Day 1

I have had a problem for the past 6 months.  I had a urinary tract infection which led to antibiotics which lead to a yeast infection which led to a very bad doctor telling me to douche and use a 7 day insertable treatment.  I have been on antibiotics for a month.  I have been on 6 different insertable treatments.  I have taken the pill that is supposed to illuminate yeast infections.  I have even done homeopathic inserts.  Four doctors, one nut job in Chicago, a family practitioner, a OB/GYN and one gyno 'specialist', all could give me no answers.
Around the same time as the initial UTI happened, I had a severe panic attack and spiraled into depression and heard every train of thought going through my head at the same time with the volume turned all the way up.  I couldn't eat- I wasn't hungry.  I would feel panic around food.  I decided to move home and get help.
I am currently on the generic brand of Zoloft, Wellbutrin, and am weening off of a benzo for panic.  I have been on birth control for 4 years- Tri-Sprintec.
I owe a little over 3,000 in medical bills as I also had an ultrasound and a transvaginal ultrasound, resulting in finding a small uterine fibroid (probably why my periods are bad).
I had a rash from having to wear pads all the time which I researched and most are toxic to our system because they use the chemical dioxin to create them.
I was using an antifungal/yeast gel that the gyno specialist told me to use but it wasn't helping the rash or the yeast.
Then I felt lumps in my lower abdomen (where the leg connects to the front part of your body) and they hurt to touch.  (Only to find out they were 'angry lymph nodes' and would eventually go away- thanks Dr.- I'll be sure to follow those directions perfectly.)
I broke down.
I called my mom and then called my older sister.  She's only two years older than me but she knows how to find information!  This is what she found:


 "So i've been awakened....and it's to the disease of candidiasis!! do you have a yeast overgrowth in your body? and i'm not talking about women's "yeast infections" although that can be a symptom...i'm talking about a total systemic, body invasion of yeast. do you CRAVE sugar?? you are feeding the yeast in your body!! here's a list of symptoms that may be letting you know if you have yeast overgrowth in your body...

depression
irritability
anxiety
panic attacks
recurring obsessive thoughts
personality changes and mood swings (irrational rage or crying for no reason -
fear of talking to people, any kind of confrontation, isolation)
paranoia
abdominal gas and bloating
headaches
migraines
excessive fatigue
cravings for alcohol
menstrual difficulties
male impotence
male and female infertility
anxiety
vaginitis
rectal itching
cravings for sweets
inability to think clearly or concentrate
hyperactivity
mood swings
diarrhea
constipation
hyperactivity
itching
acne
eczema
depression
sinus inflammation
pre-menstrual syndrome
dizziness
poor memory
persistent cough
earaches
low sex drive
muscle weakness
irritability
learning difficulties
sensitivity to fragrances and/or other chemicals
cognitive impairment
thrush
athlete's foot
sore throat
indigestion
acid reflux
chronic pain 

scared now?? it's true...just google "candida symptoms" and you'll see thousands of websites talking about the scary health detriment. i don't know why doctors seem to be so prone to prescribing medications that can be eliminated by your DIET. what you eat means everything!! if your doctor doesn't talk about what you eat every day....run away!! read this:
"One of the most well known forms of yeast is the vaginal yeast infection.However, it may play a role in just about any mental health condition or chronic illness you can think of. Yeast overgrowth is considered to be a leading contributor in alcoholism, anxiety disorders, asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, addisons disease, mcs - multiple chemical sensitivities, crohns, autism, cfs - chronic fatigue syndrome, leaky gut syndrome, pms, endometriosis,fms - fibromyalgia syndrome, prostatitis, attention deficit disorder, multiple sclerosis, asthma, food allergies, muscle and joint pain, clinical depression, repeated urinary tract infections, hormonal imbalances, migraines, digestive disturbances, difficult menopause psoriasis, lupus, chronic pain, tourette's, vulvodynia, rheumatoid arthritis and many more. "

why am i so passioned about this? because i believe i had this!! my gut was completely out of whack and i was nauseous for 8+months. my doctor wanted to prescribe me anti-anxiety/anti-depressants, and did manage to send me home with at least 5 acid reducers and intestinal cramping blockers. none which worked. after my own research, i found this troubling problem of candida overgrowth and sure enough...there's my symptoms. after only a month i couldn't believe how much better i felt. there IS something to eating your vegetables people! and avoiding processed JUNK!! what are you doing to yourself?? it can even cause infertility!! why is our default drugs instead of diet?!?

the best place to start informing yourself is here http://www.thecandidadiet.com/

do this at-home test:
Spittle Test

Here's a simple test you can do at home to determine whether you have Candida.
1. When you get up in the morning, and before you brush your teeth, eat or drink anything, fill a 
glass with bottled water at room temperature. 
2. Spit some saliva gently into the glass.
3. Come back every 20 minutes for the next hour and check for some of these tell-tale signs of Candida:

- 'Strings' coming down through the water from the saliva at the top
- Cloudy saliva sitting at the bottom of the glass
- Opaque specks of saliva suspended in the water

If you see any of these signs, go speak to your doctor and get tested!

I also wrote this list of foods to follow in the candida diet that can be a helpful reference...
Foods to Eliminate
*********************

Sugar in all forms, including honey, except occasional whole fresh fruit.
Fungus, molds, and yeast in all forms, including vitamins and minerals.
Most B vitamins (unless label states otherwise).
breads and commercial baked goods.
All alcoholic beverages.
Mushrooms.
Vinegar and all foods containing vinegar, including salad dressing,
sauerkraut, green olives, pickled vegetables, and relishes.
Some crackers (read labels carefully for yeast ingredients).
Fermented products including soy sauce (tamari) and tofu.
Dry roasted nuts.
Barbecued potato chips.
Most commercial soups.
Apple cider and natural root beer.
White flour.
Bacon and other pork, which often contain molds.
Wheat, oats, rye and barley, which contain gluten and can feed Candida.
Fruit and diluted fruit juices, high in fructose (fruit sugar). 
A small amount of Swiss or Mozzarella cheese can be reintroduced in Stage 2"
white flour or white flour foods like cakes, cookies, pasta. Vinegar is made using yeast culture. Vinegar-containing foods include: pickles, pickled foods, relishes, mayonnaise, salad dressing, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, mustard, horseradish, chili sauce, to name but a few
Dairy foods to be avoided typically include: cow's milk, (whole, skim, 2% fat) and dry powdered milk. 



Reduce
*************
Whole grains and starchy vegetables until symptoms lessen.
Fruit and diluted fruit juices, which may cause yeast to grow.
Nuts and seeds (small amounts). NOT DRY ROASTED
Beans and other legumes (small amounts).
some websites say berries and green apples ok, i'd wait a few weeks to add this back in!!
Fruits are greatly restricted on any candida cleanse protocol since they're high
in natural sugars which feeds the yeast. While on the yeast elimination diet choose
only low-sugar fruits such as Granny Smith apples, oranges, grapefruit,
lemons, limes, cranberries, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries (all berries in general.)Avoid all fruit juices since these are very high in sugar. Although it’s natural sugar, candida doesn’t know the difference.


Emphasize
*************
Eggs, fish, chicken, turkey, seafood, lamb, and veal.
Vegetables except corn and potatoes.
Vegetables that inhibit the growth of Candida: raw garlic, onions,cabbage, broccoli, turnip, kale. 
The best vegetables to focus on during a candida detox are 
green leafy vegetables, peppers, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, 
broccoli, cucumbers, onions, eggplant, tomato, squashes, 
carrots (raw carrots only since cooking raises the glycemic value) and celery.
Eggs, fish, chicken, turkey, seafood, lamb, or veal, sauteed in a littl butter or safflower oil or baked with vegetables.
Steamed, sauteed, or baked vegetables, especially onions, garlic,cabbage, broccoli, turnips, and kale. All vegetables are fine except potatoes and corn, which are high in carbohydrates. Sauteed vegetables with eggs on rice cakes, or a vegetable omelet.
Salads seasoned with safflower oil and a little fresh lemon juice.
Gazpacho, tomato-based fish chowder, begetable soup, chicken or lamb stew.
Small quantities of rice and millet. A cold rice salad with steamed vegetables, seasoned with oil and lemon juice; sauteed rice with shrimp, chicken, and vegetables, or simply steamed vegetables with either grain are a few ideas that will work on this program. Rice cakes, found in some supermarkets and health food stores, can be used instead of bread. Vegetable sticks with guacamole dip (avocado, fresh tomatoes, onions, lemon juice, and a little salt) for a snack. NOT PREPACKAGED
Buckwheat
Millet
Amaranth
Oats
Quinoa
Wild and brown rice
Grains contain a high amount of fiber, excellent for keeping the colon clear
so Candida doesn't get a chance to multiply.
Grains also act like a pipecleaner in your intestine, grabbing nasty toxins like pollutants,chemicals, pesticides and heavy metals on their way through. 
cottage chs, low sugar, ok

TOP TEN!!
1. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is a potent Candida killer, and one of the most potent antifungals there is. It contains Lauric acid and Caprylic acid, which both help prevent Candida overgrowth and strengthen your immune system. 
Coconut oil is very heat stable, so it's an ideal oil to use for frying and cooking. 
It is also cheap to buy and has a much longer shelf life than other oils, so there's no excuse!
You can 2-3 tablespoons per day. 


2. Garlic
Garlic has powerful antifungal properties to attack Candida, while also preserving and boosting the good bacteria in your digestive system. Garlic stimulates the liver and colon, giving it a potent detoxifying effect on the body. 
If you love garlic, then use it liberally to flavor your food. 
You can also drink 2-4 cloves per day, crushed and mixed with water as an anti-Candida tonic. Avoid taking it on an completely empty stomach, and try it with a tablespoon of coconut oil to cut down on the stomach burn.

3. Onions
Onions have strong anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-parasitic properties. 
They also help to flush excess fluids out the body - this is useful because many
Candida sufferers experience water retention. Onions along with garlic can give you breath issues, so a handy tip is to eat them with a bit of parsley to counter the smell.

4. Seaweed
Seaweed is a nutrient-dense healing food that will help the body in the fight against Candida. It is rich in Iodine to help balance your thyroid gland - Candida sufferers often experience hypothyroidism and its many symptoms. Seaweed flushes toxic pollutants and heavy metals from the body, cleanses the intestinal tract and helps eliminate acid from the body to balance your PH levels. 
Kelp extract supplements are one of the most potent sources of Iodine, but you should also try eating lots of different types of seaweed.

5. Almonds: raw from whole foods!! soooo good for you
Almonds can be your best friend - a healthy portable snack that will help with your Candida diet. Keep them handy to counter any temptation when you are on the go and starving. Research has actually shown that almonds have prebiotic properties that promote beneficial bacteria in the gut. Unlike other nuts and animal products, they are an excellent source of alkaline protein. Some people have problems digesting almonds, so soak them first if you have any issues. Just leave them in water overnight or for around 8 hours. 

6. Ginger
Ginger has a detoxing on the body by increasing circulation and detoxifying the liver, in addition to stimulating the immune system. It has a positive effect on the digestive system and helps reduce intestinal gas. It also has a soothing effect on any inflammation that the Candida overgrowth may cause in your intestinal tract. 
Ginger tea is incredibly easy to make - here's how you do it: 
Ingredients:
1 square inch piece of fresh Ginger root
Squeeze of lemon
2 cup of water

Cut off the outside of the ginger root, then grate it and add to boiling water. 
Boil for 20 minutes. Strain and serve with a slice of lemon.

7. Olive Oil
Olive oil contains a plant chemical named Oleuropein, which is found in both 
olive oil and olive leaf extract. It contains powerful anti-fungal properties and stimulates your immune system response to Candida. It has also been shown to help stabilize blood sugar levels -this is important for Candida sufferers because elevated blood sugar levels can feed your yeast overgrowth. 
*some people i read drink about 3 T a day!!*

8. Lemon and Lime Juice
Lemon and lime juice promote a more alkaline pH level in your body, which helps prevent and reduce Candida overgrowth. They also stimulate the peristaltic action of your colon, increasing the efficiency of your digestive system. Both lemons and limes are great options for seasoning your vegetable, fish and meat dishes.

9. Pumpkin Seeds~ raw from whole foods!!
Pumpkin Seeds are high in Omega-3 fatty acids, which have anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-parasitic properties.'Omega-3's also help combat depression and symptoms of Candida inflammation such as pain and skin conditions. 
It is a well established fact that most of us do not get enough Omega-3 oils in our diet to maintain optimum thyroid health. Deficiencies in this fatty acid have been linked to lower thyroid hormone levels. For an easy Omega-3 boost, add these pumpkin seeds to cereal, smoothies, salads or even use them as a portable snack.

10. Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper gives natural support to your digestive system and immune system. 
It helps to digest food and reduces constipation by cleansing the bowel of Candida and other toxins. Cayenne also increases metabolism and circulation, which will help to reduce one of the most common Candida symptoms, fatigue. Use cayenne pepper liberally to spice up your favorite foods.



HERBAL TEAS~ antifungal
Cinnamon Tea
Clove Tea
Chamomile Tea
Pau D'arco Tea
Peppermint Tea
Ginger Tea
Licorice Tea
Lemongrass Tea

Supplements for Candida Diet 
*****************************
Take for one month after symptoms stop.

Yeast-free multi-vitamin/mineral
1000 milligrams vitamin C, two times a day
Lactobacilus acidophilus tablets to increase intestinal bacteria"


As I read through the list of behavioral, emotional and physical symptoms compared to the symptoms I was experiencing, my jaw about hit the floor.  
How in the world can this be?
You mean to tell me that through diet things will finally change?
I'm a bit of a skeptic but I don't have any other choice but to try it.  Through this blog over the next month-2 months (may have to go longer if yeast is still presenting itself) I will be STARVING this yeast out of my body through diet.  I will incorporate yoga 2 times a week for the first week, then 3 - 4 times a week for the following weeks.


DAY ONE:
I came into it pretty positive.  It was finally some hope after feeling so hopeless and miserable.  I would have good days and then I would have really bad weeks. (10am)  For breakfast I had oatmeal- not the kind from the package, but plain old oats.  I put a few blueberries in there.  I'm not a huge breakfast person but I had been eating a bowl of frosted mini wheats and lactaid milk on a daily basis.  Felt pretty good.  I took my medications (which includes a pro-biotic) with a full glass of water and went on my way.  I stopped my birth control which I was using to help with pain during periods and skin issues.  I worked organizing the basement of my parents house for about 3 hours and then couldn't take it anymore- I was starving.  I ate a full plate of spinach and romaine salad with cucumbers with carrots with a EVOO/lemon juice/salt/pepper glaze although I used too much on my salad which was not the most pleasant experience but I ate it anyway.  I had about 7 small pieces of imitation crab meat (not sure if this is ok but didn't have any meat prepared).  Usually for lunch I have a peanut butter and banana sandwich with wheat or white bread (honestly whichever is softer in the pantry) and some chips.  For snacks I had roasted pecans, some strawberries and blueberries.  Usually I have chocolate or a canada dry.  For dinner I ate 3/4 of a piece of grilled chicken, quinoa and broccoli.  For desert I had a few blueberries and strawberries.  Later that night I had half of a green apple with peanut butter because I was starving- usually have some kind of ice cream, cake or cookies.  Needless to say I cherish my berries and did ok until the evening.  I noticed I became more irritable than normal.  Already though, I noticed that the lymph nodes don't hurt and seem to be shrinking.  I still have yeast coming out, but I take this as a good sign because before it would just come out in glops sometimes when I went number 2.  I took 2 citricel tablets at lunch and two at dinner.  I also began taking Azo yeast at night and 1000 mg of vitamin C.  I am almost out and will be going shopping tomorrow for some more supplies and hopefully more food ideas.  Snacks are the hardest part.  No sugar, no dairy, no carbs (even rice cakes have carbs- but I am determined to find some that don't), no corn- this is huge.  CORN IS IN EVERYTHING.  Ugh.  I know I'm full but I don't quite 'feel' full.  My sister said thats the yeast screaming at me.  Well that's to bad yeast.  I'm putting up a fight and I will win.