Mama Says Om: Balance

Balance, what balance? One week, I'm happy and have energy to play with Lucy all the time and the next I want my space. I feel guilty for pushing her away and trying to carve out a little alone time, which seems to be in excess this week. I've never had balance in my life and always wondered how other people attain it. I so easily get addicted to things that seem to give me solidity, coffee every morning, sugar and sweets every night, depression and anxiety seem to throw me off the line of evenness and balance.
I want to make changes to the other extreme in order to find balance in my body sometime in the future. Cutting out carbs except for veggies in order to break the sugar addiction and limiting myself to one cup of coffee in the morning, it's a stong one to be sure. I'm learning again about candidiasis, candida overgrowth, yep I've got it and it throws all things out of balance in the body which surely affects the mind. I've been down this road before, six years ago. I found balance in my body after going to the extreme of lo carb eating and never felt better in my life. Over the years I have started eating some carbs keeping everything in check but after a round of antibiotics last year and eating lots of carbs during my pregnancy my body seems to have grown yeasty again. I'll have to go to the extreme for three to six months to find balance in my gut again, all worth it to get off this roller coaster and find balance.

What are the symptoms of candida overgrowth?

It can infect various parts of the body so there are alot of symptoms including but not limited to:
constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, canker sores, persistant heartburn, muscle and joint pain, sore throat, congestion, nagging cough, numb hands, legs or face, tingling sensations, acne, vaginitis, kidney and bladder infections, arthritis, depression, hyperactivity, hypothyroidism, followed by adrenal problems, and even diabetes, a sensitivity to the environment, unable to tolerate the smell of rubber, petroleum products, tobacco, exhaust fumes, and chemical oders.
Most people who have candidiasis have food intolerances, too. From Prescription For Nutritional Healing by James F. Balch MD and Phyllis A. Balch, CNC

And from Linda Page's Healthy Healing:
Candida is a state of inner imbalance, not a disease. Candida Albicans yeast is a common, normally living harmlessly in the gastrointestinal tract and genito-urinary areas of the body. But when immune response is reduced from repeated rounds of antibiotics, birth control pills or steroid drugs, a high sugar or carbohydrate rich diet, and a lifestyle short on rest, the body looses its intestinal balance and candida yeasts multiply too rapidly, voraciously feeding on excess sugars and carbohydrates in the digestive tract.

Signs you may have a candida infection:
recurrent digestive problems, gas, bloating or flatulence
rectal itchingn or chronic constipationalternating to diarrhea
a white coating on the tongue
cravings for sugar, bread, or alcoholic beverages
unusually irritable or depressed
catch frequent colds
unexplained frequent headaches, muscle aches or joint pain
poor memory, difficulty concentrating or focusing thoughts, a space-y feeling
serious PMS, menstrual problems oe endometriosis, chronic vaginal yeast infections or frequent bladder infections
chronic fungal infections like ringworm, jock itch, nail fungus or athlete's foot
hives, psoriasis, eczema or chronic dermatitis
erractic vision or spots before the eyes
oversensitive to chemicals, tobacco, perfume or insectisides

This is too long, again out of balance! Last week I had energy and was happy and easy going, I ate meat and veggies and some sugar free jello with heavy cream for dessert. No finishing Lucy's gluten free toast or a bite of ice cream, my favorite thing to eat ever or cheese or vineagar, also fermented foods feed the yeast. This week, I had some cheese in addition to meat and veggies, I didn't feel as good and I had constipation. A reality check. I also ate birthday cake and ice cream on Wednesday, not feelin so good now. I know what I have to do and it takes time and diligence.

I'll let you know how it goes although if I'm happy and feelin great I may not need to vent on my blog and will be happily playin with Lucy!