Random Quote

Found in the comments of an article on the football dead online girlfriend hoax. Funny, kinda. I do not advocate use of these. Read a few personal accounts about TSS and know that they are not the only option (ie - CUP!).

"You don't really know a girl until you have to rip her used tampons out of your dogs mouth."

Trial Two: Vegetable Fermentation

Some sources online say that fermented foods are really good for you. Probiotics. Beneficial bacteria. Blah blah blah. Yogurt is the most commonly used example, but there are more...

According to wiki, the World Health Organization has classified them as possibly carcinogenic.

Before I started this blog, I tried to make a form of fermented vegetables. Failed. I don't know who's right with the fermented foods, but I'm all for trying them and seeing what happens. I always enjoyed eating sauerkraut in small quantities. I used to buy the cans, then the jars once I started avoiding canned foods.

My absolute favorite fermented vegetable experience is from a Mexican restaurant back home called Buchos. They have an amazing carrot and garlic appetizer zinger. Papa's Pizza and Buchos are the highlights of my dining experience when I go back home. The pleasure of eating those carrots at Buchos coexists with a sullen feeling of knowing I cannot reproduce the experience without them. Dependency. And Binging.

Outside dining experiences inspire me. I mimic what I like, adapting various versions of the recipe from online sources. Well, I thought pickled carrots would be simple.

For my first trial at pickled carrots (which took me a while to even find out that is what has been done to those Buchos carrots), I chopped up a bunch of carrots and garlic. Then, I covered them in white vinegar and threw them into the refrigerator. I waited a day or two. I don't remember how long exactly, but I do remember my patience running thin. I finally caved in, and ate chopped carrots with a coating of vinegar. It tasted okay. I enjoy vinegar on my veggies. But it surely didn't match up to restaurant experience.

So, tonight I'm trying again.

This time around, I'm only using salt water. I'm also not putting it into the refrigerator until after there are signs of fermentation: sour taste, popping, fizzing. From the blog I found this from, the girl says that should take about two to five days at room temperature. Then it stays in the refrigerator for another two or three days before eating. It lasts more than a month in the refrigerator. Yay.

Tonight is day one. Sometime between Sunday and Wednesday of this week I'll get to try my second attempt at pickle carrots, Buchos inspired.

I focused on fermented vegetables for this post mainly because I'm exited about this carrot recipe. But also because I'm on my dairy avoidance experiment with trying to figure out that weird skin reaction. So cheeses and yogurts are out for the time. The Asian fermented foods really don't look like something I want to stick into my mouth. Should always start with something you know you like. I already miss that Noosa yogurt. I've promised myself that I'm going to fix that allergic reaction. Odds are against me (lots of places online say allergies after the age of 20 tend to not be grown out of), but I'm hopeful.

Allergies

I never remember being allergic to anything in my life. I'm quite puzzled by the sudden development, and I'm more and more convinced it is a food allergy despite it occurring when I exercise (so far only in the cold). I did a little bit more reading on allergies. There are a lot of theories, but no real answers.

My hunch is that allergies that develop later in life are related to you gut flora (since that's related to your immune system, and one idea is that allergies are caused by over-sensitive immune systems). They say it's unlikely to grow out of allergies when you develop them later in life (ie, <20yrs old). At 26, I'm screwed.

But, I'm still hopeful. Perhaps the reason allergies aren't outgrown in life is because we've damaged our intestines so much, and we don't change our diets to allow them to heal. Just a thought.

Exercised-Induced Food-Dependent Allergies (me most likely, boo)

"Exercise can induce an allergic reaction to food. The usual scenario is that of a person eating a specific food and then exercising. As he exercises and his body temperature increases, he begins to itch, gets lightheaded, and soon develops the characteristic allergic reactions of hives, asthma, abdominal symptoms, and even anaphylaxis. This condition has been referred to as food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis (FDEIA) and is most common in teens and young adults. The cure, actually a preventive measure, for exercise-induced food allergy is simple -- not eating for at least two hours before exercising." ---WebMD

"The first case of FDEIA was recorded in a marathon runner in 1979, who collapsed when he ran after eating prawns."   - Funny that I started by reactions six months after my marathon.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2197842/Going-jog-Dancing-Or-just-doing-gardening--How-taking-exercise-trigger-deadly-food-allergy.html

New thoughts for experimentation:

Since, my yogurt is gone now...experimentation will be beginning shortly. I'm so excited to induce my feisty skin reaction - Yay! From reading a bunch of places online, it seems that many people who have exercise-induced allergies can avoid having an allergic reaction if they avoid eating about 4 hrs before exercising, or by avoiding certain foods 24hrs in advance. Have I really been eating too closely to exercising?

I wonder why fish is such a common allergen. Everything and anything is on the list though. Multiple food allergies really makes me think that it has got to be something to do with your gut not processing things properly. Why in the world would we be reacting to so many different foods, especially foods that are considered healthy?

Calorie Restriction: Some Thoughts

Popular belief is that in order to lose weight you need to cut your calories by eating less energy dense foods (ie, peanut butter or high fat foods) and eating more low calorie foods (ie, vegetables). A whole range of online calculators can provide you with a basic estimate of how many calories your body needs to function based on activity level, height, and weight. Yeah, I've been there, too. Perhaps there is some merit to calorie in vs calorie out, but I think it misses the point. In the process, it's a major pain in the arse. Never was able to stick to things like that for long. So, here my own randomly assembled ideas on calorie restriction and calories in general.

- The types of calories you ingest affects your satiety.

This is a result of your insulin response. The quicker the food spikes your insulin response, the more painful the crash and burn after-effects (ie, resultant hunger). To choose 150 calories of carbs (ie, some oatmeal) vs 150 calories of protein and fat (ie, a small piece of meat) will determine how long you stay content with your breakfast. Even the types of oil or fats you use end up with different storage or use processes. Research medium chain fatty acids. Now, if the body isn't getting what it needs, it doesn't matter how much you eat of something else, it will keep requesting food in the form of hunger pains. I used that as a sign to help me determine if my diet was working or not...I've had many hungry days despite eating consistently in the past.

- Calorie counting ignores the metabolic processes going on inside your body.

Okay, go ahead, count those calories meticulously. What about how well your body is working? Metabolism is also strongly influenced by your stress levels, sleep patterns, gut flora, etc. Adjust some of those other factors can play a role counting calories hushes. Instead of giving it the attention it deserves, you think to yourself, it's life, get over it.

Again, as in the first point, different foods go through a variety of potential pathways.

- Mixed opinions on frequency of eating.

Many general articles on losing weight include the recommendation that it is better to eat a bunch of small meals per day instead of two or three big meals. Sometimes, I think to myself that is just a rumor that was started to cover up the fact that carbs cause intense hunger pains approximately two hours after eating. I do agree eating smaller meals may be helpful, but not necessarily eating too many more meals.

- Calorie Restriction and Metabolism.

It's often said that you shouldn't eat less than something like 800 calories per day or you will experience "starvation mode." I used to really wonder how it was humanly possible to limit yourself to less than 800 calories in a day. That was back when I was addicted to my cereals and pastas. Now, if I get too distracted by other things, I forget to eat. The hunger pains aren't urgent. This would be an extremely value tool to any dieter. So, you want to lose weight, try cutting the grains and increasing the fat (healthy fats).

Another note, I experience heightened energy levels when I eat less. This can't be a bad thing either! Who doesn't want to feel light and energetic? However, when I eat too much, I feel heavy and slow. Also, if I do cheat and add rice or something to my meal, I find myself stuffed and sluggish. I read somewhere randomly that said a lot of supercentenarians eat very little.

Fat Tuesday: Yogurt Style

In a previous post, I ranted about the availability of raw milk. So, while I wait for the warmer months to come, I've decided to go back to no dairy. Bummer.

Today and tomorrow will be my fat days. I bought six containers of Noosa yogurt. So delicious. I've already eaten two (which each container is two servings). I noticed afterward that I had a slight sore throat. Mild sore throats have been a common compliant for myself ever since my sleepless nights in architecture school. Would be interesting if they are also linked to dairy. I really don't want to cut the yogurt!

The plan. After I finish the last four yogurt containers, I will cut dairy out for two weeks. Then go for a run. If I don't show any signs of improvement, I'll go for another two weeks. And if that doesn't help, then I'll be really confused. I'll cry and eat some ice cream to celebrate finishing another experiment.