Kichadi - causes swelling in my hands

[spicegirl]

Hi Shelley,

Me again. Well, I'm getting all the things together to do what I need including stomach acid test, got some niacin for baths, etc. I've not started any of these yet (out on a business trip), but am getting things lined up and reading your site every day.

I have increased my vit c, am taking zinc and minerals, etc.

I made some kichadi over the weekend, and boy it really causes my hands to swell. I seem to do fine on rice and lentils otherwise (although I can't eat very much). Boy, just a few tablespoons can really cause my hands to swell.

I'd like to use kichadi as part of my detox, but am not sure what to do here.

Should I just avoid it completely, or is it just kicking up something that I can address.

I still have to do the hair analysis of course.

Thanks for any thoughts you can provide when you get a chance!
spicegirl

[shelley]

Interesting! Just your hands? Nowhere else? How much garlic and salt did you use? Which veggies did you add?

[spicegirl]

It's just my hands and it goes down after I'm up and around for a while.

I made a double batch (1 cup of rice, 1/2 cup split mung) and used about 4 or five small cloves of garlic, 4 med carrots, 1 med. zucchini and 1 heaping cup of collard greens. I'd say it's about 15% to 20% vegetables.

I used your recommended amount of salt, maybe a bit more. My husband always notices how low-salt it is, so I don't think I make it salty at all.

I remember this happening when I've made kichadi before. I don't notice my hands swelling this much when I eat things like lentil soup (traditional brown lentil soup) with brown rice or quinoa.

I was thinking about making a tiny batch with just the rice and mung and eating just that and see what happens. Then adding things over days to see what triggers the swelling?

I also notice that when I make sambar I get swollen hands. I wonder if it is one of the spices? When I get home, I'll have to look at my sambar powder recipe and cross reference the two.

I'm curious about your thoughts, but I understand this could be anything.

Thanks Shelley!
sg

[shelley]

do you react to garlic and onions? To lentils/legumes in general? There are few foods or allergies that will cause that rapid and localized a reaction. I tend to think that protein is involved, mostly taurine, as it is required to maintain proper osmotic pressure and fluid balance, and a healing crisis could mean edema as things balance out. If you reacted to garlic it would mean a sulphur sensitivity, which often leads to taurine deficiency.

[spicegirl]

I was so happy to see a response, but I'm just crying my eyes out here because when I read it I felt so overwhelmed as far as what I can eat.

I've been struggling with food for twenty years (food allergies started at age 19) and would like to overcome this and have some balance.

Ok, composure. . . I don't know exactly what I react to. I did have food allergy tests done about four years ago (blood test). It showed that I was allergic to garlic and onions, so I did avoid those for a while. It showed allergies to so many things it was extremely difficult to eat (apples, bananas, olives, coconut, lettuce, milk, yogurt, etc. etc.). I did not show sensitivity to eggs.

Are you saying that I need more protein, or that I should supplement taurine? I'm not opposed to eating meat, but I just am not a big meat eater. I like what you say about paella-like dishes, but there's the whole issue with digesting carbs, so I shy away from legume/grain mix.

If you're sensitive to sulphur, should you also avoid eggs?

I really like your protein shake and seem to do okay on that. I'm scared because I'm running out of foods to eat:(

Sorry, I tend to keep it together on the outside, but I'm kind of falling apart here. I want to address all of these issues, but am overwhelmed as far as where to begin.

What's the best way to figure out whether it is the garlic or legumes--rotation diet?

thanks,
spicegirl

[spicegirl]

I should add one more thing. When I recently experienced some yeast infection symptoms, I tried to do a garlic tampon. It made me so itchy. As soon as I removed the "garlic tampon" and washed up, the itching stopped.

[spicegirl]

Sorry that I got so freaked out. I've let go of my extremest ways (needing to define the exact plan and execute it). I'm going to experiment and test and detox slowly and steadily, and probably fall off here and there:) It seems I was looking for the answers before taking the test...arg.

I do digest very well, so I am grateful for that. I used to not digest well at all, so I have way more energy than I used to (having root canals removed made all the difference in digestion for me).

I'm still interested in how to confirm and treat sulphur sensitivity, and whether I should supplement with taurine.

Also interested if you think things like raw eggs and cultured veggies (cabbage) are okay?

Okay, thanks and much love.
spicegirl

[shelley]

yep, raw eggs and cultured cabbage are very fine! No worries there.

If you're eating at least 4-6 ounces of protein a day, you don't have to supplement taurine, especially if you're eating the protein shake with NYF. But after a month or so of never eating dairy on the candida diet (cottage cheese is very high in taurine) it maybe a good idea to supplement if you notice your bile production is low.

Try the kichadi without onions or garlic and see if you react. Easy test!

[spicegirl]

Thanks Shelley. You're a gem!!!

I was planning on making some onion/garlic-free kichadi as a test. I like that simple approach:)

Yeah for raw eggs and cultured cabbage. I tested the raw egg shake today and seemed to do fine.

I'm waiting for my hair analysis kit and look forward to seeing those results, so I know what I'm working with.

I'll check back as I learn more.

Thank you again!
sg