Managing a flu/fever with a chronic illness

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A few weeks ago, I was shivering under 5 heavy blankets with a fever.  While all bundled up in my bed, I thought back to the last time I was battling a flu.  It was about 2 years ago when I was early in my Colitis journey. I was hit with a stomach bug which eventually triggered a pretty bad flare. Since I was quite inexperienced with how to manage the newly diagnosed chronic illness, I was afraid to take any over the counter medication, I was even afraid to take any natural remedy like oil of oregano or garlic as they can also increase digestion symptoms, so I roughed it out by taking lots of Epsom salt baths. I remember even drinking water hurt my insides but I had to keep myself hydrated with coconut water. I had terrible hunger pangs from not eating for 5 days and ended up loosing a pound a day.

This time around I am more confident how to nurse myself back to health. I believe the year of being on AIP has really healed my gut. My body is much stronger to deal with seasonal sickness. Don't get me wrong, the fever was not fun! I slept most of my day. My children were worried as they watch me shiver but I assured them that I will be ok, whereas 2 years ago, I really didn't know how I would get myself out of the flu.

The million dollar questions about AIP is "how long does it take to heal?" I used to count how many months I was on the protocol, but I don't anymore. I just know that this is the right direction for me to continue to support my health. It is a lifestyle, not a diet.

Besides rest,  here are some of the home remedies I used to help speed up the recovery ( disclaimer: I am not qualify to give medical advice nor can I suggest medication even though the following are remedies )

• Cell salt: Ferr Phos can help with inflammation like fever in the body
• Epsom salt bath. 2 -3 times a day and I made sure to stay hydrated 
• I added Lavender and rosemary oil in my bath and in my diffuser. I am learning more about using essential oils to support my health so stay tuned for more. 
• I up my Vitamin C supplement to bowel tolerance. This means I increase dosage in small increments ( 250mg - 500mg) until I get loose stool. I have to be careful with this one as I don't want to trigger my UC symptoms
• I increase my Vitamin D supplements for a few days until I feel improvement
• LOTS of bone broth

I tolerate Astragalus well if the my cold and flu is a stubborn one. While I was researching for this post, I finally read up more about the TH1/ TH2 pathway dominance theory. There are a lot of information out there on this healing path and we don't assimilate the knowledge well until we are ready for it. I am finally ready to understand more about this theory. It looks like I am most likely ( not proven by testing )TH2 dominant according to the two links by Mickey Trescott listed below. 

Preventative measures 

The following are what I practice to ward off the germs

Oil pulling - removes bacteria/ viruses hiding in our mouths

Neti pot - removes bacteria/ viruses hiding in our nasal passage

Drink more hot teas - hot teas help loosen mucus

Getting enough Vitamin D
Again... bone broth! I find a 10-12 hours simmer works best for me, longer cook time can increase the histamine. This article from The Paleo PI explains why. 

Here is a great article from the Paleo mom about How long is it going to take to? Finding Patience with the AIP

These link shares Mickey Trescott at The Autoimmune Paleo's explanation on the Th1/ TH2 pathway
http://www.thepaleomom.com/2013/01/guest-post-by-mickie-trescott-what-is-the-role-of-th1-and-th2-in-autoimmune-disease.html
 http://autoimmune-paleo.com/cold-and-flu-remedies-for-the-autoimmune-sufferer/

If you are fighting a flu I hope you feel better soon. Get lots of rest and stay hydrated and if you try any of the remedies on my list, let me know which ones helped.

AIP/ Paleo in Vegas

My hot yoga balcony studio

I am finally sitting down to finish off my Vegas travel post after listening to Phoenix Helix's podcast on Paleo Travels. If you haven't listened to it, I highly recommend you do even if you don't have a trip planned in the near future.

I was a bit apprehensive about this trip to Las Vegas mid August. Firstly, it was the first flight travel since my diagnosis; packing my kitchen in the van for a road trip is easier than condense packing that involved security checks and liquid limitations. Secondly, I wasn't sure how I would take to the extreme hot desert temperature. Thirdly, we were there for work ( tradeshow time ) so it was easier and cheaper to stay on the strip and not rent a car. I was unsure where I would buy fresh produce. However,  my excitement to be traveling sans children for the first time - EVER overcame all my distresses. 

What I packed: the million dollar questions for AIPers

Beside the usual canned and dried goods ( canned smoked oysters, plantain chips, coconut apple bars ), I cooked up this seared ahi tuna, broccoli and purple yam meal and packed it in a cooler bag to eat on the plane. Luckily, I wasn't hungry on the flight so I ate part of this as my late dinner at the hotel. Note the children utensils for airport security purpose?

I haven't been to Vegas for probably 7 years so when my husband said that he would books a nice hotel because I was coming, I didn't know what to expect. To my delight, we stayed at the Cosmopolitan which were originally built as apartments so the rooms had a fridge, dishwasher and microwave. The fridge part was already filled with overpriced beverages but there was room in the freezer to put my food. The tuna lasted well in the freezer as I snacked on it over the course of my stay. To prevent temptation I covered the tray "moment of weakness" candies and snacks on the counter with a towel. I also pre-made and froze some of Kaiku lifestyle's plantain pancake as another source of AIP carbs. 

Testing the heat

I start my day with hot yoga on the balcony. The reason why people pay more money for hot yoga classes is because the heat makes you more flexible and bendy. 20 minutes later and I was sweating.

Then I went to the pool for a dip, I was the only person in the oddly shaped pool trying to do some form of laps.

After I cleaned up,  I made my way to the trade shows to meet my husband. If you have been to Vegas, you will know how every hotel looks so much closer than the seem.  You can usually see the hotel you are heading to but because they are so big, you still have be walk at least 15 mins. I was sure glad I packed my snacks for the tradeshow because their prices for fruits was crazy - a banana or apple was $5US. In the evening, I was pleased to find a little market place where I bought some fresh produce at decent prices for the rest of our stay.

Here are a couple dinners I had on the Strip.

Taro chips mushroom avocado ceviche appetizer at Carson Kitchen. I gave the cherry tomatoes to my husband.

BBP ( Bobby' Burger Palace ) - burger on salad greens, again hubs got the tomato 

For lunch on our last day in Vegas, we tried the buffet at the Wicked Spoon. Here is the true test how I fare with all the food.  - selective, not quantity but quality. Meats, Roast beef, house cured bacon, crispy pork, smoked salmon, carrot mango ginger lime juice, gluten free dessert

Grilled salmon

Being very cautious with my selection

smoke salmon

Carrot, ginger, mango juice

My Five finger shoes stood up to the test

So how did I do with all my initial concerns about this trip?

On the Strip with no car? No problem as I was prepared with compliant food, I was not bothered with walking as long as I stayed hydrated and look for shade if I am out in the sun. I think the extra Vitamin really powered my body.

Food? The heat actually decreased my appetite, with the extra activities like pool time, tradeshow and  just plain experiencing this surreal city, I ate less. And I did find some normal priced produces while we were off the strip. The buffet wasn't as scary an experience as I imagined. Just because it was there, doesn't mean I had to eat it. I really enjoyed the foods I chose and went back for seconds. 

How did this trip improve my health? My body really benefitted from the sunlight and heat, I am unsure whether my body reacts to heat differently comparing to before but the extreme heat seems to be what my body loves. I joked that I will become a leather faced retiree living in Palm Spring. This was such a great little recharge getaway. Don't get me wrong, I love my kids but being able to just focus on myself and my husband is a real treat for any parent once in a while. All I focused on was getting enough water and how to get to my next destination - the simple joy on wonder!

Sweet Beets and Plantain burger patty

Restaurants usually add a lot of sugar in their food to improve taste and make them addictive. Here I am using naturally sweet vegetables like beets and ripe plantain to make these AIP low FODMAP burger patty as irresistible as the ones in dining out meals. Hope you like it!

Makes 12 patties  Prep time 15 mins  Cook time 10 mins

Ingredient

• 2 lbs ground pork ( pastured raised are best ) 
• 3/4 lbs ground beef ( pastured raised are best ) 
• 1 small beet root ( golf ball size ), peeled and cut into quarters
• 1 medium ripe plantain, peeled and cut into 1" pieces
• 1 leek ( greens only for lowFODMAP), clean and cut into 1" sections
• 1 tsp sea salt ( I used pink himalayan salt)
• 1/4 tsp AIP 4 spice mix or cinnamon
• Frying fat of your choice ( I used coconut oil here) 

Method

1. Put all cut vegetable ( except plantain )  into food processor and pulse into ( roughly rice size ) small pieces,  add plantain last, ripe plantain will make mixture into a paste. 
2. Mix in salt and spice/ cinnamon
3. Empty mixture into large bowl and hand mix in ground meats, you can also stir with wooden spoon or use a masher
4. Heat frying pan on medium heat, add fat
5. Form mixture into 2-3" patty size and fry until cook ( 3 - 5 mins each side) Keep in mind that the Beets will make it more reddish so it might be safer to cook longer. The vegetable keeps it moist and tender. 
6. Serve with your favorite sides or double portion and freeze exta. 

Warm Purple yam apple porridge

I survived 4 days of Las Vegas on AIP/ Paleo and came back to more moderate temperature back home ( Stay tuned for a post about my 43C/110F journey.) My early morning walks has become a little nippy comparing to hot yoga on the hotel balcony. I went out for my jaunt around the neighbourhood and felt to desire for a tummy warming breakfast when I get home. Here is what I stirred up. It's quick and easy and hit the spot. 

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Serves 2   Prep time 5 mins    Cook time 10 mins


Ingredients

• 1 medium purple ( or other yam, peeled and cut into 1/2" pieces)
• 1/2  apple ( peeled, cored and cut into pieces) 
• 1/2 c coconut milk ( affiliate link:  I use this one ) 
• 1/4 c shredded large coconut flakes ( affiliate link: I use this one)
• 1/2 c water

(Optional) garnish with mint leaves

Instructions

1. Put cut yam pieces into a medium size pot with water and cook at medium heat for 5 minutes or until soft
2. Add apples and cook for another 3 mins or until apples are soft, turn off heat
3. Mash yam and apples with a potato masher or fork
4. Add coconut milk and mix well. If the mixture is too runny, you can simmer it for a few minutes to reduce the liquids.
5. Pour into your favorite bowl and top with shredded coconut flakes 
6. Optional garnish with mint leaves. 

Enjoy this hearty warm and colorful bowl as  a meal or snack 

Get into my belly Sunshine!

ps. This is not me 

I have worn one piece bathing suits for my entire adult life until a couple years ago. I was a rounder kid and teenage and never lost that image in my head even when I started to lean out. In the past couple years, the sudden and dramatic weight lost from my UC flare gave me a different body image to think about. There were times when I was afraid to look in the mirror because I was skin and bones. After I returned to a healthy weight for height and body frame, I have also gained self confidence to bare a bit more skin. It wasn't until I learned about the importance of Vitamin D absorption through the skin from this article  that I gather courage to bare my mid section in public.

Maybe with age, I am less self conscious about the idea of showing tummy.  I know this is usually the opposite for most women but I tend to regress in my process.  As a late  "two piece bathing suit" bloomer, I have to learn how to buy and wear a bikini. Shopping for bathing suits, let alone bikini can be nerve wrecking, I searched online for tips and tried on different styles and finally found a few options for my pear shaped body.

Besides learning the basics of how to pick a swim suit for my body type,  I came across couple articles that shows how swimsuit photoshoot in the media are digitally modified. My favorite finds are several links of real people wearing bathing suits and a model reaction to her photo being highly altered. Hope these will remind us all what the human body is suppose to look like.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/laraparker/heres-what-victorias-secret-swimsuits-look-like-on-real-wome#.geoZk3j10

http://aplus.com/a/australian-model-maeghan-kausman-photoshop-image-fella-swim

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/11/target-photoshop-fail_n_4940819.html

Untouched Swimsuit Campaign
http://www.buzzfeed.com/norawhelan/more-like-denise-bad-ot#.hba4d1X0l

Real Beach bodies
http://www.xojane.com/issues/real-beach-bodies-gallery#&gid=ci01bbc52e3003efe2&pid=photo202_4


At the end of the day, I learned a lot about body image and how much confidence has to do with it. When I am out there baring my tummy,  I focus more about absorbing Vitamin D through the skin, especially around my belly. With bellydancing and yoga, I am feeling more and more comfortable in my own skin.

So while the sun is still beaming down at us, get out there and get some Vitamin D for the sake of your digestion. I dare you!

Chicken Tenders Recipe Roundup

Photo credit from the talented Sweet Treats: Food, Photography, Life

As parents,  we have many responsibilities in guiding our next generation to make their own decisions as they grown up; making healthy food choices is one of them.  Sometimes children are reluctant with trying new foods because of sensory sensitivity.  Some kids are sensitive to certain texture in their meals, others maybe be put off by the visuals on their plate, smell also plays an important role in appealing to the little ones' interest in their food.

When I came across this article I shared on my Facebook about a 17 years old girl who only ate chicken nuggets ( Yes ONLY) since she was 2, I struck up a few conversations with parents about their experience on the topic.  With this inspiration, I decided to do a recipe round up for AIP chicken tenders you can make at home for the little one.  I agree, chicken fingers/ tender are yummy and easy to eat, especially for young ones, but you don't have to rely on the fast food industry.

Thank you to all the contributors for this recipe round up.

http://www.thebaconmum.com/orangechickentenders/

http://www.grazedandenthused.com/#!Crispy-CarrotChicken-Tenders-AIPFriendly/cu6k/68D92AD2-4BC4-499B-8921-7E0062A3E250

http://www.beyondthebite4life.com/2014/11/kid-friendly-meal-part-1-chicken-tenders-aip.html

https://salixisme.wordpress.com/2014/04/29/bacon-wrapped-chicken-fingers/

http://sweet-treats-baking.blogspot.ca/2015/02/plantain-chip-chicken-aip-paleo.html?m=1

Clean

Besides food, a holistic lifestyle need to supported by ways like removing as much harmful chemicals as possible out of our every day lives.

In the past two years, I have gradually switched over household cleaning products through trail and error. Some natural cleaning products don't work very well and others are just not economical.

I thought I would share the safe cleaners I have found that works for me and are affordable.
Pink Solution - I use Pink Solution ( a Canadian product ) in my laundry and as an all purpose cleaner.  I make the heavy mix as suggested on their packaging and add 30 drops of my favorite essential oils to the 4 Galloon bottle.  I use 1/2 c of the heavy mix per load of laundry. For the all purpose cleaner, I dilute the heavy mix with water  ( 1 part mix to 4 parts water ) and use in a pump bottle for all purpose cleaning. For a spray bottle I dilute it more ( 1 part heavy mix to 6 part water)  I found this to be the best degreaser and soap scum remover. It really shines up my kitchen and bathrooms. I also use Mother's Choice  ( made by the same company as Pink Solution )to clean non-porous surfaces that may need little elbow grease.

I use Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile soup in several ways, we bath with it, use it as dish soup ( hand washing) and I like to mop with it. There was a recently change in their formula to include non-GMO corn in their product so if you are sensitive to corn, please take note. 

For dishwasher detergent, I was still searching high and low for a recipe that cleans well until Christina from A Clean Plate gave me her recipe here I still need to source out citric acid to see how that affect the cleaning power but so far her recipe is pretty good. Thank you
Below are a few more resources on  products I mentioned above and some extra cleaning recipes for you to try.

https://pinksolution.ca
https://www.drbronner.com
http://www.davidsuzuki.org/publications/downloads/2011/QueenOfGreen-Green-cleaning-recipes.pdf
http://food52.com/blog/13568-the-6-all-natural-cleaning-products-you-should-be-making-at-home

What do you use to clean? Do you have a favorite natural cleaning product recipe you would like to share?