Today I finally found some macadamia butter, with no cashews (why did they start adding cashews to all nut butters?). I was very excited to try it until I realized I had no crackers without rice in them (rice and I no longer get along). Time to get creative.

I'd never tried Ants On A Log, celery sticks typically spread with peanut butter and topped with raisins. It always sounded weird, but I had celery sticks I had prepared while my breakfast cooked, so I decided to try it. So spread some macadamia butter on celery sticks and then top with raisins and/or dried cranberries. It was delightfully good... It's got crunch, it's got creaminess, it's got sweetness. More satisfyingthan a twix bar (not that I have those bright in my memory, I didn't fall that far off the wagon!).

I'm sure it would be good with almond butter and other dried fruits like goji berries or dried blueberries.

Sometime I must make crackers out of almonds or amaranth or quinoa...but celery is nice too.

I had mentioned that compliance was a bit harder for a couple days, but I've done pretty well anyway. Part of the problem is that apparently I have a rice allergy. I rarely eat rice lately (this week), but I did once and got a little sick the next day. Then I had a UNI bar, which are lovely, if you're not allergic to rice...a great meal replacement for those times when you forget to eat a meal... but they have rice protein in them, and I got sick. Something about getting sick, is it really weakens me and my resolve, so I did have a square of ghiradelli to "rebuild my strength" LOL. That doesn't work, but I did manage to not have any more. White rice doesn't bother me as much as brown, but I've sworn off refined carbs, so quinoa is it now.

After that, I have felt a need a few times for a "treat" but I have realized and kept telling myself that it's not a "treat" if it's not healthy. So last night I made pizza, and for my crust I went the grain free route. It did have a little sheep milk dairy, which seems to agree with my hunter-ish body. So it was 1/2 cup pecorino romano, 2 eggs, and 1 cup flax meal, a little garlic salt, oregano and basil. Pre-cook in 350 degrees for 8 minutes, top and cook another 15 minutes. It did the job. I topped it with mostly vegetables, some pecorino romano and sheepsmilk feta, and some fresh slices of tomato. It was filling and good, and didn't make me sick (even with all that fiber).

So that was a lovely treat. Another treat was homemade gingerale. So I bought one of those sodastream machines, so I don't have to keep lugging cases of pellegrino. With it, I carbonate filtered water to drink plain or mix with whatever. I've blogged before about making gingerale, but basically I grate up fresh ginger and boil it in water, then filter the ginger out, add honey or agave, and add to sparkling water to taste. That has been a good occasional treat. I try to keep the sweeteners very occasional, but when it helps me avoid worse stuff, it's worth it. I still keep my green tea unsweetened, especially early in the day as anything sweet early in the day starts my cravings swinging.

Breakfast is my favorite meal, and the easiest for an O like myself to make compliant and grain free.

Basically it is different variations on spinach and eggs. Usually I have some onions and sweet peppers on hand, so I saute those first in some olive oil, throw in any other vegetable that needs softened up, then add some fresh spinach leaves. Then add eggs, salt, red pepper flakes if desired, and stir until done. Throw in leftover meat from dinner too! If you want more flavor, try a tiny sprinkle of toasted sesame oil and umi plum vinegar.

If eggs aren't an option, or if you are out of eggs, instead add broth and turn it into a soup. A bit of seaweed is a nice addition, as soups like this are a standard breakfast in Japan.

Yesterday was a harder day to be compliant, not sure exactly why other than busyness and a few small things not going as planned. I remained determined and kept up 95% compliance. That was hard, but not as hard as getting back on track later.

Is this too easy? I expected it to be harder. I guess previous experience/success, optimism about life, and a stubborn determination are working well for me.

3 days of 99% compliance: lots of veggies and beneficials, as much meat as I like (which isn't too much, probably the minimum for an O) and no big bad avoids. I was planning to have some grains, but haven't felt the need. If I ever feel like it, I'll make some rice pudding with brown rice and almond milk. After a meal full of veggies, sweet potato, and beef, I'm not craving anything. Wow. I love breakthroughs like that...sometimes things just come together.

I've lost one pound, many to go, but I'm thrilled to see progress in the right direction. I still need to get some superfoods from my favorite health food store, but the fresh veggie snacks I've cut up and put in the fridge have been a useful tool on busy days.

Ok, I do have one craving... seaweed! I think I have some, so I'll go "indulge".

On the night I made andoulle beans I also browned a flank steak on the grill with the salmon. That went in the fridge until the next morning when I put it in the crock pot with onion, garlic, cilantro, carrots, chicken broth and 3 types of hot peppers to cook on low until dinnertime, when I shredded it. It made the best tacos! I took a shortcut and used storebought teff tortillas (not as good as homemade, but good). My 8 yo helped make the taco fixings and set it all out... refried pinto beans, cheese (as allowed, none for me), tomatoes, onions, lettuce, cilantro, salsa.

Next night was enchilada night, homemade sauce with sweet rice flour instead of wheat flour, and no tomato sauce in it this time. I used chicken or beans for the As, more of the beef for me, soy cheese for my milk allergic son, no cheese for me, colby jack for my Teacher type husband, each in their own mini loaf pan. Top with fresh lettuce, onions and tomatoes as desired.
Fruit salad: peach, organic pear, organic cherries.

Last night I made gumbo with more andouille sausage,
bell peppers, celery, onions and okra
Fresh peach, pear and cherry salad

Tonight was easy, had:
leftover quinoa, chicken, beef, and chicken andoulle, refried
top with tomatoes and green onion
steamed broccoli
frest melon

Lots of repeats, to make use of leftovers and Costco surplus (always have a bit too much). Breakfasts are usually eggs with mushrooms or veggies on hand, did have a green smoothie one of the days. Snacks include more slushies, an occasional Reed's honey sweetened ginger ale, and my favorite craving-buster: sesame nori chips. I have had 3 squares of dark chocolate as well.

I avoid most grains except quinoa, millet and teff, but have less than a tablespoon of rice on occasion, due to cooking with sweet rice flour.

All that considered, I'm seeing the expected good results from better planning and compliance. By planning good meals, and following through, I'm not tempted to cheat. I've lost a good amount of weight in just these few days, and I feel quite satisfied with the food. This isn't my first time with losing weight on BTD, but hopefully it will be the last, and my weight will stay down from now on. Pre-BTD I gained weight due to poor health, lost it on BTD, then gained with pregnancy and lost it again fairly soon. My 2nd pregnancy was harder to recover from for a number of reasons and issues, but I'm happy and confident with the course I'm on... I CAN take care of myself no matter what stress or pressure I'm under, I AM making it a priority.

Why hello world, sorry it's been a while. One crazy busy summer and now fall arrives just as crazy.

I've been reading more about celiac disease and lectins. A veterinarian and fellow celiac sufferer has written some interesting things about it (www.dogtorj.com). Some may read it and think some of his ideas are crazy, but remember when it was crazy to think ulcers could be caused by a bacteria? I read it with an open mind, and with my O perspective on things, find him to be right on about the Glue Foods. Those are foods you can make glue out of: gluten, casein (milk), corn and soy. They all can coat the cells lining the intestines and wreak similar havoc. They are all strong lectin-containing foods, so that makes complete sense. Of course, Os may be the only type that is not allowed any of them on BTD (O non-secretors especially) as we have the markers on our cells that all those foods love to glom onto. Most of them are not superfoods for any type, except soy for As. So, like almost all research and medical ideas out there, it doesn't take blood type differences into account, and we are fortunate to have that filter to put these ideas through. It may not be at all necessary for all celiacs to avoid all four foods, but it is certainly necessary for me to. (Funny how once an average person realizes a food is terrible for them, they always project that on everybody, when it, thankfully, is not always the case, or else nobody would have anything to eat!)

I think his findings and theories, combined with BTD knowledge, are a great explanation and solution for refractory celiac disease: diagnosed celiacs that do not improve on the gluten free diet. Celiacs are very lectin sensitive, due to the susceptabilities and immune reactions in a damaged small intestine, so it makes sense that any of those super-lectins could wreak similar harm as gluten does.

I found going on the blood type diet to make a much bigger difference in my health than going gluten free. I wish I had gone gluten free sooner, but following BTD guidelines is what makes me most healthy. (Taking away a food can make one less sick, but knowing what foods to eat is what makes one well, to paraphrase my favorite quote by Dr. D.)

I must recommend Intrinsa for all celiacs at this point...I love what it has done for me as far as my leaky gut and multiple reactions to foods. Of course, there are other essentials that I love for digestive health, like polyflora, deflect, live cell, mannose, quercetin and I could go on, but Intrinsa has been very good to me.

Looking back on my life and various stages of dietary knowledge and compliance over the years, I've come to the conclusion that I have no regrets for choosing the right foods and refusing the wrong foods. In the moment, it seems like a big deal..."everyone else is eating it, I want to eat it" or "I'm having a really hard day, that bit of junk would make me feel better for a moment". In the end, it never was worth giving in in the moment.

Here's what I do remember: I remember what it was like to always be sick, in pain, and/or tired. I remember missing out on activities due to not feeling well. I remember being depressed or anxious, for no good reason, I remember not being able to think well or feel the emotions I deserved to feel. I regret not being more "there" for my family and friends. That was when I ate whatever I wanted...it didn't give me the life and memories that I longed for.

Then, I remember feeling good again. I remember getting out and active and having energy instead of pain. I remember that clearly, and am reminded of it every day I continue on that path. Every morning I go to taekwondo I make more memories and feel more grateful for my improved health. Every day I go for a walk with my husband or play around with my kids, I make more memories and feel more grateful. Those are the memories that stick with me. I don't remember the donuts or twinkies I refused to eat, I don't regret picking something healthier than a milkshake or cheesecake, even if at the moment it seemed hard.

Kind of makes self-control worth the effort, doesn't it? Now that I am less sensitive to avoids and toxins, I have to think about things more, I no longer get instant retribution when I eat something I shouldn't (unless it's wheat). I have to remember how I once felt and remember that if I eat wrong for too long, I'll end up back at square one. If I increase my compliance, the rewards are increasing, and the sky is the limit. So now instead of choosing between feeling lousy and ok, I'm choosing between feeling ok and exceptional. Something about me found the "slap on the hand" more motivating, but it's time to grow out of that and find a higher motivation.

I recently turned 35, and even with some recent dietary blunders, I feel better than I did at 25. (I think I look it too). As we age, we can see the cumulative effect of our choices and be blessed or cursed for them in more obvious ways. My body has only gained ability in the recent years, and I want to keep it that way. The thirties can really be the prime of life, if it's a life well lived and nurtured. (Maybe I'll say the same thing in my 40s...I hope so!). Maybe my best decade will be my 90s, the sky is the limit.

Do you like to write? Are you doing the Blood Type Diet or GenoType Diet? Care to share your thoughts and dreams with the world? Then maybe blogging is for you! If you are interested, leave a comment below with your contact details and a little bit about yourself, we'll get back to you and walk you through the process.