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Hi, just letting y'all know that I'm still alive and kicking!

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It has been a hectic few weeks: working longer hours than normal, getting small snippets of study done, sleeping an awful lot and biding my time until the wedding. It is only ten days away now! Time should be flying, but I think that I'm looking forward to it so much that time has slowed to a crawl. 

So what's been going on? I had an awesome bridal shower with all my girls at my favourite vegan restaurant (Luke organised it for me as a surprise- best fiance ever!). I ate my body weight in vegan fried rice, "chicken" and cashews, Mongolian "lamb" and a giant cake that Skye made. That cake was the stuff vegan dreams are made of.

On Saturday night I picked up my favourite sister from work and we had a yoga/smoothie/health food shopping sleepover. Healthy sleepovers are the best- now we are just waiting on our box of loot to arrive which will include organic vegan cosmetics, dehydrated crackers, raw sprouted cereal and more. I can't really remember because we were still browsing at midnight and it all kind of blurred together...it will be a surprise!

I also went to yoga class last night even though I had a really sore muscle on my lower back, and it was an excellent practice and I thought it might coax the tight ball into loosening up a little, but then today I had to hobble around holding my back like a ninety year-old. Also, Deep Heat patches do not work as well as you think they would!

Will post overdue pictures soon, potentially even tomorrow night. Hold on to your hats, people!

warming up

This morning's breakfast after a trip to the market on a damp Sunday morning: warmed-up smoothie with one banana, half a navel orange (including the rind), fresh turmeric root, macadamia nuts, cinnamon, ginger, maca powder, coconut milk, oats and coconut oil. 

It just feels so nourishing, and the perfect start for a day of studying cells and biochemical pathways in the body. Today will also include a yoga home practice, journalling, cuddling with my soon-to-be-husband, watching some "Healthtalks", eating some roasted veggies and taking my little Chihuahua to the groomer to have her talons clipped. 

eating for fertility, warning: talk of ovulation!

Don't worry (Mum!), we're not trying for a baby or anything yet! Although one of my favourite bloggers Loni Jane did just give birth to a beautiful baby boy on Sunday and, even though she doesn't know who I am, I am really happy for her. The blogging world is weird, okay?

I stole this intimate picture from her tumblr page. I'm a creep.

So, why all the fuss about fertility? Basically I have stumbled upon Nat Kringoudis' website and have been devouring the information like a madwoman. Nat is a doctor of Chinese medicine and specializes in fertility, conception and breaking through myths (and socially constructed hush around women's issues) regarding the pill, ovulation, conception and fertility. This woman is amazing! Not to mention absolutely gorgeous and lovely to boot. Hello, girl crush.

I always know when I have found something that really resonates with me because I can't stop thinking about it. All this stuff about actually embracing being a woman (and not feeling guilty about having breasts, hips and a period) is something that I truthfully haven't given much thought to in the past. After reading Nat's articles (and the user comments that often follow them, usually in the dozens), I have decided to go off the pill after the honeymoon. This will be in about six weeks, and I honestly can't wait to get to know my natural cycle. This is a BIG deal for me; I was a late bloomer developmentally (sorry to worry you, Mum and Dad!) and actually only had my period for around three years prior to going on the pill. I don't even remember what my natural cycle is actually like! I feel like I'm venturing into the great unknown, and it's kind of exciting.

My baby doesn't look normal! Oh wait, it's a dog

I am actually a little underweight at the moment and have been on the pill for around seven years, so I am really curious to see what this new adventure brings. My fingers are crossed that I actually have a cycle, and that I haven't destroyed it with medication, weight loss and stress. The pill itself strips the body of important vitamins and minerals, and in light of my hypothyroidism diagnosis by my naturopath, I really have to focus on putting the right things back into my body! Our bodies are very clever and only ovulate regularly and reliably when it is safe to do so; if our bodies (and minds) aren't in a fit state to conceive and maintain a pregnancy, our cycle will forfeit. 

Delicious, nourishing, unphotogenic organic polenta porridge

The other good thing about going off the pill after the wedding and honeymoon is that it will give me the chance to get my body in optimal condition for making babies when Luke and I do decide to start trying. Apparently it is great to start preparing with natural supportive fertility treatments (e.g. eating right, reaching and maintaining a healthy weight, acupuncture) between six months and a year prior to trying for a baby. It can also take a good few months for your body to get back into the swing of things after coming off the pill too, so it wouldn't hurt to start now.

So, in addition to the many supplements I am taking and dietary changes I am making to help recover from hypothyroidism, I am going to start eating for my fertility as well! I am going to continue with my veganism for ethical reasons (and because I'm in love with it), but this will mean adding more good fats, hormone balancing and supporting foods and supplements, eating enough, and eating food that supports my individual constitution (e.g. eating warm, nourishing foods to help my sluggish digestion instead of trying to maintain a cold, raw diet which is actually hard for me to digest). 

Bespoke vegetable pie made for me from my family

Cheers to fertility and good health! And girls, think twice before you go on the pill- it's scary coming off something that you have been taking every single day for seven years and not knowing how your body is going to react. Get to know your beautiful cycles.

sleep-in sunday

Today was a double market day. I love Sundays!

I got up early this morning and sat in the sunshine sipping on my morning bottle of chlorophyll, then Mum picked me up and we hit the market. I purchased some organic kale, gluten-free bread without the shitty ingredients like sugar and artificial fillers, baby purple congo potatoes, zucchini, baby broccoli and a croissant for Luke.

Gluten free toast (L: banana and tahini, R: raw honey and LSA)

After the morning market trip I crawled back into bed and had a big long sleep (woke up groggy- ugh), then got up and went to the other market with Luke. We bought lots of fruit, and I found a bottle of raw organic preservative-free red wine and a big jar of organic gluten-free lemon polenta porridge. Score. I will be having the polenta porridge for breakfast tomorrow morning for sure.

I just ate some homemade raw pad thai for lunch (my first time using kelp noodles), and the rest of today will be probably filled with cooking for the week (something I have been neglecting lately because I have been tired), reading, maybe a bit of study, a workout at the gym with Luke, and then an episode or two of "Breaking Bad." Nice. I have been desperate for a rest.

Raw vegan pad thai

Also, I did an hour of yoga last night for the first time in months and I felt amazing afterwards. I am going back to my regular class on Monday night, too. I think yoga is pretty good for my body and my mind, and I plan to keep it up. In other health news, I have been following my naturopath's treatment plan for about four days now and it is all going well. The herbal tincture is the most repulsive thing I have ever tasted, but if it will get me well I will drink it!

trip to naturopath- warning, long post!

I did something super exciting today, people: I saw a naturopath for the first time ever! As I am actually studying to become a naturopath and have a whole host of health issues that the regular doctors haven't managed to clear up with their onslaught of chemicals and antibiotics (surprise, surprise) I decided to make an appointment with the lovely Ally from Woden Wellness Centre to get my health back on track. Before I get into it, I will give you a bit of a history so you can understand why I have been such a frequent customer at the doctor's office (although I do not in any way want to come across as a "sick" person, because I am aware that there are a lot of people with problems much worse than mine!).

Just a handful of my new treatment plan...excited!

Basically, I have been feeling pretty lousy and exhausted for the past three years. I have felt fatigued, anxious and depressed, with recurring infections (especially eye infections), minor skin rashes, swollen lymph nodes, unexplained abdominal pain which had me in the hospital twice, dizziness and the occasional fainting episode, and stubborn bouts of thrush that no doctor-prescribed medicine could completely get rid of. I believe my immune system was and still is pretty run-down, and I ended up contracting glandular fever last year that knocked me around to say the least. Doctors have suggested that I feel so shitty due to post-viral chronic fatigue syndrome, health issues stemming from severe endogenous depression (I am still medicated for this) and even irritable bowel syndrome.

How I feel a lot of the time

This past fortnight I caught a virus that left me virtually bedridden for three days, and hung around for three weeks; this past fortnight alone I have had to visit the doctor three times at between $75-$130 a pop. On top of that, I have been prescribed several different medications to try and band-aid up my symptoms- the last medication I bought was $85 for a few weeks' worth. And guess what? I don't feel any better, and I definitely don't feel reassured in the slightest that any of their tablets or creams will help me heal for the long term. 

I tried to treat myself

I have really tried to give my body the best chance it can to heal itself, but I am only a semester into my studies and am very much still a novice at this holistic healing game. I changed my diet to plant-based vegan (as you know), which I think has helped a lot with the thrush and the abdominal pain (I think eliminating yoghurt was the best thing I ever did). I introduced a daily probiotic to my diet to try and crowd out the nasty microflora and restore my gut health and immune system. 

I self-prescribed natural anti-fungal supplements like pau d'arco and garlic, and drank calendula tea made from dried flowers. I avoided refined sugar and grains. I culled my skincare and make-up down to coconut oil, organic herbal shampoo and a couple of organic vegan lip balms and concealers (this was actually an ethical move too, due to my vegan lifestyle). I will try almost anything to try and make myself feel well. But even with all my efforts, I know that I am still unwell and I have a lot of difficulty recovering when I do get sick. 

Gluten-free pasta from now on (this was delicious!)

I feel like a pain in the ass and my social life has suffered immensely as a result of just not "feeling up to it." I used to go to house parties and fall asleep two hours in! I still feel that I am a burden on my beautiful fiance, who has been crazily patient and cares for me like no other; he has been known to drive half an hour to the chemist at eleven at night to bring me antibiotic drops for my eye infections! My family have also been very supportive and sympathetic to my plight, although I'm sure I bore them with my complaints sometimes!

Hi Dad!

Today's naturopathic consultation with Ally was admittedly an expensive appointment, but I feel that seeing a natural, holistic practitioner and purchasing supplements and herbal tinctures is justified and I believe in it. After reading my health history and a self-assessment, she ran a reflex test (98% accurate!) which revealed a diagnosis of hypothyroidism (also known as an underactive thyroid), which explains a lot of the symptoms I have been experiencing. My results were apparently pretty bad, so I am glad that I am starting to get on top of it now. She has given me information on the condition, explained some dietary changes I can make to give my thyroid the best chance possible, and prescribed iodine, magnesium powder, vitamin B supplements, vitamin D supplements and a herbal tincture to help my body and immune system begin to heal itself.

The "witches brew" she made for me

I will see her again in three weeks to check my progress and tweak the doses if need be. In the meantime, I have to start eating my kale and spinach cooked instead of raw (bye bye, green smoothies; they have actually been worsening my situation instead of improving it by blocking my thyroid hormones!) and try to cut out gluten. I am excited for this step forward for my health, not least because it is now around a month until my wedding and I want to be feeling and looking my best!

I'll have to limit my raw kale now- sad!

If you have zoned out by now, I apologise, but I just personally find all this health stuff so interesting! Making discoveries about yourself and your body is fascinating. Yes, I am a nerd. What an interesting day I have had. On a completely unrelated note, I also had the most amazing bath today with apple cider vinegar and coconut oil (but I figured the hypothyroidism would be more interesting to read about. I do have really soft skin though).

different focus

Prior to braces, the thing that monopolized most of my thoughts and time was probably food. Vegan food, to be exact. That's the reason this blog exists, so I can talk about vegan food; I have been vegan for a little over seven months now, and I still love everything about the lifestyle. Unfortunately, post-braces (and it has only been a few days!), I feel like all I can focus on is my teeth. 

If I created a pie chart dividing up the day's activities (e.g. sleeping, studying, bathing, spending time with family), I estimate that an 80% chunk of that chart would be labelled "stuff to do with my teeth." I want to bring my focus back to food, vegan food, raw vegan food, and have fun in the kitchen (and in my mouth) again! I am sick of soft food. I am sick of mouth ulcers. I want salad and blue corn chips.

Okay, rant over. I promise that this will be a relatively dental-free zone from this day forward. And, somewhat satisfyingly, the photograph below of my breakfast is a meal that I ate regularly pre-braces. Thank God for some food normalcy. 

Soaked chia seeds, fresh mango and coconut yoghurt

happy belated valentine's day!

I am sadly still a little bit miserable as I have been very ill this week, and I got my braces put on a few days ago. It has been an interesting learning curve.

My bottom braces are labial (meaning, regular ones) but my top braces are lingual (behind my teeth); this means that I have a major lisp and am contending with a raw, sore tongue. My tongue makes me want to cry! I did however get through a fancy Valentine's Day date with Luke the day after the braces, and I felt very proud. My technique at the moment is mashing my food up against the roof of my mouth and then swallowing. Winning! The restaurant prepared a special vegan menu just for me, so I was going to eat the food even if I had to go without chewing. I was so relieved when the main was a baked potato with some nice soft risotto. It was my favourite dish of the night, just delicious.

Romantic roses from my partner (in crime!)

Thanks, Benchmark!

I can't eat very much, and have been blending almost everything in my Vitamix (in hindsight, how clever was I to purchase one- it's the gift that keeps on giving!). Living on green smoothies, blended-up soaked oats with banana, chia seed gel pudding, and baked sweet potato. Luke kindly bought me four different varieties of baby food yesterday too, so I will definitely be giving those a go.

This mix of banana, oats and dates actually tasted awesome, but I miss chewing

Now I am going back to bed to rest up and try to kick this illness. I am on antibiotics now too, which I am not too happy about because I am a bit paranoid about the effective genocide of all my good symbiotic bacteria along with the nasty, infection-causing ones. I am just going to seriously up my probiotic intake (two a day, as I usually take one a day anyway). I told you, paranoid! Wish me luck.