I have been home now for a few days and all is going well. I still seem to be stable with a lot more get up and go than I have had over the last year. I still have a bit of wind, but I am hoping that this will sort itself out if I continue with the diet as I have been.
On Saturday it was my Grandparent's 55th anniversary celebration. It was also my first anniversary of becoming ill. I have read many posts about other CFS sufferers' anniversarys and they all have a familiar pattern. Before such and such a day I was really health, outgoing person and then bang, without warning, my life was lost. My post would have followed similar lines, but recently I have been thinking this is not quite true. Thinking back there were a number of warning signs that I missed. About a week before I had my first crash, my girlfriend and I enjoyed a well earned holiday weekend in Arran. Looking at the photos from this break, shows me looking terrible - baggy eyes just looking really tired. I had been pushing myself really hard that month, both with work and physically competing in a charity fitness event called "move for Malawi". During the month of March I went to the gym everyday and really pushed it. Thinking back to a walk in Arran I decided not to climb the extra bit of a hill because I was too tired - not the behaviour of the fit 25 year old as I would have described myself back then. Also, the other day I spoke to a lecturer in my department who also competed in the move for Malawi. He said he remembered seeing me in the gym on the 30th of March (the day before the crash) and thinking that I looked awful.
So the warning signs were there, I just didn't read them. This is the moral of the story - listen to your body and if you are pushing too hard, stop before you push too much.
Tuesday, 3 April 2007
Wednesday, 28 March 2007
My last day in Germany
So this, my friends, is my last day in Germany. I am really torn about moving back - just as I am torn about many things in my life at the moment. On the one hand I have enjoyed my time here - albeit it has been an up and down time healthwise. I have made a good group of friends, have started to familiarise myself with the language once more and Germany has an awful lot going for it. However, there are so many things I miss about home. Obviously the main thing is my family - my mum, my dad, my brother and my grandparents, and of course, my friends. But, there is much more to it than that. I miss the way people interact with each other in Glasgow. People smile a lot more - believe it or not. People talk to others that they do not know. It is small things like this that I miss. When you get on the train in Germany everyone sits with a straight face and looks directly ahead. In Glasgow, whenever you get on a bus or a train you get a friendly comment, a smile or at very least some comical outburst from a ned and this, for me, is enough to brighten up a day.
I've spoken to Christine's Dad about this and he believes that it would annoy him if people started talking to him on the train - why?
Don't get me wrong Germany is wonderful and the people here are really friendly. It is just that serendipitous interaction between the people is somewhat limited and this frustrates me. I would like to return here and live for longer. The chances are that, if I am healthy, I will return to Germany in May and finish off the write up of my thesis. However, long term, I see my future in Scotland. It is with envy that I read the events and happenings within my university. There seems to be so much going on. Collaboration that has been missing in the past seems to be igniting and I want to be part of this. However, I want to be with Christine and she is going to be here. I would really like to be in two places at once.
I've spoken to Christine's Dad about this and he believes that it would annoy him if people started talking to him on the train - why?
Don't get me wrong Germany is wonderful and the people here are really friendly. It is just that serendipitous interaction between the people is somewhat limited and this frustrates me. I would like to return here and live for longer. The chances are that, if I am healthy, I will return to Germany in May and finish off the write up of my thesis. However, long term, I see my future in Scotland. It is with envy that I read the events and happenings within my university. There seems to be so much going on. Collaboration that has been missing in the past seems to be igniting and I want to be part of this. However, I want to be with Christine and she is going to be here. I would really like to be in two places at once.
Monday, 26 March 2007
Salmon and Asparagus Risotto
Now for today's second recipe. I tried this for the first time tonight and it was delicious. So delicious in fact that after finishing her plate, Christine decided she would scrape mine. She won't be happy that I shared that with the world, but hey ...
This is a really easy meal to prepare and it is made with kitchen staples.
Ingredients:
1 filet of salmon (skinned, boned and chopped into small pieces)
8 to 12 cooked asparagus spears cut into 1-inch lengths
1 lemon
500 ml of veggie stock
2 tablespoons of butter
1 medium onion
130g of arborio rice (I used organic short-grain brown rice to correspond to the diet)
dash of cream (optional)
- Gently fry the onion in butter over medium heat until soft, then zest the lemon and stir it with the onion.
- Stir in the rice to coat all the grains of rice with butter.
- Start adding stock approx. 150 ml at a time. Have the heat such that the stock just simmers. The stock will reduce and thicken. Every time this happens, add another 150ml. Stir frequently and continue until the rice is just about done. Meanwhile, squeeze the lemon and add a couple tablespoons along with some broth.
(Save the last bit of lemon juice to season the dish with at the end.)
- When the rice is just a tad underdone, stir in the asparagus and salmon. Season with salt, pepper, and lemon juice.
- Cover the pot and let it sit for 5 minutes. By then the salmon is usually cooked, but it may need a minute more. If you wish add a dash of cream now.
This is a really easy meal to prepare and it is made with kitchen staples.
Ingredients:
1 filet of salmon (skinned, boned and chopped into small pieces)
8 to 12 cooked asparagus spears cut into 1-inch lengths
1 lemon
500 ml of veggie stock
2 tablespoons of butter
1 medium onion
130g of arborio rice (I used organic short-grain brown rice to correspond to the diet)
dash of cream (optional)
- Gently fry the onion in butter over medium heat until soft, then zest the lemon and stir it with the onion.
- Stir in the rice to coat all the grains of rice with butter.
- Start adding stock approx. 150 ml at a time. Have the heat such that the stock just simmers. The stock will reduce and thicken. Every time this happens, add another 150ml. Stir frequently and continue until the rice is just about done. Meanwhile, squeeze the lemon and add a couple tablespoons along with some broth.
(Save the last bit of lemon juice to season the dish with at the end.)
- When the rice is just a tad underdone, stir in the asparagus and salmon. Season with salt, pepper, and lemon juice.
- Cover the pot and let it sit for 5 minutes. By then the salmon is usually cooked, but it may need a minute more. If you wish add a dash of cream now.
Soup da loop
Time for the next recipe. I think today I will post two - just cause!
The first is a soup. When on a candida diet you are not allowed fruit so you have to make up for this with numerous portions of veggies. One way of doing this that never gets tiresome is soup. One of my new favourite soup recipes is creamy Kale - it is wholesome, filling, delicious, not to mention full of fibre, nutrients and flavour. I adapted the recipe from one I found at Fran's house of Ayurveda. I know nothing about Asian life philosophies, but Fran's website has a great collection of recipes.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup Green lentils (or lentils of your preference)
1/4 cup brown rice
1/4 cup quinoa
1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
1 clove of garlic
4 tbsp olive oil
1/2 bunch of kale
5 cups water
1 tsp veggie stock
SPICES
1 tsp of cumin powder (heaping, or as desired)
1 1/2 tsp of curry powder
1 tsp of sea salt, to taste
TAHINI DRESSING
1 Tbsp tahini (heaping, or as desired)
2 Tbsp flax / olive oil
Before you start to cook, add all spices together in a small bowl and mix well (prevents clumping when added to the cooking pot later). Wash kale and chop finely.
Add olive oil to a pre-heated cooking pot on medium temperature. When the oil is hot, add onions and garlic and cook until soft. Add the spices, being careful to blend well. Then add lentils, brown rice and quinoa right away and stir well. When that is done, add chopped kale and mix.
At this stage, take a moment to appreciate how beautiful the mixture looks -- but not too long, because the water must now be added. Cover the pot and bring to a boil. Simmer on low for 45 minutes.
With about 10 minutes to go add the Tahini mix.
The first is a soup. When on a candida diet you are not allowed fruit so you have to make up for this with numerous portions of veggies. One way of doing this that never gets tiresome is soup. One of my new favourite soup recipes is creamy Kale - it is wholesome, filling, delicious, not to mention full of fibre, nutrients and flavour. I adapted the recipe from one I found at Fran's house of Ayurveda. I know nothing about Asian life philosophies, but Fran's website has a great collection of recipes.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup Green lentils (or lentils of your preference)
1/4 cup brown rice
1/4 cup quinoa
1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
1 clove of garlic
4 tbsp olive oil
1/2 bunch of kale
5 cups water
1 tsp veggie stock
SPICES
1 tsp of cumin powder (heaping, or as desired)
1 1/2 tsp of curry powder
1 tsp of sea salt, to taste
TAHINI DRESSING
1 Tbsp tahini (heaping, or as desired)
2 Tbsp flax / olive oil
Before you start to cook, add all spices together in a small bowl and mix well (prevents clumping when added to the cooking pot later). Wash kale and chop finely.
Add olive oil to a pre-heated cooking pot on medium temperature. When the oil is hot, add onions and garlic and cook until soft. Add the spices, being careful to blend well. Then add lentils, brown rice and quinoa right away and stir well. When that is done, add chopped kale and mix.
At this stage, take a moment to appreciate how beautiful the mixture looks -- but not too long, because the water must now be added. Cover the pot and bring to a boil. Simmer on low for 45 minutes.
With about 10 minutes to go add the Tahini mix.
Thursday, 22 March 2007
Potato, fennel and basil salad
The first post from my promised series on Candida diet tips and recipes. This has become of one of my favourites - in fact Christine and I ate it tonight for dinner. The fennel and lemon juice go together wonderfully.
The recipe is adapted from one by James Tanner and is extremely quick and easy to prepare. Perfect for those on the Candida diet who have to prepare everything from scratch.
Serves 2
Ingredients
1 tbsp olive oil
300g of potatoes sliced
1 fennel bulb, finely sliced
1 lemon, juice only
salt and freshly ground black pepper
small handful fresh basil leaves, to garnish
Method
1. Heat the oil in a frying pan over a medium heat and fry the potatoes until golden-brown. (I prefer to par-boil the potatoes)
2. Add the fennel and lemon juice and stir well. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper and cook until the fennel is tender.
3. To serve, place the warm salad onto a plate and garnish with basil leaves.
Enjoy! More to come
The recipe is adapted from one by James Tanner and is extremely quick and easy to prepare. Perfect for those on the Candida diet who have to prepare everything from scratch.
Serves 2
Ingredients
1 tbsp olive oil
300g of potatoes sliced
1 fennel bulb, finely sliced
1 lemon, juice only
salt and freshly ground black pepper
small handful fresh basil leaves, to garnish
Method
1. Heat the oil in a frying pan over a medium heat and fry the potatoes until golden-brown. (I prefer to par-boil the potatoes)
2. Add the fennel and lemon juice and stir well. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper and cook until the fennel is tender.
3. To serve, place the warm salad onto a plate and garnish with basil leaves.
Enjoy! More to come
The first of two posts for today
I've been a little slack with my blogging lately. This is probably because I have been feeling better - it is amazing how when you feel healthy the number of things to do just multiplies. This is a great feeling!
A quick update on the diet and the capryllic acid. I think it is going well. After the second day on the acid I thought I was going to get a reaction similar to the replete, the wind came back etc. However, it has not worked out like that. I started to drink lots of water and this may have helped my body deal with things. I read that the capryllic acid finds its way into the liver and plenty of fluids help to flush it out of the system - hopefully along with any toxins from the candida growth.
I have uncovered, in the last few days, some evidence that I think points towards a milk intolerance (apologies to those who suggested this before for my prompt dismissal of the idea). After visiting the German doctor the other week, on the advice of the doctor, I started to drink lots of milk. He recommended a litre of milk per day. I love milk so I happily indulged in this. I have since learned that milk is a big no no for the candida diet (oops). Anyway, after over a week of enjoyable but heavy milk drinking, I noticed that the dermititus on my pinky (I have posted before about how this disappeared when I started the diet) returned and was worsening on a day by day basis. The only change I had made was the milk so I cut this out straight away. After only a few days the redness lessened and the pinky seemed to be healing. I can only think of two explanations. The first is that I have a milk intolerence. The second is that the lactose (milk sugar) had influenced the candida. Yoghurt and cream do not seem to be a problem, so it could be the latter. However, I have read that the fermintation process involved in yoghurt and cream lessens the quantities of lactose. I think the only thing for me to do is to stop milk for 2-3 months. Hopefully I will be healthy at this point and then try to re-introduce it.
A quick update on the diet and the capryllic acid. I think it is going well. After the second day on the acid I thought I was going to get a reaction similar to the replete, the wind came back etc. However, it has not worked out like that. I started to drink lots of water and this may have helped my body deal with things. I read that the capryllic acid finds its way into the liver and plenty of fluids help to flush it out of the system - hopefully along with any toxins from the candida growth.
I have uncovered, in the last few days, some evidence that I think points towards a milk intolerance (apologies to those who suggested this before for my prompt dismissal of the idea). After visiting the German doctor the other week, on the advice of the doctor, I started to drink lots of milk. He recommended a litre of milk per day. I love milk so I happily indulged in this. I have since learned that milk is a big no no for the candida diet (oops). Anyway, after over a week of enjoyable but heavy milk drinking, I noticed that the dermititus on my pinky (I have posted before about how this disappeared when I started the diet) returned and was worsening on a day by day basis. The only change I had made was the milk so I cut this out straight away. After only a few days the redness lessened and the pinky seemed to be healing. I can only think of two explanations. The first is that I have a milk intolerence. The second is that the lactose (milk sugar) had influenced the candida. Yoghurt and cream do not seem to be a problem, so it could be the latter. However, I have read that the fermintation process involved in yoghurt and cream lessens the quantities of lactose. I think the only thing for me to do is to stop milk for 2-3 months. Hopefully I will be healthy at this point and then try to re-introduce it.
Monday, 19 March 2007
Lamenting a wasted day
I'm pretty angry with myself at the moment. Despite a good day healthwise I just could not get into gear and do some work today. When I think of all those days wasted when all I wanted was to work but wasn't well enough to manage it, it makes my blood boil when I waste away days like today. However, it wasn't all my fault. I spent most of the morning fiddling with my computer, which over the last day or so had more or less ground to a halt. Closer inspection revealed a trojan had sneaked its way through my defenses. It took 5.5 hrs to run the virus check completely, while I struggled to work along side. After removing the virus, the machine still required over 12 minutes to boot. I couldn't believe it - the machine is not even 1 yr old. So, I cleaned the registry, deleted all temporary files and cookies etc. and made a few tweaks. This appears to have improved the performance somewhat, but not enough for my liking. Top of my priority list for when I get home is a fresh install of windows. It is times like this that I wish I had splashed out for a mac.
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