Day 232: Tracking My Diet, Letting Go of Shadow & Getting Things Fixed
May 7, 2008 by leahjorgensen
When I woke up this morning I decided to begin a diet journal. I have been having issues with my Celiac disease. I’m not sure where I am making mistakes - mostly dining out. For example, I had learned that most of the sauces in the Mexican food I’ve been enjoying is made with flour. I was looking at menu descriptions and thinking the corn tortilla was the saving grace - forgetting about the sauces that made the meats so delicious. I need to do a better job.
My symptoms have been returning. For a few months I have been feeling irritable, tired, anxious. My rash has returned! Along with the bad bloating, swelling and IBS symptoms. Not good. I feel like a pissed off, depressed ballooned elephant woman with a weird rash on her neck, legs and torso who’s freaking out with anxiety over a mouse that may or may not be in her house. That’s what my symptoms are like from this auto-immune disease. And the symptoms are different for everyone.
By using a diet journal I can return to keeping watch over my choices and consumption. I know I need to cut back on eating out because this is truly the most difficult thing to monitor since I’m not back there in those kitchens. I’ll also save money, in the process - even though I love to eat out. And, while I’m at it, I’m going to keep track of my calorie intake.
On my way out, I packed up Shadow’s shelter and placed it in a garbage bag and threw it away in the dumpster. That was hard. But it’s been weeks, now, since he’s slept in his shelter. And, really, it served its purpose during the cold, rainy winter nights. It’s a new season and it’s time to clear my doorway, sweep away the dead leaves and dirt and move on. I didn’t cry but because I am so sensitive, I was really sad. I tried to keep myself somewhat distanced from Shadow because I didn’t own him. He was free to roam and all I could do was try to keep him healthy and safe. It’s not easy to accept that he’s gone, but the action of throwing away the little shelter box was an important step in letting go. It was depressing coming home every day and seeing the empty, dirty box. I am hopeful he’ll pop up one day just to mew “hello” at me, to let me know he’s okay.
I finally have a couple photos of Shadow to share:
So, when I got to work I was still without a computer. I had two off-site meetings, one first thing and then another in the afternoon. I was able to coordinate a time for my laptop to get fixed with an HP technician while I was in the second meeting. Mission accomplished.
My computer was back to working - it was explained to me that sometimes the system bolt fries and needs to be replaced. Interesting. At least it’s under warranty!
I drove home and stopped by the grocery store to pick up some buffalo mozzarella for Caprese salads and a pound of some gorgeous Italian green and black olives. When I got home I started to get caught up on my work emails.
I walked to the gym and read while I got in a rigorous bicycle workout. For dinner, I made a beautiful Caprese salad with orange tomatoes, amazing basil, the mozzarella, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and fresh salt and pepper. Next, I made gluten-free brown rice spaghetti (Tinkyada - which, in my opinion, and after many taste tests and trials, is the best), with homemade pesto topped with fresh basil and shaved parmesan. A nice glass of sparkling water with lime refreshed.
After dinner I stretched and relaxed and got caught up on my writing. I completed my diet journal and was relieved that no gluten was consumed today.
