More than you may want to know...

This is a different type of post, simply because I am usually posting pictures of what delicious foods we've had around the region. Things have changed a little around the Freeman house, and though it seems crazy to say it, we're eating more organic foods.

Yes, you read that correctly. The guy who loves ranch, hot sauce, and ketchup on many foods is going easy on the sauces. The gal who eats fatayer and zaatar breads with a cup of coffee everyday for breakfast has gone grain-free. So, what happened?

To make a long story not too short, I have been dealing with what I thought was hereditary and/or environment-induced eczema on my hands for the last 5-6 years, all the while praying that it would get better. Over the past 20 or so months that we've lived in Kuwait, I noticed the symptoms becoming increasingly worse. There are times when my hands are relatively clear and other times when they are extremely dry, cracked, and sore. I've been to the doctors, and they only prescribe a new, better steroid cream each time, none of which heal my hands. See the frustrating pattern?

I can't even remember how the conversation got started, but one night, we were hanging out with a few good friends. Somehow, the topic of conversation turned to my skin irritation (great dinner conversation, I know), and someone mentioned that her sister had the same problem, but that it was due to a food allergy/yeast overproduction. Being the scoffer at all things organic, "environmentally safe," or holistic that I was, I was initially very skeptical that a simple diet change could make my life so much easier. Initially.

I came home and did about 10+ hours of research over the next few days. Still skeptical, I found that something called Candidiasis, though existing, is widely rejected by general practitioners as being a true disease. I started putting a few puzzle pieces together, like from when I had mono- in University and several rounds of antibiotics in my lifetime, to the fact that I had a very high-carb, high-caffeine diet.The possibility snuck into my brain that I could be healthier than I was. I'll spare the gory details, but if you're interested, you can read the following article about what I think the problem is.

In light of this, I have been on a self-imposed, highly restrictive diet for the last 20 days. Since the week I began, I have noticed remarkable improvements in not only the texture of my skin, but its "moisture level." I will admit that the first week was awful, and I felt like I had been run over by a truck, but the last two weeks really haven't been so bad. An unintentional benefit is that I've lost 3kg! I am finding more resources for tasty foods, and Chris has gone on a low/no carb diet with me to be supportive. He's probably the best husband ever, but I'm biased.

In my next blog, I'll post some of my new favorite resources for gluten-free and sugar-free recipes, as well as the kinds of meals I've been making. Last night, I finished making my mom's halupki with a few modifications. Today, there are only a few pigs left in the blanket.

photo: catching up on some lost Ultimate Frisbee on Sports Day