clevermanka: default (post-dance)
clevermanka ([personal profile] clevermanka) wrote2013-02-13 10:26 am

Black holes and revelations

Sometimes I wonder about my memory, you guys.

I recently eliminated fruit from my diet, in an effort to further cut down potential inflammation. I wasn't making much progress with the AIP, and I know that raw foods are problematic for me. So it was easy enough to conclude the fruit might be keeping me from seeing results on the AIP. I was into my third week of no fruit when I remembered the part about needing more glucose than some people because of my body's need for extra support converting T3 to T4. *facepalm*

Obviously, I shall be reincorporating a few select fruits that are high glucose, low glycemic index, and have a low inflammatory rating. Medjool dates top the list, with bananas somewhat at the bottom of my acceptable range, thanks to a higher inflammation factor. But bananas are convenient, tasty, and not terribly sweet. Grapes are okay (at least they meet my criteria for acceptable for my purposes), but they're so sweet. I worry they'll trigger sugar cravings. Pomegranate juice is okay, which is a good thing since that's what I use to take my BioSil (it and Cod Liver Oil are the only supplements I still take that aren't prescribed by Dr. Khosh).

So! A few limited fruits are back on the menu. I hope this eliminates the muscle fatigue and sleeping problems (which, according to research and experience, it should).

BTW, this is the nutrition data website I used. It has a lot of information about foods, far beyond the typical protein/carbs/fat nutrition data labels.

As I approach the halfway mark of my AIP experiment, I feel ready to start looking at What Next. One of the things I appreciate about the AIP is that it's actually really easy. I mean, I'm just doing what someone else tells me. I can't tell you what a relief and a blessing that is. Years of experimentation and floundering around in uncharted waters is exhausting. Yes, the AIP is limiting, and I've given up a lot of stuff, but it's been a fucking walk in the park compared to when I was first negotiating gluten-free, then grain-free, then paleo, etc.

It's not news to me that I like being told what to do. I'm a secretary. I take direction well. And, really, self-experimentation is not fun when your life is on the line. It's all well and good for people like Timothy Ferriss, but I'm not (yet?) at a point where I try things to see how much better I can do them. I'm just trying to keep doing things at all. So yeah, having someone competent and who has gone through similar trials telling me what to do is Just Great.

That knowledge about myself leads me to wonder if I should try the year-long program from Precision Nutrition. I agree with [livejournal.com profile] mckitterick's opinion that it sounds kind of cult-y, but so did CrossFit. Also, one of the women's counselors is Krista Scott-Dixon of Stumptous, whom I've adored for years. It's pretty expensive, though, and I have a lot of questions about the exercise program especially (like, would I need to join a gym--that's a dealbreaker). But it's something on my radar, anyway.

Next week, after my body has had a chance to acclimate to the higher glucose in my diet, I'll write up an analysis of how I feel, six(ish) weeks into the AIP.

[identity profile] redheadfae.livejournal.com 2013-02-13 07:19 pm (UTC)(link)
I need to give hot salads a try...I'm so not fond of greens.

Do you just whip them up in a skillet?

[identity profile] mckitterick.livejournal.com 2013-02-13 07:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Yup, I use a huge wok-style skillet, because the ton of spinach that I use fill up any smaller pan. I start with melting the oil, then putting in the hard-to-cook stuff like carrots and broccoli, then (cooked) chicken, then gradually add spinach and spices and so forth, only putting in olive oil at the end when I'm turning off the heat. In the bowl, I add cheese.

[identity profile] clevermanka.livejournal.com 2013-02-13 07:37 pm (UTC)(link)
I start with melting the oil

Coconut oil, which can stand the high cooking temps.

OMG Chloe Hammy. *adorbs*

[identity profile] mckitterick.livejournal.com 2013-02-13 07:48 pm (UTC)(link)
I miss those cute little furry monsters.

[identity profile] clevermanka.livejournal.com 2013-02-13 07:49 pm (UTC)(link)
I do, too.

But not enough to get more. Sorry.

[identity profile] aprilstarchild.livejournal.com 2013-02-13 10:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Did you used to be a rat owner?! Me too! *points to icon*

Have we talked about this before? I forget.

[identity profile] clevermanka.livejournal.com 2013-02-13 11:55 pm (UTC)(link)
No rats, although I do think rats are adorable. They just require a lot of attention (and more space), which I don't have to give. We had several hamsters, but I called it quits on the last one because he totally broke my heart. He was MY BABY.

Happy days:
Image (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chernobylred/3592771546/)

The day we had to put him to sleep 'cos he lived long enough to get cancer:
Image (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chernobylred/4119692695/)

[identity profile] aprilstarchild.livejournal.com 2013-02-13 11:59 pm (UTC)(link)
I had six rats at one point; and several of them died of cancer. Broke my heart, they were so sweet and cute.

....I still have their old cage and stuff though. I might have them again when I have a job. Never six though. That was too many! I think three is the right number. Also, they were all the same age, which was a terrible idea.

[identity profile] clevermanka.livejournal.com 2013-02-14 12:23 am (UTC)(link)
they were all the same age, which was a terrible idea

Ouch.

Image

[identity profile] aprilstarchild.livejournal.com 2013-02-14 12:37 am (UTC)(link)
Yup. Exactly.

Next time I have rats I'm going to have a savings account set aside just for vet bills. There were too many times I had to put off vet visits until the next paycheck. I've heard that $10 per month per rat is good, and thinking on my past vet visits it sounds about right.

Pinky and Bluebell: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7309141@N04/4389851920/in/set-72157623512420248

[identity profile] clevermanka.livejournal.com 2013-02-14 12:40 am (UTC)(link)
They're adorable. <3

[identity profile] redheadfae.livejournal.com 2013-02-13 07:42 pm (UTC)(link)
Sounds good! I'll have to find some kind of giant pan.

[identity profile] clevermanka.livejournal.com 2013-02-13 07:47 pm (UTC)(link)
I've had good luck finding decent cookware at TJ Maxx.

[identity profile] redheadfae.livejournal.com 2013-02-13 10:06 pm (UTC)(link)
OH me too!!
I got a Lodge cast iron skillet for $14 there.
Thanks for the reminder.

[identity profile] carmy-w.livejournal.com 2013-02-13 10:38 pm (UTC)(link)
Interesting! I've never set foot in a TJ Maxx; didn't realize they have anything besides clothes/fashions.

[identity profile] redheadfae.livejournal.com 2013-02-13 11:14 pm (UTC)(link)
Ooh, yes! Towels, sheets, home decor and kitchen stuff as well. All the home stuff is usually in the back of the store.

[identity profile] sherwood21.livejournal.com 2013-02-15 12:56 am (UTC)(link)
I love TJ Maxx for these things, because I've actually found some VERY nice curtains and towels and things there. Although I've found that I prefer the TJ Maxx's in Kansas City over the one in Lawrence.