The 21-Day Sugar Detox- Day 13

I made it through another day on The 21-Day Sugar Detox! Thankfully, I slept so much better last night than I did the night before. Unfortunately, I had to wake up really early this morning.  I had to attend a catechist meeting and mini retreat, starting at 8:30 AM.

When I arrived at my meeting,they were setting up the food table. I handed over the breakfast bars I was asked to bring. I, then, chose my seat and set up my area with my special coffee mug and water bottle. There was no way I would let my system be contaminated with their bottled water and flavored coffee of unknown origin. Yep, I have become that girl. Returning to the food table, I examined the spread. I realized, there was not one food I could eat. Not one! Luckily, I'm used to fasting. So, this was no big deal. I went back to my seat and sipped my filtered water.

Normally, I hang around after meetings to chat a bit. Not today. The snow had started falling half an hour ago. I just wanted to get home, get into my sweats, and make something to eat. My little Fiat was covered in snow. After brushing it off, I began the drive home.  The ride was slow going. I HATE driving in snow!

I felt such relief pulling into the garage. I prayed a thank you for God seeing me home safely.  Boho rushed me at the door. I love the way she's so happy to see me, no matter how long I've been gone. I threw all of my things down in a heap, walked to my closet, and slipped into my sweats. After putting away my stuff, I made myself something to eat, a bacon, avocado lettuce wrap.

After lunch, I thought about how I was feeling. It has been weeks since I experienced any gastrointestinal symptoms. My joints are still hurting. But, I think that has more to do with me running out of my joint supplements. My rashes have greatly improved. The butterfly rash on my face is now hardly noticeable. In fact, every one of my symptoms has improved in some way.  Yay for me!

I spent my time before dinner chilling. I read a little, did a crossword puzzle, and viewed pins on Pinterest.

For dinner, I baked Italian Sausage Bagels (one of the pins I found on Pinterest). I couldn't make them exactly like the recipe because of my food restrictions. I made the appropriate changes.

I served them with Arugula and avocado stuffed into them.  I also sauted some slivered brussel sprouts with bacon, red onion, and Balsamic Vinegar.  Dinner tasted wonderful, even with the changes.

I decided to write this blog post immediately after dinner. I really wanted to spend the rest of the night chillaxing. Silver Linings Playbook is on Shotime tonight and I want to watch it again. I really like that movie.

Tomorrow will be a short post. It's Sunday, you know. I don't like to work on Sundays. But, if you need any encouragement, drop me a note either in email or comments.

Enjoy your weekend!

The 21-Day Sugar Detox- Day 12

Ugh! What a terrible night's sleep I had! Insomnia, bad dreams, sweating, nausea, and a headache were just some of the suffering I dealt with last night. Needless to say, today I'm totally fatigued. I guess since our bodies typically heal while at rest, mine is just doing what it's supposed to do. Stinks though!

Well, I had to change my housecleaning day to today instead of tomorrow because I have a catechist's retreat to attend. So, exhausted, I move about, doing my chores. I did three loads of laundry and cleaned the entire house, including the oven. By 2 PM, I was done. I fixed myself a little lunch of leftover chicken legs, asparagus, and olives. Quite random, I know. But, today was not the day to argue with myself.

After lunch, I had some work to do for my shop, Boho and Mo. Some of my pieces may be featured on bookcovers.  I'm trying to work out the deal. And, I'm in the process of writing an ebook, which requires a ton of research. Both of these require brain function I may not have today. But, I've got deadlines; so, I have to push through it. Just as I started to make progress, the buzzer for the dryer went off. This is exactly the reason I clean on Saturdays, not workdays. Argh!

Finally, it's time to cook dinner. I really needed some comfort food; so, I decided to try to replicate one of my favorite Cajun dishes, Dirty Rice, paleo style. For the rice, I would use cauliflower rice. I set about cooking it as I normally would.  When it was time to add the rice, I instead added the cauliflower rice. I sauted it as I normally would. The only difference was the lack of rice and cayenne pepper.

I served my Paleo Dirty Rice with a side salad of arugula, peeled cucumber, and half an avocado.  The faux Dirty Rice wasn't bad. It certainly wasn't as good as the real thing. Next time, I think I'll add a little more bacon fat. I think it would taste better with some organic chicken gizzards. But, boy, are those hard to come by. I've been searching online and everywhere, trying to find them. Cayenne pepper would have helped,too.  I'll keep trying until I perfect it. Then, I'll share the recipe with all my Cajun food lovers.

After dinner, I settled into the sofa to write this blog. When done, I think I'll head to bed early. I have to be up early tomorrow morning. Ugh!

Today was not so good. Losing sleep last night did not help. It's not that I felt sick. I just didn't feel as good as I have been. I give it a big thumbs down! Boo hiss!

Hopefully, tomorrow is a better day. I have to prepare food to bring with me to the retreat. There is always a ton of food at these functions. I know I can have none of it! I can't even eat the dish that I'm slated to bring to pass. Now, that stinks! Whatever, I'll just have my lettuce wraps, I guess.

Once again, this blog is to share the real ups and downs of the detox process. I keep it real for y'all. If I'm having a bad day, your going to know about it. Likewise, if I'm having a good, "lollipops and unicorns" day. When you're trying to heal, you have to take the good with the bad. If someone tells you they were healed in a day, they are FULL OF IT! It doesn't work that way. You have to make an effort.

If you are ready to start healing, do it! The sooner you start,the sooner you can get this detox phase over with. And, if you need someone to encourage you when things get rough, email me or comment below. I'll be right there with you! Tmoperillo@gmail.com

The 21-Day Sugar Detox- Day 11

Woo-hoo! I'm over halfway through The 21-Day Sugar Detox!  I'm starting to believe that this regimen is not so hard to follow on a long term basis.  While I'm happy I'll be able to add some foods back when I'm done, I have the confidence of knowing I can do it slowly and carefully.

The easing of my gastrointestinal symptoms is reason enough to adopt a more constrictive eating plan. I haven't suffered from the gas, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation that was a daily occurrence. I'm also quite confident the ulcer in my stomach has disappeared. The burning sensation in my belly is a thing of the past. I plan on getting another endoscopy in a couple of months to prove it.

Oh, and another huge plus is that my hair loss has slowed to an almost normal range. Now, I know it's the result of the combination of remedies I'm treating myself with; but, I know my diet is part of the cure.

Today, hunger was not an issue. As usual, I fasted until 2 PM, when I ate two of the chicken legs I prepared last night, raw cucumber sticks, and half an avocado wrapped in a slice of bacon. I peeled the cucumber, because I read in my research that sometimes microscopic mold can grow on the skin, inside the fridge. Since I'm on a mold-free plan due to my Candida, I thought it was best not to take the chance.

This afternoon, I did have a headache. I just worked through it, figuring I am still dealing with "die off" symptoms. Eventually, it cleared. I've been taking two drops of Oil of Oregano under my tongue for the past couple of days. It's supposed to be very effective in treating Candida and a myriad of other ailments. It seems to be doing something because the "die off" symptoms have increased. If you ever try it, be prepared for the mouth burn! The first time I placed the drops under my tongue, the burning sensation was almost unbearable. The next time, I was more careful! I left my mouth open and kept my tongue up. This way, the air could cool it down.  I read it could be rubbed under the feet to work just as well. I may try that at a later time.

For dinner, I cooked a Braised Lamb Shank, served with Coconut Lime Cauliflower Rice and Vegetable Gravy.  By far, this was best dinner yet! I ate the lamb in true caveman style, bone-in. After braising for three hours, the lamb was just falling off the bone. Who says you can't have a great meal with autoimmune modifications?

Now, don't get me wrong.  It's not like all my symptoms have all disappeared.  I'm still breaking out with a zit here and there. And, my worst rash is still on the mend. Obviously, when we are suffering from autoimmune disease or other harsh illnesses, 11 days is not long enough to cure all that ails us.  But, at least I'm working on healing myself.  The fact that I notice improvement at all is proof I'm on the right track.  Rather than covering up my symptoms with pharmaceuticals, I'm curing my disease. That takes time and sacrifice. I know I'll come out ahead in the end!

As always, if I can help you, let me know! Tmoperillo@gmail.com

All questions you submit via email are kept strictly confidential.

Goodnight.

The 21-Day Sugar Detox- Day 7

Ah, the brain fog has been lifted! I woke this morning with great clarity of mind. For the first time, in a long time, I did not wake up tired. I felt energetic and ready to take on my day. I walked to the kitchen with a spring in my step.

Coffee is much more enjoyable since I'm now accustomed to the new taste.  I felt so good, I decided to make breakfast for my husband and me. I cooked up some bacon in the Toaster Oven, eggs for my hubby, and ham slices. I laid my bacon and ham unto lettuce leaves, added avocado and a squeeze of mustard. I know it seems like I put everything on lettuce leaves! It's because i do! One of my favorite meals, before I went grain free, was sandwiches. I loves me some sandwiches! Using the lettuce leaves makes me feel as though I'm still able to have sandwiches. Changing your eating is all about adapting the way you eat, so you don't feel like you're giving up everything you love.

 Bacon, ham, and avocado wraps!

The rest of my day was spent pretty much as usual. I did notice some joint pain in my hip and hands. I'm pretty sure it's because I ran out of my Glucosamine, Chondrotin, and MSM supplements. My new order hasn't come in yet. I know that there are many people who say natural supplements don't work. I say those people just haven't found the supplement that works for them. The secret, is to find supreme quality supplements with an effective delivery system. I take Melaleuca Vitality Total Packs. I have never, in all my years of taking supplements, found ones that work as well as these. That is the God's honest truth!

Since this is Sunday's post, I will keep it short. I felt much better today. At lunchtime, I really wasn't very hungry. I ate a raw carrot, nothing else.  Of course, because of this, I was starving at dinner time. I cooked myself a big, grass-fed New York strip steak in a Cast Iron Skillet. I love my steak very rare. So, I melted some Ghee in the Skillet, waited for it to get really hot, and placed the steak in it. I let it sit for two minutes, then flipped for another two minutes. I, then, put the entire Skillet in a preheated to 450 degree oven for another two minutes. Upon removing from the oven, I melted a bit of bacon grease onto the steak and let it sit for five minutes. It was perfection! On the side, I served mashed cauliflower made with coconut cream and chives, and a side salad of arugula, avocado, and a splash of Apple cider vinegar. Dinner was amazing!

While this detox is not easy, I am enjoying some pretty terrific food. It's all about making myself feel like I'm not missing too much. The quickest way to make me want something is to tell me I can't have it. I think there are a lot of us out there who feel this way. But, the key to sticking with the plan,is to replace the foods you can't have with yummy foods you can have. And, I believe it's important to make yourself accountable. Like with me blogging about my detox, I'm less likely to quit. I'm accountable not only to myself, but also to you.

Today has shown me that I am getting healthier. My body is working to fix itself. That's all I was looking for, a sign that I was improving. My spirit is renewed!

Questions? Email me tmoperillo@gmail.com or Comment below.

The 21-Day Sugar Detox- Day 5

 Double Grass-fed Bacon Burger! Yummers!

The end of day 5 is upon me.  Finally, I have a rough day! I was pretty much hungry from the moment I awoke. Problem being, I was too busy to do anything about it. So, I didn't eat or drink breakfast.

I trudged along until about 1:30, when I finally made it to my kitchen to make lunch. I went to the pantry to grab a can of tuna. That's when I saw it.......my dark chocolate candy bar with almonds, dried cranberries and candied ginger! I lingered a little too long, staring at it. The inner dialog began, "One small square won't hurt you. Touch that chocolate and I'll smack you! It's just one tiny piece!". I quickly shut the pantry door!

Thinking it was best if I stayed away from the pantry, I dove into the fridge to see what I could find. Thankfully, I had leftovers from last night's dinner. I pulled out a chicken thigh, the avocado cream sauce, two celery stalks, and three lettuce leaves. I shredded the chicken into a bowl, chopped the celery, and mixed in the avocado cream sauce. Walla....chicken salad! I scooped the salad into the lettuce cups, grabbed my Rose Hip Tea, and sat down at the kitchen table to eat.

Needless to say, it was amazingly good. I gobbled all three lettuce wraps!  Sated, it was time to go back to work.  I'm not sure if it's caused by the detox or not; but, my eyes are extremely dry today. I also have a couple of breakouts on my forehead. It may simply be part of the detox process.

It's Friday; so, I designated 4 PM as quitting time. Since I usually only take Sunday off, I figured I could give myself a break today. I made a nice, hot cup of Pau D'Arco Herbal Tea and nestled into the couch with Boho.  While watching tv, the dark chocolate candy bar kept creeping back into my head. Every time, I shook the thought out of my mind. Boy, would it sure taste good with this tea! Out! Out! You evil candy!

Finally, at 5 PM, I sauntered into the kitchen to cook dinner. On the menu for tonight....grass-fed beef double burger with bacon, avocado, and mustard...and, zucchini herb fries. I cooked the burgers in Cast Iron Cookware Toaster Oven

. I made sure to make enough for breakfast or lunch tomorrow. I baked the zucchini fries in the oven at 400 degrees.

Once everything was done, I placed the burger patties on top of two butter lettuce leaves and half an avocado. I like the way the hot patties melt into the avocado slices! Then, I topped the patties with two slices bacon, squirted a little mustard, and two lettuce leaves. When I make a big burger like this, I use extra lettuce leaves to make them sturdier.

Wow! Did that dinner hit the spot? You bet it did! I believe the extra fat in the burger patties helped overcome my candy craving. I certainly know what to do next time....have a little fat!

So, other than the sugar craving, breakouts, and dry eyes, all seems okay. I did sleep better last night; so, that's a plus. Until tomorrow, I bid you goodnight and healthy dreams.

Are you also on a detox or elimination regimen? I would love to hear what you're doing and how you're feeling! Please leave a comment below; or email me at tmoperillo@gmail.com . Thanks!