the week at friends home last week and had a bed and room to myself.  This week I am house sitting, so now I have a whole house to live in for the week.  The lovely lady from church who lives across the road from this house went shopping for me after hearing about this lame diet...and hooked me up with Chicken, Salmon, and a Gluten Free Corn Bread mix that I had for dinner tonight along with some Chili I made up with just beans and Chicken Gravy and some spices.  It was so nice to have corn bread.  Also on Saturday I had possibly the largest and best Artichoke of my life.

I am hoping and praying that things will continue to look up, and that my pain, weight will continue to disappear.

Pictures to come later

What to do, what to do

I got brave and tried the Alter Eco Quinoa the other day.  In fact, I have now had it twice.  It is pretty bland by itself, though it smells like corn, but with a slightly nutty flavor, so I added some much needed salt and veggies.  The end result was a dish resembling fried rice. 

I like the fact that by purchasing the stuff I am helping support small family farms in Bolivia...but, then again according to this article in the New York Times, it seems that by helping Bolivian farmers export the crop it made it too expensive for the locals, and thus the rate of malnutrition in these areas is on the rise.  What to do, what to do.  Seems it is a no win situation, as the increase in jobs has been a huge blessing in these communities allowing people to stay in Bolivia instead of head to another neighboring country to find work.

On an entirely different note...


  I started out yesterday with a healthy and beautiful breakfast, a bowl of fresh fruit.  I even made a bowl for my mom and sister.  Would have made it for the guys too, but they went camping for the weekend.

I think the combination of all these new grains, beans and fruits has done a number on my stomach.  I have been in a world of pain the last two days.  So much so that I decided  on drastic measures of drinking Herbal Smooth Move Tea, just to see if it would help.  I have had 2 cups in the last 48 hours, it is not helping.  (I realize not everyone in the world wants to know that, but this is also serving as my medical journal...and if you are going through this process with me you should know what you are getting into)

shopping day

After feeling sorry for myself yesterday, but having determined to make the best out of what I have to work with I set out on a shopping expedition.  As mentioned I had already bought fruits and veggies, so that left all the new stuff; spelt, quinoa,(Turns out the spelt and quinoa are from Bolivia, which is funny since so is my man.), gluten free flour, polenta and brown rice (the last two not totally new).   Then there was the meat, I found some Italian sausage made from chicken and some turkey links as well as turkey franks and some ground turkey. I also got Almond Milk and Rice Milk, plain organic yogurt, some beans, and I even found some gluten free brown rice lime flavored chips which I am munching on as I type. Not bad. (crap, just read they contain milk...)

So seeing as I now have some stuff to work with I will have to be spending some time searching for new and tasty recipes that fit the bill.  Should you have a favorite feel free to post away.  I want to be brave and try some fish dishes as well, so if you have a must try don't hold back. 

Also I should say that since this is a record of sorts I went on a 3 mileish walk this morning with a good friend, who was helping me think up things to do with these random foods.  Thank God for good friends, even when there is a lack of good food ;)