What Can you eat?

Many people ask me "what can you eat?"  Well here is a general list...

https://www.phoenixhelix.com/2013/06/02/paleo-aip-grocery-list/ 

I am out of the strict elimination phrase so I am now able to eat some grains as long as they are gluten free, tomatoes and potatoes on occasion and I have some caffeine with tea and intense dark chocolate (though I did just read that is not good for adrenal fatigue so I will probably be cutting that out as well for a while)  I also get asked a lot... "how long do you have to eat this way" or "do you have to do this forever"   The short answer is I have to do this for the next year at minimum... but my Dr. said, if you feel better eating this way - why would you change?  Good question. 

Others ask "don't you miss eating whatever you want?"  Yes - yes I do miss certain foods and I miss them a lot.  I miss bread, I miss pizza, I miss the convenience of picking up a sub quick from sheetz.  I miss Snicker's Bars and Dr. Pepper especially when I am having a crappy day.  I miss licorice when I am on a road trip.  I miss ice cream from Cruisers.  So the answer is yes, I miss a lot of things - but I don't miss feeling awful all the time.  I don't miss the panic attacks.  I don't miss the migraines (haven't had one in over 4 months).  I still do get teary eyed sometimes when I go to an event and can't eat a single thing.  I get frustrated at restaurants that say they have GF options and the option is a salad (Yes I do get tired of salads!)

Many also ask if I eat a lot of the same foods... the answer is yes.  I should eat much more of a variety and I was reminded of that this week when my friend Trish Hoffman did a 20 Plant Based food challenge.  It was a great reminder of the need for variety to get a variety of nutrients.  Some of the foods I eat often include.... mushrooms (I usually eat 3-4 containers of them a week), broccoli, cauliflower, carrots (raw), meat (all kinds though I should eat more fish).  I do also have a smoothie almost every morning which is coconut milk, a banana, and a variety of berries.  I have to be cautious with  my histamines so I still avoid spinach most of the time as well as strawberries (the low histamine diet is a whole new list of fun on top of the AIP diet - insert eye roll here)

Many people also ask if I feel different - the answer is a resounding yes!  I do feel different and in many ways I feel way better.  I have lost over 42 pounds, I have dropped two clothing sizes (which means I have some clothing I need to get rid of) but I am still struggling.  My adrenal fatigue and constant fight or flight is improving but not completely gone.... my energy levels are low and I get tired very easily (hence why my doctor told me I need to rest 3 hours each day - no I am not doing very well with that directive).  My immune system is still in distress and it could take up to a year or more to heal (insert sad face here).  But with all things, this is a journey and I am making great strides, and I am learning the hard way that healing doesn't come over night and it takes a lot of hard work, and patience especially when you start to treat the actual issue and not just the symptoms. 

I am so thankful for the care I have received at Turnpaugh Health and Wellness Center.  I have made huge strides over the last 6 months and my numbers have improved.  Dr. Shannon Smith has been an amazing doctor and I am so thankful for God's hand in providing just the right person at just the right time.  I am also so thankful for my family Dr. and NP Mandy and Shellie and their support in this long and very frustrating journey.  I am thankful that they support natural medicine and desire to work together with my functional doctor to help me achieve wellness. 

Camps Galore

It has been awhile since my last update (almost a month).  Before I give an update I would just like to say thank you to the countless people who have been praying for me - I am so grateful for you support and encouragement.  God has been working and I am so blessed!  Sometimes pictures speak volumes more than my words can..... so after my update I will give you a little glimpse of what my last month has looked like. 

My health has improved drastically over the past month.  Things that I wouldn't have been able to do a month ago - such as walk to the park, or carry loaded laundry baskets, I am now able to do without too much adrenaline being released in my body (think tight throat and chest, shortness of breath).  I am able to help lead worship again at church (though singing high is a bit of a struggle still).  I am able to make it through larger periods of time without having to sit down and take a break.  It is a wonderful improvement.

Twenty steps forward, three steps back.  With improvements, also comes the reality checks.  In feeling better I was doing more, being a little (I mean very little) less strict with my sugar intake, and resting less, which in turn caused some set backs.  The anxiety felt as though it was creeping back in... I described it to my Doctor as a Gray cloud (which is much better than the storm cloud that I was feeling before) but noticable enough that I began to get concerned that I was regressing.  I was also having more issues with my adrenals and histamines filling my throat and my chest... I feeling that I will not miss when it is finally gone.  My doctor increased my one supplement and told me no sugar.... like I said I thought I was being good but I cheated a little and boy did it make a noticable difference.  I didn't notice anything with my stomach so I thought I was good, but he told me that I can only do natural sugars and I have to always eat them with a protein or a fat.

I have been very strict this week on my diet which is still a modified AIP diet (Auto Immune Protocol) with a low histamine diet.  Basically veggies and meat with a little fruit and some gluten free and dairy products thrown into the mix every now and then. 

Now about my summer - I am so thankful for God's continuing to heal my body which has allowed me to speak and serve at several camps this summer.  I did have to back out of one camp which made my heart sad but so thankful my husband took me up to visit the Group Workcamp in Scranton PA and also thankful for my friend DKB for stepping in for me and letting me tag along on site visits.  I was even able to see many past campers and that brought my heart great joy!

DKB MCing at Scranton Workcamp

At the end of July I got to do a 12-13 year old camp at CRC.  We looked at Surprising Stories of Jesus.  It was a great week and Ella had a blast hanging out with the cabins. 

Learning about Lazarus

Enjoying my favorite holiday at camp

Sharing what God taught them at camp

Right after that we headed to Smicksburg PA to Little Mahoning Bible Camp where a group from our church served for the week.  This was a family mission trip and we had a great time.  I was grateful to have a kindred spirit in the kitchen there to help with my food - she even made me a wonderful GF/DF cake for my birthday! 

Birthday selfie (or an Us-y as I call them)

My yummy birthday cake

Teaching them how to tye-dye

Enjoying some quality time with Rebecca and Becca - painting the bathroom entrance

Our mission team 

After that we came home for a week to enjoy our town's festival called Dutch Days - I was able to help in a few stands throughout the week, but did have to back out of one due to the intense heat (heat and adrenal fatigue do not mix! Thanks Fred for covering for me) 

Helping make potpie 

And this week I am once again serving at CRC (Christian Retreat Center in East Waterford, PA).  This place is a place that I have grown to love and feels like home.  The cook Mindy has taken my special eating plan as a challenge and creates some amazing dishes to spoil me with.  This week is TIMS (Together in Mission Service) and the theme is Holy Ground.  Join me in praying that God's word would challenge these students and leaders. 

Prayers are appreciated as later this week I will get all my updated blood work results, as well as prepare to head out to my last camp of the summer - our church camp.