How's the diet going, you ask?

Sidenote:I have received some comments and e-mails suggesting other diets or a second opinion. This diet is not for weight loss (although most people DO lose weight on it). It is not a fad diet. It is a medical diet designed to eradicate a very specific problem that was diagnosed with extensive blood work. It is killing off bad stuff in my body that likely occurred from too many antibiotics over the past few years. (I had pneumonia (twice), sinus infections, strep, salmonella). It is normal to feel bad on this diet as there is die-off of candida in my body. I sincerely appreciate the kind suggestions but I must finish this diet:) I am sure when it is all over, I will feel much better and be much healthier. I just need to complain while I am doing it:)

I thought I would do weekly updates (for my own memory sake) and because several people have e-mailed or commented regarding their interest. I have been eating completely sugar and yeast free for 3 weeks now. That means not one drop of alcohol, not one crumb of any type of bread, cracker, cake, cookie or chip (even gluten free). Not one piece of fruit. Not one drop of vinegar or butter or milk. No mayonnaise, mustard or ketchup. No tabasco or salsa and chips. No cheese. I LOATHE this diet. I really, truly despise it.

I mentioned last week that I felt good but my skin was bad. Well, this week, my skin got worse (but is finally getting better.) And I did not feel well. I had headaches and grumps and slight flu like symptoms which is likely due to the candida medication I began this week. With this eating plan, you starve the candida for 2 weeks then take anti-candida meds for several weeks. All of this is normal but not pleasant.

At one point last week, I thought to myself ....you know if I lose that 5-10 lbs and my skin looks great and I feel energized and healthy...maybe I will continue eating this way for longer. Well, all I can say is the lack of food, chocolate and wine must have made me delusional because I cannot wait to go back to normal eating. This is SO hard. Giving up shopping for 6 weeks for Lent was a piece of cake compared to this! I eat gluten free anyway and pretty healthy but this is so much harder. There is so little I can eat. I do think I have lost some weight though (we don't own a scale, never have~long story).

I do know that I am blessed to have food. And I am blessed to have access to excellent medical care that has guided me to this temporary eating plan. But good Lord...I cannot wait to eat like a normal human being again. I know I should not complain. But you see, I am a foodie. I love food. I am cooking all of this stuff for my family and I cannot eat it. It stinks. I hope I make it. I have 3 more weeks to go. Then I can gradually add in normal food. I might "gradually" add in a big chocolate cupcake on June 21st!

And yes, I complain about this eating plan to my family every. single. day. I am weak.

We had friends over for dinner tonight and Dave made this beautiful blueberry pie (at my suggestion~no one else should suffer just because of my diet). It was tough...

Look at that homemade, buttery, flaky crust...sigh.

Thanks for the suggestions about summer. They were great. If you did not read my last post, please do and add your suggestions. Colleen, I would end everyday with a glass of wine if I could but I can't!!!