We cheated....[paleo recap]

So, Andrew and I cheated on our paleo diet today. It was totally planned, since we recently completed 30 days of pretty strict paleo. As mentioned in an earlier post, we have been planning this day for a while. The verdict:

Yep, we already feel the effects. Andrew is a little worse than me, but he's always had very pronounced tummy issues. Our cheat meals of choice tonight were:

Andrew-papa john's pizza (extra cheese, extra pepperoni, extra sauce, and one 1/2 with bacon)

Meagan-zaxby's chicken finger plate with extra sauce

I will say that the best part was just knowing I could eat it. Honestly, I don't miss the feeling afterwards. Robb Wolf is right....30 days of paleo just doesn't let you "go back" to your old ways.

So, I'm sure we'll stick with the gluten free aspect of paleo, but I've loved the positive aspects of true paleo as well. I am fitting into clothes that I'd taken out of the lineup a while ago. "College jeans" have been my favorite new returned wardrobe item!

*disclaimer: true paleo is eating only raw vegetables* However, for us that's just not completely feasible. So, we figure veggies are better than no veggies at all.

After reading Robb Wolf's book, The Paleo Solution, I'm convinced that we are all celiac patients...just to varying degrees. Your body's just not made to digest gluten (found in wheat, barley, and rye). I also believe that we are addicted to refined sugar and processed foods. I am speaking from personal experience. The proof's in the outcome after 30 days! I have told tons of people about this new lifestyle, and have actually had a lot willing/wanting to try it. So, the paleo "lifestyle" is spreading. I think the biggest plus is that this is more than just a diet. Once you get past the initial hurdle of detoxing your body from it's bad food habits, you feel so much better. Some cases have even shown a REVERSE in disease process. Hello? Why would you NOT just at least give it a 30 day try? I will warn you though...it's not for the weak. It will take some discipline. If you have it, go for it. If not...keep feeling like junk every time you eat junk. It's up to you! I'm not saying that you can't cheat every once and a while. I know that we will (especially around the holidays.) However, you'll really start examining what you eat and why. This is the best thing that I learned after 30 days. I'm so glad that we did it, and I can't wait to see how it impacts our health in the future!!!

The "health"-y blog post

Well, the Winburns are presently going through some health "stuff" (as I like to call it.) I guess we could break the content of this post down into 2 categories:

1. Diagnosis 2. Diet

1. :::::Diagnosis:::::

Well, it's official: My thyroid stinks at doing it's job. Actually, it's a little bit of an over-achiever (in true Meagan "Brown" fashion!) To make this waaaaay less shorter and complicated than I could, let's just say this: My thyroid actually is producing too much of the thyroid hormone. The history and road to diagnosis is a really long story, too long for blogging tonight...but I'll try to hit the hightlights.

• Fall 2008: My Dr. felt a thyroid nodule during a routine exam
• After a series of tests, the ENT suggested that they aspirate (draw the fluid off) my thyroid cyst. Tests showed it non-cancerous!
• Winter 08-Summer 2010: Thought I was back to normal.
• Summer 2010-Summer 2011: I started seeing a slow progression of developing symptoms including: fatigue, body aches, hair loss, weight gain, stomach upset, skin issues, irritability, and the worst of all: Anxiety! Yes, even in normal places, around normal people, and especially before singing or anything where my adrenaline would rush.

So, this past June--I had enough. I went to the Doctor, and he really dismissed most of my symptoms. However, he did feel another nodule, so he ordered another thyroid ultrasound and bloodwork that day (which was normal.....normal!) After having my ultrasound, another (bigger) cyst was found in the same spot as the last one. This time, they found calcifications in it--which isn't always an issue. Not wanting to routinely follow it anymore, the doctor referred me to a surgeon, endocrinologist, and ordered a radioactive iodine thyroid uptake scan. The uptake scan showed that I had hyperthyroidism (actually, fairly bad!) He immediately put me on medication as well.

Unfortunately, endocrinologists (especially good ones) are hard to find in Columbia, so would you believe that I'm still waiting on my October 4th appointment!???!!! I did have a surgical consult with an awesome, helpful and informative doctor. He, although very knowledgeable seemed very puzzled by my case, seeing as how not all of my symptoms or even my lab work matches with hyperthyroidism. Other ideas he has are a toxic adenoma or even a pituitary tumor. Yep, my brain. So, we will know more once I see the endo. in a few weeks.

Until then, I think I'm handling the waiting and wondering fairly well. Sometimes, I get frustrated with "normal" people who take their health for granted. I get angry when I see those who are lazy, when I'd give anything for just one ounce of their energy. I get frustrated than Andrew and I can't even begin to think about starting our family, because I could be faced with radioactive treatment or brain surgery. Not to mention that the meds I'm on would be detrimental to a baby's growth and development. It's easy to foster these thoughts and feelings, but then, I'm totally stopped by God's overwhelming peace and His desire for me to completely trust in Him. God never said that this life would be easy, but He has promised to never leave us alone. That promise alone is what helps me stay centered. He is teaching me through this, and for that--I'm humbled and thankful.

So, that's that. I'll keep you all posted as we know more.

2. ::::Die-t::::

Yes, you read correctly. I spelled it like "die" with a "t," because that's simply what I felt like when Andrew and I started the paleo diet a few weeks ago. I have been begging Andrew for the longest time to try going gluten-free. I believe that he has celiac disease (an intolerance to gluten, which is found in wheat, barley, and rye...or just about anything you eat. His stomach stinks...literally. I mean, he has a horrible stomach, is lactose intolerant, and has acid reflux. Apparently, my nursing knowledge doesn't extend outside newborn babies, because he has refused my advice (and begging) for some time now. About a month ago, I put out an ultimatum:

Me: "Andrew, if you don't go get blood work done to test you for celiac disease then we're going to try a gluten free diet to see if you feel better!"

Andrew:"Well, if you call the doctor....(and then a line of excuses)"

Me:"Ok, Andrew...it's like this: Either we do something to try to fix this, or you have to stop complaining about it!"

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not a horrible and mean wife. I genuinely understand that he complains because his stomach is awful, but I just want him healthy and well. That's the reason for the ultimatums. ;-) Let me also add that Andrew is not a chronic complainer. It's just at times, and I'll stress: it's warranted.

So, after some influence from our friend and workout guru, Bo, Andrew and I decided to try the paleo diet based on Robb Wolf's book. Let me tell. This is certainly a change for us. The foods you can't have would take another couple of hours to list, so I'll just let you know what we eat now....

1. meat

2. vegetables

3. fruit (although you should go easy on this if wanting to lose weight)

4. nuts (but of course, not most people's fave: peanuts)

5. fats (oils and nuts are included in this)

6. beverages consist of water, black coffee or tea....not sweet tea (closet fact: I am southern born and bred, and I don't drink sweet tea. Yes, it's true.)

So, that means: No processed foods, no bread (since you eliminate gluten on this diet), no starchy carbs (potatoes), no beans (legumes), no dairy, no sugar, and no to most of the things you might find in your pantry/frig.

To break it down: You eat like a hunter-gatherer would...like a man who lived hundreds of years ago. They ate from land and from sea. It's really simple if you look at it that way. Now, we are actually modifying the diet just a bit in that we cook most of our veggies. True paleo suggests raw, but hey....something's gotta give. I'd love to totally attempt to explain the in's and out's of this diet, but you really should just research it or read the book if you want more. It's more than just gluten free. Even gluten free diets can consist of stuff that at the root is still bad for you: gluten free desserts still have sugar, gluten free pasta is still an empty carb, and just because something says organic doesn't mean it's good for you. "Naturally" bad is still bad. So, we're taking it a step up and being much more disciplined than just your average gluten free diet.

I will admit that I've cheated a couple of times, and let me tell you: I felt the effects hardcore afterwards. We actually feel much better on this diet, and are trying to stay committed for 30 days. Then, we're modifying this baby. I'm serious. Before modifying though, we're giving ourselves a "cheat" day. Yep, a whole day of cheating. Andrew's already planned out his menu, although Bo thinks that Andrew won't make it til 3pm because he'll be so sick from having gluten again. Here's Andrew's menu:

B'fast: dunkin' donuts and coffee (probably with cream and sugar)

Lunch: Jersey Mike's (italian sub) helllllllloooooooo gluten

Dinner (if he makes it): Papa John's pizza

People ask why we're doing this. Well, I explained to you about Andrew, but I have my reasons as well.

1. It makes more sense financially for us to eat the same thing. That, or else I become like a short order cook....one meal for Andrew & one for me. No way!

2. This diet is proven to help with many health issues, such as autoimmune disorders, like celiac. It can even help with thyroid issues. So, I thought I'd give it a shot for this reason as well. Hey, I must say....I do feel better.

Well, that's enough rambling for tonight. We'll keep you posted on the diet as well. 13 days until we get to cheat...officially!