One of the consequences of trying not to focus attention on my fibroids is that I don’t remember to update this blog.
The condition of my fibroids today is manageable. It’s that time of the month so the stomach is expanded a bit. But I am still able to button a skirt at my waist. It did take a bit more effort today to get the skirt buttoned, but I won’t complain. What’s there to complain about? I might not have everything I want in life; but I do have everything I need to live. 
Life goes on and so do I.
I continue to stick to a restricted diet. From time to time I do cheat, I have to admit. I’ve had some rice and beans and some chicken on a couple of occasions. But never a full meal comprised of these things. And if I’m out of nuts and I feel an impulse to eat something I might have some of my husband’s crackers. And I’m sure there are other things I’ve sampled that I can’t remember right now.
I do think that flour based products, whether gluten free or not gluten free are a bad idea for me–particularly products that come in boxes and sealed packs like crackers. I think I need to stick to things I make at home myself. But I suspect even home-baked foods will have an adverse effect on my digestion system and by extension on my fibroids. I know (for myself at any rate) crackers, breads, cakes (even non-dairy and gluten free) and that type of food are to be avoided. As for the rice and beans, I don’t think that has been necessarily harmful. I haven’t had it often enough or in large enough quantities for it to be a problem. I think I can allow myself a handful of days in the month where I’m not as strict with the diet. As long as I don’t go overboard and set myself back.
Currently my new regular diet consists mainly of chia seeds, kale and almonds (sometimes cashews instead of almonds). I try to find different ways I can use these three foods. I blend the chia seeds with coconut milk, ground almonds or cashews and cinnamon. If I have no almonds or cashews I might sometimes use peanut butter or just stick with the chia seeds and cinnamon. I add more milk and blend on liquify to make it a drink. To make it into a pudding I add less milk and blend on puree.
The kale I eat raw with some salt and olive oil. Sometimes I’ll put it in the oven for 20 minutes. I’ve also been trying it raw on cucumber with avocado; but that’s a relatively new experiment. I still blend it to make a drink but mostly just with water to kickstart the morning. It’s not yummy (kale blended with just water) but I find that gives a much stronger and more immediate energy boost than when I’ve blended it with other things.
I recently tried adding flax seed meal to the diet but I’ve decided to leave that out. It adds nothing when all is said and done, and I don’t like the taste.
I’m looking for ways that I can expand the diet without setting myself back to square one. It’s a tough thing to keep up a lifestyle that is based on restriction. So I want to get to where it doesn’t feel like restriction. I don’t want to be focused on what I cannot eat; but on how I can eat well (and be satisfied) within the limits of my available food options. So far it’s not so bad. The chia seeds and nuts concoctions and the kale are sustaining me quite well. I just need to come up with some safe gap fillers so that I never have to resort to eating crackers when I’m struck by an impulse to snack.
That is basically where I am right now. Trying to manage my fibroids with diet and exercise.
