Tired!

I'm going through a tired phase.  Week 3 detox.  I still soldier on but I feel a little washed out.  Not sure if there's something else going on or my body working hard to detox but I'm regularly feeling tired and run down.  I've got confident with my diverse cooking options and if all else fails - egg salad will do!  Gotta keep on going and know that this is a great investment in my future health!  :)

Sugar free, gluten free, lactose free...yet tastyyyyy Almond Meal Muffins!

I made 12 and froze half so I have them as a handy snack to defrost and heat up with a little butter as a treat! 

1 cup almond meal
1.5 cups Coconut flour (expensive but delicious and gluten free)
4 teaspoons baking power2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 cup soy milk (or rice milk)
150g butter (melted)
1/2 cup of xylitol or a stevia (remember it's strong so use sparingly)

Mix dry ingredients and then add wet ingredients ensuring the melted butter doesn't cook the egg!  Gently fold together.  Ensure you use a well greased muffin baking tray.  Bake for 20 mins but check at 15 mins and adjust time if needed.

These don't satisfy sweet cravings if you don't use sugar substitute but they are delicious in their coconut and almond flavour.  Enjoy!

Really easy to make humus dip!

Blend (in a blender) chickpeas (soak them overnight if using dried chickpeas and rinse then cook for 30 minutes - they should be soft but still hold their shape), tahini (sesame paste - yum), garlic (I use 3 cloves chopped up), lemon juice, olive oil, cumin powder, pepper and water as required.  Mix in a blender and keep tasting to find the right flavour for you.  Use cellery, asparagus, cucumber and any other vegies to dip in and enjoy.  Tasty!

Kapai Puku - great addition to your meals!

Filled with seeds, buckwheat, rice bran, amaranth, etc..High in Omega3. Fruit free/sugar free/gluten free. I add this to brown rice puffs for breakfast with brown rice milk. It's an exfoliate for your intestinal tract. Check out www.kapaipuku.com. Yummmmm....

Yummy stir fry!

You can stir fry all vegies using any of the oils allowed on the diet.  Add any vegies you like and chop into long thin slices for an authentic look.  Use sprouts & raw organic cashews to add some texture.  Use fresh ginger, coriander, garlic and chilly if you can handle it. 

Make sure your wok is hot to start with and put in the onion, coriander, ginger, garlic and chilly first to get the flavours out.

If using meat, cook this first and then take out and put aside.  Add more oil if required and then throw in the vegies and toss until almost cooked. Put the meat back in and leave to simmer for a few mins until all cooked.

So tasty!

Evening "cocktail"!

Chop up some fresh mint and mix with lime juice - add to filtered water and ice or use soda water.  Finish with a straw to make you feel like you're having a cocktail!  Delicious and refreshing. 

Leftover egg whites?

After trying to make an aioli (which failed as per last post) I had left over egg whites.  So I suggest you scramble them!  Mix with some vegies of choice (onion, capsicum/peppers, chilly, basil, garlic and tomatoes) and you have a delicious breakfast or snack.  I actually find it lighter than using all the egg.  Yummy!

Delicious salmon dinner to share!

I cooked a lovely meal with a friend on the weekend.  Here it is!

1. Chop finely fresh basil and mix with olive oil, lemon rind and a pinch of rock salt.  Rub it over 2 medium sized salmon steaks, then dip the salmon into some sesame seeds - cover and leave for about 15 mins.  When close to ready to eat, grill the stakes each side and then cover for about 5-10 mins to cook through the centre as you like.

2. Blanch asparagus spears in boiled water until just tender.  Service with some pine nuts (you can dry-fry these first if you like) and organic butter.

I also tried to make an aioli to drizzle over the asparagus but it didn't work.  It's really important to follow the instructions and use the appropriate utensils which I didn't so hence it failed.  I will try again though!

Here's the recipe:
4 garlic cloves, peeled, chopped fine
2 egg yolks
1/8 teaspoon sea salt
1 cup virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon cold water
1 teaspoon lemon juice

Add the garlic and salt to the mortar bowl and grind slowly with the pestle, moving in one direction only. You can do this first step in a food processor if you'd like, then transfer the mixture back to a medium sized bowl. Whisk in the mustard first, then the egg yolks. At this point you can transfer the mixture back into the mortar or use the whisk in the bowl.

Now you will add in half of the oil. This must be done very slowly or the oil will not emulsify and your sauce will not thicken. Add the oil in a slow, fine stream while either whisking with a wire whisk or using your pestle. Once the first half of the oil is incorporated, then add the water and the lemon juice, and mustard, whisking or stirring constantly with the pestle. Then slowly add the rest of the oil. The mixture will thicken as you continue to blend it. The mixture should be slightly thinner than commercial mayonnaise. If it becomes too thick you can add a bit more warm water, one teaspoon at a time.

Social Outing with Candida can be done!

Out in the real world people think I'm a little odd.  It's amazing how uncomfortable people get when you say no to food and alcohol.  I had my first social outing last night (after 2 weeks on detox) and I was fine.  I kept saying no to food with a smile on my face but people needed an explanation.  I simply said I was on a lifestyle change.  Wasn't tempted by anything!  Even brownies and cupcakes!  Just ensure you eat before you go and drink soda water with ice and some lemon or lime (if they have fresh mint that will be nice too) and it looks like you are having a cocktail!  :)

Tired of being tired...

I'm always tired.  I awake tired!  Crazy diet...I am never hungry but I get tired then want sugar - although when I think about it seriously it's actually my head that wants sugar, not my body.  I did have a major craving last week but today not so bad.  I just want to sleep for the whole week until I've got through die off and then can get on with my new healthy lifestyle!  Bring it on!!!!

Work out...

I worked out hard today and really felt tired quickly.   I was already feeling rather exhausted but I did it anyway.  Next time I'm going to try eating at least an hour before and within 30 minutes after.  From what I understand it is really important to exercise and sweat - sweat out that candida!  Also, keeping the muscles working ensure my metabolism will work for me all day.  Plus I really want to use this opportunity of eating so well to lose FAT - that horrible flab around my body!  So it's powerwalking, interval training, pilates and yoga for me.  Oh, by the way - I'm 20 kg's over weight and really unfit so it's all a challenge but I'm up for it! 

Tasty meal ideas for Candida "challengers"...

I hate being called a "sufferer" - even if I am suffering!  So I'm calling myself Candida challenged.  Not to fear!  As I sip my refreshing mint tea (made using REAL mint - true - grab some mint leaves, give them a good wash, dry and then put into hot water - fabulously refreshing!)

I have some tasty meal ideas to share to my fellow challengers:

1. Spinach, Tomato, Basil & Onion scrambled egg omelet - chop up onion & garlic - add salt & pepper (remember to use fresh peppercorns and rock salt - then grind) and butter to a pan and fry until onion is cooked.  Chop up tomatoes into small pieces and add with some chopped spinach to the pan - fry for a few minutes.  Whisk eggs together (2 is plenty for one person) and add mixing in with all the ingredients.  Then let sit for 5 minutes - turn over to ensure all sides are cooked.  Tasty!

 2. Rice cakes with avocado & tuna - chop up some sesame seeds, tomato, cucumber, celery, tuna and avocado.  Mix into a bowl with a small amount of olive oil and lemon juice to taste.  (I use tuna in springwater - no added sugar or nasties!).  Once mixed together put on top of your rice cakes for a delicious snack or lunch. Yummmmy!

3. Really veggie chicken soup! - you can use any vegetables you like but this is how I do it.  In a large saucepan, put in 2 tablespoons of olive oil, salt & pepper and vegie stock (gluten, sugar free).  Put in some garlic, onion and capsicum (I use red, green & yellow for flavour and colour).  Fry up until all vegies are cooked.  You can really smell the flavour at this stage so adjust as you wish.  Then add other vegetables such as carrot, broccoli, zucchini, celery (include the leaves as they add flavour and texture), bok choy, etc.  Put in some filtered water to cover all the vegetables and simmer on low heat.  Usually takes about 30 minutes to really cook through.  You can leave as is or blend so it is more of smoother texture (be careful blending if it's still hot though).  Once ready to serve, for some extra "something" add some lime, avocado & pine nuts on top.  I'm salivating just thinking about it.

Enjoy!

Candida be gone!

It's really grossing me out.  This Candida stuff!  The more I read - the more I cannot eat due to too much sugar, too much yeast, potential mold (ewwwwww)....seriously makes you start to re-consider what you put in your body all these years.  I'm so sorry body!  So sorry that I neglected you for so long - throwing inside all sorts of nasties without really knowing the full impact.  Now I'm feeling like crap and I am sad, emotional, aching all over...just blah.  The good news is last night I had baked white fish with butter and lemon...then a tomato salad, cucumber, spring onion, spinach and yummy avocado.  

No matter how I'm feeling I must keep moving.  So off to the gym now to sweat it out!

Brown Rice Pudding!

I'm so tired and feeling rather strange...just off.  My head is fuzzy.  I can't concentrate.  I'm hot and itchy too.  I must be toxic!  Horrible.  Rice pudding helps - brown rice, soy milk, stevia, cinnamon, coconut oil, butter and almonds....delicious!  Almost tastes sweet.  Oh note to self - don't put too much stevia in or it will taste oddly too sweet - so I added some lemon juice and it was extra delicious.  Next tasty treat to try will be this weekend.  :)

FEELING YUCKY!

Today I started to feel ill - headache, sick, dizzy, vague, tired, lethargic....just plain off!  Not sure how long this will last. Eventually felt like eating dinner and had a delicious vegie & brown rice stir fry with baked salmon.  Yumm.  Now feel tired again....really want chocolate to make me feel better!  Bazaar as now I know that's what's made me sick!  Time to get back to knitting (my new hobby). Peace :)

Coconut flour MUFFINS!

Yummmy!  Discovered coconut flour today.  Gluten free!  I made some muffins with stevia, some LSA and Vanilla essence - there's 3 eggs in the recipe but next time I'll probably change to 2 eggs and add some soy milk.  I'm excited about this opportunity to be creative with my cooking.  However I am sad that my naturapath said I cannot have yoghurt during the first month of detox.  I'll miss it.  Anyways onwards and upwards!

DAY 3

I've lost all ability to control my emotional eating.  I thought I was so strong over the weekend but today - I could eat a block of chocolate, mashed potatoes, some toast with jam...etc.  Although I'd be happy with some organic fair trade chocolate - just a small block but geez I'm craving it.  I tried some sugar free but concerned about what's in it.  I'll check with my Naturapath.  Could be the horrible period I'm suffering through making me crave more...but I think Candida is saying "give it to me baby"...  you littel shit.  I'm going to kill you off and get well so go away!!!

Anyways tonight I'm having delicious baked chicken and steamed vegies for dinner so hopefully that will keep me happy enough.   I only hope I am still allowed yoghurt!  Fun times :)

FREAKING OUT....

Why?  Because all I can think of is what I can't have...not what I can have!  I want a glass of wine!  I want some crackers and dip.  It's Saturday night - I want to go out and eat, drink and be social.  It's like when I gave up smoking - all I could think about was having one, just one.  BUT I will not give in! 

READY SET GO...

I was just diagnosed with chronic candida.  It makes sense after so long on antibiotics for chronic tonsillitis.  I'm also a sugar addict.  So I'm about to embark on a lifestyle change...not a DIET - a long-term "forever" change.  It will start really strict and as I get better, I will start to re-introduce foods.

I think I can easily give up the alcohol, I'm confident I won't miss breads and cakes...but my daily dose of chocolate?  That's going to be really hard to say farewell to!   

I am now 40 and feel so much older.  It's no longer about the 20 kg overweight I am - it's about health.  I want to FEEL well...I want to bounce out of bed...I don't want to emotionally eat chocolate to make me feel better because it doesn't.  So I'm taking my power back.  I'm ready.

This is the start of an interesting journey.

THE BEGINNING

This is the start to a new life.  One free of addictions.  Free from emotionally doing things that make me feel bad.  Come join me on a journey of change, discovery and creating a new life.