New wonder treatment?

I was perusing the Hashimoto's 411 page on Facebook and came across talk of LDN. What is this LDN? I wondered. I did a quick search and came up with this page: http://www.lowdosenaltrexone.org/index.htm#What_is_low_dose_naltrexone
And this video:

...I will have to research what LDN really does to one's body, but I like the idea of something besides diet that might reduce the amount of autoimmune flare ups.

Day 6: Time for a change

So it turns out my friend Olelo has strayed off the diet, and I...can't blame her, actually. The recommendations, while apparently healthy for our guts and our immune systems, are heavily restrictive. Meats, organic. Some vegetables, organic. Very few fruits, organic. Coconut products, unsweetened. Fermented things. Salt, spices. These aren't the makings of a happy, creative chef. At least not this chef.

The effect of five days of eating only these foods has been to make me not want to eat. Dr. K recommends eating at least every two hours, but I simply don't want to eat something like a piece of steak or a handful of lettuce seven times a day. I've gone fairly long stretches of time without eating over the five days of this diet, and often when I did eat something, it was a small amount because what I could eat simply wasn't appetizing. Having to cook most everything I could eat from scratch wasn't always fun, either. So, in short, I have cut the time for this diet in half, from ten days to five, and officially ate food not allowed while on it today: white rice, corn, tomatoes, potatoes, to name a few.

I plan to sign up for the Personal Paleo Code and actually read Dr. Kharrazian's book. Wish me luck!

Day 5 (04/06) Food Diary

I made a smoothie with coconut milk, raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries. My experience with Paleo dietary recommendations kept telling me that I needed protein for my breakfast, but since Dr. K's diet doesn't specify how much protein one should be eating, I guess this was an okay breakfast. It tasted good, tangy from not having any sweetener. :) 

 And...some steak and carrots for lunch.

 A small bowl of orange pieces when I got hungry again did little to help.

 The I had lunch from Island Naturals: roasted chicken and avocado. Dinner I ate out again: red curry from Sombat's, which was coconut milk, spices, bamboo shoots, carrots, zucchini, and pork. I asked the waitress to leave out the sugar that is traditionally in curries. I also ordered their marvelous herbal tea.

 When I got home I finished the curry and ate a peach and some sweet potatoes.

Day 4 Food Diary

We are almost halfway there, and eating this way is becoming both a habit and a source of frustration. It is a new and not always pleasant experience, this eating of veggies, certain fruit, and meat, this seasoning with plain garlic, cinnamon, and nutmeg, this cooking with only coconut oil. I can honestly say that I am taking care of myself, though, and that is something to feel great about.

Today's menu:

I tried to eat more coconut soup for breakfast but found myself darn old tired of it. So, I composted what was left of the vegetables in it and saved the chicken for later. I ended up pan frying some taro in coconut butter and salt. :)

 Mmm delicious! I had some of these slices, an apple, and blueberries in mint tea for breakfast.

 Then I had the rest and some strawberries for lunch. :)

Dinner was a spinach, cucumber, garlic, and salvaged chicken salad. Cinnamon apples for dessert.

Tomorrow I go searching for some new meat options, wish me luck!

Food Diary: Day 3

Today started out pretty hopeful: I had leftover coconut chicken soup for breakfast and it wasn't terrible! You see,  I LOVE traditional breakfast foods like pancakes, waffles, toast, cereal, bagels, hash browns, butter, jam, bacon, eggs....and I have always resisted the idea of having anything other than these foods for breakfast. Perhaps I can change....I did at least get to have some cinnamon coconut milk with it to make it semi-breakfasty. It left me satiated, which, I am finding, may be the true use for food. Funny, I've always thought it was to please my taste buds. :) 

I got to go to the Hilo Farmers' Market and got a basket of Kamuela strawberries! I love these little buggers; they are so sweet! 

 We also sipped a smoothie from Surf Break Cafe - their new location on Haili Street is spacious! I had them make me a custom smoothie - just berries and apple juice. Dr. Kharrazian doesn't mention juices in his foods to eat/foods to avoid lists, so I decided that, since apples are allowed, apple juice is okay occasionally.

 And, at Kilauea Market I found a cornucopia of yam noodles! It turns out they are super high in fiber and low calorie. Fairly tasteless, as far as I can tell.

 I couldn't resist sharing the bounty I got from the organic stand at the market - three bags of kale for $5, and everything in the bottom picture for $22.50! It's a steal compared to what I would have paid for organic produce anywhere else in town.

 With some of this produce, wild caught scallops, and and yam noodles, I made a stir fry...of which I unfortunately only had a few bites because it turned out extremely fishy. :(

BUT all was not lost because I dug some old taro cakes out of the freezer, seasoned them with coconut oil and salt, zapped them in the microwave, and had a yummy, filling snack. With cherries, too. 

I had a burger patty for dinner and may have to go back for some more taro cakes before I turn in. Happy eating, everyone!

Day 2 Food Diary

Day 2 Food Diary

Successful second day!

I started off with a breakfast of microwaved cinnamon pears and cinnamon coconut milk :)

I made another garlic ono, avocado, lime, salt, and romaine salad for lunch.

I also brewed up a soup: coconut milk, kale, cabbage, green onion, basil, garlic, salt, chicken, and the water from the carrots I steamed yesterday.

 Snacks: 1 apple, 1 plum, some leftover steak and carrots
Beverages: water and herb tea

These past two days may be the healthiest food-wise that I have ever experienced. 

Cravings today: Cheese, chocolate

We are nearing the end of Day 1.

I ate: 1 burger patty, green beans, 3 apples, 1/3 of a steak, carrots, garlic, green onions, mint tea, Passionberry Kombucha, a coconut milk/blueberries/cinnamon/nutmeg (it tasted better than it looks!), a garlic and ono salad with lemon and avocado, and a plum

I craved: Chocolate! Oh my gosh chocolate.

I'm planning a garlic and lemon ono salad for tomorrow: yum!

...so it is time for a dietary revolution!

My good friend Olelo and I have decided to embark upon a quest. A dietary quest, one that will transform us into lean, green, thriving machines! Or at least further in that direction....

I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, an autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD). Since being diagnosed a little over a year ago, my family and I have been searching for the most effective treatment. This exploration has led us to Dr. Datis Kharrazian's dietary recommendations. Please see them explained further on his blog:  http://thyroidbook.com/blog/autoimmune-gut-repair-diet/ 

Olele is a supportive and adventuresome friend willing to try Dr. Kharrazian's recommendations for resetting one's system.

The commitment: 10 days 

The food: 

• Most Organic Vegetables: including anise, artichoke, asparagus, beets, bok choy, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chives, cucumbers, garlic, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, lettuce, mustard greens, onions, parsley, radishes, rhubarb, shallots, spinach, squash, sweet potatoes, water chestnuts, watercress, yams, zucchini.
• Fermented foods: including kimchi, kombucha tea, pickled ginger, sauerkraut, unsweetened coconut yogurt. You must make your own or buy one of the few brands that are genuinely fermented (not made with vinegar) and free of sugars or additives.
• Meats: including beef, chicken, fish, lamb, turkey. Fish should be ocean caught with a low mercury content. Swordfish, most tuna, and king mackerel are very high in mercury. Select hormone-free and antibiotic-free chicken, turkey, and lamb. Select beef that is grass fed, hormone free, and antibiotic free. Best choice are grass-fed and pastured meats from a local farm. Second best is organic. Avoid factory-farmed meats that contain antibiotics and hormones. For a source of good meat near you, contact your local Weston A. Price chapter leader, or order using the link on the Resources page.
• Low Glycemic Organic Fruits: including apples, apricots, avocados, berries, cherries, grapefruit, lemons, oranges, peaches, pears, plums.
• Coconut: including coconut butter, coconut cream, coconut milk, coconut oil, unsweetened coconut flakes, unsweetened coconut yogurt.
• Noodles: brown shirataki yam noodles (sold in Asian grocery stores). Avoid the noodles that also contain tofu.
• Herbs and Spices: including basil, black pepper, cilantro, coriander, cumin, garlic, ginger, lemongrass, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, sea salt, thyme.
• Other: apple cider vinegar, herbal teas, olive oil, olives.