So, as per a previous post, some of you will know I am now on a limited 'anti-candida' diet for a long term digestive issue. If you know me personally or have been reading this blog for any length of time you'll know I love to be in the kitchen baking, cooking and usually to share around.
The last week or so has been very interesting as I am getting used to eating restricted food. No yeast, no gluten, no white rice, no caffeine, no cows milk or soy dairy, no corn, pumpkin, potato or sweet potato, no sugar (even natural substitutes like honey and fruit...yes NO FRUIT!).
I am actually feeling great because of it. I've started toning up, skins clearing up and I feel 'cleaner' if you know what I mean.
It has been making me very creative for sure, and whilst I'm still on a massive learning curve,
here are some of the staple ingredients I am living on:
- water
- herbal teas (peppermint, rooibos, chamomile)
- meat & fish (no smoked or deli meats ie smoked salmon / ham)
- green veggies (esp broccoli, spinach, asparagus)
- garlic & onions
- herbs and spices especially cinnamon (these are unrestricted!!!)
- eggs (shout out to my 6 Isa browns here - thanks girls)
- natural yoghurt with live cultures
Here are some of my recent attempts at playing with my new 'pantry'.
Idea Number One:
Beef Bolognese with Quinoa Pasta and Eggplant 'Garlic Bread'
1. Simply stir fry onion, garlic and fresh tomatoes with some olive oil and S&P.
2. Once softened, cook meat in the chunky 'sauce' and stir through some pure tomato paste. 3. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and basil from the garden.
4. Serve on quinoa pasta. This is easily found in health food isle of supermarkets.
5. Optional Extra : Cut some thin egg plant slices and fry until crispy with fresh and finely chopped garlic and Olive Oil. YUM!
Lauren x
For this year we decided to have a few friends around for New Years Eve. Most of us have kids and trekking into the city with overtired kiddlets in toe doesn't spell fun to us. AT ALL. So, amidst all of the festivities two weeks ago, it turned out that our microwave wasn't working. The part that heats up the food. I may have had a slight panic. Much to my surprise now (due to debating over repair vs replace debate) it has been sitting out of the kitchen and in the laundry. Awaiting the verdict on it's fate. The biggest surprise to me is that in the last 2 weeks, I haven't missed it. I know, I shocked myself as I was first thinking about I use this thing all the time.
Another thing that I am not missing a lot of, is certain foods.
As a lot of you know by now, I start every year with a 'Daniel fast' for 21 days. This is basically a plant based diet that I do for health benefits and a spiritual purpose {I have talked about this more here in the past}.
So I started this year with the usual plan, but I am considering keeping the no-sugar rule slightly longer in a hopes to help me deal with a medical problem I have {I don't talk about it much but here, but it is something that I have been dealing with for ages - click here for more on that}. When I tell people about my fast and sugar free considerations...I am often met with looks of pity and sorrow.
However, once you kick over the first few days which are notorious for lethargy, headaches etc...as your body cleanses itself, the benefits are amazing! I absolutley love the change in my energy, my clarity and I am starting to loose some cm's too!
You could be forgiven thinking that giving up sugar and processed food {and for me meat - part time} means you are left with a plate of over steamed veggies or a bowl full of lettuce at every meal. But truth is, once you start, the variety is actually quite large. You just have to be creative and plan ahead.
This year I think I will stick with this eating plan for a bit longer due to my newest cookbook to my collection for Christmas: 'I Quit Sugar' by Sarah Wilson {click here}. If you want to improve your health and do it in style, check her e-book bundle out and for under $30 you will not be sorry!
Lauren x
Q: Have you made any changes to your eating so far this year?
