Food and Creativity
Random post because food, which I’m a fan of (eating, not cooking), has been the focus of my days lately while managing an autoimmune disease. What to eat, what to eat, what to eat….
I’m currently having symptoms that, while not debilitating, my doctors are unable to diagnose or resolve. This generally means we blame it on the disease.
In an effort to advocate for myself while I continue doctor visits, I’m currently trying a version of the Autoimmune Protocol Diet. Uh, in the middle of the holiday season and holiday food temptations. Go figure.
I’m no expert, but the idea around this protocol is to reset the body — eliminate possible triggers for 30 to 90 days. It’s temporary — thank goodness! — because it eliminates nearly everything from the diet except for meat, fruits, and some vegetables. Of the vegetables, nightshades such as potatoes, tomatoes, bell peppers, are eliminated.
After the 30 to 90 days, you slowly reintroduce the possible triggers over several weeks to determine what works and what doesn’t.
This wasn’t my first rodeo with the elimination of certain foods because my doctors have recommended a couple of books over the past several years. I’ve done the research and I’ve done the trials.
As a result, I eat a LOT less white sugar than I used to (I ate an excessive amount of sugar for years and still dream about donuts) and I’ve been gluten-free for years. I fell off the wagon and started again, then fell off the wagon again and started again.
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With this go-around, this body reset, all I could do was 30 days. Not 60, not 90, just 30.
I mean, without grains like oatmeal or any bread, without nuts or eggs or peanut butter or beans or potatoes or butter or cheese, what’s a girl to do?!!
Well, I’ll tell you. The girl got creative.
I’m in the reintroduction stage now, which is a slow and deliberate process. I’m okay with that as long as I can learn more about what works and what doesn’t. As far as I can tell, I’m relieved to find that butter and eggs and cheese have passed the test, because I was struggling to imagine life without butter and cheese. But I still have a long way to go.
This is not for everybody. It’s ridiculous. But an autoimmune disease is also ridiculous. I just want to feel better.
Within these strict limitations, even as I slowly reintroduce items, I’m eating more vegetables than ever…the suggestion was 9 servings a day, but let’s be reasonable, shall we? Mostly I’m doing smoothies, vegetable soups and salads. And eating more vegetables seems to help my energy.
I’m trying new recipes. I’m watching you-tube videos about food. I’m writing poems about food. I wake up thinking about food. I find quick meals to put together — actually, all my meals are quick to put together since I’m not the best of cooks. I browse the grocery store longer than usual and try to find new healthier ways to satisfy my taste buds.
Overall, it appears to be helping, both my health and my creativity. But who knows? We’ll see how it goes. While this isn’t for everyone (believe me, it ain’t for everyone) I’m actually having fun with the creative part, this experiment and experience, and I get to write about the journey.
Happy writing everyone!
