My first hurdle: the realization that other people will continue to eat pizza, french fries, & ice cream. My dad and I went out to run some errands. I was hungry so he asked me where I wanted to eat. Decisions, decisions, decisions. It is more difficult eating outside of the house now but I thought I'd be safe to go to Chick-fil-a and eat some nuggets. I forgot about their delicious waffle fries. Then my dad ordered their waffle fries. Every bite he took was painful. Then I passed the little child eating an ice cream cone. Why must everyone else continue to eat ice cream? Why don't all restaurants have sweet potato fries as an alternative? These are the questions that will plague me but guess what...today I didn't eat waffle fries, not even one. That is a victory.
Nightshades: 0
Eileen: 1
Thursday, July 14, 2016
Wednesday, July 13, 2016
My Last Pizza Pie
My name is Eileen and I have a problem. I LOVE pizza and all other foods that contain tomatoes.
This wouldn't be a huge issue but it has become one since I have learned that nightshades could possibly cause psoriasis. I have been struggling with psoriasis since I was around 12 years old. The dermatologist have told me that there is no cure, just ways to keep it contained, and that it will always have periods of extra inflammation. However I recently read that psoriasis is caused by night shades. I learned this back in January and since then have struggled to give up this unique and mysterious food group. Let me tell you...it is difficult and I haven't been able to do it. The thing is that you have to give up night shades for at least 3-5 months before you can see any results.
I had an epiphany today. People are constantly blogging their journeys! If I blog my journey then maybe I can be successful too. That means that I am going to go a year without pizza (and all other nightshades). Another two "food groups" that can lead to psoriasis is dairy and sugar. Psoriasis is a autoimmune disease and anything that hurts the immune system will aggravate it as well. This is going to be my way to hold myself accountable. It won't always be interesting (it most likely won't ever be interesting) but I need to do this. I want to be the healthiest I can be and if that means giving up my FAVORITE FOOD (pizza) then I need to do it.
First things first--what are nightshades?
"Nightshade fruits and vegetables belong to the family of Solanaceae plants of the Solanum genus. This group of plants contains more than 2,500 species that are widely used as food and medicine, according to Encyclopaedia Britannica. Some people have a sensitivity to nightshade plants and are unable to digest them fully. If you have a sensitivity, you may experience diarrhea, gas, bloating, nausea, painful joints, headaches and depression from consuming nightshades." (Found at http://www.livestrong.com/article/367949-list-of-nightshade-vegetables-fruits/)
1. Potatoes
2. Tomatoes
3. Peppers
4. Eggplant
5. Tomatillos
6. Goji Berries
Starting now I will no longer eat anything that contains these things as well as limit my dairy and sugar intake. By limiting my sugar intake, I will no longer eat anything that has artificial sugars. I can only eat things that are naturally sweet (like fruit) and sweeten things (oatmeal, etc.) with raw honey. I will also start a photo diary of my psoriasis progress. THIS IS DIFFICULT! I have always been very self conscious of my psoriasis but I have to see if anything changes and the best way to do that is to take pictures along the way so I don't forget what it looked like originally. It might get worse...it might not change at all, but I am determined to find out what this lifestyle change will do.
Second thing--what exactly is psoriasis?
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder. It primarily effects your skin however it can lead to psoriatic arthritis, joint inflammation, and stiffness. Every time my joints hurt, I get scared. Arthritis is a serious issue and according to my doctors the only cure would be for me to start taking immune suppressant injections every couple of weeks. These immune suppressant drugs have a long list of side effects and I do not want to start them if I don't have to. Another thing that can effect psoriasis is the weather. YIKES! Who can control the weather? The truth is that for health reasons I should be living on a tropical island...but the reality is that I instead live in Seattle, WA. Which is an issue because SUNSHINE is a huge weapon in my fight against psoriasis. Seattle, WA gives me a very limited amount of sunshine and therefore my psoriasis has gotten worse this last year. Lastly, it has been rumored that stress can cause big inflammations. I think this is a huge indicator and after finishing my first year of teaching--it could also be a reason why it has gotten worse but I am determined that God can help me break through this cycle of stress and unhealthy living.
Today I ate my last slice of pizza:
I have officially begun my journey and I am so thankful for the support I have already received from my fiancé and my family. Please, if you are able to, support me as well. I have failed so far to fully let go of pizza. I love pizza but I love my body more and I want to be the best teacher, future wife, daughter, Christian, and friend I can be. In order to do that I need to have the energy and health to fully commit to all those things.
A year without pizza begins.
Day 1 (July 13, 2016): This is my psoriasis, it could be worse but that doesn't make it okay. It is located primarily on my torso and elbows.
This wouldn't be a huge issue but it has become one since I have learned that nightshades could possibly cause psoriasis. I have been struggling with psoriasis since I was around 12 years old. The dermatologist have told me that there is no cure, just ways to keep it contained, and that it will always have periods of extra inflammation. However I recently read that psoriasis is caused by night shades. I learned this back in January and since then have struggled to give up this unique and mysterious food group. Let me tell you...it is difficult and I haven't been able to do it. The thing is that you have to give up night shades for at least 3-5 months before you can see any results.
I had an epiphany today. People are constantly blogging their journeys! If I blog my journey then maybe I can be successful too. That means that I am going to go a year without pizza (and all other nightshades). Another two "food groups" that can lead to psoriasis is dairy and sugar. Psoriasis is a autoimmune disease and anything that hurts the immune system will aggravate it as well. This is going to be my way to hold myself accountable. It won't always be interesting (it most likely won't ever be interesting) but I need to do this. I want to be the healthiest I can be and if that means giving up my FAVORITE FOOD (pizza) then I need to do it.
First things first--what are nightshades?
"Nightshade fruits and vegetables belong to the family of Solanaceae plants of the Solanum genus. This group of plants contains more than 2,500 species that are widely used as food and medicine, according to Encyclopaedia Britannica. Some people have a sensitivity to nightshade plants and are unable to digest them fully. If you have a sensitivity, you may experience diarrhea, gas, bloating, nausea, painful joints, headaches and depression from consuming nightshades." (Found at http://www.livestrong.com/article/367949-list-of-nightshade-vegetables-fruits/)
1. Potatoes
2. Tomatoes
3. Peppers
4. Eggplant
5. Tomatillos
6. Goji Berries
Starting now I will no longer eat anything that contains these things as well as limit my dairy and sugar intake. By limiting my sugar intake, I will no longer eat anything that has artificial sugars. I can only eat things that are naturally sweet (like fruit) and sweeten things (oatmeal, etc.) with raw honey. I will also start a photo diary of my psoriasis progress. THIS IS DIFFICULT! I have always been very self conscious of my psoriasis but I have to see if anything changes and the best way to do that is to take pictures along the way so I don't forget what it looked like originally. It might get worse...it might not change at all, but I am determined to find out what this lifestyle change will do.
Second thing--what exactly is psoriasis?
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder. It primarily effects your skin however it can lead to psoriatic arthritis, joint inflammation, and stiffness. Every time my joints hurt, I get scared. Arthritis is a serious issue and according to my doctors the only cure would be for me to start taking immune suppressant injections every couple of weeks. These immune suppressant drugs have a long list of side effects and I do not want to start them if I don't have to. Another thing that can effect psoriasis is the weather. YIKES! Who can control the weather? The truth is that for health reasons I should be living on a tropical island...but the reality is that I instead live in Seattle, WA. Which is an issue because SUNSHINE is a huge weapon in my fight against psoriasis. Seattle, WA gives me a very limited amount of sunshine and therefore my psoriasis has gotten worse this last year. Lastly, it has been rumored that stress can cause big inflammations. I think this is a huge indicator and after finishing my first year of teaching--it could also be a reason why it has gotten worse but I am determined that God can help me break through this cycle of stress and unhealthy living.
Today I ate my last slice of pizza:
 |
| NY Style Pizza (my favorite) |
I have officially begun my journey and I am so thankful for the support I have already received from my fiancé and my family. Please, if you are able to, support me as well. I have failed so far to fully let go of pizza. I love pizza but I love my body more and I want to be the best teacher, future wife, daughter, Christian, and friend I can be. In order to do that I need to have the energy and health to fully commit to all those things.
A year without pizza begins.
Day 1 (July 13, 2016): This is my psoriasis, it could be worse but that doesn't make it okay. It is located primarily on my torso and elbows.
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