Yeast Free Living

Archive for the ‘Candida Diet Information’ Category

I finally kicked the cold I had and am up and running at full speed again.  In an effort to continue simplifying my crazy life I have converted the daily menu into a weekly one.  I was doing my shopping list for the week and started to jot down meals for each day and write the corresponding ingredients on my shopping list.  My shopping list is becoming very involved and it often takes visits to 4 or more stores to get everything I need to stay on task.  Trader Joe’s is usually my first stop, then Shoprite, then Whole Foods.  I also have to hit 2 different local health food stores when I run out of the special snacks that they girls are actually allowed to eat.  Sometimes just the thought of it all makes me want to give up but I have to admit that my girls have been so much healthier since I have eliminated or significantly reduced the foods that were identified as troublesome on their allergy reports.  I am secretly hoping that they will out grow some of these food allergies.  If I had the choice of only one for them to out grow it would be my oldest daughter’s corn allergy.  This is the only allergy I do not think that I have mastered.  Corn is hidden in everything and therefore makes it very hard to keep her totally free of it. 

One of the things that I have been most grateful for throughout this transition with their food allergies is the candida diet.  If I had not experienced the candida diet prior to my kids being diagnosed with food allergies I do not believe that I would have been able to handle their diagnosis.  Learning how to eat within the parameters of the candida diet has taught me how to seek out and try new foods and this makes it easier to help my children do the same.  It is not always easy to maintain a candida and allergy free life but I feel like we are succeeding more times than not. 

Candida Diet Menu for the Week of March 8, 2010

Sunday
Breakfast: Gluten Free Pancakes
Lunch: Applegate Farms Turkey Breast on Rice Cakes
Dinner: Spaghetti and Meatballs and Salad

Monday
Breakfast: Gluten Free Pancakes
Lunch: Applegate Farm Turkey Breast on Rice Cakes
Dinner: Homemade Hamburger Helper and Salad

Tuesday
Breakfast: Puffed Rice Cereal with Unsweetened Milk Alternative
Lunch: Rotini Brown Rice Pasta with Marinara Sauce and Spinach
Dinner: Crockpot Lamb Stew and Salad

Wednesday
Breakfast: Gluten Free Pancakes
Lunch:Rotini Brown Rice Pasta with Olive Oil, Sea Salt and Spinach
Dinner: Soup and Salad

Thursday
Breakfast: Puffed Rice Cereal with Unsweetened Milk Alternative
Lunch: Applegate Farms Turkey Bologna on Rice Cakes
Dinner: Baked Chicken Rice and Beans and Spinach

Friday
Breakfast: Gluten Free Pancakes
Lunch: Rotini Brown Rice Pasta with Trader Joe’s Marinara Sauce
Dinner: Tacos

Saturday
Breakfast: Puffed Rice Cereal with Unsweetened Milk Alternative
Lunch: Chicken Nuggets and French Fries
Dinner: Lasagna and Salad

Weekly Snacks
Sage Valley Corn Tortillas Chips, 365 Brand Black Olives, Ener-G Wylde Gluten Free Pretzels, Cape Cod Potato Chips, Air Popped Popcorn, Cucumbers, Homemade Salsa, Homemade Hummus (Variety of Fruit for the Children Only)

So I am finally feeling better today.  I guess that the corn syrup laden cough medicine helped a bit because I was able to get some sleep last night.  The Yeast Free Pot Pie from last night’s dinner came out pretty good and I will post details as soon as possible.  The crust was a little thicker than I like so I will adjust accordingly next time.  We had a lot of running around to do after school yesterday and so I did not feel like cooking when we got home.  I am really surprised that I was able to even get the pot pie done as we did not get in the house until after 7:00 PM.  This is probably why I just don’t feel like cooking today.  I usually fight this feeling but today I have decided to embrace it.  Does this mean that I am going to revert back to convenient non-candida diet food for the day?  Of course not.  A few things have happened over the last few months that makes this minimal cooking day possible.  I have read so many labels in the store that I now know what convenient foods we can get away with in a crunch.  Applegate Farms makes all kinds of hot dogs and lunch meats that have no preservatives that help me with quick meals.  Ian’s Alphatots were such a great find, as they are alphabet shaped french fries that contain no additives.  Puffed rice cereal has also been great for a quick breakfast or when the kids don’t want to eat what I made for dinner.  For the first time in a while I feel like there are a few things that I can throw together quickly when I just need a break.  I will not make this a habit because convenient candida diet friendly food is very expensive but it is nice to have this as an option today.   Have a great weekend!   

Tennille

Today’s Candida Diet Menu – March 5, 2010

Breakfast
Puffed Rice Cereal with Unsweetened Soy Milk (Kids used unsweetened rice milk due to soy allergy)

Mid-Morning Snack
Sage Valley Tortilla Chips

Lunch
Applegate Farm Turkey Breast Sandwich on Rice Cakes
Applegate Farm Uncured Turkey hot dogs and Ian’s Alphatots for kids lunch with organic ketchup

Afternoon Snack
2 cups of air popped popcorn
Kids have Cape Cod Potato Chips

Dinner
Rotini Pasta with Trader Joe’s Marinara Sauce

Dessert
Herbal Tea with 1 pack of stevia
1 Piece of fruit for the kids

So I went to the doctor right after I dropped off the kids this morning.  I was so scared that I would have to take antibiotics but fortunately the strep test was negative and my chest was clear. They diagnosed me with a viral infection (common cold) and suggested I get some over the counter medicine to suppress my cough as all of my coughing is irritation my chest and throat.  I probably should have dragged myself to Whole Foods to try to find a candida friendly cough medicine but I just stopped at CVS and got the Tussin DM with all of the corn syrup.  I hope that you guys are not too disappointed, I just really want to stop coughing and finally get some sleep.  I was up late last night again and do not want another night of this.  I know this choice is contrary to the candida diet way but I promise to get back on task as soon as I can get some sleep. 

The Homemade Yeast Free Hamburger Helper came out great last night.  Everyone was thrilled with it so it will become a regular part of the candida diet menu.  Tonight I am going to try a Homemade Yeast Free Chicken Pot Pie.  Pot Pies are another favorite of mine so I hope that I can master a candida diet version.  Have a great day! 

Today’s Candida Diet Menu – March 4, 2010

Breakfast
Gluten free pancakes with no syrup (Kids ate it with pure maple syrup) 

Mid-Morning Snack
Sage Valley Tortilla Chips

Lunch
Applegate Farm Turkey Breast Sandwich on Rice Cakes
Kids Rotini Pasta with Trader Joe’s Marinara Sauce

Afternoon Snack
2 cups of air popped popcorn
Kids have Cape Cod Potato Chips

Dinner
Homemade Chicken Pot Pie
Broccoli

Dessert
Herbal Tea with 1 pack of stevia
1 Piece of fruit for the kids

I am still feeling pretty lousy today.  My cough kept me up all night and I just can’t shake it.  If I am still sick tomorrow I may have to go to the doctor.  I have been avoiding going to the doctor because I just don’t want to take an antibiotic.    Taking antibiotics almost always means that I will be battling a yeast infection in the the coming weeks.  I apologize if that is too much information but I am sure many of you get the same fear when you are prescribed antibiotics.  I guess if it comes to that, which I think it is going to because I can barely stop coughing while I am typing this and have a burning sensation in my chest , I will just have to take protective measures.  I will make sure to pick up a quality probiotic and some plain yogurt and pray that I can somehow restore friendly bacteria to my system while the antibiotic is killing all of the bacteria in my body.  Overuse of antibiotics is one of the main causes of candida overgrowth.  Antibiotics are extremely useful in killing the bad bacteria that causes illness but does not discriminate and also kills the good bacteria that helps to keep the candida in check.   I also just really dislike going to the doctor but I guess I have to stop whining and take care of myself. 

I am exited about the menu tonight.  I am going to try to make yeast free homemade Hamburger Helper.  Hamburger Helper is another one of those prepared foods that I could never get enough.  I loved when it was on sale so I could stock up.  All you need is a pound of ground meat and voila, you have dinner.  I checked out a box of the Beef Noodle one in the store this morning in order to see what the ingredients were in it so that I could make a yeast free version.  I am amazed that I had never done this before.  How could I have ate something for so many years and not even know what was in it.  Well I’ll tell you what is in it and it isn’t pretty:

Wheat Flour- Mentioned as a sub-ingredient of three of ingredients.  Definitely not a good idea for avoiding gluten.
Maltodextrin – Still not sure what this is but I would bet money that it can’t be good for us.
Salt – Usually contains dextrose, which contains sugar and is no good on the candida diet.
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein – I am not sure what this is either but it doesn’t sound good either.
Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) – Oh No!!! 
Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil – Didn’t they determine that partially hydrogenated anything was like eating plastic?
Yeast Extract – Was this really necessary after all of the other stuff?

I am shocked at how many bad ingredients are in this one box and even more shocked that I had been eating it and feeding it to my family.  I guess there is no use getting frustrated.  Nowadays I know more about the food that I am eating than I ever thought I would.  This new awareness is helping me make better choices for me and my family.  I am looking forward to making a healthy yeast free version of Hamburger Helper. 

 Today’s Candida Diet Menu – March 3, 2010

Breakfast
Gluten free pancakes with no syrup (Kids ate it with pure maple syrup) 

Mid-Morning Snack
Cucumber with Sea Salt

Lunch
Applegate Farm Turkey Breast Sandwich on Rice Cakes
Kids have Gluten Free Macaroni and Cheese

Afternoon Snack
2 cups of air popped popcorn
Kids have Cape Cod Potato Chips

Dinner
Homemade Yeast Free Hamburger Helper
French Cut String Beans

Dessert
Herbal Tea with 1 pack of stevia
1 Piece of fruit for the kids

I feel like crap today.  I am sick.  I am not sure what is wrong with me but I have come down with something.  My head, throat and stomach hurt.  I have tried to take it easy and get a little rest today.  I managed to sneak in a brief nap.  I think I just really over did it this past weekend and my body is not happy right now.  I tried to keep the menu simple for today in order to give myself a much needed break.  I wish I could learn to take a break before I crash.  Such is life I guess.  I am going to try to get to bed early tonight. 

Today’s Candida Diet Menu – March 2, 2010

Breakfast
2 boiled eggs with sea salt and pepper
Gluten free pancakes with no syrup (Kids ate it with pure maple syrup) 

Mid-Morning Snack
Cucumber with Sea Salt

Lunch
Brown Rice Pasta with Trader Joe’s Marinara Sauce

Afternoon Snack
2 cups of air popped popcorn
Kids have Cape Cod Potato Chips

Dinner
Baked Salmon and Asparagus with Brown Rice Pasta

Dessert
Herbal Tea with 1 pack of stevia
1 Piece of fruit for the kids

I hope that everyone had a great weekend.  My weekend was really good but to be honest it was just plain offensive to the candida diet.  My friend celebrated her 30th birthday this weekend and as I had confessed last week I am having a little trouble sticking to the candida diet when I am social settings.  Needless to say after 4 Apple Martini’s, yes 4, on Saturday night I was not feeling so good on Sunday.  Besides for the fact that I had a hangover many of my candida symptoms returned.  I am sure eating pizza after we were done partying did not help either.  I am feeling a little better today physically but definitelyguilt ridden.  I was doing so well on the diet but as soon as I am thrust into a social setting I get all flustered and do not know how to maintain the yeast free lifestyle that is so crucial to my health and overall well being.  I guess there is no use crying over spilled milk.  I will try to regroup today and press on.  After  

Today’s Candida Diet Menu – March 1, 2010

Breakfast
Gluten free pancakes with no syrup (Kids ate it with pure maple syrup) 

Mid-Morning Snack
Cucumber with Sea Salt

Lunch
Turkey and Avocado salad with Lemon and Chive Salad Dressing

Afternoon Snack
2 cups of air popped popcorn
Kids have Cape Cod Potato Chips

Dinner
Yeast Free Taco Night

Dessert
Herbal Tea with 1 pack of stevia
1 Piece of fruit for the kids

The kids had a snow day yesterday after more than 24 hours of straight snow in New Jersey.  I was not been able to get much done.    That is why my daily Today’s Candida Diet Menu post has morphed into Yesterday’s Candida Diet Menu post.  Although I was not able to get much done I did build my first snowman with my children.   It is hard to believe that I have lived in the northeast my entire life and have endured so many snow storms and had never built a snowman before yesterday.  It was an awesome experience and the kids had so much fun.  

So crockpot Chicken and Vegetable Soup did not go so well on Thursday.  So this brought my record down to 3 – 1.  I thought I could redeem myself on Friday with a traditional family favorite that I had while growing up it is called Hoppin Johns but my children did not go for this one either.  So I finish the week 3 -2.  It is so hard to find recipes that everyone will eat in my family. Most children are such picky eaters really only liking a few foods and these foods were abruptly taken away from my children when diagnosed with food allergies.  Somedays I still don’t know where to begin with feeding them.  There are few things that I can prepare for the quick now and when I put my heart and soul into a meal and they barely taste it I feel so defeated.  I have learned to keep some bags of puffed rice cereal around just in case this happens.  Puffed rice is safe for both of my children to eat so if dinner does not go well I offer a bowl of this and only this to the children.  I have made it clear that I am not a diner and I will no longer make food to order.  I did that for a while.  Letting each child choose what they wanted and I was exhausted.  No more! My goal is to put tasty, healthy, allergy / candida diet friendly foods on the table and if they choose not to eat they do have alternative.  Well here is yesterday’s candida diet menu.  Have a wonderful weekend!

Yesterday ’s Candida Diet Menu – February 26, 2010

Breakfast
Leftover Crockpot Chicken and Vegetable Soup
Kids ate puffed rice cereal with unsweetened rice milk

Mid-Morning Snack
Cucumber with Sea Salt

Lunch
Chicken Nuggets
Baked French Fries

Afternoon Snack
2 cups of Air Popped Popcorn
Kids have Cape Cod Potato Chips

Dinner
Crockpot Hoppins John with Brown Rice
Kids ate puffed rice cereal with unsweetened rice milk

Dessert
Herbal Tea with 1 pack of stevia
1 Piece of fruit for the kids

We are in the middle of another winter storm here in New Jersey.  It is coming down pretty hard right now and I am waiting to get the call from the school to come pick up my daughter early.  It is supposed to snow for about 24 hours and I have not made it to the supermarket yet to stock up on all of our candida and allergy friendly products.  I will have to force myself to go after I pick up my daughter up from school otherwise we will be in bad shape for tomorrow, especially if we end up having a snow day.  I took this picture of the bread rack in the supermarket right before our last snow storm.  I was amazed that there was barely any bread left and happy that I didn’t need any for my household.   

Crockpot Cheeseless Lasagna was a hit last night so I am now 3 for 3.  I am worried about tonight though as I am doing Crockpot Chicken and Vegetable Soup and my oldest is very picky about the soup she eats.  She is also used to having noodles in her soup which I am omitting tonight because are meals have been very carbohydrate heavy and I am seeking more dietary balance.  I am also going to toss a salad and make some creamy herb dressing too so there will be a little more work required tonight but it shouldn’t be too bad.  Well I am going to prepare for a possible snow day tomorrow.  Have a great day!   

Today’s Candida Diet Menu – February 25, 2010

Breakfast
Scrambled Eggs and Hash Browns
Kids ate puffed rice cereal with unsweetened rice milk

Mid-Morning Snack
Cucumber with Sea Salt

Lunch
Leftover Crockpot Cheeseless Lasagna

Afternoon Snack
Avocado
Kids have Cape Cod Potato Chips

Dinner
Crockpot Chicken and Vegetable Soup
Salad with Creamy Herb Salad Dressing

Dessert
Herbal Tea with 1 pack of stevia
1 Piece of fruit for the kids

So I am 2 for 2 with for my candida diet crockpot meals for the week.  Everyone ate the the Lamb Stew on Monday and the Tiliapia and Tomatoes  last night.  I think I may be on to something here.  The crockpot saves me so much time and cleanup and I just love that dinner is ready so early so that I can focus on other stuff at night such as homework, baths and spending some much needed quality time with my children and still get them to bed at a reasonable time. 

So tonight I am going to try yeast free lasagna in the crockpot.  Can you still call it lasagna if it has no ricotta and mozzarella cheese? Maybe it I should call it turkey meat, vegetables and sauce with lasagna noodles.  Wait that is a bit cumbersome, what about Cheeseless lasagna.  That will work and I hope that this dish comes out okay.  I want to see if I can go undefeated for the week.  Have a great day! 

Today’s Candida Diet Menu – February 24, 2010

Breakfast
Puffed Rice Cereal with unsweetened soy milk (kids had it with unsweetened rice milk)

Mid-Morning Snack
Cucumber with Sea Salt

Lunch
Leftover Crockpot Tilapia with Tomatoes over Brown Rice

Afternoon Snack
2 Cups of Air Popped Popcorn with Clarified Butter and Sea Salt
Kids have Cape Cod Potato Chips

Dinner
Crockpot Cheeseless Lasagna

Dessert
Herbal Tea with 1 pack of stevia
1 Piece of fruit for the kids

Corn Tortilla Chips are one of my favorite candida friendly snacks and although I know I have to eat them in limited quantities I am so glad that these were not off limits.  What else would I eat my hummus and salsa.  Many of the snacks you find in the supermarket have preservatives and additives that are prohibited on the candida diet.  When I first started the diet I had to find a new corn tortilla chip that was appropriate.  The first one I came across was the Garden of Eatin Organic Corn Tortilla Chips and was thrilled that they contained all candida safe ingredients but I did not like the price.  They were over $3.00 a bag and they never seemed to go on sale.  This is very hard to swallow for someone with very little brand loyalty and who had previously been eating according to what was on sale.  I bought them anyway so that I could surround myself with candida diet friendly snacks and not be tempted. 

One day I ran into the store to buy a new bag of tortilla chips and came accross Sage Valley Yellow Corn Tortilla Chips.  They were in the organic chip section of Shoprite and were marked with a sale sign for $1.99. “Surely at that price they have to have something that I can’t eat in them,” I thought to myself.  I picked up the bag anyway to take a look at the ingredients and I was so excited.  These were okay and so much cheaper.  I have been buying them ever since.  They have stayed at the price of $1.99 since they first appeared on the supermarket shelves a year ago.  If you are a fan of corn tortilla chips give these a try. 

Product Name:
Sage Valley Yellow Corn Tortilla Chips

Who Makes It?
Sage Valley (Tree of Life a Kehe company)
St. Augustine, FL
32085-9000
1-800-223-2910

What are the ingredients?
Organic Yellow Corn
Expeller Pressed Safflower and/or Sunflower and/or Canola Oil
Sea Salt

Where can I find it?
Shoprite

 Special Features
100% Natural
No Artificial Colors or Additives
No Artificial Preservatives
No Hydrogenated Oils
0 grams Trans Fat Per Serving

Price
$1.99