Monday, July 8, 2013

Menu Plan Monday: Back to Eating Clean

A couple months back when CJ was battling weight gain and reflux issues, I abided by a very healthy, strict diet. No wheat or dairy, very little sugar and lots of greens and good fats. Recently, however, our wee man's been improving and, consequently, I've eased up.

A li'l too much.

That is, cashing-in-on-a-Groupon-for-6-half-liters-of-Marble-Slab-ice-cream too much.

Lemme tell ya - their peanut butter flavour is to die for. But, following a few evenings of indulgence, I've been waking up feeling terrible. Even after an adequate amount of sleep.

A little more research has revealed I likely have a candida overgrowth. For those unfamiliar with this, in a nutshell we all have a naturally occurring yeast called candida albicans in our guts, but various factors (e.g. taking antibiotics or birth control pills, periods of high stress) can cause this yeast to grow out of control. Many medical practitioners (mainly holistic/naturopathic) are convinced that this can result in the body being in a toxic state which then causes various unpleasant conditions / general unwellness, however other authorities feel this is bunk. At this point, I'm leaning toward being a believer. My past is littered with the main overgrowth-promoting factors I mentioned earlier and I've definitely noticed a correlation between eating the notorious "yeast feeding" foods (sugars, starches, alcohol, etc.) and feeling like crap.

So now what? Given I'm breastfeeding, I can't do any sort of detox or full-out cleanse. But I do feel compelled to start eating clean again, and to incorporate a number of candida diet-friendly recipes into our upcoming meals.

On this note, I created a new Pinterest board for inspiration, and whipped up my first official Menu Plan Monday since last January. Has it really been that long? Well, no time like the present to kick things back into gear!

Monday: Rotisserie chicken from Sobey's (love these!) and Spinach Quinoa Bake
Tuesday: Ground turkey and chili stuffed peppers
Wednesday: Chicken avocado salad (using remaining rotisserie chicken) and leftover Spinach Quinoa Bake
Thursday: BBQ at my aunt & uncle's. We'll bring an organic greens salad with this yummy sounding tahini dressing and I'll have this with whatever (bunless) meat they're cookin' up!
Friday: Chicken noodle soup with zucchini noodles. Our garden's beginning to explode with zukes, so I'm hoping some will be ready to harvest by end of week.


Are you familiar with the idea of candida overgrowth? What are your thoughts? Have you ever attempted a candida diet, or another type of cleansing or detox diet?

13 comments:

  1. Ohhhh but Marble Slab is soooo good!!! Good luck. I'm really really trying to clean up diet too. It's hard!! Right now I'm trying the AdvoCare diet and it's working pretty good. Peanut Butter and Whine I'm off to look at your pinterest board.

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    1. Hi Connie! Indeed, it *is* so good. Why can't it be healthy too? *whine* :) Good luck on your diet - I'll check out your blog. Thanks for commenting!

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  2. MMM! Spinach Quinoa bake, that sounds great. I'm back to clean eating as well now that I'm doing my T25 Challenge Group.

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    1. Just checked out T25 - looks great! I've been looking at 10 minute trainer which seems similar (though even shorter). All about varying the moves and burst vs. steady state cardio.

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  3. I think I'm lucky that I've never had the opportunity to try Marble Slab ice cream? LOL! Love your menu plan. Everything sounds delish!

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    1. Yes or no, depending on how you look at it. ;) Thanks!

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  4. Just reading this makes me wonder if I too, have a candida overgrowth. Never heard of it, I'm ashamed to say. But I always feel a little out of whack, and I can't say my diet is great. Your week plan sounds delicious and intriguing. Looking forward to checking out your pinterest board. Thanks for sharing!

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  5. I'm ashamed to say I have never heard of Candida Overgrowth - but after reading this, I'm thinking I'm a candidate for sure. I always feel generally out of whack, and I know my diet isn't something to write home about. Your week plan sounds deelish and very healthy. Can't wait to check out your pinterest board! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Definitely could be! "Generally out of whack" is a good way to put it - I feel like that a lot too. :-/ I love Pinterest - a great way to get inspired and stay on track for something like this! Hope you get a chance to try some of the recipes! The first couple were awesome - I especially recommend the chicken avocado salad!

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  6. we are big fans of eating clean and juicing in our household. Your menu plan sounds really good.

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    1. Thanks! The first couple recipes turned out really good (and were super easy)! Can't wait to try more.

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  7. Sounds like a great meal plan!! I might just have to borrow it! ;)

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    1. Go for it!!! Everything's been super-tasty and easy to make so far!

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