Minimalist Pantry and Look Better Naked

I haven't done a minimalist post in a while because...well, it just wasn't funny or as exciting as cleaning out my underwear drawer:)  I have been cleaning out, but I spared you all the boringness of the kids' rooms and our play room, but we were able to donate two garbage bags of clothes that don't fit and some toys and books they no longer play with.  Everything is organized...for now...by next week I am sure it will be a mess again:)  I finally got my daughter's shelves hung and my son's have some of their medals on the walls now.  So the next project that I wanted to tackle is my pantry.

I have actually been working on the pantry all summer in attempts by Levi and I wanting to look better naked.  Levi really doesn't need to lose weight but he wants to work on areas that have gone soft.  I do need to lose some weight but more importantly want to be healthy.  I have had some annoying health issues the past couple of years involving my thyroid.  It is amazing what this tiny little gland controls in your body and ways that it wreaks havoc when it doesn't work properly.

Before my thyroid issues, losing weight was a challenge but not an impossible climbing Everest sort of task.  After, it has been really hard and I actually put on 10-15 pounds without changing anything.  My endocrinologist told me to switch to a 1300 calorie diet.  I did that for three weeks and was starving ALL THE TIME...and didn't lose a thing.  I felt sick and often light headed.  I was 45 pounds overweight.  Once we got my thyroid levels regulated, I dropped those 10-15 pounds and was then 30 pounds overweight.

I was also extremely frustrated by all of the medications that I had to take and every time I went to the doctor with a problem they just wanted to give me another medication.  I started every morning with two thyroid medications, then after waiting for 30-45 minutes I had to take medicine for low vitamin D, low calcium, a multivitamin with good selenium levels to help the thyroid meds work, and medicine for overactive bladder that I have struggled with since the birth of my first child.  I had to take the birth control pill for a couple of months this year to shrink some ovarian cysts that had grown quite large, but don't need birth control and hated the side effects so quit taking that after the cysts shrank.  I had to take a monthly anti fungal to prevent a yeast infection that I would get every month.  I ended the day with Zantac for reflux and Gas X almost every night for uncomfortable digestive issues.  I also suffered from allergy and sinus issues and often had to take meds for that.

I was desperate for change and the 1300 calorie diet wasn't working and wasn't feasible for me.  I have really been struggling emotionally this past year in dealing with these issues.  I began doing lots of internet research...that is exhausting.  It seems like everything contradicts everything else. After reading about Paleo on Average Married Dad's blog (and nutrition in his new book that I will review soon, "Average Married Dad's Guide to Health, Wealth, and a Sexy Marriage") and benefits of natural foods from 100 days of Real Food.  I decided to try some natural, Paleo-like foods and cut out soda.  I had read that processed foods could make a thyroid sluggish.  That seemed to make me feel somewhat better although was a difficult transition, lots of work, and a bit expensive.

Then I read a book by Dr Hotze that I picked up at a used book store called, "Hormones, Health, and Happiness."  His descriptions of my health and feeling like I was a hypochondriac were spot on.  I cried...yes, I cried over a hormone book...surprised?  What struck me as the most important was the chapter on yeast overgrowth.  Signs of yeast overgrowth: fatigue, heartburn, craving sugar or bread products, moodiness, allergies, yeast infections, abdominal bloating, cramping, or gas.  I talked to my ob/gyn about trying a yeast free diet instead of the Diflucan every month and he said yes, sometimes that works.  I left thinking then why didn't you tell me that that might help?  My endocrinologist when I asked her if there were any foods that could help my thyroid she had also told me no, not really.  Yes, I know I probably need a new endocrinologist.  In years past my gastroenterologist had diagnosed me with IBS.  I had been tested for Celiac's as he thought that my symptoms were similar, but it came back negative.  I read something interesting though in my research that just because you do not have an allergy to gluten that you may still be gluten intolerant...it's like the difference between a milk allergy and lactose intolerance.  He never suggested trying a gluten free diet.

I decided to go on a strict yeast free diet for 4 weeks and see what happened.  Day one...I did not have to take gas medicine.  I had NO bloating on DAY ONE.  The first few days I did crave sweets, but on the version of the diet I chose, I could have berries.  I ordered a cookbook called "Simply Yeast Free" by Kindsey Neeson and Katy Langkamp...it seemed the easiest to follow and had some good looking recipes.  It talked about how the cravings would be really hard, but I didn't find that they were too difficult and in fact I finally felt satisfied...coming off such a restrictive 1300 calories felt great.  After week one, my allergies and sinus issues were minimized.  I wouldn't say they were completely gone, but I no longer had to take medicine.  After two weeks, my bad cravings were gone.  After four weeks, I had lost ten pounds without trying.  I had not seen the 160s in a long while:)   The yeast free diet is a gradual diet where you can begin introducing certain foods after the restrictive period, but there are certain foods you should avoid.  I don't eat bread, and I really don't miss it.  Pasta is a little tougher...I miss my Italian Baked Ziti.  I have found that the occasional tortilla does not bother me too much but I try to avoid them.  I am eating a ton of fruits and vegetables which requires a lot of prep.  That has taken some getting used to...but is worth it, because I feel great!  It is not as expensive as I thought it would be because I don't eat as much.

Now, I am not saying this is for everyone, but if you feel badly you should try diet changes and see if you feel better.  Is it the yeast, the gluten, the dairy...I don't really know for sure, but am trying different things and noting their effects.  I have a friend whom if she doesn't have some sugar in her diet then she puts on weight...so you have to do what is best for you.  I use a lot of Paleo recipes as they are easy to find and still eat out.  It is a little more expensive at the grocery store but we don't pick up fast food as often so we have saved money there.  The only issue that is left is some hair loss during certain times of the month that is a bit disturbing and my overactive bladder...although that is better since I quit the soda.  I tried to have a soda the other day and couldn't finish it...it was making me feel sick.  I still take my thyroid meds and vitamins and probably will always have to, but have saved money on all the over the counter meds I am not having to take.  I did add a probiotic for now to help rebalance the good bacteria/yeast, but no longer need the Zantac.

So what does this have to do with my pantry?  Well, it's pretty empty.  I have this huge pantry and there is just not much in it.  My kids and husband still have some bread and snacks, but I am slowly limiting some of that.  There isn't much pasta or rice.  I still make some of that for them, but notice that it bothers me.  I still have some tortilla chips occasionally, but can't really have any other kind.  Potatoes really seem to bother me, too.  I have a lot of nuts, spices, and oils, but my baking "section" is very small.  I have some almond flour, coconut flour and Stevia.  My freezer and fridge stay full these days though:)  I wiped down all the shelves and have a big bucket for snacks for the kids.  I am trying to slowly switch them from the Goldfish and Cheeze-its to raisins, nuts, or applesauce etc.  The dog food is in a container and I want to get some containers for all my nuts:)  I feel good when I open the pantry door and AM starting to look better naked.  Yeah! I will tell you about my exercise plan in another post.  Oh and Levi has lost 5 pounds without trying...my healthy dinners I suppose.  He hasn't started exercising, but as my weight melts away, he makes more and more comments about getting started:)

Now if I could just figure out why my hair keeps falling out before I need a wig...