Goodbye chocolate! Hello kale!

I hate to say this, but I think my CFS symptoms get worse when I eat sugary foods and large amounts of carbs. (Even if my carbs were gluten free grains, starchy veggies like butternut squash, fruit, and legumes.) As much as I love my dark chocolate, I have to say: so long Dagoba! Ever since I started getting more lacks with my diet, my symptoms increased. It was fun at first to eat whatever I wanted, and it was good for my mental health. However, I added in so much at once, I can't identify the culprit.


The new year seems like a good time to examine my diet more carefully. I want to make changes gradually and not shock my body. My plan for this week is to start with the serious offenders (also known as my favorite foods). I have eliminated sugar, grains, dairy, caffeine, and alcohol (I haven't had a drink in over a year, but I thought I'd throw that in the list since I'm continuing to give it up!) I really don't want to give up grains because I can get bored of eating eggs for breakfast every morning, but nevertheless... In a week or two, I'm also going to give up fruits, nuts, and starchy vegetables. At that point my plan will be to go pretty restrictive for a few weeks and see if I feel any better. I know I can live on a super restrictive diet because I've done it for a year. If I do feel better, I'm going to challenge foods one at a time and see what I can handle. I was looking back at my planner in August 2010 and noticed I was taking an hour long regular yoga class once or twice a week and walking 20 minutes a few days a week.... I want to get back there!!


The doctor I've been working with did a bunch of tests and discovered that my digestive system is very weak. I have low, low amounts of beneficial bacteria. He put me on some digestive aids and probiotics. I hope that by adding these supplements and changing my diet, I'll feel better. He is actually a doctor/nutritionist and one of the things he told me was to eat large amounts of leafy greens. I have found sauteed kale/chard/beet greens is a good alternative to break up the monotony of salads. It's the perfect side along with any protein. Tonight for dinner I had sauteed kale and wild salmon. It was a healthy, tasty, and colorful dinner. Here is the recipe so you can give a try!


Sauteed Greens with Garlic (2 servings)


Ingredients:

Medium bunch of kale, green or red chard, beet greens

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

2-3 garlic cloves, sliced
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
Celtic sea salt
Juice of half a lemon


1. Remove the stems and midribs from one medium bunch of kale , red or green chard, or beet greens. Cut any stems or midribs into half inch pieces. Coarsely chop the leaves. Rinse well, but do not dry!
2. Put a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes and heat until the oil is fragrant and the garlic is just beginning to color.
3. Add the stems and ribs and season with salt. Cook stirring occasionally, until nearly tender, about 2 minutes.
4. Add the leaves and cook, partially covered, until both the leaves and stems are tender, 3-5 minutes more.
5. Season with huice of half a lemon. Taste again for salt.

You're the type of patient who usually falls through the cracks

I actually had a doctor say this to me. That was very encouraging to hear. Most doctors don't know what to do with a patient like me. They run the basic bloodwork and everything comes up normal. No lymes,  DHEA is normal, etc. So they usually offer me some sleeping pills, Lyrica and pain medication for my headache. The thing is none of that will cure me. They don't know what is causing me to have constant headaches, fatigue, sore throat, body aches, sleeping issues, etc.


I've pretty much given up on doctors being able to help me. I've seen numerous doctors over the past 3 years. Western doctors will tell me up front that I will fall through the cracks. However, holistic doctors always promise they they can help me with their diets and vitamins. I don't know which one is better since neither have really helped me.


Currently, I'm working with a doctor who is also a nutritionist. He had me do a wide range of tests, including an elemental hair analysis. Friday I have an appointment to go over the results over the phone since he's in Florida. I know it sounds crazy to have a doctor out of state, and no it's not because I've ran out of NJ doctors. There was an article written up about this doctor in a magazine with a woman who had a similiar story to mine. I'm hoping he can help me in some way. This is an expensive illness especially when the only doctors who claim that they can help, don't take health insurance.


So I'm trying to feel optimistic today. But part of me is really worried that nothing will change. This will be the last time I'm going to put myself through tons of tests in hope that I will find what's wrong. I guess this means I'm still in the "denial" stage.