Meal Plan - March 21st.

Fun fact about me for this week - I have a problem with leopard print. As in, I have an addiction. It's a major problem. Here I am this week hanging out in Enmore while sporting one of my many pairs of leopard print pants. 

I’m having such a bad hair day. About six months ago I decided to grow my hair out after having sported a pixie cut for what felt like a billion years. Dumb decision. I’m an impatient, anxious person at the best of times so when I declared to all my friends that I wanted mermaid hair, I really hadn’t thought it through well enough. I read that EGG YOLKS help your hair grow quicker (and makes it more shinier and softer and generally more fabulous). Mix 2 egg yolks with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and dilute with water then rub it on yo head! I’m totes trying this. And then I’m gonna use my leftover egg whites for an omelette. EPIC Saturday plans.

Meal Plan

Thursday	English muffins & avocado	Pumpkin and carrot soup	Pesto burgers
Friday	Paleo granola & fruit	Leftover pesto burgers	Eating out
Saturday	Eggs white omelette with bacon	Probably still full from BREAKFAST.	BBQ
Sunday	Eating Out	Leftovers from BBQ	Frittata with mince and sweet potato
Monday	Paleo English muffins	Leftover frittata	Salmon in a bag
Tuesday	Paleo English muffins	Leftover pumpkin soup	Baked chicken & sweet potato fries
Wednesday	Paleo granola & fruit	Leftover chicken and salad	Lamb and veggies

Shopping List

Almonds, bacon, eggs, beetroot, cheese, milk, almond milk, olive oil, mince, salmon steaks, chicken, Iceberg lettuce, mixed lettuce, tomatoes, fruit, onions, sweet potatoes, carrots, baby spinach/silverbeat, celery, avocado, basil, raw cashews, beans/snowpeas, lemons, BBQ STUFF TBC. 

Health Update

I’ve just recently started my new HS treatment. It’s not fun. I hate making new year’s resolutions, but I do like to set myself goals for the year. 2013 was supposed to be the year I got off all my meds. Started well, but my plans came crashing down 2 weeks ago when I met with my new specialist. While eating clean, organic and as naturally as possible is great, he didn’t seem to think it would have any direct impact on slowing down the disease. There is no scientific evidence to prove that lifestyle (besides smoking and being overweight) will affect the increase and spread of HS. I was pretty gutted. That’s not to say I should go back to old ways of eating and living. The healthier and fitter I am (and I’m a motherfucking machine right now!), the better my body will be at fighting off infection when I do occasionally have flair ups.

So anyway, the new plan for my treatment is back on le drugs. Gross. I’m now on a six month course of Isotretinoin, marketed in Australia as Oratane. The main use for this drug is to cure cystic acne in teenagers as it shuts down the oil glands in the body, which for me should hopefully slow down the spread of HS (as the oil glands and sweat glands work hand in hand), put me into remission or even cure me. It’s quite a powerful yet controversial drug. The side effects range from dry, cracked skin right up to inflammatory bowel disease and vision impairment. In 2009 Roaccutane (the original isotretinoin) was pulled off the shelves in the US because of the significant side effects and the mounting costs of personal-injury lawsuits. To say I was nervous about starting this treatment was an UNDERSTATEMENT! The only other option was more surgery, which I’ve been told could cause even more problems down the track with impairment on range of movement in my right arm. I felt like I didn't have a choice. I’ve been on Oratane for just over a week now and I have the WORST dry lips and skin imaginable. I’m keeping a close eye on everything else, trying to be as healthy as possible, while hating being back on medication. I should know within 2 months whether it is helping or not, and at that point I can make a decision whether to continue treatment or not. *Sigh*. Wish me luck.

(I’d love to hear from you if you’ve been on Oratane or suffer from Hidradenitis suppurativa. Any tips or tricks we can share would be wonderful!)

A Guide to Meal Plans

I hate wasting food. It's my biggest pet hate. It's such a waste. I'd much rather make lots of little visits to the supermarket to make sure I use everything in the fridge, than do one big shop and have to throw out spoiled food. 

Let's talk about meal plans. Sounds boring right? I know. And it is boring to some. But it's actually one of my fav things to do. I get excited when I discover new recipes to try out and include in my plan. Meal plans help me stay on track with my eating, plus I can make an ingredients/shopping list which means I only buy what I need and nothing goes to waste. AND you save money. It's a win win. Duh. Hurray!! 

I do my fruit and veggie shopping on Wednesday at the local produce markets near my work, so my meal plan starts mid week. I'm obvs also reeeeeeeally boring when it comes to 
breakfast. I'm not a morning person. I'd rather sleep than eat.

I don't always stick to my plan, sometimes I feel like chicken when my plan tells me I'm supposed to have lamb, but I will always have a bunch of ingredients for meals in the fridge ready to go. So I can chop and change depending on what I want. I also do my best to include any meals where I will be eating out so I don't over shop. 

Here's a snap shot into a week in my belly. Enjoy! 

Day	Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner
Wednesday	Egg and Bacon muffin	Leftover chicken	Pesto Burgers
Thursday	Egg and Bacon muffin	Leftover pesto burgers	Eating out
Friday	Granola, almond milk and fruit	Frozen soup	Pizza
Saturday	Bacon, Eggs and avocado	Wing it	Eating out
Sunday	Eating out	Wing it	Frittata
Monday	Granola, almond milk and fruit	Left over frittata	Baked chicken & sweet potato
Tuesday	Egg and Bacon muffin	Leftover chicken salad	Lamb & stuffed zucchini
Wednesday	Egg and Bacon muffin	Pumpkin & carrot soup	Pesto Burgers?

Shopping List

Basil, raw cashews, iceberg lettuce, mixed lettuce, baby spinach, tomatoes, avocado, sweet potato, lemons/limes, cauliflower, capsicum, zucchini, Olive oil, bacon, steak, salami, cheese, pizza bases, mince x 2, chicken, lamb, eggs, almonds.