Glimpse into week three of the Autoimmune Protocol

I have now completed week three of this diet, and boy, has this week been about cravings!

Glimpse into a book club update

Apologies for the late announcement of the next book for our book club. I have really been unwell lately, and even writing a blog post is hard work! I realise we are meant to start the book tomorrow, so I thought I better jump on and choose one! This is a fairly a short story, so even if it takes you a little while to find a copy, I am sure we will be able to begin as usual on the 15th of next month (October). I am going to download a copy from Audible to start listening soon!... So jump over to the book club by hitting the tab at the top of the home page, and find out which book it is!

Also, it is not too late to join in on the discussion of our current book, 'The Bees."

Glimpse into week two of the Autoimmune Protocol

I made it through my second week following the AIP diet! Things went a bit better this week.

Glimpse into week one of the AIP protocol

I have been following the Autoimmune Protocol diet now for a week and a half.

Glimpse into beginning the Autoimmune Protocol

I have learnt so much in the past couple of years, which is an opportunity I would have missed had I not become unwell. Having chronic illnesses which have caused me to stop work, and for my entire social, personal and active life to change to learn these lessons is far from ideal, but I am grateful (otherwise, what is the point of this struggle?!).
I am constantly reading (when the brain fog allows it, that is!) about my conditions and ways to improve my health. My background as a nurse has helped me here, and a passion for nutrition and wellness has been awakened.
Lately, I have been researching the Autoimmune Protocol (or the Paleo Approach). This is a diet which restricts certain foods so as to decrease inflammation in the gut, soothing and healing it, and subsequently, potentially, improving (or preventing) the autoimmune conditions that are often a result of the gut inflammation. When I was first diagnosed with autoimmune disease, I read about foods which were good and bad for thyroid conditions, and basically put it into the too hard basket (aside from avoiding gluten). I was already eating a restricted diet due to food intolerances, and I was quite unwell, so the idea of making it more strict seemed ludicrous! However, there appears to have been a lot more written about the diet since then and there are so many resources that demonstrate it is a feasible and beneficial diet (I purchased "The Autoimmune Paleo Cookbook" and "The Paleo Approach; Reverse Autoimmune Disease and Heal Your Body" - both of which have been extremely useful). Also, last month I had my antibody levels tested (these show that I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis), and they have increased from 2400 last year, to 3800! They are meant to be under 60. This has really motivated me to find something that may improve this, and as my doctors says I do not require thyroid medication, food seems to be a smart place to focus.

Glimpse into healthy "Bounty" bars

 

I think recipes which make healthier versions of commercial chocolate bars and lollies are super exciting and fun! Today, I want to share with you a recipe for Bounty Bars, which is of course free of gluten, dairy and egg and is low in FODMAPs. This one is so simple and quick to make you'll wonder why you would bother going all the way to the shops just to buy a bar full of sugar, wheat and dairy!

Glimpse into Foodie Friday - week 29 - coconut, and a choc chip almond cookie square recipe

I have a super simple recipe for you today. Everyone seemed to like the look of it on my instagram account, so here it is!

Glimpse into Foodie Friday - week 28 - Rice syrup

This week, I made a super quick and simple, sweet bread to toast up for snacks and breakfasts. Instead of baking the usual banana breads (which, don't get me wrong, I love!), I chose to make one which revolved around rice syrup. I think rice syrup is delicious, and it has been a lifesaver when looking for a substitute for high fructose sweeteners such as corn syrup, honey, and sugar.

Glimpse into Foodie Friday - week 27 - buckwheat

Being intolerant to so many different foods as I am, it is possible to slip up now and again and miss something that you can or cannot have. This has been the case for me with buckwheat. Somewhere along the lines, I had thought that I could not have buckwheat due to the FODMAP content, but my mum discovered recently that I was wrong. So I bought some activated buckwheat and gave it a trial. It seems to have been a success and I can indeed tolerate it! This makes me happy to be able to add another food to my can-eat list! It is crunchy, which is an exciting texture change in my diet, and the flavour is quite versatile. I have eaten it sprinkled on coconut yogurt with fresh fruit, and have made toasted muesli/granola with it, and hope to make cookies with it soon. 

Buckwheat is not actually a wheat, even though the name might suggest this. It is a fruit seed, so it is actually a good alternative for people avoiding gluten and wheat. It has been shown to have beneficial effects on cholesterol and blood pressure, it can maintain blood flow and protect against heart disease, and some cancers and illnesses. It is high in vitamins and minerals such as magnesium, manganese, copper, and phosphorus. Buckwheat contains a high quality protein, containing all eight essential amino acids. It balances blood sugars and keeps hunger at bay for longer than wheat or grain alternatives. 

It is gluten, dairy, nut and egg free, contains only tiny amounts of fructose and very low amounts of fructans. Being on a low fructose/FODMAP diet, it can be easy to not ingest enough fibre. Buckwheat is high in beneficial insoluble fibre. Subsequently, these benefits make it a great food to be eaten by people on a restricted diet. 

This website provides some other interesting details: http://www.fineli.fi/food.php?foodid=161&lang=en

Today I thought I would bring to you the recipe I created for buckwheat, quinoa and mixed seed granola. 

Glimpse into the new man in my life!!

Hello all! I apologise for my recent absence from the blog. One of the ironic things about keeping a blog about life with chronic illnesses is that the chronic illnesses sometimes keep you from the blog!

Something exciting which has happened during the time though is that a puppy chose me to be his human! 

Meet Albi, the Shih Tzu.... 

I have written previously about how beneficial animals can be in improving health and wellbeing, and Albi is no exception! My daily incidental movement (including countless stair climps for frequent puppy toilet breaks!) has increased substantially. I have something to be excited about to do for the day. I have someone to give me countless cuddles and endless attention (and plenty of puppy mischief!). He is even tiring me out so much that I haven't used sleeping tablets since he arrived! He keeps me company and makes me smile all the time. 

Obviously, these are all small things in the scheme of everything that is going on, but it all definitely helps my ability to cope! I researched for months and months and decided on the Shih Tzu, and I am so glad I did. He is so clever and inquisitive, full of fun and energy but totally happy to snuggle with me while I rest for hours, and is absolutely win-over-everyone cute! I am in love.

I highly recommend you find an animal to cuddle as soon as possible!

Glimpse into July/August book announcement

Today is the day for the announcement of our next book for our book club! Drumroll please!!
The book to begin reading on July 1st is...

"The Bees" by Laline Paull.

For a summary of this book, visit the Glimpsing Gembles Book club page...

http://glimpsinggemblesbookclub.blogspot.com.au/2014/06/julyaugust-book-announcement.html

Find a copy to read or download the audiobook, and start reading on July 1st! Discussion will begin August 15th.

Glimpse into the discussion of Gone Girl - book club

I am excited to say that today marks the start of our online book club discussion of "Gone Girl." Click the book club tab above, or the link below, and join in chatting about this book over the next two weeks. I look forward to hearing your ideas and thoughts!

http://glimpsinggemblesbookclub.blogspot.com.au/2014/06/discussion-gone-girl.html

Magnifying Moments

~ See the good...bedside tea refills without asking                                       
~ Feel the happy...a 1.5 kg, 10 week old Shih Tzu pup/new family member     
~ Brighten your mind...3 pups survived the Titanic sinking                    
~ Find the moment...a downward dog yoga pose in the sunshine

See the good (small things to be grateful for)

Feel the happy (small things to be happy about)

Brighten your mind (small things to be fascinated by)
Find the moment (small things to plan to see/do/feel)

Glimpse into Wellness Wednesday - Happy place - week 20

This Wellnes Wednesday, I want us all to choose what our happy place is. Where is it that makes you feel positive, relaxed and smile, despite how your body may feel?

Now, plan to go to that happy place this week.

Take a few minutes out of your day, or a few hours, or a few days of the week, and enjoy some "me" time in your happy place. It does not need to be alone, if there is someone else that you can't imagine being happy without in your happy place. It doesn't need to be far away. It can be in your favourite sunny spot in the garden, with a cup of tea.

Changing your scenery is invaluable. It makes you appreciate life. Since I have focused on having a happy place, it gives me somewhere  to think about in my mind when I am not there, somewhere to be motivated by to get back to, and somewhere to feel renewed by when I visit. For me, it is the beach, and I can feel it healing me the second I arrive.

Magnifying Moments

~ See the good...the generosity of family

~ Feel the happy...decaffeinated black tea that tastes like black tea

~ Brighten your mind...cacao nibs can prevent blood clots
~ Find the moment...burying cold toes into warm sand

See the good (small things to be grateful for)

Feel the happy (small things to be happy about)

Brighten your mind (small things to be fascinated by)
Find the moment (small things to plan to see/do/feel)

Glimpse into Motivation Monday - BREATHE - week 20

 

Allow yourself the frustration, the anger, the sadness, the fear, the loneliness.

Allow yourself the hope, the prayer, the optimism, the expectation, the aspiration.

Know that you are not alone in this fight, and if you keep strong, no matter how empty you feel, something good will come. There is no other option. Giving up will not bring happiness.

You are strong. You are loved.

You can make it.

Glimpse into my atricle contribution for Your Zen Life!....ME/CFS International Awareness Day - May 12th

I wrote an article for International Awareness Day for the Your Zen Life website, and it was published last week! If you are interested in reading it, it is on the website at http://www.yourzenlife.com/post/me-cfs-international-awareness-day-may-12th, or read below.

Magnifying Moments

Magnifying Moments

~ See the good...gluten free jelly snakes after a hard day. 

~ Feel the happy...seeing a message from a friend.

~ Brighten your mind...bees keep the whole world alive.
~ Find the moment...snuggling with a puppy. 

See the good (small things to be grateful for)

Feel the happy (small things to be happy about)

Brighten your mind (small things to be fascinated by)
Find the moment (small things to plan to see/do/feel)

 

A glimpse into changing our focus

Something which I have come to realise is that the small things in life, which we so often overlook, can actually be defining and motivating moments which can change our course, our perspective, our appreciation and our happiness. When the universe forces us to stop, due to something like a chronic illness, it is often then when we realise the beauty and wisdom in such small moments.

Today, I was fascinated by the stunning shape and texture and colours made by a tree's thick bark, slowly bending and shedding itself from the trunk. I would never have contemplated such a simple thing prior to my illness, but now that my body has slowed me down, I see things differently. 

This has made me think, why do we wait until something forces us to see the little things? 

I have decided to start a new blog series. I want to help people see the good in each day. 

If you are rushing about, too busy with life, this is pertinent for you. Start to look at the small things, and make the most of the opportunity to do so without being forced to stop. 

If you have already been slowed down, this is also for you. I have really noticed how ackowledging the small things helps me get through each day, when the big things can seem so overwhelming. Instead of focusing on what you can no longer do, or the financial worries you might have, or the people you don't see anymore, look at the amazing things that blossom within the tiny moments of each day.

As often as possible, I will put up on the blog a short post consisting of the following list:

~ See the good (small things to be grateful for)

~ Feel the happy (small things to be happy about)

~ Brighten your mind (small things to be fascinated by)
~ Find the moment (small things to plan to see/do/feel)

I am calling this series "Magnifying Moments".

I hope you join me on this journey of making time to put more focus on the little things, and gaining the understanding of the enormity of doing so. I would love to hear about what you see along your journey too, and how these thoughts and moments enhance you and your life.

Glimpse into chocolate walnut muffins - Foodie Friday week 19

On this Foodie Friday, I wanted to make a simple sweet for a friend's birthday. I am loving baking with cacao of late, so apologies, here is another chocolatey recipe!! Mmm mmm!

I love adding walnuts into baked treats. They add an amazing taste and texture, and have many healthy benefits. They have good quantities of omega 3 fats, protein and fibre, and melatonin (which helps regulate sleep). They contain antioxidants and vitamins for healthy hair and skin, and are good for heart and brain health, decreasing your risk of cancer, and can destroy harmful free radical chemicals. Pregnant women can reduce their baby's risk of allergies by eating the fatty acids, and men's fertility can even be boosted by the little walnut! All these sound to me like awesome reasons to throw a few walnuts into your baking!