Saturday, January 23, 2010

My Forms of Therapy

Poor Sammy!

Our little pup is under the weather.  I started noticing something wasn't quite right yesterday morning.  He was acting strange, not moving around as much, not eating, and breathing funny.

Today, hasn't been much better.  He still has not eaten anything, hardly drinks, is laying around in unusual areas of the house (like random corners on the floor) and is shaking hard core.

We called the vet and they said he could have a fever.  They told us to take him to the Emergency Pet room if it gets worse, but I think we are just going to keep an eye on him, try to get him to eat some rice and have him rest for now.  He doesn't appear to be in any pain, just tired.




I feel that whenever we take Sammy to the Vet, it's just another excuse for them to overload us with 10 different medicines and things that he doesn't actually need.  I have had my fair share of untrusting doctors, and part of me feels the vet is no different.  Just a way for them to make a profit.

Speaking of relentless doctors, I have had it up to HERE with them.  For the past year, I have been to doctor after doctor who doesn't seem to care nor understand.  Honestly, they have only been making things worse and I feel like I am doing a better job a self diagnosing and treating myself.

I made a trip to the Health Food Store today after reading up on what supplements and nutrients that my body has been lacking due to the stomach issues.  I ended up talking to the pharmacist there for awhile.  She was GREAT!  Finally someone who listened to me and offered advice and help that actually made sense for me and my body.  Go figure!  She suggested that I may have a condition called Candida, which is a build up a yeast in the intestine that is usually a result of antibiotics and birth control (two things I have been on for a very long time).  She suggested I start taking a HIGH dosage of Pre-biotics that will dissolve in the intestine rather than just a supplement that doesn't break down as well. I've been doing some research on Candida and it seems to really make sense to what has been going on.  I am going to read more about it, but I was truly enlightened.  Knowledge is the best form of treatment and it may be simple things like eliminating sugar, taking more natural nutrients, and staying away from yeast, wheat and anything refined or processed.

Anyways, that being said, I've been feeling a lot better, so I am just going to stick with what I am doing because honestly, I know my body better than anyone.  The colonoscopy will tell me more, but until then, I can only do what feels right for my body.

So, like I said, I woke up feeling better and hungry.  Usually, I wake up feeling awful and like I am going to explode, so today, I knew was going to be a better day.

I didn't wait very long to make breakfast….




Banana Oats with Mango, Pomegranate Seeds, Coconut Cashews, Pomegranate Yogurt



Not as pretty all mixed up,  but this was pretty fantastic!



After breakfast, I went to the Health Food Store, like I said, and had a wonderful time stocking up on a boat load of nutritious foods and supplements, some of which included, Macca, Chia, Oat Bran, Spirulina,  Protein Powder and my digestive "drugs."

So, the one thing about Candida is that you absolutely can NOT have sugar. Sugar is the number one culprit of every attack (which explains so many of my past attacks).  But, being that I am a sugar addict, this habit will be hard for me to break.  So, thank goodness for Vegan and Gluten free bakery like the one at The Healthy Grocer.  They have some of the BEST cookies, bars, and desserts I have ever had and they are all vegan, gluten and soy free.  Perfect!

I saw these and just could not pass them up.




Vegan Pumpkin Mini Whoppie Pies!  





I enjoyed a half of one of these babies with a little Pumpkin Power Pie Pudding. (Pumpkin, Vanilla Chobani, Maca, Chia, flax, cinnamon and granola sprinkling)
Amazing! 


After I emptied my bank account on holistic drugs, I did some more therapy.  Retail therapy that is.

I needed to find something to wear to a HUGE work event this week.   There will be press, tv, politicians, and more.  I needed to find something that stood out and to my surprise, I did!  I'll have to show you later. :)

Another form of therapy today….

Yes!  Come Hell or High Water, I could not wait any longer.  The 15 min. drive across the river to Chipotle was worth every single bit of crazy Saturday traffic.

I picked up lunch and brought it home for Toly and me.  Toly has yet to try this obsession of mine, so I was a little nervous, but I am happy to report, he LOVED his chicken burrito! But then how could you not love some Chipotle?


I ordered my fave!


Lettuce, Black Beans, Veggies, Corn Salsa, and extra Guac. I was in Guacamole bliss!!!! 


Does anyone else think Chipotle has the best guacamole, or is it just me?  I think they could fill the entire bowl with guac and I would lick it clean!

The Chipotle sat well with me all day.

But just to make sure I wouldn't suffer a relapse, I continued to cleanse myself while making dinner.




Wine therapy.  100% guaranteed to make you feel better.

I sipped on a small glass while making a creation that I came up with in this crazy little mind of mine.

Ingredients were mostly new Trader Joe's products inspired….




The end result was Pumpkin Peanut Curry Rice Noodles with General Tsao's 3 Grain Tempeh.



So very good!  I loved the sauces.  The General Tsaos was spicy but slightly sweet.  And the Peanut Satay Sauce was the perfect base to my Pumpkin Curry Sauce.





General Taso's is Toly's favorite Chinese Dish, so the sauce was mainly purchased with him in mind, but I must say, I was very happy I ended up buying this.

His dish was Chicken over Fried Rice.



Who needs take out?

We are now watching White Out.  So far, I'm not that impressed, but I was warned this movie wasn't all its cracked up to be.  The hubby has a thing for disaster, end of the world movies though, so I think he is enjoying it.

Hope you had a great Saturday!



Photobucket

9 comments:

  1. i'm glad you're feeling better and i hope sammy is too!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. i love chipotle - i order the SAME EXACT THING!!! with extra guac - so delicious :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Poor Sammy! I hope he feels better. Maybe hes just having sympathy pains for mama ;) Glad you found the health food store to be helpful. I think its always worth trying a few different forms of treatment. I agree- chipotle has the best guac...so tasty!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ugh, I know what you mean about doctors -- sometimes they look at me like I'm a hypochondriac because I have a list of symptoms a mile long and they don't know what to do. I'm hoping to find more answers at Yale-New Haven. Hope your colonoscopy sheds some light on your ailment.

    I also know what you mean about vets -- we have 6 cats and it's just ridiculous how many things they want us to buy into. Sigh.

    Chipolte rocks! I only went there one time, but I have a fond memory of yumminess.

    Jenn

    ReplyDelete
  5. so glad you were able to talk to that pharamacist- hopefully it works! & sorry about your pup, aww hope he feels better!! those vegan pupkin things look so good... have a great day!

    xoxo
    shelley

    ReplyDelete
  6. Awww I hope your sick little pupperooni is feeling better! I'm SO happy that you've found someone who has helped a little bit.

    That whoopie pie looks amazing!! I haven't had Chipotle guac but I've heard wonderful things about it. Glad you got some wine therapy in :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Poor puppy! Hope he feels better soon! So glad you are starting to figure out your tummy issues and what works best for you! That whoopie pie looks so good! I love those!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. oh no! your poor little one!! im sorry about that. and i am sorry about the doc woes. the pharmacist sounds like she knows what's up. that is great! hahahah the term "whoopie pies" makes me so happy! and so does the chipotle. how funny, last night i had some guac and i was like "ughhh this is nowhere NEAR as good as chipotle guac!" it is so true, theirs tops them all! the asian inspired dish looks awesome. hope you have a nice night and a good monday! love you lots, sugar!

    ReplyDelete
  9. love all your new recipes!!! I am so spring padding all of them!! Have a great Monday dear!

    ReplyDelete