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.

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 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 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 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 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.