Anti Candida Diet {week 4}

Today is the first day of week four of my anti candida diet.  My symptoms are gone thanks to another round of treatment from my wonderful Natruropath Doctor.  But even though I was being really strict in the first few weeks I wasn't feeling better right away, so she wants me to stay on it longer. Which sort of sucks but also is not so bad now that I'm used to it.  I did negotiate one slice of toast a week, and enjoyed that slice with an egg bake at Lux today. SO GOOD.

After this experience I realize how bad sugar is for me, I don't plan on cooking with sugar once I finish what I own probably ever again... I will use honey {which can still trigger yeast growth} in moderation.  I'm used to stevia now in most things so I'll continue using that.  I might eat sugar for special occasions, but my skin is just so clear and healthy I don't want to ruin that!

So what have I been eating {please excuse the iphone pics}??

Asian stir fry {no carrots though, I just found out!}

Quinoa Casserole modified no tortilla and homemade enchilada sauce, no cheese

See Wednesday's meal plan below...

So Excited to find these!! 

Homemade salsa and GF CF chips!

Quinoa yeast free crust with buternut squash {maybe not allowed?? conflicting info}, onions, broccoli and fresh organic mozzarella balls

Spaghetti Squash and kale see Saturday's meal below... 

Meal plan this week:
Last night, Saturday; spaghetti squash with sauteed kale, walnuts, onion, garlic, garbanzo beans, herbs and feta
Sunday; True food, several items on their menu are safe!
Monday; Asian stir fry {quinoa, egg, broccoli, bock choy, lime and ginger}
Tuesday; Bean and rice bowl with homemade salsa, avocado and my new gluten/corn free chips!
Wednesday; Brown Rice Linguine with almond milk and butter garlic sauce and baked eggplant with mozzarella
Thursday; GF quinoa quiche crust with tomato, brussel sprouts, broccoli and feta
Friday; Lamb with cauliflour, celery, and any other approved veggies

snacks:
green apples with almond butter
GF corn free chips and salsa
almonds

breakfast and desert:
plain full fat organic yogurt and 5 drops vanilla flavored stevia

I'm going to make sugarless donuts on Valentines day, and probably eat chocolate too, but then I'll go back strong on this diet for as long as she likes, or until the next big event... like Wayne and Gretchen's wedding!

Happy Healthy Healing!!

Anti Candida Diet {week 3}

I'm starting week three now, and I feel okay.  Still some symptoms and checking in with the Naturopath this week and hopefully she'll let me know how much longer I need to do this diet.

My skin looks good, but I'm missing some of my favorite foods.  Mostly Breads.  I had a really terrible Saturday and I was so upset I decided that I should have pizza, it might have been a bad food choice but it was delicious and I don't regret it at all.  I didn't notice any difference symptom wise and I'm back on the diet full force now, even though my favorite coffee shop had vanilla Macarons {one of the reasons we're going to paris in 2013 is because of my cravings for perfect macarons!} I didn't get one, but I hope they make them again in a few weeks!

Anyway here's what I've been eating lately...

Salad with olive oil, lemon and garlic for dressing

Rice pasta with spinach ALMOST tastes like normal pasta

It looks like this with soft mozzarella on top

We went out to eat for my father in laws birthday at California Pizza Kitchen, their hummus was the closest thing to the diet {it has a small amount of soy in it} but I made buckwheat pancakes to use as pita and brought them with me.

I've adjusted well to Stevia and this vanilla creme  flavor works really well in yogurt,

I will be using honey in my coffee once I'm back to normal though.

I made myself some gluten free, vegan, buckwheat and quinoa flour crackers.

recipe here.

Baked eggplant with fresh mozzarella balls {approved by my Dr. for MY diet}

with rice noodles and home made tomato sauce.

The only snack I'm enjoying.

2 green apples a day max, and you can bet I'm maxing out everyday.

Normally, no fruit is allowed on this diet, I'm not sure why she's allowing me 2 of these a day, but I'm not about to loose the privilege so I'm just accepting it!

And the meal plan for this week is:
Last night; 4 oz lamb roast with veggies
Monday; Asian Stir Fry NO SAUCE, ginger and lime for flavor
Tuesday; Spinach rice spaghetti with tomato sauce and salad
Wednesday; Quinoa Casserole, modified to be Anti-Candida friendly {mine will be tortilla and cheese free}
Thursday; Baked eggplant and fettuccine style rice noodles with a butter garlic sauce
Friday; Butternut Squash Pizza, mine will be baked on my quinoa crust.

Now, if everything is going well according to my dr. I will only have one more week,  which I'm seriously hoping for.  I really want some Fran's Chocolate Caramels on Valentine's day. hint hint.

Happy Monday, and wish me luck!

Anti Candida Diet {week 2}

This week is number 2! and I'm still trying to figure out how I got through last week... It was rough.

lets reflect:
day 1 9am Energized, empowered!  I ate eggs with little cheese on corn tortilla {neither the cheese or corn were allowed as I later found out} I drank coffee with almond milk and no sugar.
day 1 11am Gardening!  I started feeling light headed but from working so hard, I drank water with apple cider vinegar and some lemon.
day 1 2pm Starving! I needed my carbs and sugar at this point. I had some rage.  I ate some quinoa and some home made tomato sauce.
day 1 4 pm Stomach ache.  I reminded myself that the candida was what wanted the carbs and sugar not me.  IT wants to be fed, IT's making me angry, IT's losing.  I will get rid of this!
day 1 7pm Tired. Sick to stomach, feeling bits of "highness"

day 2 Dizzy, light headed, finally ate some agave and quinoa flour muffins {no agave on the diet though! opps} and felt better.  Continued on with the proper diet for the rest of the day.

day 3 Had an appointment with our naturopathic doctor and received my anti candida shot and confirmed some foods, she allowed green granny smith apples, organic mozzarella cheese, beans {except black, they have gluten} that night I got a really bad headache which could be because the candida was dying!  yay.

day 4 Woke up shaking and NEEDED to drink some coconut water after attempting to settle my stomach with yogurt.  I called the Dr. and she said in that situation, get my body what it needs but prevent the issue by eating every 2 hours.

day 5 Felt normal!  I actually didn't crave too much sugar or bread.  I felt like I was actually adjusting to this new diet!

day 6 Another normal day, I went to yoga and felt a little head rush once and a while from certain poses mostly.  I felt fine in terms of hunger, energy and focus!  I felt really good after yoga, like my body is strong and I can do this diet to improve me life!  I'm really excited to be rid of this invader, without the use of prescription medication, I know it will be worth it by the end of the month!

day 7 I actually felt fine.  Better really, like my body and the candida was not showing any symptoms.  Besides craving sugar and chocolate and pizza I'm doing great.

So how about week 2?  here's the meal plan...
1. Left overs from last week
2. Lamb roast, the Hubs is loving the meat eating, I am not, but I know my body will benefit...
3. Spinach and rice spaghetti with homemade tomato sauce
4. Quinoa crust pizza with tomato sauce and organic mozzarella (my Dr. approved some soft cheeses!)
5. 4 oz Lamb with brussel sprouts and salad {no dressing only olive oil and lemon for me}
6. Eggplant parmesan {sort of, no bread, baked and mine will only have mozzarella} and brown rice linguine with butter sauce, garlic and maybe lemon?
7. True Food.  I hope they have sometime for me to eat.

Why only the lamb for meat?  we get our meat from a local ranch and we talk to the ranchers every week.  They raise cattle but lately they have had lamb, which is, taste wise, better than I remember beef and steak tasting. I know they have happy healthy animals and that makes me feel better about the meat, if you're a meat eater in the phoenix area check them out! here.  And I will be happy to return to my meat free lifestyle after this diet, until then I'm happy to support such nice people!

So week 2 here we go! Wish me luck!

Anti Candida Diet {week 1}

Can you believe this is what's ruining my life?!

After much thought, I decided to share this diet with you all.

I was hesitant for several reason, the main one being that for the next month I will not be vegetarian.  As much as I don't want to eat meat, my body NEEDS it.  Yes, needs it.  I know that might be hard for some of my vegan and vegetarian readers to understand but I'm fighting off this toxic candida invader and I've been battling it for months {and probably years!}.  I can't take anymore headaches, ache, tiredness or anything else inhibiting my parenting ability nor my quality of life {list of symptoms here}.  The amount of meat I will be eating is less than that of one large dead animal.  No pigs and no cows for me, lamb and fish only.  But! those are still hard for me to handle.

The reason for the meat is this, Candida lives off carbohydrates, sugar, dairy, alcohol, grains, fruits and more.  When figuring out how to maintain enough calories to feed my daughter with breast milk, I had to add something in or I would literally starve.

I can only eat a select few food items and if you know my usual diet you'll know how difficult this is for me.

I'm also working with a Naturopathic Doctor and I will shortly be able to cut the meats out, once my body is back to normal.  Along with the diet there are a shot and inserts involved, that changes the life cycle of the candida.

My current meal plan is this:
Sunday: 4oz Lamb with brussel sprouts
Monday: Quinoa Crust cheeseless quiche.
Tuesday: Pinto and White beans, quinoa with avocado and tomatoes (everyone else will be enjoying tortillas)
Wednesday: Quinoa with homemade tomato sauce, tiny amount of mozzarella cheese.
Thursday: Bean (no black beans!) and carrot soup with eggs in kale baskets.
Friday: 4oz Lamb with kale and brussel spout salad (lemon and olive oil dressing).


I'll let you all know how it goes in a few weeks.  Wish me luck!

Momma Monday No. 46

Or what happens when everyone including baby gets sick...

Thursday night. dinner. Husband jokes about giving Cupcake a bite of our quiche. Then does.
Thursday night. after dinner, shower.  Sonja throws up entire contents of stomach all over my bed.  acts normal.
Thursday night. after bedtime.  Throws up again, restless doesn't want to sleep.
TN. midnight.  Still throwing up every time she eats. ALL OF IT.
TN, technically Friday Morning. 3:00am. Holding down TINY amount of milk, sleeping.  I sleep.

Friday Morning.  Wake up.  Cupcake is doing alright but not great, around mid morning nap maybe 10 or 11am, we lay down for our mid morning feeding and nap.  She throws up again.  a lot.  goes limp and goes to sleep.  I call the doctor.  She agrees to see me on her lunch break and I hold Little Miss in my arms while she sleeps.
Friday afternoon, we go to the doctor, she checks her out and we add electrolytes, probiotics and attempt to use donor milk, because we think this is still a reaction to the egg.
Friday night.  Still throwing up although, she is holding SOME of my milk down, she drink 2 oz of electrolytes from a bottle but doesn't want any donor (egg-less) milk.  I have no appetite and skip dinner.
Friday bed time, she is still getting sick, still no fever but I'm starting to feel sick too.  I text her doctor and she calls me back.   I gave her some children's tylenol and the Dr. recommends a "vinegar pack."   Little Miss doesn't throw up again for the rest of the night, Husband and I get some sleep.

Saturday morning.  I have a headache.  I sleep.  Husband hangs out with Sonja, she appears to be fine.  I nurse Cupcake to sleep mid morning and he goes to the farmer's market.
Saturday afternoon.  Neither Husband nor I are feeling great, but presume it's from taking care of sick baby.
Saturday evening.  We have family over for dinner, neither of us eat.  I attempt to nurse Cupcake.  She does fine then after 20 hours of appearing fine, projectile vomits all over the kitchen floor in front of our guests.
Saturday night.  Husband and I are feeling worse, Sonja appears fine.  I nurse her to sleep but give her a vinegar pack just in case.
Saturday late night.  Husband vomits.  Then goes to sleep.
Saturday throughout the night.  Cupcake comfort nurses and I have panic attacks about her throwing up again.

Sunday morning.  Sonja wakes us up.  Hubs and I feel tired.  We get up for a bit, eat breakfast and then return to bed. I nurse Sonja back to sleep and we all sleep until 11:45am.
Sunday afternoon.  We all appear to be healthy.
Sunday midnight. Sonja vomits all over our freshly washed sheets.  Goes back to sleep.

Monday (today). Appearing normal and healthy.  I hope this time it lasts!

Lessons Learned:
1. do not give baby egg.  wait until at least a year!  no matter what, even if not allergic it's not worth it! we don't think this is what caused her to be sick but it probably didn't help.
2. keep baby hydrated, if vomiting milk attempt to cup feed electrolytes.
3. keep house well stocked with ginger tea (to help soothe upset adult tummies), vinegar (for vinegar pack), and gentle foods like oatmeal and brown rice.
4. take your probiotics BEFORE you get sick, I took mine and I never threw up, Husband didn't and he did.
5.  to soothe an upset tummy, attempt a vinegar pack; rub vinegar directly onto the upset tummy, cover with plastic wrap (no logo-ed bags, they'll transfer the image onto the skin), then top with a heating pad or warm wet towel.  I think this is what really helped Sonja sleep through the night.  Obviously, you must monitor both the heat on the tummy, and the plastic wrap for suffocation hazards.

Hope everyone was healthier than us.  Happy Momma Monday!

Momma Monday no. 35

Here is Momma week in review:

Monday I was able to sweep and mop because my sister Brittany watched Sonja.  Which was so awesome of her! I don't know what we're going to do this summer when I'm not working and we won't have family living with us.  It's going to be a lot of me and Sonja alone time- I have a feeling I'm not going to get much done.  It's hard to do stuff while wearing a baby and I've been spoiled with having family here.  Anyway, after some much needed housework we headed to the grocery store where we tried a new moby wrap tie called the cradle hold.  She liked it for a little bit but then wanted to reach for stuff at the store so we reverted back to lotus carry. Once we got home from grocery shopping we had some naked time out back- something we hadn't done in a few weeks.

Tuesday we tried the sling hold on the moby and I was able to gesso (prep.) a giant canvas to start painting.  

That day Cupcake wore her Love Love Love outfit  and we did a mini photoshoot outback once daddy got home.

Daddy is always trying to get Little Miss to ride around on her Brutus dog.

Wednesday my sister and I went to Lux (because it's delicious), the farmers market, Trader Joe's and Godiva. Did you know you can get a free sample by signing up here and giving them your email?  You get a free one every month and it's FREE.  I don't know anyone who would turn down free chocolate!  We also stopped by Victoria's Secret because I had a free panty coupon!  Yay for free stuff.  When we got home I let Cupcake explore the pineapple we bought at the farmers market.  

She was very interested in the texture.

Thursday I introduced a new toy.  I bought this at a yard sale while I was pregnant and now our little cupcake is old enough to be interested in it. Oh, and did I mention she's full on crawling now?  It must have happened this week, where instead of reaching and scooting she can crawl clear across the room.  A little over 6 months old- just the right time to master it :)

*I almost forgot to add that on Thursday I was painting on my canvas and Cupcake was in her bumbo.  I'm not sure if she's too strong for it now that she can sit up on her own, or if she's just crazy mobile baby but she popped herself out of it while I was painting and smacked her head on the cement.  I freaked out and grabbed her (getting paint on her cute outfit) and ran inside to grab some frozen corn, she was crying and it swelled a little but after a few minutes she was more interested in the corn than the pain.  All the while I was googling head trauma on my phone, she didn't throw up and it didn't swell more than normal.  I read that if it's the forehead and even if it does swell it's usually not a big deal.  Anyway, it was super scary and I've retired the bumbo.

Here's the "sky" done.  

Might put off working on this for a few days since I feel awful about her hitting her head.

Friday we had Sonja Sweetness' 6 month check up.  She was seen by her doctor last week for a cold and so we did a 6 month and ear re-check up at once.  She was 2 and 1/2 feet tall (or 26 inches) which is the 75% if you're into tracking that kind of stuff.  She weighed 15 pounds 2 ounces also in the 50% percentile. And she was in the 75% for her head.  She basically stayed on all her same curves.  But keep in mind when following those charts they are designed for a formula fed baby, so we don't put too much stock into them.  After the doctor's appointment we (my sister, Sonja and I) met our mom (grandma) for lunch.  Such a nice treat to meet up with her during the week.

Waiting for her doctor.  I LOVE Dr. Alexandria AND her cork floors!

Also, Husband showed up from work on Friday with this bad boy!  His dad kept offering to get us a high chair which I did NOT want.  For various reasons, I think it's best for baby to sit on your lap or same hight during meal time, anyway our friends Justin and Natalie had one of these for their little boy Nacho and I thought it was uber cool.  So, I finally gave in to his offer and told him, if he was going to buy a new one this is what I wanted.  (find it here)

She LOVES it, and enjoys sitting at the table with us. 

 Even though she doesn't actually ever put food into her mouth.

Saturday was the farmer's market routine and husband riped out our gross shower door, expect a D.I.Y. post on that soon.  In the evening, my parents brought over some grapefruit and played outside with Cucpake.

Sunday, I caught up on some blogging and photo downloading.  Overall, I'd say we had a very successful weekend and am looking forward to the next two weeks off of school.  Plenty of time to enjoy my daughter, even if I don't anticipate getting too much done around the house.

Happy Momma Monday!

Momma Monday no. 34

Cutest diaper cover! from Aunt Emily (from RaeGun on Etsy)

Monday we wanted to see our friend Brianna, who was visiting from Seattle, but it didn't work out :( Cupcake wore her cupcake of the month onesie B got her anyway though!

 I updated Sonja's wardrobe with all her 6 months clothes, even though a lot of her 3-6m clothes still fit.  Expect lots of photos of her clothes over the next few weeks!

 Thursday, Little Miss was coughing a lot so we made an appointment to see her naturopath on Friday morning.  And we joined her daddy for a little lunch at his office, a nice little treat because he works a little too far away for her to enjoy the car ride, but I decided it would be a good day to go since I didn't have to teach on Thursday this week.  I dressed her up in the Yankees onesie her grandpa got her since Husband and Grandpa work together.  Unfortunately, Husband has the cold I had last weekend, so our evening was a little lazy and we both went to bed early.

Friday, we went to her Naturopathic Doctor and I took the cutest picture of her sitting on the cork floor in her waiting room, but I accidently deleted it :( before uploading it.  Anyway, turns out that cough was a bit in her chest so it's good we went in.  We're both on probiotics now, so it should clear up by next week when we head back for her 6 month check up (2 weeks late).  And She is on Garlic ear drops which she does NOT like me sticking in her ear.  

Also, we had a mini photoshoot on Friday while we were both wearing plaid. Here's an in between shot when  Cupcake wasn't looking.

Saturday Morning was our farmer's market routine.  I picked up some cupcakes as usual and mine was lemon  flavor. so good.  Hubs got chocolate with cinnamon sugar frosting.

We spent the whole day at our friends Danny and Janay's helping with a wall project and Janay and I went thrifting!  I actually found a few good items and we came home to this:

Sunday, I finally made mint juleps! I've been wanting to use our mint plant for something fancy and after reading the Great Gatsby in high school I always wanted to try a mint julep.  Sonja helped me collect the mint and enjoyed her little mint stick for a good hour.  I had to wait to drink my julep until after a breastfeeding session (so the alcohol could filter out of my blood BEFORE the next session).  Just a word of warning, the recipe I used was strong! just ask my brother in law.  And while I was looking for recipes I found this.  Going to make them this weekend!

Finished Julep.

And, that was my week. hope you enjoyed my photos and captions, off to more blog editing and photo uploading.  

Happy Momma Monday!