Cool quote of the week "You can make it your excuse, or you can make it your story." While this quote isn't about MS it fits so thanks for continuing to read my story.
So this post is about making my body a healthier place to live. The first couple of weeks Joe and I consumed quite a few different MS book, read research links and shared stories from other MS survivors. My favorite book so far is "The MS Recovery Diet - Take Control of Your Health, Change What You Eat, and Live Symptom-Free" because who wouldn't want to take control and live symptom free?
I read several other books that highlighted food choices, vitamins and supplements, and told stories of others like me. I selfishly focused on people living "successfully" with MS because quite frankly, call it denial or determination, because I am not willing to go through an kind of major decline and am avoiding the "pity party group". I am certain that no matter how this illness tries to progress I will find a way to keep on keeping on.
So after reading, note taking, and conversations I decided that I needed to go drastic with my change to support healing in the fullest way possible. I made this decision with a caviat, I had Lent knocking on the door, basically giving me an out if I didn't think I could sustain the changes. It is easy to wade into something like this with enthusiasm and then peter out when the going gets hard so I hope that won't be the case here. I need to succeed in change for the sake of myself and my family.
For vitamins and supplements, my regular doctor and I ran some numbers. I was already taking 2000mg of Fish Oil to help with inflammation in my eyes and muscles so check. I was already taking a multivitamin that has a high dose of B complex and a minor dosage of Vitamin D. She had me add 2000mg of Vitamin D as it is the most commonly mentioned addition to diet (looking forward to more sun time so Vitamin D will come naturally from nature.) I also take L-Lysine to support my immune system (it is an herbal anti-viral) as the meds are known for reducing white blood cell counts and known for weakening the immune system. I have been taking this one for a year and have managed to be illness free (knocking on wood.)
The last addition which I don't remember to take every day is a refrigerated probiotic. This one is very important for me based on one of the symptoms that can flare up in me. The MS when it is raging affects the nerves that allow me to control the push component of my bowels (no it doesn't mean I am constipated I just can't poop.) So keeping my bowel health well maintained, eating right, drinking lots of water and taking my probiotic has me on a pretty good schedule so should I have a flare up again it hopefully won't be as bad.
All of these changes I will deem permanent. On to the lenten promises... 47 long days of sacrifice. First the easy one... Abby asked Joe and I to give up grown up drinks for Lent (No we aren't heavy drinkers but apparently our grown up drinking has made an impression.) We compromised on drinking only one day a week on the weekends and aside from one extra night for me I have followed that promise.
My second two promises to myself are part of trying to move to an MS Recovery Diet. I largely cut out refined carbohydrates and refined sugars. I gave myself a pass for Joshua's 5th birthday because ... chocolate cake! It had been two weeks of healthy food leading up to this and sadly cake didn't taste as good as I remembered (this says nothing towards the chefs.) This isn't easy with a dining room full of Girl Scout cookies and I have to be honest, about a week in I had a major craving for cookies but I ignored it and carried on. So what does this mean exactly??? I have done a lot of reading on the magic of gluten free eating. I have cut out 95 % of products that have wheat in them. For the most part I steer clear of things that are breaded, have wheat (pasta, breads, etc) but have located a few choice gluten free recipes and sliced bread to replace our wheat pancakes and toast. I am keeping these "gluten free" options to a minimum in that I generally don't imbibe each day but rather every two or three days so refined carbs are pretty much out of the picture.
So that brings me to no refined sugars. I had gotten lazy in the months wrapping up 2013 and had put in a few pounds thanks to the glorious wonders of dark chocolate peanut m&ms, holiday sweets and the like. I had gotten out of my healthier eating habits and look what happened... with sugar and stress I had a relapse. So down with refined sugars, no soda, no Girl Scout cookies, no m&ms. Aside from the two days surrounding the celebrations of JJ's birthday with cake, ice cream and yummy gluten free homemade cookies I have been 95% true to my pact. I allowed myself a sinner Saturday indulgence of two homemade sugar cookies today, and also allow myself to consume one square of high quality, fair trade organic, 55% or higher coaco each day if needed.... because well, its chocolate and nuf said.
So, what do you ask, am I actually eating? Most mornings I am making a smoothie to start my day. It consists of a handful or two of kale or spinach, part of a cucumber or handful of carrot bites for my veggies. Then add 1/2 or a whole cup of plain Greek yogurt, a handful of dates, a banana or two, and misc other fruit plus a handful of almonds. This usually give me a couple of days of smoothie. It is yummy, filling and packed full of things that are great for me. If I need a day off I go for some fresh fruit, gluten free toast with almond butter, and/or a hunk of cheese and a boiled egg.
For dinner we have been having a bunch of wonderful meals (many pulled together by my awesome husband). We have a new favorite of brussel sprouts and asparagus with a side of fish and some fresh fruit. A spinach, sweet potato, and garbanzo bean soup. Fish tacos with a mango/avocado salsa and tiny corn tortillas. Salmon burgers and wild rice/baby portabella side. Pork loin... and one of my favorite salmon quiche recipes from Pike Place. We had one pasta meal with quinoa pasta, sauce and chicken meatballs. Many of these dishes had steamed veggies or salads on the side.
As a plus the kids have given up sugary dessert except on the weekends (which is a habit I hope we keep) so it has been fun to come up with a healthy after dinner snack that is yummy. Last night it was sliced apples with almond/peanut butter. Yum!
This week I am looking forward to gluten free pizza/calzones, quinoa cakes, lobster dip bake, spaghetti squash spaghetti, Hungarian eggplant, etc and so on. Lots of a really wonderful meals for the family to enjoy that in theory promotes my long-term health. And for a bonus leftovers for lunch in-between days with kale/spinach salad. The books recommend more food changes and a new book called Wahls Protocol written by a Dr with progressive MS who was able to reverse her disease with diet, exercise and a positive mind (I have the book but I am reading Madame Curie's biography right now as I needed an MS break.)
My head has been clearer at work the last two weeks although I feel a little bit scattered at home. Another plus from all these dietary changes has been on the scale. At the beginning of the year I weighed myself and also measured my hips, waist and bum. I am down 8 lbs and nearly two inches which is an added perk. I have been exercising regularly but that is a story for another day. So the data continues to flow, Lent charges on for three more weeks and I hopefully continue to heal.
As an aside I just watched the move "forks over knives" and I highly recommend it. It is along the lines of the changes my family and I are working to implement in our diets without going totally vegetarian. It talks about a lot of the things that are wrong in the US with our diets, healthcare, subsidies, etc. and it worth the time to start to educate yourself about the issues.
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