"In Hashimoto's disease, also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, your immune system attacks your thyroid gland. The resulting inflammation often leads to an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism). Hashimoto's disease is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the United States. It primarily affects middle-aged women, but also can occur in men and women of any age and in children." Mayo Clinic
There is a link between hashimotos and celiac disease(gluten intolerance) and many people have lowered their antibodies by removing gluten from their diets. So that is why I am eating gluten free.
My goal started to eat no gluten foods for at least 30 days.
So the first five days of my journaling look something like this:
Breakfast:
Berry Smoothie
Coffee with coconut milk creamer
Lunch:
A weird sunflower seed recipe that was supposed to mimic tuna salad... it was okay
Almond Nut Thin crackers
Pesto Tomato Salad
Snacks:
Green Smoothie
1/2 of an apple
Dinner:
Chicken Feta Burger on Rudi's Gluten Free bread(so-so)
Roasted Potatoes
Dessert:
Coconut Milk Ice Cream Fudgesicle
Notes for today:
I feel satisfied with my food choices today. Everything tasted pretty good and I resisted eating Doritos left over from our glutenous weekend. Had some stomach discomfort but probably from the weekend of eating or readjusting to Green Smoothies.
Day 2:
Breakfast:
Berry Smoothie
Banana
Snack:
Coconut Milk Yogurt
Lunch: (with Debi Smith <3)
Strawberry Salad
Snack:
Chili Cheese Fries from Sonic (oops)
Dinner: (at Mama's)
Baked Chicken
Black Beans
Corn
Dessert:
Baked Apples with coconut milk ice cream
Notes: Okay so not so hot on the choice to eat cheese fries, but they were yum-o, I must admit. Hope they were gluten free and not fried with the other flour items on the menu. :/ I resisted fresh baked bread and mac n' cheese at my Mama's, that was a little hard, but mentally I feel focused on doing this. I had a bad headache today and still had a little stomach upset.
Day 3:
Breakfast:
Cream of Rice hot cereal
1/2 of a coconut milk yogurt
1 glass of coconut milk (can ya tell I love me some coconut milk!!)
Lunch:
Salad with vinaigrette dressing
left over feta chicken patty
a few veggie stick snacks
snack:
Caramel Moolatte
Dinner:
El Tapatio Enchiladas(in corn shells)
Chips, Salsa
Desert:
1 Udi's gluten free cookie
Notes: Today, I was HUNGRY! I know days 3 and 4 have been rough in the past so I was just easy on myself. I was pretty cranky today. And I am craving dairy big time...hence the moolatte from DQ. El Tap was so good, it made me feel like I won't be so deprived while eating out.
Day 4:
Breakfast:
Berry Smoothie
Lunch:
Whitts BBQ nachos(made with 100% corn chips and GF bbq sauce)
A nice big fat iced tea
Snack:
Envirokids Rice Crisp Bar
2-3 Pirate's booty cheese puffs
Dinner:
Hamburger Steak
Home Fries
Salad
Notes: Really really moody and feeling the detox today. I am not craving bread, which is great, I just feel the physical effects of no gluten. I am not eating the healthiest in the world, but still G Free, so proud of myself. I really hope I am not accidentally getting glutened when I eat out. I think my blood sugar is off too.
Day 5:
Breakfast:
Berry Smoothie
Lunch:
Left over weird "supposed to taste like tuna" sunflower seed salad(this recipe is not returning, lol)
Tias BBQ chips
A few Pirates booty puffs
Snack:
Another Caramel Moolatte
Dinner:
Whitts BBQ nachos...again
Another big fat iced tea
Snacks:
Popcorn
Dr Pepper
A few more Tias Chips
Notes: Today was ROUGH...as you can tell, I started out trying to make healthy choices, but when everything started tasting gross, I went for flavor. When I had my moolatte, I bought the boys a cone, and without thinking licked Eli's ice cream off the side. So I think I got gluten for sure. Later that day, I craved a Dr Pepper for the first time in a while and my moods got worse. I am proud of myself for staying G Free despite my mistake and feeling like poo physically and mentally. I am just relying on the strength of God.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Friday, September 9, 2011
It is definitely time for some writing therapy. Warning: You may find these series of posts very boring, but it's my blog and I'll write if I want to. HA HA!!
My physical world has been turned upside down the past 8-10 months. Despite moving to the homestead, realizing it wasn't working, then moving back to where we started, I've been going through some big health challenges. I would write it off as stress, which I was under a bit more, but deep down I knew something was not right. After years of thyroid troubles, I had become overwhelmed with the symptoms that goes along with this condition. I was having stages of extreme overactive thyroid hormone levels followed by stages of extreme underactive levels. I honestly, at times, felt like I was going a little crazy, maybe bi-polar or something. I knew I had to seek help because I wasn't getting it with my current doctor. My sister, who also has thyroid issues, found a really good place near Nashville that specializes in hormone and thyroid problems, so I made my appointment and waited not so patiently for two and a half months.
So at my appointment, I was immediately impressed. I am a researcher and not that I know more than doctors, but if given a condition that affects me or my family, I pretty much find out a ton of research and learn all I can. So I could tell she knew her thyroid stuff. *big sigh of relief* So she gave me some new information and resources, started me on a few supplements, and did some bloodwork. She mentioned that my symptoms were pointing to a condition called Hashimotos thyroiditis, which is basically an autoimmune condition. She recommended that I start a gluten free diet to see if my symptoms would improve and to get the ball rolling in case my tests confirmed her thoughts.
So after a weekend of really living it up in the eating world, one last gluten sabbatical, I started eating gluten free. I know God is helping me in a supernatural way in this because despite a couple of temptations(which I didn't give into), it has been pretty easy. Thank you Lord!! I have attempted doing this before for health reasons but gave up very quickly. I am on day 18 and so far have not purposefully glutened my body. And I say purposefully because a lot of times foods that are naturally gluten free may contain hidden traces of gluten from cross contamination.
Last week, I was feeling so yucky. Like in the pits yucky. My thyroid had swung into overdrive and it was really difficult to cope with the anxiety and heart racing. I received a call from the doctor's office that my labs were back and that in fact, I do have Hashimotos. My antibody levels were very high. I also was extremely low in Vitamin D and progesterone levels. So, I am now waiting on a mail order Rx for my new thyroid medication and progesterone cream that will help with my moods. My husband is probably saying "hallelujer!!"
So the Sunday before my confirmation of this, I was prayed for at church. I had a great Holy Spirit experience and felt super peaceful that I am on the road to recovery. I have been prayed for with my thyroid MANY times, and while I know the Spirit was present, something in me wouldn't receive it. This time it was all about Him and I TRUST that whatever road to healing I need to be on, that's where He is taking me. No putting God in a box this time, just an open heart and open mind to receive. It is finished, He has done it. :)
So now I am rejoicing in the fact that I have hope and understanding of why my body has been under literal attack for so many years. I am letting go of all the harsh feelings I've put on myself because I couldn't figure out what was "wrong" with me, I just wanted to feel good and enjoy this beautiful life. I have gone from feeling hate towards my thyroid, to learning to be gentle with it, as weird as that may sound. It is not the 'norm" to eat gluten free and live a different lifestyle, but if I want to feel better, I have to be obedient in these things. Just like God has shown me with Noah, the physical body may have flaws, but the spirit man has no flaws and can show us the way to live our best life here on Earth despite the "imperfections". As I've said before, miracles come in many forms. Would I LOVE to wave a magic wand, or lay a magic hand, and fix every.single.thing, to say no would be lying. BUT! I know God is love and TRUST Him to show me where those personal miracles are for my life and for my family as well, outside of the box if I need to, the strength of Christ in me knows no limits.
So because I just love to write, I am going to do a little diary about my journey with Hashimotos. My friend, Audrey, has an awesome blog about nutrition and weight loss and is starting to log her food intake. I have been writing my food intake down since I began in a journal, but what a great idea to share here. If only for myself and accountability, that is okay, but if I can help someone else, all the better. I am not perfect at it, but I am trusting that this road is MY road to recovery. I actually am embracing my imperfections as learning curves, because if I fight them, I only give up and condemn the process of growth. So if this bores your socks off, I understand, but if you are intrigued at how in the world I am doing with my journey, I hope I can inspire you to stay on your path and receive from THE source of life, in each and every moment.
My physical world has been turned upside down the past 8-10 months. Despite moving to the homestead, realizing it wasn't working, then moving back to where we started, I've been going through some big health challenges. I would write it off as stress, which I was under a bit more, but deep down I knew something was not right. After years of thyroid troubles, I had become overwhelmed with the symptoms that goes along with this condition. I was having stages of extreme overactive thyroid hormone levels followed by stages of extreme underactive levels. I honestly, at times, felt like I was going a little crazy, maybe bi-polar or something. I knew I had to seek help because I wasn't getting it with my current doctor. My sister, who also has thyroid issues, found a really good place near Nashville that specializes in hormone and thyroid problems, so I made my appointment and waited not so patiently for two and a half months.
So at my appointment, I was immediately impressed. I am a researcher and not that I know more than doctors, but if given a condition that affects me or my family, I pretty much find out a ton of research and learn all I can. So I could tell she knew her thyroid stuff. *big sigh of relief* So she gave me some new information and resources, started me on a few supplements, and did some bloodwork. She mentioned that my symptoms were pointing to a condition called Hashimotos thyroiditis, which is basically an autoimmune condition. She recommended that I start a gluten free diet to see if my symptoms would improve and to get the ball rolling in case my tests confirmed her thoughts.
So after a weekend of really living it up in the eating world, one last gluten sabbatical, I started eating gluten free. I know God is helping me in a supernatural way in this because despite a couple of temptations(which I didn't give into), it has been pretty easy. Thank you Lord!! I have attempted doing this before for health reasons but gave up very quickly. I am on day 18 and so far have not purposefully glutened my body. And I say purposefully because a lot of times foods that are naturally gluten free may contain hidden traces of gluten from cross contamination.
Last week, I was feeling so yucky. Like in the pits yucky. My thyroid had swung into overdrive and it was really difficult to cope with the anxiety and heart racing. I received a call from the doctor's office that my labs were back and that in fact, I do have Hashimotos. My antibody levels were very high. I also was extremely low in Vitamin D and progesterone levels. So, I am now waiting on a mail order Rx for my new thyroid medication and progesterone cream that will help with my moods. My husband is probably saying "hallelujer!!"
So the Sunday before my confirmation of this, I was prayed for at church. I had a great Holy Spirit experience and felt super peaceful that I am on the road to recovery. I have been prayed for with my thyroid MANY times, and while I know the Spirit was present, something in me wouldn't receive it. This time it was all about Him and I TRUST that whatever road to healing I need to be on, that's where He is taking me. No putting God in a box this time, just an open heart and open mind to receive. It is finished, He has done it. :)
So now I am rejoicing in the fact that I have hope and understanding of why my body has been under literal attack for so many years. I am letting go of all the harsh feelings I've put on myself because I couldn't figure out what was "wrong" with me, I just wanted to feel good and enjoy this beautiful life. I have gone from feeling hate towards my thyroid, to learning to be gentle with it, as weird as that may sound. It is not the 'norm" to eat gluten free and live a different lifestyle, but if I want to feel better, I have to be obedient in these things. Just like God has shown me with Noah, the physical body may have flaws, but the spirit man has no flaws and can show us the way to live our best life here on Earth despite the "imperfections". As I've said before, miracles come in many forms. Would I LOVE to wave a magic wand, or lay a magic hand, and fix every.single.thing, to say no would be lying. BUT! I know God is love and TRUST Him to show me where those personal miracles are for my life and for my family as well, outside of the box if I need to, the strength of Christ in me knows no limits.
So because I just love to write, I am going to do a little diary about my journey with Hashimotos. My friend, Audrey, has an awesome blog about nutrition and weight loss and is starting to log her food intake. I have been writing my food intake down since I began in a journal, but what a great idea to share here. If only for myself and accountability, that is okay, but if I can help someone else, all the better. I am not perfect at it, but I am trusting that this road is MY road to recovery. I actually am embracing my imperfections as learning curves, because if I fight them, I only give up and condemn the process of growth. So if this bores your socks off, I understand, but if you are intrigued at how in the world I am doing with my journey, I hope I can inspire you to stay on your path and receive from THE source of life, in each and every moment.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Homeschool Fun School Update
We've had fun the past couple weeks. Two weeks ago we took a little spontaneous vacation to the Smokey Mountains. We had a blast! This is a picture from our hike to a beautiful waterfall.
It rained on us half way to the top, but we made it with all three babes in tow without hardly any whining. :)
Fun school is still holding up to it's name. We are still learning a lot about bees. They are AMAZING little insects and I have learned so much too (like how the female bee is pretty much the backbone of the bee hive, doing all the work. lol). Noah is doing amazing, he is super smart and eager to learn. I love this season of life with him. We made a craft out of bees, it is so neat! We will work on a flower pot with egg shell flowers for the bee to eat nectar out of next week.
Noah is still doing really good in math. We have done addition and subtraction and he just "gets" a lot of it without me even explaining it. :) We use beans and flash cards along with some pages from our curriculum books.
I read a lot to them, I know that is a big part of learning right now. I also love to read so it's fun for me too. We've been going to the library every other week and checking out books, movies, and cd's. They are really enjoying that and Ava thinks she owns the library and gets really mad at Mama when I don't let her run wild. It reminds me so much of Noah. When he was little, I braved the library a couple of times and decided it was too stressful. And now I'm in there with 3 little ones and making it happen. I put Ava in a stroller today, she wasn't too happy about that, but it made it easier for me to keep up with them.
I also joined a homeschool group that will start meeting next week. I went to a Mom's night this week and met all the other Moms and painted a really neat canvas. I had a good time and look forward to taking the kids on Mondays to learn and play with the other kids and Moms. It's really awesome because they meet literally less than a mile from our house.
So after a month of educating at home, we've had lots of fun and I'm learning a lot along the way. Life is learning and embracing the moments to soak it all in.
Fun school is still holding up to it's name. We are still learning a lot about bees. They are AMAZING little insects and I have learned so much too (like how the female bee is pretty much the backbone of the bee hive, doing all the work. lol). Noah is doing amazing, he is super smart and eager to learn. I love this season of life with him. We made a craft out of bees, it is so neat! We will work on a flower pot with egg shell flowers for the bee to eat nectar out of next week.
Noah is still doing really good in math. We have done addition and subtraction and he just "gets" a lot of it without me even explaining it. :) We use beans and flash cards along with some pages from our curriculum books.
I read a lot to them, I know that is a big part of learning right now. I also love to read so it's fun for me too. We've been going to the library every other week and checking out books, movies, and cd's. They are really enjoying that and Ava thinks she owns the library and gets really mad at Mama when I don't let her run wild. It reminds me so much of Noah. When he was little, I braved the library a couple of times and decided it was too stressful. And now I'm in there with 3 little ones and making it happen. I put Ava in a stroller today, she wasn't too happy about that, but it made it easier for me to keep up with them.
I also joined a homeschool group that will start meeting next week. I went to a Mom's night this week and met all the other Moms and painted a really neat canvas. I had a good time and look forward to taking the kids on Mondays to learn and play with the other kids and Moms. It's really awesome because they meet literally less than a mile from our house.
So after a month of educating at home, we've had lots of fun and I'm learning a lot along the way. Life is learning and embracing the moments to soak it all in.
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