anti-inflammatory · autoimmune · dairy free · eating healthy · gluten free · lifestyle blog · lipedema · lymphedema · personal blog · rheumatoid arthritis · simple life

Improving Myself

I took some time off from social media and writing blogs. I wasn’t inspired to write, and I am just tired of this social media life.

I am going to continue not using social media unless it’s a “must have to.”

With this decision I will still write my blogs because that’s something I do enjoy.

I am going to share with you my healthy breakfast.

Quiche with spinach and carrots

Ingredients

  • 8 eggs
  • Almond milk
  • Dairy free cheese
  • Spinach
  • Carrots
  • Salt and pepper

First saute carrots, cut them bite size. Then boil the frozen spinach. Drain it. Squeeze out the extra water.

Beat eggs and add cheese and almond milk. I used about 1/4 cup of milk.

Then add nutritional yeast. Good to add if you are vegan.

Mix everything together and add salt and pepper. Put in a dish and cook on 350 for about an hour.

Caroline

anti-inflammatory · autoimmune · dairy free · eating healthy · gluten free · lifestyle blog · lipedema · lymphedema · personal blog · recipes · self-care · simple life · vegan

Continuing vegan meals

I started the Daniel Fast a few weeks ago as an inspiration to get back on track with my eating habits. I have an autoimmune illness, rheumatoid arthritis, lipedema, lymphedema and have to eat dairy free and gluten free.

I stopped eating meat, but I still eat seafood on occasion.

Today’s Lunch

I made brussel sprouts and pasta.

Here’s what I did

cut brussel sprouts in half, saute in olive oil with salt and pepper.

After it has cooked add cranberries pecans. With a little bit of red wine vinegar.

Then make the pasta, drain it. Put it back in the saucepan add olive oil and vegan Parmesan cheese.

I also added a cucumber tomato green pepper salad with balsamic vinegar dressing.

This was delicious. Light on the stomach and filling!

Caroline

anti-inflammatory · autoimmune · dairy free · eating healthy · gluten free · lifestyle blog · lipedema · lymphedema · personal blog · rheumatoid arthritis · self-care · spiritual · vegan

Day 10-Review of Daniel Fast

It’s been ten days since I started implementing the Daniel Fast. In a few words

It was hard to do!

But I survived. I had to keep seafood in my meals. But I only had 3 meals with seafood. I knew I would have a lack of protein. And this Fast was used as inspiration to pray, focus on the present, and to reset my body to eat foods that don’t trigger me.

My Grade

I feel like I got a C. I didn’t have as much fruit as I probably should, I needed to keep seafood in my meals, I had eggs and bread for breakfast.

But my grade for keeping myself focused on healthier foods for my autoimmune that’s a A+

Would I do this again

Yes. But I would like to learn new recipes with more protein. And I would like to focus on it as Daniel did. Only fruits and vegetables no processed foods.

Also I would need to do this when I have more time and energy to make those meals. My work schedule gets me exhausted so my effort to cook is limited.

What I learned

I learned that when I have a plan I can follow through on the task. I learned that cooking mostly vegan can be simple. I learned I need more cooking experience to eat vegan. And I learned that the earth’s food, God’s food is so much better. I learned that I don’t need meat.

I didn’t learn to let go of seafood. Honestly I am not sure I will. I like it too much.

I learned there’s no need for processed foods! And I wasn’t hungry for them.

But I do want a chocolate cake every once in awhile!

Let’s pray for those in the Hurricane Idalia path

Caroline

anti-inflammatory · autoimmune · dairy free · eating healthy · gluten free · lifestyle blog · lipedema · lymphedema · personal blog · rheumatoid arthritis · simple life · spiritual · vegan

Day 9-Daniel Fasting

I started out my breakfast with eggs and melon.

Then for lunch I made a veggie plate.

Roasted veggies

Collard greens

Mushrooms

Rice

Sprinkle vegan Parmesan cheese

Salt and pepper

Simple recipe. Simple to make.

I need to eat carbs!

I am hungry tonight. But I don’t have the energy to cook. Today I worked and was able to put my legs up to decrease the swelling. I had my compression socks on along with a dress that is loose.

My legs are swollen from lymphedema and lipedema. The swelling is causing difficulty to walk. I think it’s from the pressure on my foot with the weight of fluid on my foot.

The frustrating thing is with the Daniel Fast my digestion has improved there’s clarity in my thinking. But the fatigue and swelling is still around. At least I am not bloated.

But I’m hungry and want to simply eat something that is unhealthy just to fill the stomach quickly.

I had some grapes. But I don’t know what to eat. So I’m going to rest and if I wake up hungry I’ll find the energy to make something.

Not a good day on the Daniel fast

Caroline

autoimmune · dairy free · dinner · eating healthy · gluten free · lifestyle blog · lipedema · lunch · lymphedema · personal blog · rheumatoid arthritis · spiritual · vegan

Day 7 & 8-Daniel Fast

I forgot to post about day 7. For my dinner I had broccoli, red potatoes and fish. As I mentioned before I wanted to keep seafood as an option during this fast.

However this week I’m going to focus more on fruits and veggies and no seafood until Friday.

Today’s Lunch

Broccoli, roasted chickpeas, red potatoes with tea and water

As a snack red grapes

I noticed a difference with my clarity and spirituality.

But my lymphedema has not improved. In fact today I went to church, then went to the grocery store for a few items. I got back home and my sister wanted to go shopping. While shopping, I noticed on the full length mirror that my leg was super swollen. No wonder why my foot is in pain when walking.

Now I’m wondering if I need a handicapped parking space.

I decided to order a cane, because I know it’s getting worse. And I know that after resting when I get back up, I will limp on my foot causing difficulty to walk. The cane comes Tuesday.

I can cry, but I’m too numb to cry. I will pray instead

My Prayer

Lord, I am so happy for everything that you gave me. I cherish the life I have. Today I ask for strength and courage to continue on with my dreams as my health sometimes is slowing me down. I ask for your healing. Love you Jesus.

Caroline

eating healthy · lifestyle blog · mindfulness · personal blog · self-care · simple life · spiritual

Day 5-Daniel Fasting

I have read four chapters of the book of Daniel in the Bible.

Today, I started with pancakes.

I did not have time for lunch. But I drank water and tea.

Dinner was not the Daniel Fasting meal guideline. Like I mentioned in an earlier post, I’m going to include seafood. I wanted to make sure I got enough protein.

Today I had a salad, left over roasted potatoes and Salmon.

Results

I have lost some weight and feel so much better. I have not noticed any changes to lymphedema in my legs.

Also each day I have exercised. This focus of using the Daniel Fast as inspiration to get on a healthier track is helping.

It’s been an emotional week. My dog discovered a cat and her kittens behind my driveway. I took them in and hopefully someone will want to adopt them. I have six cats myself.

It’s been an emotional week. My dog got sick. She’s old so it made me upset.

I feel like spiritually God is preparing me for changes and strengthening my faith. I need to increase my prayer time. I’ll plan that tomorrow morning. Prayers at night causes me to fall asleep rather than meditate on it.

Caroline

anti-inflammatory · autoimmune · dairy free · dinner · eating healthy · gluten free · lifestyle blog · lipedema · lunch · lymphedema · personal blog · recipes · rheumatoid arthritis · self-care · simple life · spiritual · vegan

Day 2 – Daniel Fasting meal

Breakfast

Chicken bone broth

Boiled egg

Lunch

Fried egg over gluten free toast and spinach

(yes, toast is not part of the Daniel Fast, but this is my transition week to doing it more strictlyt next week)

Drinks during the day

Hot tea and water

Dinner

Simple meal

Boiled broccoli

Chickpeas cooked in olive oil with salt and pepper and tumeric

Rice

I was filled up and didn’t have anything else after this dinner.

Caroline

anti-inflammatory · autoimmune · dairy free · dinner · eating healthy · gluten free · lifestyle blog · lipedema · lymphedema · personal blog · recipes · rheumatoid arthritis · simple life · spiritual

Day one-preparing for Daniel Fasting

In order for me to get myself back into healthy eating I cleaned out my refrigerator and cabinets.

I decided this week I’m going to try mye best to start eating more veggies and fruit. But next week it’s 100% Daniel Fasting.

Breakfast

Chicken bone broth and a hard boiled egg, iced unsweetened green tea

Lunch

2 oranges, pistachios

Dinner

White rice, broccoli, shrimp, melon

Dessert

Banana and mixed berries smoothie with almond milk. Topped with gluten free granola

My main purpose of fasting is to help me to get back on track with my eating habits. But mostly to find guidance with God. I might keep seafood in my meals but not chicken or other meats. If I keep seafood I’ll have it once or twice a week.

And I am now feeling sick. I have a stuffy nose, a slight cough, fatigue and dry mouth. I have been around people lately and hope I didn’t catch a late summer cold or COVID.

Caroline

autoimmune · dairy free · eating healthy · gluten free · lifestyle blog · lipedema · lymphedema · personal blog · rheumatoid arthritis · self-care · simple life · spiritual · vegan

This Is Why

This is why I have

  • A headache
  • Stomach pains
  • Feel gassy
  • Diarrhea
  • Fatigue
  • Swelling
  • Depression
  • Anxiety

No wonder why I get a dry mouth and need a coke every night to get rid of my migraine.

So it stops and goes in the trash.

Dairy is a bad thing for me. I sabotaged my progress and allowed the devil to convince me it would be ok. I was feeling low and he got me.

Well now I have God, gone back to church and loving what I read in the Bible.

This is my transition week to the Daniel Fasting….

I will keep you posted

Caroline

dairy free · dinner · eating healthy · gluten free · lifestyle blog · lunch · personal blog · simple life

Cauliflower Gnocchi

My dinner tonight was cauliflower gnocchi, green beans, and chicken.

I recommend for you to try cauliflower gnocchi. I found it in the frozen section where the frozen vegetables are.

After it was cooked for 3 minutes. I put it in the skillet that the chicken was cooked in. I added Parmesan cheese. Don’t over heat it.

It was a great filling dinner!

Caroline