Vacation and Candida

What is Candida you say? You would think it is another country, or a foreign fruit. Actually, I call it "you-can't-eat-a". I'll explain why.

First, let me say, we had a great two weeks. Stephanie, Parke, Truxton (a friend of Parke's) and I went down to South Padre Island, TX for the first week. The last few times we have gone down, it was either business or too short of a trip. This time I made a point of doing nothing but playing. I could and I did! I had been spending the last few months stressing over finishing up "The Last Eagle Scout" as well as Blendtec stuff, blending the last two Apple iJunk (I admit, I got my own iPad and iPhone 4) and everything else going on.

We went down, stayed at a condo, and did everything from the Schlitterbahn, to ATVs, to parasailing, to watching dolphins and eating lots of sea food. It was a great time. It was also good to see my brother Tom, his wife Melinda and my niece Lori. We also went to my 25th high school reunion. It was a smaller, yet older crowd then last time... plus, I came with a different woman, so a lot has changed. But it was a good experience.

In the midst of it all, Stephanie started to get sick. She got a stomach ache that she could not fend off. It was happening after every meal. Her tummy has been an issue since we have been married, so I seemed to be part of the problem. She finally pieced together she had candida. It has something to do with too much yeast in her body (fun).

The second week of vacation (not really a vacation) I spent at scout camp. We went up to Mount Timpanogos and camped at Timpanookee camp ground for the week and had our own camp (since I am the scout master). It was a great experience.

While I was away, Stephanie consulted her friends who went through the same situation and finally started a diet she has to live by for three weeks. It is a strict diet... I mean, strict! No sugar, no bread, no fruit. "How do you live with that?" I asked. You just have to be creative.

I found that out when I realized that I had to live the diet also. As long as we are husband and wife (very husband and wife) I have to eat the same crappy things that she has to eat.

Actually the truth is, the things I normally eat are what's crappy. What I have to eat on this diet are actually really good for you, but very restrictive. You live off of it strictly for 3 weeks then re-introduce other foods slowly, lasting 3 months. It sucks! Try spending your day eating eggs for breakfast (just eggs, no cheese, no butter on the pan, no bacon, no toast) with water. Then for a snack cucumbers, broccoli, spinach and cashews. You can have meat, but nothing on it. Mostly chicken, beef and seafood. Try eating a dry, non-marinated chicken. And it can't be the quickie pre-processed stuff.

I have also lost some weight on this diet. Not because of the food, but the lack of desiring to eat it. I have to have my cheese, sauce and dressing. My junk food and Sobe (I don't drink soda anymore, unless there's nothing else). I saw my belt buckle go to the next hole.

With all this, I know that it is no fun seeing Stephanie in pain. And Stephanie would probably do the same thing for me, bless her heart. We have both been fairly weak and depressed over this situation. I especially have found myself with little energy. But, we mostly look at it as a challenge and often laugh about it, especially when one of us says "what's for dinner tonight", it usually causes us to burst into laughter. That's my Stephanie. I love her so.