Brain fog

I realise that I have been incredibly quiet of late. In truth it has not been an easy few weeks. I set up this blog partly hoping that it would help others feel motivated and so felt disinclined to post recently as I struggle to write positive words.

I think in all honesty that it's a combination of factors. Post wedding blues have definitely hit me. After months of planning towards one big day I have come back to not having anything to focus on. Fortunately I start my nutrition course at the end of September, but time certainly is dragging it's heels in the meantime. I am also looking for a part-time job, and my first two applications didn't even get me an interview which was disheartening. More than anything, I have been experiencing endless stomach cramps, battled with a stomach so bloated that it hurts and just generally felt incredibly tired! I cannot wait to see the Doctor at the beginning of September and hope I will get some answers. Some people are sympathetic while others talk to me like it's a choice. As a big foody I have really struggled with the changeover in my diet. Cooking at home is not a problem because I can be creative and create delicious dishes (if I may say so myself) but sometimes eating out leaves me wanting to cry. 

There is also the added complication in that now I'm not always entirely sure when it's food intolerance related cramps or whether it's just endo rearing it's ugly head. My last cycle was terrible, so hoping for an easier ride this time round.

I have tried to be positive and have come up with an action plan:

1. Intensive driving lessons so I can make the most of my free time and hopefully pass this side of 2014!
2. Lose the honeymoon weight with lots of clean eating.
3. Start yoga again.
4. Focus on keeping busy and being proactive, I might even start limiting my time on the laptop. 

I've been dragged down by the ugly beast before, I won't let depression win this time round. You know why? Because none of this will matter a few months from now, and even now, I have so much to be happy for!

Well, that's me right now. The uncensored version.

I hope you are all keeping well, and hope to blog soon with some delicious recipes that I have been trialing in the kitchen. For the last two weeks I have been challenging myself to cook only vegetarian dishes (GF and LF of course!) and I have surprised myself with how satisfying and nourishing they are. More on that to come soon...

xxx

 Tuna & Pepper Salad in Barbate, Andalucia, Spain

Pssst!

I am on twitter!

https://twitter.com/EndoftheEndo

I would love to hear from you.

Summer Coolers

Well, I don't know about you but it's blistering hot here! After a rather decadent honeymoon where I definitely indulged in too much alcohol, sugar and fried foods I am back on the healthy wagon, and it feels great! I don't know about you other endo sisters, but I definitely find that my totm is hideous after a period of over indulgence (ie xmas/holidays). I haven't had to look hard for motivation because my body is positively screaming for some TLC. Aside from feeling uncomfortable and sluggish (to put it mildly), my brain is on slow-mo and in need of a boost too.

With all that in mind, I was determined to find a healthy and interesting way to consume more fluids. With these kind of temperatures it's essential, otherwise I find myself easily veering towards ice lollies, big fruity smoothies and cordial drinks. In the winter I drink herbal teas constantly throughout the day, but with this kind of weather hot herbal teas just do not appeal to me.

Then bingo! I saw it, a water infuser. Now that looked like a fun play toy, and after lots of glasses of cucumber and lemon infused water in a Las Vegas spa, I knew just how refreshing it can be.

I am currently supping on some lemon and ginger water, happy in the knowledge that there's no added sugar, that ginger is anti inflammatory, and I'm sure I don't even need to begin on the benefits of lemon water! If I find some tasty combinations I'll be sure to share them with you. I plan on experimenting with herbs next!

So what do you do to treat yourself while still sticking to a healthy diet? I'd love to hear from you.

Inspiration

I've come to realise that I am building up quite a collection of interesting articles/people/blogs and as this is more of an online journal than a formal blog, I feel the need to make a note of them.

If you happen to stumble by and you're interested in nutrition, and using nutrition to fight illness, these blogs and pages may be of interest to you.

In no particular order -

http://www.skinnybitch.net/

The book that introduced me to nutrition, in a very easy to read and witty book.

http://www.joshiclinic.co.uk/index.htm

The book that introduced me to alkaline diets.

http://www.pollynoble.com/ 

http://kriscarr.com/

Both of these ladies investigated nutrition themselves in their fight against cancer. Both incredibly inspirational.

http://kimberlysnyder.net/blog/

New York Times best selling Author and it's obvious why! Her enthusiasm is infectious.

http://www.goop.com/

I don't follow this thoroughly but I really like Gwynnie's recipes!

http://www.hungryforchange.tv/

One of the first documentaries I watched. It echoes the opinions expressed in most of the reading above. 

And on my to watch list.

http://www.forksoverknives.com/about/

http://kriscarr.com/products/crazy-sexy-cancer/

and

http://www.fatsickandnearlydead.com/about.html

I'll let you know my thoughts on those in another post!

http://www.thechinastudy.com/

I can't say much about this as I am currently reading it, but it has been regularly referred to in many articles so I have high hopes. The first few pages have not disappointed.

As you can see there is not a particular pattern that I am following, I am gleening as much information as I can from different sources and trying to be as open minded as I can be.

An article that caught my attention today was this one:

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2013/jul/26/vitamins-health-paul-offit-qanda

And that is all for now. x