This morning is the first day of Phase 3 - when we get to slowly work back in foods we cut out. Phase 3 lasts forever - the idea is to maintain eating healthy, whole, unprocessed foods and continue to minimize things like sugar and yeast which lead back to Candidiasis. I have been craving coffee - specifically a latte - the entire 49 day duration of this diet.
This morning was like a ritual - first I washed the parts of my coffee machine which had been sitting there gathering dust, refilled it with fresh water, threw out the leftover grounds from 7 weeks ago and ground fresh ones. Usually, I take my latte with a large teaspoon of sugar - I told myself that since this was my treat, if I wanted the sugar I would have it. I finished making the latte, took a sip - it was sweet. The sugars in the milk were so intense to me after 7 weeks of not eating sugar, it was amazing!
I couldn't finish it - the latte was actually too sweet for me. I think I will have to use about half the amount of milk next time, make a cappuccino so that the milk to coffee ratio is lower. I cannot believe that. I mean, as it is, I drink a latte that is mostly foam - I only used about 1/2 cup of milk anyway. 7 weeks ago I would have been adding sugar.
I desperately want to cling to this, this amazing heightened sense of taste where milk is too sweet - and I know that the only way to do it is to make sugar a rare thing in my diet. The funny thing is, with such a heightened sense of taste, I can't imagine wanting to eat anything super sweet. I think about how I used to be able to go through a bag of M & Ms or eat an entire chocolate bar in one sitting - right now I can't imagine eating more than a very small piece, if that. Sugar seems overwhelming - exactly as it ought to be.
Next Day Update: I had an espresso in the afternoon as well and LOVED it. Normally, I'm not very affected by caffeine and can drink a few coffees in a day without noticing much effect - although I generally avoid it in the evenings. Yesterday, I was bouncing off the walls with energy from the caffeine, and didn't manage to get to sleep until about two in the morning. I had a shot of espresso this morning, and with less than five hours of sleep I am like a superhuman energy machine. It turns out withdrawing from caffeine has made it much more potent.
Thursday, 20 October 2011
Tuesday, 11 October 2011
So much of the ability to do something is just telling yourself you can.
I knew Thanksgiving was not going to be easy - and this late in the game I was prepared to be a little relaxed this weekend about the Candida Diet. For starters, Nigel and I went out for sushi on Thursday at a place that uses brown rice. It was brown rice unlike any I've ever seen - very dark, almost black, and really flavourful. The sushi was gorgeous and we tried hard to avoid non-Candida Diet ingredients but I think a few may have snuck in. I definitely tasted a small amount of sugar. This is why, in the early stages, it was so important not to eat out.
Then I made Thanksgiving Dinner at my house on Friday. I made lots of veggies and a beautiful turkey. The only things on the table that weren't strictly Candida Diet friendly were cranberry sauce (made from scratch, but with sugar) and gravy (I used some corn starch to thicken it.) I didn't have any cranberry sauce but I did have a bit of gravy. The next day I made soup and ate a lot of it this weekend.
Monday I had dinner at my aunt's - she made ham (definitely not Candida Diet-friendly as it's full of nitrates), potatoes which were fine except for the inclusion of horseradish (not allowed because it has vinegar in it), and coleslaw (again, vinegar.) I just relaxed a bit, had small portions, loaded up on veggies, and drank club soda instead of sugary pop. At this point, the Candida's gone anyway - it's just the last couple of weeks to keep it gone.
I also made a dessert twice this weekend, which I loved - sliced apples, mixed with berries, lots of cinnamon and nutmeg, topped with powdered walnuts mixed with coconut oil. I baked it and it made a lovely, fall-themed, refined-sugar free dessert. Good for breakfast too.
Nigel and I had an interesting chat on Thursday about what the social implications have been of this diet, for both of us. There are some things that are odd about eating like this, which I wouldn't want to make permanent. I think it's generally good to eat a variety of fruits, even sugary ones, as well as mushrooms, vinegar, a small amount of aged cheese, oatmeal, and coffee and tea. I plan to resume eating all those things. But so much of what this has taught me is the importance of planning, cooking, and eating natural foods. With the exception of Thursday's sushi, I haven't eaten out now for nearly six weeks. It was only hard for the first two - then it just became a habit. A few people have said to me that they could not do this - frankly, I don't believe it. It's just not that hard. So much of the ability to do something is just telling yourself you can.
It's really a misnomer to call this a "diet." I don't like the word with its implications of starving, fads, and extreme measures. It's really partly a cleanse (to get rid of the Candida) and partly a way to re-train yourself about how to eat. It's so weird that choosing to eat this way (clean, home-cooked, whole foods) is making me seem strange. For both Nigel and I at this point, eating processed foods all the time, eating food that's full of sugar - that is what seems strange.
Then I made Thanksgiving Dinner at my house on Friday. I made lots of veggies and a beautiful turkey. The only things on the table that weren't strictly Candida Diet friendly were cranberry sauce (made from scratch, but with sugar) and gravy (I used some corn starch to thicken it.) I didn't have any cranberry sauce but I did have a bit of gravy. The next day I made soup and ate a lot of it this weekend.
Monday I had dinner at my aunt's - she made ham (definitely not Candida Diet-friendly as it's full of nitrates), potatoes which were fine except for the inclusion of horseradish (not allowed because it has vinegar in it), and coleslaw (again, vinegar.) I just relaxed a bit, had small portions, loaded up on veggies, and drank club soda instead of sugary pop. At this point, the Candida's gone anyway - it's just the last couple of weeks to keep it gone.
I also made a dessert twice this weekend, which I loved - sliced apples, mixed with berries, lots of cinnamon and nutmeg, topped with powdered walnuts mixed with coconut oil. I baked it and it made a lovely, fall-themed, refined-sugar free dessert. Good for breakfast too.
Nigel and I had an interesting chat on Thursday about what the social implications have been of this diet, for both of us. There are some things that are odd about eating like this, which I wouldn't want to make permanent. I think it's generally good to eat a variety of fruits, even sugary ones, as well as mushrooms, vinegar, a small amount of aged cheese, oatmeal, and coffee and tea. I plan to resume eating all those things. But so much of what this has taught me is the importance of planning, cooking, and eating natural foods. With the exception of Thursday's sushi, I haven't eaten out now for nearly six weeks. It was only hard for the first two - then it just became a habit. A few people have said to me that they could not do this - frankly, I don't believe it. It's just not that hard. So much of the ability to do something is just telling yourself you can.
It's really a misnomer to call this a "diet." I don't like the word with its implications of starving, fads, and extreme measures. It's really partly a cleanse (to get rid of the Candida) and partly a way to re-train yourself about how to eat. It's so weird that choosing to eat this way (clean, home-cooked, whole foods) is making me seem strange. For both Nigel and I at this point, eating processed foods all the time, eating food that's full of sugar - that is what seems strange.
Tuesday, 4 October 2011
Feeling fantastic
I felt pretty fantastic this morning, eating a beautiful, simple breakfast of mixed berries on yogurt. A veggie and chicken wrap for lunch, and I think dinner will be spaghetti bolognese. Minor changes to make these foods Candida Diet friendly: no sweetener in the yogurt, soft cheese instead of aged cheese in the wrap and no mayo or mustard, and the tortilla is made of brown rice, corn-based spaghetti and no mushrooms in the sauce, or parmesan on top.
It's great, enjoyable food though, and I'm feeling so healthy now. Although I wasn't even aiming to improve my headaches, I have only had one headache in the entire month I've been eating this way - awesomely unusual for me. My digestion is now much better and is especially good when I remember to drink lots of water. I'm still getting the odd stomach ache, but when the candida diet is over I'm going to switch out some of the yogurt I've been eating for oatmeal and see if that doesn't help. Among the symptoms I've noticed decreasing are PMS, tiredness, afternoon fatigue and crankiness, cravings, and acne.
I also think my immune system is up because I keep thinking I am coming down with a cold and then fight it off in about a day. I have also, so far, lost 13 pounds in just under 5 weeks - a nice average of 2.5 lbs a week. Whats more, I've met an objective even more important to me - I've gotten rid of the cravings for junk, taught myself how to eat mostly healthy food and enjoy it, and not feel deprived so that I can keep this up, keep losing weight and getting healthier over the winter.
I would recommend this to anyone, with one warning - if you want try this, you must know or be willing to learn how to cook.
It's great, enjoyable food though, and I'm feeling so healthy now. Although I wasn't even aiming to improve my headaches, I have only had one headache in the entire month I've been eating this way - awesomely unusual for me. My digestion is now much better and is especially good when I remember to drink lots of water. I'm still getting the odd stomach ache, but when the candida diet is over I'm going to switch out some of the yogurt I've been eating for oatmeal and see if that doesn't help. Among the symptoms I've noticed decreasing are PMS, tiredness, afternoon fatigue and crankiness, cravings, and acne.
I also think my immune system is up because I keep thinking I am coming down with a cold and then fight it off in about a day. I have also, so far, lost 13 pounds in just under 5 weeks - a nice average of 2.5 lbs a week. Whats more, I've met an objective even more important to me - I've gotten rid of the cravings for junk, taught myself how to eat mostly healthy food and enjoy it, and not feel deprived so that I can keep this up, keep losing weight and getting healthier over the winter.
I would recommend this to anyone, with one warning - if you want try this, you must know or be willing to learn how to cook.
Friday, 30 September 2011
Proud of surviving
Yesterday was the kind of day that would have challenged anyone's resolve to eat right, let alone eat on the Candida Diet. I had to get up early for a conference which I organized. I needed to arrive at 7, which meant getting up around 5:30. I decided to make my lunch the night before so as not to have to add more time onto my morning.
I woke up before my alarm went off and checked the time. 7:23! I had a cold chill. I freaked out. I called my boss's cell. No answer. I threw on some dress pants, a blouse, and a blazer in a panic, splashed some cold water on my face, and brushed my teeth while phoning for a cab. I tossed my lunch and makeup bag in my purse. While I waited for the cab I got through to my boss, who assured me that everything was under control. In the cab I realized my makeup bag had neither cover up nor a mirror. I used my phone camera as a mirror to do my makeup fast, which wound up looking awful because of the huge under eye circles that I couldn't cover up.
I got to work at 7:50, ten minutes before the conference attendees were meant to start arriving. Fortunately I'd left very little to do for the morning, so it worked out fine but it was good that I got there when I did.
However, I left without eating breakfast, which I never do, and within an hour I was starving. I ate the apple I'd brought but compared to my usual protein-and-whole-grains it was a pretty hollow morning. On top of that, I was dying for coffee, and instead of the usual crap conference coffee, we had lovely fragrant Starbucks tempting me (since I organized the conference.)
There was fruit on the table, but only non-Candida friendly very high sugar fruits like melon and pineapple. Not a berry to be seen. I can follow any diet when I'm full, but I can't stand going hungry.
At noon I ate my wrap, which got me through the early afternoon (it would have been plenty if I'd had be breakfast.) There was an apple on the noon buffet table so I grabbed that, but nonetheless it was a bit of a hungry day.
When I got home, I ate a largish steak, a huge baked potato, and a full head of broccoli for dinner. It's the first time I've had potato, because even though they're allowed in phase 2, I don't think they're very conducive to weight loss. I learned an important lesson - I'd you skip your protein in the morning, you will crave and eat a giant pile of carbs in the evening.
I'm proud I got through without caving in, especially on such a challenging day.
I woke up before my alarm went off and checked the time. 7:23! I had a cold chill. I freaked out. I called my boss's cell. No answer. I threw on some dress pants, a blouse, and a blazer in a panic, splashed some cold water on my face, and brushed my teeth while phoning for a cab. I tossed my lunch and makeup bag in my purse. While I waited for the cab I got through to my boss, who assured me that everything was under control. In the cab I realized my makeup bag had neither cover up nor a mirror. I used my phone camera as a mirror to do my makeup fast, which wound up looking awful because of the huge under eye circles that I couldn't cover up.
I got to work at 7:50, ten minutes before the conference attendees were meant to start arriving. Fortunately I'd left very little to do for the morning, so it worked out fine but it was good that I got there when I did.
However, I left without eating breakfast, which I never do, and within an hour I was starving. I ate the apple I'd brought but compared to my usual protein-and-whole-grains it was a pretty hollow morning. On top of that, I was dying for coffee, and instead of the usual crap conference coffee, we had lovely fragrant Starbucks tempting me (since I organized the conference.)
There was fruit on the table, but only non-Candida friendly very high sugar fruits like melon and pineapple. Not a berry to be seen. I can follow any diet when I'm full, but I can't stand going hungry.
At noon I ate my wrap, which got me through the early afternoon (it would have been plenty if I'd had be breakfast.) There was an apple on the noon buffet table so I grabbed that, but nonetheless it was a bit of a hungry day.
When I got home, I ate a largish steak, a huge baked potato, and a full head of broccoli for dinner. It's the first time I've had potato, because even though they're allowed in phase 2, I don't think they're very conducive to weight loss. I learned an important lesson - I'd you skip your protein in the morning, you will crave and eat a giant pile of carbs in the evening.
I'm proud I got through without caving in, especially on such a challenging day.
Tuesday, 27 September 2011
Gotta get moving
I have been super faithful to this diet so far and now that I am forming the habit of making all my own food, I'm really enjoying it. However, I'm not losing weight anymore - so it's time to up the ante. I've bought a gym membership at work and today, I went. The gym is great and sort of a well kept secret, I guess, as it was empty. I still don't actually like going to the gym but I do like feeling less like a couch potato.
The good news is since Phase 2 started and I added back the variety of fruits and veggies, I'm feeling much better and my digestion is better. I also started the caprylic acid supplement, which may have something to do with that. I'm at a point where I just can't even imagine wanting to eat junk food - I feel so great and clean without it. I mean, I was never a McDonald's eater but even stuff I like, such as good chip-truck poutine, just sounds gross and heartburn-inducing to me right now.
I STILL REALLY WANT COFFEE. It's my one major temptation, the only thing I'm finding it hard to resist having. 19 days left 'til coffee.
Tomorrow is the first conference where I was feeling weird about bringing my own food. I've decided not to feel weird - just to do it but make sure I bring something that doesn't require heating up - keep it simple. Also there may be veggies and fruits I can eat on the buffet. Getting closer to the event and I'm too concerned about it working out well to worry about food.
The good news is since Phase 2 started and I added back the variety of fruits and veggies, I'm feeling much better and my digestion is better. I also started the caprylic acid supplement, which may have something to do with that. I'm at a point where I just can't even imagine wanting to eat junk food - I feel so great and clean without it. I mean, I was never a McDonald's eater but even stuff I like, such as good chip-truck poutine, just sounds gross and heartburn-inducing to me right now.
I STILL REALLY WANT COFFEE. It's my one major temptation, the only thing I'm finding it hard to resist having. 19 days left 'til coffee.
Tomorrow is the first conference where I was feeling weird about bringing my own food. I've decided not to feel weird - just to do it but make sure I bring something that doesn't require heating up - keep it simple. Also there may be veggies and fruits I can eat on the buffet. Getting closer to the event and I'm too concerned about it working out well to worry about food.
Sunday, 25 September 2011
Smoothie goodness
This week I started making smoothies again. I went out and bought a new blender, which I've decided is handier than my magic bullet. Reason being, I can make two servings at once, take one to work in the morning, and then have the second serving when I get home from work. Perfect! What's weird though is that I'm not really enjoying them like I used to. They're TOO sweet. And that's without the usual vanilla yogurt, bananas, chocolate almond milk, etc. It's like my body doesn't understand why I would want to consume something sugary.
That said, I will keep playing with the recipe and see if I can't find one that is palatable. For the simple reason that I need the extra calories and it's super convenient. This is the recipe I'm working with for now:
2 cups unsweetened coconut milk (from a carton, not the rich canned stuff)
1/2 cup plain greek yogurt
1/2 cup blueberries
1/2 cup strawberries
1/2 cup cucumber
1/2 cup chopped kale
1 tbsp raw almond butter
1 tbsp ground flax seed
1 tbsp flax seed oil or coconut oil
5 ice cubes
Wednesday, 21 September 2011
Phase 2 Starts Tomorrow
After some pretty quick weight loss in Weeks 1 and 2, the weight loss in Week 3 has been insignificant. (It's hard to tell on my scale, which is not very precise - I really need to buy a digital one so I can see small changes. Anything less than 2 or 3 pounds is hard to see, which is unfortunate because even losing a pound in a week is an accomplishment.) I know I'm still on track though, because my pants are a bit loose. I keep reminding myself that it took me a long time to put on this weight, it's not all going to come off in a couple of weeks.
I need to be totally honest with myself and admit that I am not exercising enough - and it's time to change that. My cycling and walking are winding down as it gets too cold, so - I am getting a gym membership at work. I'm not really a gym person but the keys to going for me are convenience and scheduling it in. It is convenient, so I just have to make a schedule and accept no excuses from myself. I think I should also pick a weekend day and go swim laps once a week - the pool is about a twenty minute walk from my house, or less than a 10 minute bike ride, so I should be using that resource.
It's very much time for Phase 2 - which of course, is not just about adding some foods in but also taking natural anti-fungal supplements to ATTACK any remaining yeast. Phase 2 starts tomorrow - I'm looking forward to working apples, berries, grapefruit, sweet corn, peas, carrots, and beets back into my diet while all those foods are still in season. I'm still going to avoid potatoes for awhile as I'm not craving them yet and they're not the best food to be eating if you want to lose weight.
So - wish me luck in Phase 2!
I need to be totally honest with myself and admit that I am not exercising enough - and it's time to change that. My cycling and walking are winding down as it gets too cold, so - I am getting a gym membership at work. I'm not really a gym person but the keys to going for me are convenience and scheduling it in. It is convenient, so I just have to make a schedule and accept no excuses from myself. I think I should also pick a weekend day and go swim laps once a week - the pool is about a twenty minute walk from my house, or less than a 10 minute bike ride, so I should be using that resource.
It's very much time for Phase 2 - which of course, is not just about adding some foods in but also taking natural anti-fungal supplements to ATTACK any remaining yeast. Phase 2 starts tomorrow - I'm looking forward to working apples, berries, grapefruit, sweet corn, peas, carrots, and beets back into my diet while all those foods are still in season. I'm still going to avoid potatoes for awhile as I'm not craving them yet and they're not the best food to be eating if you want to lose weight.
So - wish me luck in Phase 2!
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