Glimpse into Foodie Friday - week 45 - nut free pesto

I posted a pesto recipe on Instagram a while ago, and have also shared the pesto with friends a few times, and I keep getting requests for it to appear on the blog! With it being on my blog's instragram account, I kept thinking I had posted it! So here it is! Thank you for your patience and enthusiasm!

This pesto is nut free, but full of flavour. Make sure you stir it before serving, as the liquid can separate a little and become a tad runny.

Pesto 

1 cup of kale or spinach
2 cups of basil
1/4 - 1/2 avocado
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2-5 anchovies (to your desired taste)
1/4 cup of olive oil (add a few splashes of garlic oil too if you like)
1 pinch of salt


Optional add ins:

* 2 tablespoons of oregano
*1/2 cup coconut milk
*10 olives

Blend all the ingredients. Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge. Serve with fresh sliced vegetables, such as carrots, cucumber and celery, or through a bowl of zoodles/zucchini "noodles" (or any other way that takes your fancy)!

Glimpse into Motivational Monday - APPRECIATE - week 45

When things get tough and life is not going the way you had hoped, it is easy to wonder what is the point of having dreams and plans. However, the worst thing you can do is to stop working for the way you want your life to be. Do your best to not give into filling your days with wishing for something, and feeling hard done by. No matter how much it hurts, get up and fight for it. Only you can achieve the life you want. At the same time, look around, and be amazed by what you are blessed with. Take in the view on the way up, and be thankful for the journey.

 

 

Glimpse into a Glimpsing Gembles online Book Club update

Over in the Glimpsing Gembles Book Club section of the blog, there are new posts up. We are currently discussing a book by Bryce Courtenay called "Smoky Joe's Café." There is also the announcement post for November/December's book choice. Pop over to join in the online book club! Everyone welcome.

http://glimpsinggemblesbookclub.blogspot.com.au/

Glimpse into week seven of the Autoimmune Protocol

I feel quite happy with my progress on the Autoimmune Protocol. If nothing else, I have decided that I am much better off not sneaking in the foods I know that am intolerant to (who knew?!). I have decided that I am going to continue to avoid grains, gluten, nightshades, sugar, and the foods I am intolerant to (dairy, wheat, peanuts, eggs and FODMAPs) indefinitely.

Glimpse into week six of the Autoimmune Protocol

Week six! This is flying by. I would say my progress this week is similar to last week's. I have had the added nuisance of regular nausea though, which I am frustrated and confused by!

Does anyone else have issues with meat, and different ways of cooking meat? I have had problems with slowed cooked and stewed meats for some time. Even the smell of them cooking makes me feel unwell. This week, as strange as it sounds, I think meat that has a stringy, fibrous texture is what might be causing the problem. I would love to hear anyone else's ideas about digestive issues with meat, why it occurs, and ways to overcome it.

Glimpse into week five of the Autoimmune Protocol, and starting Midodrine

This week began with a visit to a friend's place which involved food. I cut up a pile of carrots, celery, and cucumber, and created a pesto. It was simple, but I was able to cater for myself as well as bring something that other people would be interested in eating (though, placed on a table which was full of amazing looking (and smelling!) cakes and sausage rolls, I'd have not blamed a soul for not touching the rabbit food!!!)

Glimpse into Foodie Friday - week 38 - AIP & FODMAP friendly green smoothies

As I mentioned in my update for week four of the autoimmune protocol, I am finding that green smoothies are a great start to the day.
I have previously done a post about green smoothies here. These are all AIP compatible, however you will need to skip the chia seeds, and use water, coconut water, or coconut milk for the liquid, instead of other milk alternatives.

Here are a few more which I have been enjoying of late.


The creamy delight:

A large handful of kale/spinach
1 stick of celery
1 frozen banana (sliced before freezing)
A few berries or pineapple
A few shakes of cinnamon
A big splash of coconut milk
Water (enough to create desired consistency)



The tropical juice:

A large handful of kale/spinach
1 celery stick
A large squeeze of lemon juice
A big chunk of fresh ginger
A small amount of fresh pineapple
Water (enough to create desired consistency)



The fierce zinger:

A large handful of kale/spinach
1 celery stick
1 kiwi fruit
A small chunk of fresh ginger
A few shakes of ground cinnamon
A few squeezes of lemon juice
Water (enough to create desired consistency)

Glimpse into week four of the Autoimmune Protocol

I can not believe it, but I have now completed one month of the AIP diet! Time flies when you're having (free of everything) fun!!! ;-) 

Magnifying Moments

~ See the good...a blanket placed over you when you have fallen asleep in a random spot from exhaustion 

~ Feel the happy...muddy paws of a blissed out puppy

~ Brighten your mind...the tiny grain tries to protect itself by being hard to digest - hence all humans have a certain degree of problem when consuming grains
~ Find the moment...cuddling my new little nephew

 

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 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.