IT'S A YEAST FREE DAY

March 28, 2010 Sunday

"We like someone because, we love someone although." - Henry de Montherlant

He was a celebrated French essayist born in Paris, France. He hid his homosexuality throughout his life. His most famous work The Boys was published in 1969 although it was written some 40 years earlier. He died in 1972 from a self-inflicted gun shot wound to the head after swallowing a cyanide capsule. I realize this isn't the way to start a blog but it is what it is.

Today, as promised, is the Yeast Free Diet. This is not the easiest Dietary Lifestyle to follow.

Let me tell what you cannot have: 1. Sugar (as in chocolate and sweets) 2. Cow's Dairy 3. Gluten breads as barley, rye, oats and wheat (BROW). Now that is just the beginning. By the time you absorb this, you have basically wiped out most of your daily existence. I know. I do it and I am not perfect. Remember, Progress not perfection is the goal. All white-processed breads and cereals are also excluded. Wow!

Other yeast foods that you must exclude are all vinegar products--balsamic vinegar on the salad, pickles and green olives. Then there is no smoked, cured or fermented products--the salami, the smoked salmon and lox. No bacon. So far, except for the vinegar products, I personally am fine. No dried fruits. This is usually where people think they are eating healthy. It is healthier than a Baby Ruth bar but there is far too much sugar and yeast in dried fruits.

Cantaloupe is one of the yeastiest foods(Is yeastiest even a word?!). No peanuts but other nuts/seeds are fine. This is because a peanut is a legume grown in the ground, whereas the other nuts/seeds are tree nuts. Those in the ground have the chance of getting mold, a form of yeast.

Mushrooms are not allowed. If you buy loose coffee and tea from barrels, not included either.

No one said this would be easy but the bloating, gas and changes in bowel habits will be changed within 3-4 days. Those who feel bloated and think that this is normal haven't really experienced what normal is.

Tomorrow I will discuss the alternatives and what you can have. Start making a list of the above you do consume in one column. Then cross them out so I can give substitutes. By the way, you are not alone. Most Americans consume all of the above as their staple diet. This will allow you to be ahead of the game.

The needlepoint pillow was made for a special person. The clue is in the pillow if you concentrate on the letters. It is like the word game: Mrs. Greer is odd and queer but not peculiar." She likes the pool but not the water." or "She likes the floor but hates the ceiling."

Photography credit: Rick Byrd

Until tomorrow...