I saw my functional medicine doctor today and they seemed happy with how I'm doing. Which is good, because I'M happy with how I'm doing. I feel so much better than I did last year that it seems as though that was a different life. I remember how last year I couldn't focus, couldn't think, couldn't walk far, my hair was falling out… It's almost more frightening in hindsight, because at the time you are just trying to struggle through. Today I was happy to report on things that don't really matter, except that they represent the way my body is healing. My hair no longer falls out, the outer edges of my fading eyebrows are growing back, and in an instance that surprised me—I lost some of the chin hairs that had sprouted. Oh yes, and I don't have as much ear wax. Not that earwax was a big problem…it's not anything I ever thought about. Every time I took a shower I would clean my ears. Recently I noticed that whenever I do that…there's almost no wax. I thought I was crazy—chin hairs and earwax….but after talking to my doctor and hitting Google…I'm NOT crazy. I suppose I shouldn't be shocked…if you put something into your system, it's going to affect it somehow….but just the same…it all kind of blows my mind!

I still have another month or so in this program, but I will continue on my own. I'm at a point in which I can add some foods back in, but I haven't really felt that much of a desire to do it. It feels pretty comfortable eating this way. Tonight we have my BIL coming over for dinner. I made pot roast from grass fed Chuck Roast (yay Aldi's), and I'll cook the potatoes separated. I did a pot roast this way last week and it was really delicious. I just seared the roast quickly and put it in the crock pot with smoked paprika, oregano, thyme, salt and pepper, and a few cups of beef bone broth. I didn't add vegetables. I've decided I don't particularly care for cooked carrots (unless roasted) and I'm not eating white potatoes or onions, so I just keep the broth pure. After its cooked I let it sit in the refrigerator. This way I can skim most of the fat off, and like anything kind of stew type dish, it gets better as it sits. Before serving I pull the meat out and cook the broth down a bit. I'm also making a salad with spinach, baby greens, avocado, walnuts and Cara Cara oranges. Just olive oil and a bit of salt for dressing. 

Avocado chocolate pudding and strawberries for dessert as it's his birthday. It felt good to be cooking this afternoon….it's been forever since we've had anyone over. I had to make some coconut milk. Lately, when I do it, I don't stress out trying to strain every bit of liquid from the pulp. Then I just spoon all the pulp into one of my little fridgies and use that in my morning smoothies. If I make coconut butter then it gets hard and I have to soften it….this stays soft and I'm not wasting it by throwing it out. The milk that's left usually separates into a layer of coconut cream and a thinner milk. I needed the milk for my pudding…and I added a bit of the cream too….

Enough rambling. As always, if you want to follow my food Instagram, it's @thesandwichlesslife.