After deciding to go dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free, and refined sugar-free, the first huge item I gave up was milk. Well…actually, the first item I knocked to the curb was refined sugar. Sugar is bad altogether. It feeds infection and lots of other stuff, but that’s another post altogether. But to give up milk… that was extremely hard for me. I love milk so much…always have…and I probably always will. But more than I love milk, I love the way I feel when I stay away from milk and dairy products.
The next big item I gave up was bread…any and all kinds of bread (except homemade biscuits, for a minute). We’d gotten to where we’d have breakfast for supper almost every week, and we love homemade biscuits! All good things must come to an end, I guess. I’ve tried – one time – to make biscuits out of coconut flour, and the texture and taste both were like a block of sand. No lie. I shall try again, but next time I’ll use almond flour!
The next big change I made was incorporating a green smoothie into my daily diet. The recipe I follow comes from Dr. Izabella Wentz, author of Hashimoto’s: The Root Cause, and The Hashimoto’s Protocol, among others. These two books are extremely full of so much information. I have not finished either one of them, and I keep going back over those chapters I’ve finished. I am really so very thankful to have stumbled upon these gold mines of resources.
thyroidpharmacist.comThe base ingredients of this smoothie are as follows:
- super greens (spinach, kale, chard)
- basil
- carrots
- celery
- cucumber
- coconut milk
- avocado (for a creamier consistency)
- sea salt (to help the adrenals)
- Pea Proten
- OPTIONAL INGREDIENTS:
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- blueberries to sweeten it a bit (I use frozen)
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- cilantro
The recipe calls for the Rootcology pea protein, the star ingredient, but I have not yet added the protein, for it isn’t in the budget at the moment. But for those with Hashimoto’s, this particular pea protein, as well as the Al Paleo Beef protein, are key because they both created just for the purpose of helping those with food sensitivities (such as dairy, gluten and soy) be able to get the protein they need without the adverse affects that other protein powders can have on the body. Other protein powders use fillers that have dairy, soy or whey, and that is a no-no for those with Hashimoto’s. I have a lack of energy most days, and I’m sure it has everything to do my not getting the amount of protein I need in order to fuel my engine. I’m anxious to see how the protein affects my energy levels once I’m able to incorporate it into my budget. Click here to read about these particular protein powders, as well as other supplements made available for different needs and deficiencies.
This smoothie is definitely a green smoothie, but be warned: once you add blueberries, it turns brown. The more blueberries you add, the more brown it becomes. It can end up looking like baby poo! – Very aesthetically pleasing to the eyes! ha I’ve never had a problem drinking this smoothie; it tastes really good, and I actually look forward to drinking it every day. The fact that I don’t have any adverse reactions from it is always a plus! It truly does help your gut operate so much better, and I am still amazed at the difference!
Click here to find the recipe for the green smoothie on Dr. Izabella Wentz’s website at thyroidpharmacist.com. She suggests optional boosts to include in your smoothie, as well as some taste hacks should you not like the creamier consistency of the smoothie, or should you want it to be a bit sweeter. She gives so much more helpful information that it truly would be beneficial to hop on over and check out her website.
What have you recently given up for better health, and what other food have you put in it’s place? I’d love to know!
“This is the day that the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.” ~Psalm 118:24
“Joy is the serious business of heaven.” ~C.S. Lewis~
Weary?