Elimination Diet Day 8 and Running--Snow!

Today, it felt like I was hit by a mack truck. After the small reaction last night, everything was pretty close to normal this morning. I was surprised. However, I had a really hard time getting out the door. I did a short dreadmill session. At work, time actually flew by, but I really felt terrible. Even those cute, little manzanilla olives didn't help.

For dinner, I added... CABBAGE! Purely for practical reasons (2 turkey burgers leftover from last night), the chicken will have to wait. I ate the same old turkey burgers, lettuce, cabbage, and avocado. I had fresh coconut, cinnamon, coconut oil, coconut flour for dessert.

Any suggestions for the sweet cravings? I thought my taste buds would get used to the coffee/coconut milk taste, but it just isn't happening.

It snowed overnight--just the perfect amount, with gorgeous scenery abounding and dry sidewalks.

Elimination Diet Day 7 and Running...Red

The soreness in my arms is gone, but I still have a little tenderness in my right trapezius. I skipped the olives today and still had red, flushed cheeks this afternoon. Thank goodness I do not have to REMOVE a food from my safe list. I think it might be stress induced. I went into work and definitely felt that I still have so much to do... Yesterday, I was more relaxed in the afternoon, at home, binge-watching Sneaky Pete with Steven (great show, highly recommend!).

This morning, I tried Chameleon Cold-Brew Organic Espresso Coffee. Steven was determined to find something unique, special, treat-like that I could enjoy from Whole Foods yesterday. It was between electrolyte water or cold coffee. I chose the coffee. I was so hoping that this could be my new addiction. Nope. It was fine (added coconut milk) but has the potential for greatness if I could just add stevia.

Dinner was turkey, lettuce, avocado, celery, green beans (roasted to a crisp); cinnamon, fresh coconut, and coconut oil for dessert. About an hour afterward, I had a small reaction. Too much food? It can be so frustrating.

Phase 1 foods: turkey, shrimp, codfish, string beans, lettuce, celery, olive, avocado, tea, coffee, cinnamon, coconut, oregano, cayenne pepper.

Tomorrow, I get to introduce a new food from phase 2. I am torn between chicken and cabbage.... Phase 2 foods (to be introduced one at a time) include sole, chicken, lamb, cabbage, broccoli, yellow squash, basil, maple, garlic, honey.

I ran 1/2 dreadmill, 1/2 outside. It was another cold day in DC. Pictures below are of Washington Circle (hello IFC building) and K Street.

Elimination Diet Day 6 and Running--Constipated and Cold

The Last night, I got up around midnight and ate the rest of the roasted turkey (another 8 oz or so). It wasn't my finest hour. I really just wanted something sweet. I had more unsweetened coconut too. So, if calories mattered, I would have been off the deep end in a big way. However, I am just trying to stay compliant. This morning, while I didn't have a reaction I was constipated. I think it is from the excessive coconut, with all that fiber. My arms and upper back were also really sore; it got better as the day went on--normal detox symptoms.

Since it was in the 30s this morning, I opted for a half-dreadmill, half-outside run. Who is that guy on the ice?

For dinner, I had shrimp, celery, lettuce, avocado. Then I cracked open the fresh coconut and roasted it with coconut oil and cinnamon. It was so good; hopefully, I didn't over do it.

Elimination Diet Day 5 and Running

Washington is back into winter mode, mid-40s and windy. My beautiful route around the monuments was halted with barriers on 17th Street near the Washington Monument and the National Museum of African American History & Culture. Today was the annual March for Life event, held yearly since 1974.

Besides physical barriers, I'm battling some mental ones. I really want a smidge of cocoa or a few drops of stevia--anything to make my coffee taste better. When can I add hot sauce? I would really like some steak, too. 

Ugh. 

My nutritionist sent me a great text this morning: "There's no crying in baseball and there's no trying in an elimination diet. There IS only doing!!!" Yes, agreed. I looked up the YouTube clip for extra motivation. He also sent me: "It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard is what makes it great," another great scene from A League of Their Own.

I'm happy to report that my digestion has been fine today. I am noticing some flushing on my cheeks in the late afternoon (yesterday and today). Both days I had olives. I'll skip the olives tomorrow and see what happens. 

Thank goodness I love turkey. Dinner was roasted, yummy turkey breast with crispy skin, Romaine lettuce, green beans, and avocado. Dessert is shredded coconut, coconut oil, and cinnamon. Tomorrow, I am cracking open a real coconut. It won't be as good as the ones in Barbados, but given the current situation, a treat nonetheless. 

Elimination Diet Day 4 and Running

Today was much better; my stomach, my energy, my run--very encouraged. The only thing that still remains is the craving for something sweet. Oh, how I miss my stevia. My coffee is not the same. My coconut flour, baking creations are not the same. I readily admit that I was a stevia addict. And, I think that I was increasing the dose to achieve the same sweetness...not a good sign. My reality check was when Julia tasted my coffee and said it was super sweet, too sweet. Really? It is good to get off the stuff.

I changed my route to avoid running past three 7-Elevens. It has been a good change of pace, with less traffic and fewer people. I snapped a picture of the Kennedy Center. Thankfully, you cannot tell how dirty and disgusting the Potomac River was this morning.

I tried Trader Joe's, "Just a Handful of Olives Pitted Salted Manzanilla Olives," for lunch--love them! So good. I will definitely get more ($0.99 each). I love Trader Joe's.

For dinner, a (whole!) Romaine lettuce heart, avocado, green beans, lots of cod. I am definitely using more salt, pepper, and oregano to season my food.

Another day, done. It was a great day with no GI issues in the morning or after dinner. Progress!

Elimination Diet Day 3 and Running

It is pretty disappointing to be following the letter of the law with this diet and still have a reaction. I realize it may be part of the detox process, but it is hard to remain focused on the end goal. Last night after dinner, my stomach was gurgling like there was no tomorrow. This morning, the reaction was hard and swift. Additionally, my stomach was upset and I was not sure I had the energy to run to work.

I ran anyways.

Minor victory: I went to 7-Eleven for "free coffee Wednesday" and got a small black coffee. I put my own coconut milk and cinnamon in. I wasn't really tempted by the latte machine. Overall, the coffee was so-so. I drank it for the caffeine.

For dinner: shrimp, coconut oil, turkey burger, avocado, and celery. For dessert, coconut manna--not too much, in case this is the culprit.

Although I dragged, it was nice to be outside. The picture is of the Key Bridge on my morning route. The afternoon run was much better and the 60-degree weather totally helped.

Elimination Diet Day 2 and Running

Day two is in the books. Unfortunately, I had a reaction after day 1 dinner last night and this morning. I am hoping this is carry over from the previous day or perhaps I just ate way too much food?! When I took a picture of the food yesterday I was a bit taken aback--WOW, that is a lot of food. Slight headache, but I also didn't drink that much water today. [NOTE: Drink more plain water!] According to the MRT test book, detoxing your body from the various antigens is a process that can make you feel much worse the first week or so before starting to feel better.

For dinner, I had turkey burgers, an avocado, and a mixture of coconut/cinnamon (coconut oil, coconut manna, coconut flour, cinnamon). I didn't really enjoy the coconut/cinnamon mixture, but I felt like I needed more calories with little bulk. I also took selenium and zinc supplements. Avocado is my new favorite--great spread replacement and so healthy with fat and nutrients.

My morning run was crisp and clear. Standing in the same spot with opposing directions, I took a photo of the Lincoln Memorial and then the Washington Monument. So far, my running performance is not suffering from this adventure.

Elimination Diet Day 1 and Running

Wet and windy run into work this morning. I much prefer the colder temperatures over the rain. The bright side: women's locker room was empty.

I am no stranger to the elimination diet. I have tried several times to start and stay on the wagon. This series of blog posts are meant to keep me on track and honest. If I can just get through the first two weeks, I believe committing to the rest of the process (3 months? 6 months?) won't be so difficult. So what is different THIS time?

I am working closely with a nutritionist (Axis Nutrition).

This has so many benefits on so many levels. While I am typically self-motivated and love to follow a set of rules, somewhere along the way...I start to distrust the process. And then, I have a severe reaction and can't figure out why. This sends me into the deep end of eating things I know will not sit well. It is a completely different situation when I knowingly eat something that I shouldn't; I am mentally prepared for the consequence and this is easier. 

Back to the nutritionist. He is providing accountability with regular appointments and tracking. And, he is available by text for any and all crisis situations. His great idea: If you are about to eat something you shouldn't, take a picture of it and send it to me first. 

The foods I can eat in the first week are based on IgE testing (mold allergy) and Mediator Release Test and include turkey, shrimp, codfish, string beans, lettuce, celery, olives, avocado, tea, coffee, coconut (all forms), cinnamon, oregano, cayenne pepper. I made a grocery run to Trader Joe's at lunch today. I munched on way too many coconut chips (unsweetened). Despite several cups of coffee with coconut milk, I have a dull headache. 

Could It Get Any Colder

I prefer to run when the temperature is at least in the 30s. Steven generously loaned me his balaclava, which saved the day for sure. This picture was taken on January 1, 2017, in front of the Organization of the American States, at the corner of 17th and Constitution Avenue NW.