Bloodwork

So, just before Christmas – after a strict 3 months VGF – I repeated my bloodwork. The results were impressive. My iron was normal (Hemoglobin 126) and my iron stores were higher than I have known them to be (Ferritin 64). Interestingly, I was now hyper-thyroid – as in now it was over-active, not under (TSH 0.02[much too low], T3 25 [too high – range is 12-21]). Given this, my GP recommended that I drop my meds by one pill a week.

Just this week I repeated my bloodwork. Please recall that I’ve really only be back on strictly GFV for less than a month.

My iron is the same, my iron stores have plummeted (Ferritin 22). And my thyroid is worse than it’s been in a year. TSH was 3.61 and T3 was 13 (barely normal). No wonder the Christmas weight has been sticking around and I’ve been dragging my ass!

Seriously?! I would have expected a small change in my thyroid given my meds were adjusted. But the rest of it? Could my diet really have been making THAT much of a difference? It’s the only explanation – nothing else changed!!

Scary, isn’t it?

Hummus is a lifestyle!

I have what I believe to be an unnatural LOVE of hummus. I could eat it morning, noon, and night. With rice crackers, veggies, or straight from the container with a spoon. And the nice thing is, it’s a tasty, healthy snack. It travels well (a plus for us midwife types) and, with the help of a few baby carrots, it is easy to eat one handed. Many a container of hummus has been devoured in my car while I have been racing around town catching and weighing babies. My friend’s husband (a meat and potatoes kind of guy) teases me about my hippy ways, and says “Hummus isn’t food, it’s a lifestyle”. Well Scott, it’s a lifestyle I am happy to embrace!

And now, thanks to Angela over at Oh She Glows, my love has been upgraded to obsession. I adjusted her recipe just a smidge to make it less lemony and more garlicky. We have been making this hummus every couple of days!

[It helps that I have started canning my own beans, so I can get a can of organic chickpeas for what works out to be about 60 cents!]

So, here’s the recipe – so super easy! The longest part of making it is peeling the garlic I think….

HUMMUS:

2 cups cooked/canned chickpeas, liquid reserved and set aside
1 tsp sea salt (more or less to taste and depending on if your chickpeas are salted)
3 garlic cloves
1/3 cup tahini
4 tablespoons lemon juice (fresh squeezed is best)
2 tablespoons reserved chickpea liquid
4-8 drops of hot sauce (I use Franks Red Hot)

Olive Oil for drizzling
Paprika for garnish
Things to eat it with: rice crackers, pita, carrots, bell peppers (or eliminate the middleman and just use a spoon!)

Directions: Throw everything into a food processor or Vitamix. Blend well. Be amazed at how easy this was and how good it tastes.

To serve: Spread out on a dinner plate, about 3/4 inch thick. Drizzle with a bit of olive oil and sprinkle with paprika. Garnish with a couple of kalamata olives if you’re feeling really authentic! The olive oil and paprika really make all the flavours pop!

Makes about 2 cups that will theoretically keep in the fridge for 4-5 days in a sealed container. Ours has never lasted that long because we just don’t give it a chance!

Hello diligence, I’ve missed you!

Well, it’s been a little over a week since I returned to my strict dietary ways and I’m SO glad I did. Within the past 10 days I have had more energy, less bloating, less backpain, lost a pound and have re-created happy bowels.

The GFV life is good. 🙂

Interestingly, when I first started, it took a few weeks to really notice any changes. But I kept chugging along and slowly began to heal. Unfortunately, as I fell from grace, the old feelings and symptoms gradually crept back in, almost imperceptibly….until, WHAM-O, period of death! Now that I’ve been strict about what I’m eating however, it’s like my body wants to encourage this positive behaviour. “Quick, make her feel good – we NEED her to keep doing this”!!

Well dear body, I have heard your plea. I promise to continue feeding you only what makes you feel good. Nice wholesome, natural, anti-inflammatory, plant based foods. All I ask in return is that you stop attacking yourself and continue healing the damage that has been done…ok? Thanks!