The Best Laid Plans

Judy: Amy and Karla started the new year with a tap of the reset button. They went back to the toughest and most restrictive version of the elimination diet to verify their assumptions. They've zeroed in on several foods that affect the way they feel and sleep. Eating out and travel continue to sabotage their efforts to identify every food that may cause trouble, but they are hanging in there and doing a great job.

Amy: January started with a bang.  My daughter has been home and life often keeps me from home and my kitchen. Eating out on the stricter diet has proven difficult.  I remember why I ate at home in the beginning.  I have cheated a few times with wine, breads- flatbread at Dish and biscuits at Smoke.  In addition a few tastes of dessert passed through my lips.  I have not had any serious repercussions, but I feel more lethargic and heavy.  Frankly, my system is not as regular.  Additionally, I have confirmed that red wine is out and that tequila - even just one margarita- gives me a hangover.

This week I am off to Bonaire.  This trip will be glorious filled with sun, sand and relaxation, however food could be a real challenge because resources are limited. Karla and I are adding corn and I am adding coffee.
I'll report soon to let you know how to handle a Carribean vacation on an elimination diet- no frozen drinks allowed.

Karla: Week one of the new year on the Elimination Diet went well. I had a plan and followed it. I slept well, which instantly correlates to having energy and feeling good.

Week two did not go as well. It started with a date night at Stephen Pyle's new restaurant Samar. Very hard to follow the Elimination Diet and not give in to the tempting dishes on the menu and an excellent bottle of Pinot Noir. Events and meals out on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday set me up for more opportunities to wander off my plan. I was back on my game for a couple of days before going out of town for a conference.

Eliminating potatoes has been difficult. I do think that they are a contributor to my skin problems, but they don't seem to interfere with my sleep.

As I think about my longer term plans for my diet I'm starting to put food into three categories - 1) food I can eat without any adverse reactions 2) food that I should probably avoid, but having them occasionally is ok and 3) foods I need to leave out of my diet. Focusing on all the delicious foods in category 1 and having a plan to avoid the ones in the third category is the key to being successful.