The Big 4
Lately I have been reading this Field Guide to Produce in my spare time. I am on this elimination diet based on my natropath doctor’s recommendation. After getting tested for food allergies by an energy measuring device (it was a little like I imagine a lie detector test would be), I have eliminated 23 items from my diet. Some are not foods I would normally eat, such as kelp and aspartame but then there are what I refer to as “the big 4.” Lactose, Corn, Wheat and Sugar. (Yes, I meant to capitalize them, these are the mainstay of my past nutritional habits! They are important.) So what to do with this new information…..? Experiment!
I’ve been finding that even though I am extremely filled as far as time goes: teaching, parenting, being a wife, time for me, church stuff, living in community…..I still enjoy making time to cook healthy foods that taste good. With that in mind, I decided to do this elimnation diet as a sort of personal experiment. I use the Field Guide to help me with my farmer’s market shopping and then when I get home with how to best prepare it. My favorite part of the book is the section for each produce where it lists flavor affinities, it helps me get my brain and juices flowing!
Overall, I feel an unexpected AWESOME! Really, I have more energy and am in an all around better mood. The other night I came home from school and Jared asked how I was feeling. My response? Like the Bionic Woman!
Today is day 20 of the diet and so far I have made it through Halloween without a single piece of candy. Tomorrow is my birthday, I’ll let you know if I make it without a cake for probably the first (and last) time ever!