PraiseMoves

PraiseMoves - The Christian ALTERNATIVE to Yoga!

I heard about this at my CmomC group...thought it was pretty interesting.

The journey

Thought I'd post a little bit about where I've been and what got me here.

I've been struggling for many years with both health issues and weight issues...never fully getting that they were intertwinded. My health issues I think have been mostly kept private (I think), with only my husband and closest family members actually knowing the full scope of things.

From early on I had lots of child hood illnesses...I had my tonsils out at the age of maybe six...took anti-biotics for that. Had bladder infection...more anti-biotics...then a slew of strep throat incidents...one after another, after another through out my adolescence...and ofcourse along with the usual course of antibiotics. Lots of days off from school, very sedate life for a child...never really had the energy or drive to do what other kids seemed to be doing all the time. But life continued...and along with it labels like 'lazy' stuck.

Things seemed to go on pretty 'normally'...at least what I had been thinking of as normal until the early 90's when my mom became sick with cancer. I was working in Boston at the time with a very long comute to where I was living, I'd get home exhausted and VERY stressed. I started getting sinus infections pretty much constantly...and again put on antibiotics. The thing that blocked that track (thankfully)was developing an allergy to one of them (a sulfa drug)...I finally said enough and started looking towards herbal remedies to help me and discovered 'Echinacea'...a God send.

The last year of my mom's life (1997)was one of the most taxing years of my life. I was constantly in the hospital to be with her...eating whatever I could manage from the cafeteria and vending machines...not taking care of myself at all. My weight just sky rocketed, along with my health issues. I would experience moments of anxiety and panic at times, and severe depression at others.

The thing that got my attention though wasn't my health...but my weight. Sometime after my mom's death, I came across a book called 'The WeighDown Diet' and there started my 'non diet' journey. I lost incredible amounts of weight by simply waiting for hunger and stopping when full. I would eat whatever I felt like (mostly sugary sweets)and was thrilled that the weight kept melting. However I still wasn't feeling all that great physically. In fact my anxiety got so bad that I could hardly swallow my food...I couldn't even go to restaurants because that seemed to make it all worse...so the weight kept dropping.

I don't blame the 'non diet' approach for any of this...I still think that this is the way to go...that you need to listen to your body's signals and feed it what it needs. However, I believe that there are illnesses and situations that can prevent us from interpreting those signals properly. I now realize that the yeast in my body caused by all the antibiotics that I had taken, was what was calling for the sugar...it wanted to be fed!

I came to this conclusion when I started telling a friend of mine about some of the problems that I had been experiencing and she told me about food intolerances and specifically about Gluten Intolerance and Celiac disease. When I read the symptoms of Celiac, alot of it clicked for me...so I tried going gluten free for a little while and things did start to improve. However, I was also noticing that at times I would eat other foods and would still get very sick. I was just starting to see the sugar connection then. I already knew that dairy did a job on me...that was instantaneous...but other foods weren't so easy to recognize.

In the meantime I found an MD who practiced Holistic medicine and had her check for Celiac...all came back normal but she thought that I was on the right track with food intolerance idea. She perscribed probiotics and talked to me about doing an elimination diet...which we would talk more about the next time we met. I went home and started researching more on my own and came across the Yeast Overgrowth information...eliminated sugar right away along with some of the other stuff that I already knew made me sick (milk, bread...etc.) and started having marked improvements with my digestive system. The first week was very, very difficult since I had been such a sugar junky for such a long time, not to mention chocoholic. The cravings were really intense and I developed headaches for several days straight along with several other symptoms, as my body struggled to clean itself out.

So..the journey has now come to a new phase...I still want to eat within the boundaries of hunger and fullness...but when it is time to eat, I want whole, nourishing foods that are not filled with so much sugar and other additives that they make me sick. I want to exercise my body and take vitamins. I want to do whatever it takes to take good care of this body that God created in order to serve Him better. I still have a whole slew of symptoms that haven't shown much improvement yet...energy level is still very low...but there have been enough good changes to encourage me forward...improved bowel regularity, less gassiness and bloatedness, weight loss, clearer skin etc. So I'm hopeful that this is at least another piece of the puzzle. So, keep reading this blog and walk with me as I go forward towards finding the health and vibrancy that I need to live the life that God has in mind for me.

Tia's Cake recipe

Tia's Cake recipe - Topic Powered by Groupee Community:
"Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Butter Cream Frosting

Chocolate Cake:
1 cup raw sunflower seeds (ground into a fine powder)
3 - 3 3/4 tsp baking powder (still experimenting on this one, but both work ok)
1/2 cup arrowroot powder or corn starch
2 - 2 1/2 tsp stevia/chicolin mix (approx)
6 Tbsp wondercocoa
1/8 tsp sea salt
1 1/2 T olive oil (or whatever oil you like)
1/2 cup water
3 eggs (2 eggs might work fine, I have yet to try that. If you can't have eggs, you could try flax gel)
4 Tbsp vegetable glycerine

Grind sunflower seeds in blender or food processor until they are a fine powder (don't worry if there are a few small pieces left though). Mix all dry ingredients in a large bowl. Beat eggs in a separate large mixing bowl with an electric mixer for approx 2 minutes (it is supposed to fluff up the mix). Add the rest of the wet ingredients in with the eggs & mix together. Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Pour batter into 2, 8 inch round cake pans (greased with butter). Bake at 350 degrees for 10 - 15 minutes (use the toothpick test to see if they are done).

Let cool before removing from pans. Place one layer on a large plate or cake serving dish. Apply a thick layer of frosting on the top, then place the second layer on it. Apply a thick layer to the top of that & the sides of the cake. There might be leftover frosting when you're done (I'm sure you can find something useful for it!) I'm not sure if it's necessary, but I store the cake in the refridgerator.

Vanilla Butter Cream Frosting:
1 cup milk substitute (I use unsweetened Rice Dream)
2 Tbsp arrowroot powder
1 tsp vanilla (this may vary depending on the type of vanilla you are using - **see below)
3/4 stick softened (not melted) butter
1 1/2 - 2 T vegetable glycerine
1 3/4 tsp stevia/chicolin mix

**If you have the sugar free vanilla with alcohol, then heat it with the milk so that the alcohol will evaporate. If you have the sugar & alcohol free vanilla, then add it later on (at the same time that you add the vegetable glycerine). You will also want more than 1 tsp if it is the alcohol-free kind because it isn't as strong.**

Heat milk in a small saucepan until it starts to boil a little. Turn heat down to medium & mix in the arrowroot powder. Be careful with this step - if they aren't mixed properly, the arrowroot will gel instead of dissolving. What seemed to work best for me was to take 1 Tbsp at a time of the arrowroot in a small bowl & mix in some of the hot milk, stirring constantly as the milk is poured in. Then add it in with the rest of the milk, stirring constantly. The mixture should thicken up quite a bit. Once it has thickened, let it cool in a bowl in the freezer. (If the mix does gel, just mix it in the blender until it is smooth, then finish heating it until it thickens.)

While that is cooling, beat the softened butter in a mixing bowl with an electric mixer. Beat until it is completely creamed & it should fluff up some. Add in the stevia/chicolin mix, then the vegetable glycerine & vanilla (if alcohol free) & mix well. Do not add in the liquids until the butter is fully creamed, or else it will curdle.

Losing Weight...

Ticker Central - The ULTIMATE resource for pregnancy, birthday, TTC, wedding, anniversary, christmas and more tickers: ""

Afterall my struggles with weight...it's amazing to me how it seems to be just 'melting off' now...LOL. I haven't even been weighing all that regularly either...it's just not all that important to me anymore...certainly NOT priority...I LOVE the change.

McDonald's

McDonald's reveals fries contain allergens - Diet & Fitness - MSNBC.com: "Not long after disclosing that its french fries contain more trans fat than thought, McDonald's Corp. said Monday that wheat and dairy ingredients are used to flavor the popular menu item , an acknowledgment it had not previously made."

Please say it isn't so...wahhhhh!

Neat Recipe site...

Free recipes for people with a food allergy or food allergies

I haven't checked it out totally yet...but I like the concept.

Exercise

Leslie Sansone's In Home Walking
I know how important exercise is in the recovery process but yet I'm usually so exhausted or sick that the mere thought of it can do me in. However, today I was able to do my 'Walk, Jog' video for the first time in quite a while...yippeee!

Chili Lime Pork Tenderloin

1 1/2 pork tenderloin
1/4 c. butter
3 T. fresh lime juice
2 t. chili powder
1 t. garlic pepper


Cut the tenderloin into four steaks. In a small saucepan over low heat, elt the butter. Cool slightly and whisk in the lime juice, chili powder, and garlic pepper. Liberally brush one side of each steak with the butter sauce and place the steaks on the grill, sauced side down. Brush the remaining butter sauce on the top of the steaks and close the lid. Grill for 5 or 6 minutes, or until cooked as desired.

Serves 4

Hearty Skillet Rice

Hearty Skillet Rice:
"Ingredients:
1 15-ounce can kidney beans, drained
1 14 1/2-ounce can tomatoes, cut up
2 cups loose-pack frozen mixed vegetables
1 cup of water
3/4 cup quick-cooking brown rice
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
Several dashes cayenne pepper(optional)
1 10 3/4-ounce can tomato sauce

Procedure:
Number of Servings: 4

In a large skillet stir together beans, undrained tomatoes, vegetables, water, uncooked rice, thyme, chili powder and cayenne pepper. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 13 minutes or till rice is tender. Stir in tomato sauce; heat through."

Happy Valentine's Day

I've been back on track for a couple of days now and after a rocky start, I'm doing ok now...knock on wood...and am even starting to feel thinned out...which I love. I'm pretty sure that I haven't actually lost much weight (which is not the purpose of doing this anyway), but just not being bloated adds so much to my self esteem and makes it so much easier to keep, keeping on.

Praying for everyone on this journey!

Why am I doing this?

Having a hard time restarting - The Yeast Connection:
" I will put out a challenge to us all: Create a list of reasons you want and need to eat well and one with reasons that you want to eat whatever you want. It is a very simplistic concept, but I think it will solidify our purpose. I saw where someone did this when she wanted to quit smoking and I know it will help us, too. "

The challenge was put out by Amy, and I think it is great...now let me see...

Reasons why I want to eat well...
-Better health, to conquer this thing once and for all...to have more energy, not feel like I'm dying all the time...not be in pain all the time.
-To have the fullness of life that God wants for me.
-To honor His Temple!
-To be obedient to Him and His will for me at this point in my life...to please Him.

Reasons I want to eat whatever I want...
-To please ME! For momentary satisfaction I'm willing to throw away my health...gee whiz...I wouldn't do that with any other part of my life...why do I value myself so little?
-Convenience...aka...lazyness!

Wow...that was quite an eye opener...now I need to find a way to make this post stick so that I can reffer to it whenever I'm thinking of 'cheating'.

Black Beans Rice Cuban Style

Cooks.com - Recipe - Black Beans Rice Cuban Style:
"BLACK BEANS RICE CUBAN STYLE
1 1/2 c. black beans (I used canned)
4 slices bacon (I omitted this)
1/2 clove garlic, crushed
1 onion, chopped
1 tsp. chili powder
Salt
Cayenne pepper
2 c. boiled rice (used brown rice)
Wash beans; cover with 5 cups water and soak overnight. Drain water off beans. Cover beans with fresh water and boil gently until tender, drain. Add bacon, garlic and onion. Season with chili powder, salt and cayenne to taste.
Add enough water to cover beans and simmer slowly until it makes thick sauce. Pour over cooked warm rice."

Cuban Fried Steak

cuban fried steak recipe | beef steak recipes | beef recipes:
"Cuban Fried Steak
6 top round steaks, 4 oz. each

2 cloves garlic, finely-chopped

juice of 2 limes

salt and freshly ground-black pepper to taste

3 - 4 T. olive oil

1 medium onion, finely chopped

6 T. fresh parsley, finely chopped

Pound the steaks on both sides, using a mallet, until 1/4 inch

Slice meat thin. Season with garlic, lime juice, salt, and pepper, and allow to marinate at least 1 hour, refrigerated.

Remove the steaks from the marinade and pat dry. In a large frying pan, heat the oil over medium heat until very hot, and brown each steak for 2 to 3 minutes on each side.

Transfer the steaks to a serving platter and keep warm. Add the marinade and onion to the pan and cook until the onion is slightly wilted, 3 to 4 minutes. Garnish the steaks with the onion and parsley and serve
immediately.

Makes 6 servings. "

The Diet

WholeApproach.com - Diet: The Three Stage Self-Customized Candida Diet �����������������������: "The WholeApproach Candida Diet protocol begins with three full months on Stage One (regardless of your beginning score). Then, as healing progresses, you'll move through Stage Two and Three diet recommendations followed by a maintenance (stabilization) diet."

For anyone not familiar with the 'anti-candida' diet...check out the link above. I think that I'm going to use this blog not only for recipes, but also to journal my own progress. I don't want to burden my other blog with all the whining that I've been known to do regarding this 'cross'. I've already had a good cry today...may tomorrow be a better day.

Saving Dinner?

Saving Dinner with the recipes. menus and shopping lists to bring your family back to the dinner table.

Anyone tried this yet? I've been doing it for a while and really like it, I've recently changed to the low carb plan but am finding that I still need to tweek some of the recipes a bit, or eliminate them all together because they may contain things like soy sauce or whatever. I'm wondering if anyone has good alternatives to condiments.

Chic-pea and Tuna Salad

1 can of chic peas (Garbanzo beans)
1 can of tuna
Italian Seasoning to taste
Olive Oil
Lemon

I just mix the first four ingredients together and then squeeze some lemon on top and it is delicious and quick!

PEANUT BUTTER SWIRL BROWNIES

PEANUT BUTTER SWIRL BROWNIES

1 cup SCD peanut butter
1/2 cup honey (I use rice syrup)
1/3 teaspoon of baking soda
2 eggs

Preheat oven to 300-325F. Beat eggs, honey and baking soda, then add peanut butter.
Put 2/3 of the brownie mixture in a greased 8 inch pan. Smooth the top.
Drop the remaining batter in large tablepoons over the top of batter in the pan.
Do not smooth out.

Batter for 'Swirls'

1/3 C peanut butter
1/4 C well dripped yogurt
1&1/2 - 2 Tbsp honey
1 Large egg white

In a seperate bowl beat peanut butter with dripped yogurt until smooth. Beat in the honey. Then beat in the egg white.
Drop swirl batter in large tablespoons between the brownie batter. Do not smooth out.
Pull the tip of a knife through the batter to make the swirls. Continue to do this until the batter is fairly level on the top.
Bake 25-30 minutes or until the centre appears set and the sides just start to pull away from the pan.
Cool brownies in pan on a rack before cutting into squares.

Ok...now we are getting to the good stuff. I'm going to sound like a dummy here...but what is SCD peanut butter and is it ok for a yeast free diet...how about the honey? Maybe not for phase one? I don't know...would love to get some comments on this.

AVOCADO CHICKEN SALAD

AVOCADO CHICKEN SALAD

2 chicken breasts
1 avocado
3 roma tomatoes
1 slice onion
1 large clove garlic
1 TBL lemon juice
salt to taste

Boil chicken breasts. Let cool.
Put avocado and tomatoes into food processor. Blend until chunky.
Cut up onion slice into pieces and place into garlic press and squeeze onion juice into avocado/tomato mixture.
Press garlic and add to mixture.
Add lemon juice.
Add salt to taste.
Pulse mixture 2-3 times.
Add chicken breasts to mixture and blend until mixture is chicken salad consistency.
Refrigerate and serve cold.

Our first recipe...thanks Megs!

Welcome

I've decided to start this blog to keep track of Anti-Candida recipes. I'd love it if you would share your favorite recipes here in the comment section. I'll try them out and post them as they become available. I'm aiming for one recipe a week.