Winter Blahs? Not Me!

Research and Reading

I have continued to do well on my new eating, vitamin, and supplement regime. I would like to take it "up" a notch. To do this, I have done the following:

1. Purchased a few books which have lead to more changes.
2. Begun applying the KonMari method to my home. This has already reaped benefits. I have only completed the first category and I already have experienced a better attitude, sparked some creative projects, and brought some positive energy my way. I have experienced a recent increase in the number of job postings that I am truly interested in and some projects in the form of web design work.
3. Made an appointment to see a functional medicine practitioner. I was thrilled to find one with 45 minutes of my home. The appointment is next week. I anticipate she will be putting me on a strict diet and have been grocery shopping with this in mind. I'm not buying my usual snack foods.

Books

I have purchased the following books:

• the life changing magic of tidying up: the Japanese art of decluttering and organizing by Marie Kondo (finished) and I immediately bought...
• Spark Joy: an illustrated master class on the art of organizing and tidying up by Marie Kondo - (currently reading)
  
• The Autoimmune Solution by Amy Myers, M.D. (currently reading)
• The Immune System Recovery Plan by Susan Blum, M.D., M.P.H.
• Wake Up Happy by Michael Strahan 

Somewhere along the line, my research lead me in the direction of autoimmune disorders. The changes I made initially to get my digestive system healthy made such a dramatic difference in how I felt made me think something wasn't right in the first place. A few changes in diet made this big a difference? A friend told me about Amy Myers, M.D. and I looked into her research a bit more. She was a pioneer in functional medicine. Diet can trigger autoimmune responses, but it can also put them into remission. It sparked the epiphany that I was on to something with the autoimmune disorders and diet.

Amy Myers has a very strict diet to follow initially. I haven't reached the details yet in my reading, but it prompted me to make the appointment with a functional medicine practitioner. I have had gastric bypass surgery and I need high amounts of protein, don't absorb nutrients as well, and felt I needed some one on one guidance.

Winter Blahs 

Winters in Michigan are long, dark, and cold. It is common for everyone to start feeling down in January and February. I am usually not the exception. Add the fact that you are unemployed and fruitlessly job searching and facing rejection you would expect to be depressed. This is why I purchased Wake Up Happy. I expected to be depressed and thought I would be preemptive. The book was listed on a "feel good" book list and I bought it with some of my Christmas money.  So far I haven't needed to read it. 

I want to read it, I am still interested in improving my outlook and I am not usually a morning person. I can be grouchy in the morning. I am looking forward to reading it, just haven't had a lot of reading time with the additional job opportunities I am applying for and the web page work. All good.

I am so grateful I have managed to remain positive and optimistic this winter!

Feeling Great

I continue to be amazed at how my change in diet has improved my health. It is dramatic. I feel great.

Ingredients

I have tweaked some ingredients in my smoothie and it is all working.

Whey Protein Powder
Hemp Protein Powder
Kale
Swiss Chard
Flaxseeds
Chia seeds
Kefir
Strawberries
Bananas (when available)

I love the strawberry/banana combination and have not tired of it. I look forward to it daily.

I had some consistency issues when I added hemp protein powder and chia seeds. The hemp and chia thicken the smoothie. I couldn't get it through the straw the first time I tried it. This is why I added the whey back in and increased the amount of kefir I make. I also cut back to one tablespoon of the chia seeds. I add organic milk if I think there may be an issue, but haven't had a problem since the first day.

Hemp Protein Powder

I have switched my brand of turmeric pills to a supplement that includes coconut oil and pepper. You need the coconut oil to best absorb the turmeric.

I like the hemp protein powder for several reasons.

• First, I had read somewhere that whey protein is absorbed quickly and may cause you to get hungry shortly after your smoothie. I found this to be true. But, the Isopure has 25 grams of protein in half a serving (compared to hemp at 14 grams) and that is hard to give up.
• Second, hemp is high in fiber, magnesium and iron. I am chronically anemic so the iron is necessary. The fiber and magnesium are a bonus.
• Third, it sticks with you longer. I am not getting hungry as soon after as I was with the whey only recipe. Now, instead of 2 hours, it last as long as 4 hours.
• Lastly, little or no taste. I could not taste a difference in my smoothie when I started adding it.

My food allergy to citric acid appears to have disappeared. I have eaten food I haven't been able to enjoy for years. Hot dogs, sweet and sour sauces, lemon water, and pineapple.

Golden Paste

I have even started my dog on a turmeric based paste, called Golden Paste, that increased the bounce in her step within two days. I tried adding it to my smoothie yesterday, but felt I could taste it. Not sure if I will continue adding it or not.

 I have my cat eating coconut oil and it has cleared up her skin rashes. She licks it off my finger. I am not sure how I can get her to eat GP, but I will look into it.