Allergy Testing...Again

I am more convinced than ever that an elimination diet with food reintroductions is the best way to go. Thirty-eight skin pricks came up with zero allergies. Blood was drawn and sent for various IgG tests. Both Dr. Nsouli and Dr. Polesi (gastroenterologist) think the MRT test is garbage. But before I add those 26 items the MRT identified as sensitivities, plus high-mold foods back, I'll wait to find out the latest blood test results. It is a journey...

 

ED#29 President's Day

Although a holiday, I spent the entire day at work getting things done. It was very productive. For dinner, I had leftover chicken drumsticks, shrimp, broccoli, celery, Romaine, avocado, tons of coconut, and introduced cauliflower. I have really missed cauliflower...so good when it is roasted. I ate a ton more broccoli and cauliflower off the roasting pan, not pictured. I am considering rotating on and off of the coconut; I eat a LOT of it and I would really hate to have to give it up due to an allergic reaction. It is definitely one of my fat-dense favorites! 

ED#27 Cleared Pork

Steven bought a pork loin seasoned roast. I weighed out 8 ounces and rinsed it thoroughly, then added my own safe spices. Additionally, I had avocado, cabbage, onion, broccoli, and lots of coconut. Steven didn't finish all of the spiced meat, so I snacked on another ounce or so and within minutes, I had a headache. I'm sure it was from the "smoke flavoring" or some other "natural flavor." The last time I did the elimination diet, I was not able to tolerate smoked meat at all. The good news--pork is back on the plate.

ED#24 Itching, Itching, Itching and Tuna

Besides the puffy eyes in the morning, I am constipated and cannot stop scratching my right ear and the back of my neck. Ugh. I am going to take out the garlic and see how I fair tomorrow. I added lemon at lunch...this also could be contributing. It is so frustrating. The onions and garlic could be a mold, dose-dependent reaction. I'm not sure. Regardless, I decided to add TUNA. Dinner also included iceberg lettuce, beans, avocado, zucchini, and onion. I did not add garlic. I mixed some avocado with the tuna; it tasted so good.

ED#23 Valentine's Day

The best thing Steven could have done for V-Day was to go shopping for me. He came home with a lovely dress for work, navy blue, perfect fit. So sweet. I made the coconut chicken and garlic green beans from the weekend cooking class. They turned out well. Even Steven--who does not like coconut--liked the chicken. It was good and felt like a treat. My eyes are still a bit puffy when I wake up in the morning. It is either the onions or the garlic. It has been too cold to run my regular route in the morning. Hitting the dreadmill while watching Food Network has been my new routine. Food Network makes everything better.

ED#22 Whipping Wind

The wind was unbearable today. It tore the roof off of the shed in the backyard. Dinner was leftover chicken wings, green beans with garlic, cabbage, avocado, Romaine. Not sure about the garlic...I had some puffy eyes, but it may be due to not sleeping as well.

Elimination Diet Day 21 and Running - Sunday Cooking Class

The mild temperatures the meteorologists were predicting, didn't quite make it in time for my morning run. Instead, I did most on the dreadmill and a quick trip to 7-Eleven for black coffee. Day two of the cooking class was various sliders (lamb, turkey, salmon, black bean), puddings, muffins, and cookies. Today, I brought home samples of the baked goods for Steven--and he hated them all. For a final project in the class, I have to make a main dish, vegetable dish, and baked good. I was hoping he would like something. :(

I tested apple cider vinegar and immediately flushed red in the face. Bummer.

I was very constipated the whole day, no idea why. Consistency would be so welcomed. For dinner, I had chicken wings, avocado, a TON of cabbage, broccoli, and tons of coconut.

Elimination Diet Day 20 and Running - Saturday Cooking Class

I hopped on the dreadmill and went into work to print off a few things before jetting up to my food allergy cooking class. Check out all of the pictures! The food looked and smelled amazing; unfortunately, nothing fit within my planned diet. But, check out the pictures. If I had my wish, I would have parked myself right next to the duck and just ate. One thing I learned, it is a pain to bake gluten free--no doubt about it. It is much easier--and healthier--to just skipped the baked goods.

For dinner, I had beef meatballs, avocado, lettuce, beans, broccoli, and tons of coconut.

Elimination Diet Day 18 and Running to the Locker Room

Another good day. I'm so happy that the lamb was fine. Below is a picture from the women's locker room. I l-o-v-e it when it is EMPTY. Dinner was cod and veggies, with coconut all sorts of ways for dessert. I tested zucchini; so far so good.

Elimination Diet Day 16 and Running in 70-Degree Weather

Good day, overall. Who cannot be happy when the sun is shining and it's 70 degrees outside in February? No treadmill today. I went to 7-Eleven and had black vanilla coffee with cinnamon. It was OK. The best part about getting coffee there is that it breaks up my long morning run at the half-way point. Since it is not super sweet and creamy, I don't drink it as fast...so this delays my run a bit, but less running and more walking is not a bad thing. Tonight, I had no energy to run home; so it was a very slow jog, alternating with walking--all the while, enjoying the weather. I introduced onion powder and really enjoyed it on my chicken wings, avocado, broccoli, and cabbage all wrapped up in Romaine lettuce leaves. I think my taste buds may be changing slightly; the roasted broccoli and raw cabbage seemed sweeter tonight.

Check out the picture of the US Capitol and one of my favorite houses in Georgetown. I want a flag with a heart on it.

Elimination Diet Day 15 and Running Nowhere

I introduced vanilla bean this morning in my coffee. I couldn't really taste it and it was a hassle to scrape and put in. Vanilla extract is not allowed, as most include alcohol. The powered vanilla contains maltodextrin. I am going to order the Bulletproof vanilla max powder, which only contains Madagascar vanilla beans.

The morning started cool but climbed into the low-60s. I'm hoping to enjoy a nice long run outside tomorrow. Dinner: chicken wings, lettuce, cabbage, beans. I had a reaction soon after dinner, I think because I ate too much. Most people get tired of eating the same thing; I must not have that gene. I can eat it until it is gone. I need to buy less and cook less. This will set me up for success, with no temptations. I ate more cabbage raw, which is what sunk me, I think.

I can't wait to try lamb this week...probably on Wednesday.

Elimination Diet Day 14 and Running to Super Bowl

Good day overall, with no new introductions.  I ran to the Freshfarm Dupont Circle Market in the morning, just as everyone was setting up. This is a goldmine resource for DC; so happy that it is available year-round. I went to Aaron & Dana's Super Bowl party and enjoyed lots of shrimp--on the list and safe. They had a ton of yummy options, which Steven enjoyed. Carly is the cutie dog (poodle/golden retriever mix). I came home and had veggies and an avocado.

Elimination Diet Day 13 and Running Cold

We have had a long stretch of chilly mornings. Today was no different; half-dreadmill, half-outside workout. Although I didn't have a reaction, eating dinner at 9:30 pm last night and then going to bed was not the best idea. I woke up constipated and feeling full. Too busy to add anything new today--same safe turkey, avocado, lettuce, cabbage, green beans, lots of olives for breakfast.

Elimination Diet Day 11 and Running with Yellow Squash

I think I am getting the hang of this, and starting to see some real benefits. For one, I'm less inflamed. I am craving stevia slightly less. I'm really enjoying the food that I can eat. There is a wide variety of olives out there; I had no idea how tasty! I bought real vanilla beans and cannot wait to introduce that to my diet. Today, I had yellow squash without any issue. Happy, happy.

The mornings have been cold, so I've been only running the shortest, home-to-work route.

Elimination Diet Day 10 and Running--on Coffee!

This morning, all went well. I had a free coffee begging to be used via the 7-Eleven app. I successfully went in, got a plain, black coffee and left. By the end of the 16-oz cup, I was actually enjoying it. P-r-o-g-r-e-s-s! The day flew by.

For dinner, I introduced broccoli. I roasted it and it had the most wonderful sweetness to it. Yes, really. I love broccoli. No reaction, all good. The chicken was good.

Check out the picture of Rose Park this morning. It was a pleasant 40 degrees.

Elimination Diet Day 9 and Running - Chicken!

I am thankful for a fairly normal feeling day. I'm trying to talk myself into liking my coffee/coconut milk/cinnamon brew a little more each day. Super busy day at work. Steven went on another shopping spree for me--that's twice within the last 8 days, so sweet. His support means the world to me.

Before dinner, my stomach felt a bit off...but I had to try the chicken. Eating didn't really make me feel any better and I  wasn't surprised when I had a small reaction just before bed. I cannot blame the chicken wings. They were so good. 

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.