This came on top of my conference with Dr. Said, my new naturalpath, who found I was allergic to gluten, black beans, soy beans, navy beans, and clams. So no more wheat, change all my beans to pinto or white or black-eyed peas, and avoid anything with soy in it, including soy sauce, tofu, tempeh, and Braggs Liquid Aminos. Then for my MS (which I had just quit all my meds) he recommended for sure no gluten, no MSG, no neurotoxins, lots of protein at each meal and mostly raw food. And of course a liver cleanse and supplements. It seemed overwhelming at the time. How to do this?
I was planning a trip up north anyway, and since Michele was already interested in Engine 2, it seemed a good opportunity to gather the girls (Shanna was enthusiastic but a little surprised at the program) for a long weekend and 16.5 hours of intense training on the science with doctors McDougall, Esselstyn, Greger and Lisle, including cooking demonstrations, and a real live survivor. The primary focus is heart health, but it overflows to autoimmune health, cancer health, and diabetes health.
It was held at the Hilton in Portland, and they fed us silly on the program. Each meal was buffet style, with 3 lines set up the same. We grabbed faster than the cooks could keep it replenished!
I even got my own lasagna gluten and black bean free! I did have to share with one other gluten-free gal.
Each morning at 6:30 they offered yoga from the top floor of the Hilton! The view was fantastic.
That's me in the red shirt, Michele in orange, and Shanna in red.
Michele's "vegetarian friend" from work, Deb, also attended. That's Michele's plate from the "Burger Bar" with Deb.
Black Bean Extravaganza.
Without the black beans. Shanna's plate looks a little more timid than mine...
This is (gluten-free) Pasta Bar with Marinara, Steamed Greens with Walnut Sauce, and Apple-Cardamom Flapjack Crumble with Cashew Sauce. Yum!
We did get 20 minute breaks twice a day. We tried to get in as much walking as we could, even though it was pretty drizzly.
It's funny that this is the only presenter I took a picture of. This is Ann Esselstyn, Dr. Esselstyn's wife. She's been cooking this way for over 30 years, and raised I forget how many kids on in. She's a real believer, but also full of all kinds of tips and tricks. She showed us how to strip kale.
Rip Esselstyn, the Engine 2 guy, is her son. Too bad I didn't nab a picture of him! A real looker. Ann has the bluest eyes I've ever seen.
I've now followed this plan over 3 months, and I have to say I feel many times better than I did before. The days of laying on the couch are over. I bounce out of bed and walk first thing in the morning. Somewhere I lost over 10 pounds (?), eating everything that isn't tied down, with no cravings or feelings of deprivation. If my uncle brings a homemade rhubarb pie, I eat it! My only MS symptom that seems to persist is my intolerance of heat. Woohoo!
