Looking Back...

I was so excited when  Blanca approached me to do an interview for friendseat.com last February. I revisited the interview the other day, and it was interesting to see where I was this time last year, in comparison with where I am currently. Please see my personal comments below about where I am today.

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Tips for Staying on Track During the Holidays

Holidays and spending time with family can be challenging when we're transitioning. Planning ahead is your best strategy. Be sure to contribute something raw to the meal that others will enjoy, but that you'll also have to fall back on. It helps me to bring dessert, so I'm  less tempted to eat some sugary snack I'll really regret later.(By the way, the photo is of raw cookies wrapped for a holiday gift!)

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Less of Me!!!

Update: Today I am minus 15 pounds!!! I have a feeling the program that Dr. Elgarten has me on this week will produce even more weight loss. The only problem is that I have to eat a lot of jasmine rice, nama shoyu and veggies. It makes it more challenging to eat raw meals, for sure, but I will do my best.

I have been chopping up celery, raw pecans and raw sesame seeds, and adding them to the rice/shoyu mixture, and it is pretty tasty. Also, this week, minimal onions and garlic, and no fruits, juices or sweets. Whatever the doc is doing, is helping.

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Broken... and a Lot of Rice

(Painting by Lindsey E. Shevkun)

I am on a more restrictive diet this week as it's been a really rough "IC" week and this is what my Doc "prescribed." I have to consume 2-4 cups of jasmine rice each day with Nama Shoyu, and lots of fiber dense veggies, raw pecans and walnuts. While eating all of this rice, trying to do raw veggies feels more daunting.  I have to get more creative.  I may consider slightly steaming some of the veggies or putting in the dehydrator to soften a bit.

I am really tired of feeling so "broken"...

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Flax, Fruit, Pineapples and Patience!

I finally received my Excalibur dehydrator!!! I am so excited. W and I had to completely rearrange the kitchen in order to make room for it. One of us (ahem) still uses the microwave on occasion, and we both agreed it would be better if we moved it off of the counter. Luckily, we were able to fit it on this handy-dandy shelf unit he picked up yesterday. I am so glad we did that because I have limited counter space and need some room to lay out the large ParaFlexx non-stick sheets and arrange food.This looks like it will work well.

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The Journey - Scrub it away!!!

(Painting by Lindsey E. Shevkun)

It has been about 2.5 months since I started "the program." I have been so immersed in getting this page together and posting recipes along with decent photographs, that I have been avoiding broaching anything personal. So here I go...

Some positive things noted: I am in better spirits with less mood swings. W and I are getting along better than ever. Although, the IC is still present in my life, I think I look better, my skin is clearer, eyes brighter. I have observed those things in W as well. 

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First Resolution for the New Year

It has been a rough ride this past  year. I was laid off over a year ago. I was Director of Customer Support. It was very stressful and I believe the stress and constant commuting contributed to the return of my IC, which slowly but surely has crept back into my life. It had been noticeable for over a year, but over the past 6 mos it has gotten progressively worse. At this point, I don't even venture out of the house too much. It hurts to walk and I am simply uncomfortable going places. Try to imagine the sensation of a football in your abdomen, well, not just any football, a football that looks and feels more like a porcupine! Seriously. Interstitial Cystitis is an awful disease and I will do whatever I need to do in order to eliminate it from my life.

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Introduction - About Me

Photo taken Christmas Day - 2009 

I am down 10 lbs. in this photo. I am 53 years old, mother of two daughters and grandmother to one granddaughter. I was married for over 20 years, divorced, single for 8 years, and currently living with W. He and I have been together for close to 4 years.

Ten  years ago, I was diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis. I won't get into the nitty gritty details of this awful disease here, other than to say it sucks. I may refer on occasion to having a "bad IC day," and all that means is, I am in pain - more pain than usual! 

Several  years ago, I worked with a nutritional biochemist, used Sunrider products, and ate a strictly vegetarian diet. I also eliminated sugar, dairy and grains from my diet. During that period, my IC went into remission and while I was only vegetarian for 2 yrs, my IC remained in remission for at least double that. 

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