Xylitol Recipes

I'm probably a bit late to the party here (the website looks pretty dated), but I've recently come across a list of recipes that make use of xylitol, including some 'candies and confection' (sweeties and cake?). I intend to have a go at the fudge recipe over Christmas, though I suspect it will turn out more 'truffley' than 'fudgey'.

Update

So.... the doctor prescribed me Canestan cream and a tablet. Like a good girl I took/used them. I dunno what happened, but they must have released all the dormant yeasty-beasties in my system from their slumber; I have ended up with probably the worst thrushy flare-up in years. Scuse me while I screeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaammmmmmmmmmmmm in frustration!

Anyway, back at the doctor's today, during an MOT of my lady bits, I explained the frankly piss-poor treatment I had received from the conventional medical profession in the past. She was really shocked, especially about me being told by a gynaecologist at a hospital which shall remain nameless that I was unlucky and would just have to deal with it (I swear I'd been marked down as 'neurotic'). She revealed that there are LOADS of other treatments to try (besides endless and useless Nystatin pessaries). For starters, she's put me on a course of a fairly heavy-duty anti-fungal treatment (taken orally). I start tomorrow. Here's hoping.

But, just because I have had to resort to medication, I don't intend to stop eating well. The Candida Diet is simply a healthy way to eat (providing it isn't taken to extremes), and I have renewed determination to get back on the straight and narrow, and keep it up.

Kicking thrushy butt

Long time, no hear (from me). I thought I had kicked thrushy butt, but recent events have conspired to reveal that, oh no, the Candida is still there wreaking its evil, yeasty ways in my nether regions.

So, while I'm waiting to find out what my surgery/local hospital indeed to do about it, I've returned to Angela Kilmartin's advice:

• avoid 'sweaty' clothing - though this does mean that I might have to give up running, which will be a real shame;
• tighten up the diet - not a lot, but, clearly, too much refined sugar has been passing my lips recently;
• shower, don't bath;
• three soup spoonfuls of yoghurt before every meal (yuck); and
• a tsp of olive oil per day (also yuck).

I should also get my hands on some caprylic acid tablets too. Oh joy.

The moral of this story is stay vigiliant against the thrushy battalions, cowered, but not beaten, ready to attack at the slightest opportunity.

Bastards.

M&S Yoghurt Drinks

Happy Yoghurt by lamazone

I have a confession to make. I HATE yoghurt. Nasty sour stuff - YUCK! I eat it because it's good for me, not because I enjoy it. Even after all these years of the anti-Candida diet, I still loathe it with a passion. I have always preferred those little pre/pro-biotic yoghurt drinks that come in dinky cartons. Convenient and infinitely yummier. But, more often than not, packed with sugar.

Well, imagine my joy when I discovered that Marks & Spencer's yoghurt drinks are sugar free (sweetened with fruit and fruit juice)!

I've tried the 'Blueberry, Acai & Rooibos' and 'Strawberry & Aloe Vera' flavours. Both of which are delicious. They come in packs of 4 and are currently 2 for £3. Get to your local Marks and Sparks tout suite!

Gujerati-style Cabbage with Carrots

A delicious, light, nutrient-packed side dish found here (replace the sugar with agave):

Gujerati-style Cabbage with Carrots

1/2 lb cabbage
1/2 lb carrots
fresh green chilli to taste
3 tbsp oil
1 pinch asafeotida (hing)
1 tbsp black mustard seed
1 dried red chilli
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp sugar
3 tbsp chopped coriander
1 tsp lemon juice

1. Core the cabbage and cut into long shreds; grate the carrots; thinly slice the green chilli.

2. Heat the oil in a heavy pan; when hot add the asafeotida (hing), a second later add the mustard seeds; when they begin to pop add the dried red chilli; stir once.

3. Add the cabbage, carrots and green chilli; turn the heat down; stir for a minute.

4. Add the salt, sugar and coriander; cook for approx 5minutes or until the veg are just done; add lemon juice, stir, serve.

You may wish to moderate the use of fresh and dried chilli!

Vegan cupcakes recipes

I've finally located an agave-sweetened fairy cake recipe that works!* The resulting cakes are a little greasy, but fairly light and delicately flavoured. Just remember that using agave does result in a darker colour.

*I haven't yet attempted to candida diet-ise the icing.

Much overdue update

Just popping in to say that I am still maintaining, though I'm able to tolerate the odd bit of refined sugar now and then (so, I no longer have to miss out on birthday cake, etc). My digestive system seems to be considerably more robust: I managed to survive two hefty courses of antibiotics between December and March without ill-effect. Brilliant news.

My thesis is also finished - I should graduate this July - so my stress-levels are much reduced. My skin is virtually clear of acne. I'm running two-three times a week and I feel great! So, stick with the candida diet. It *is* tough, and you may only take baby-steps in the right direction to begin with, but progress is still progress.