Chronic Rants

As the next step in my last-ditch effort to improve my health, I am starting a new diet.  This diet is titled “The Anti-Inflammatory Diet” (if this link doesn’t work for you, see below) and should really be called the “Eat the Same Thing Every Day Diet.”  So here’s what I’m asking from you:

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Some people will look at this diet and think it’s easy, but there are a few things to consider:

1. This was a huge accomplishment for me.  Until 3 years ago I could hardly cook.  Now I can cook a handful of meals decently and a few really well.  And none of them will be allowed on this diet.  Learning those took a long time and now I need to start over.
2. I don’t like to cook.  I will do it because I have to, but I won’t spend hours at it.
3. Some people have a natural ability to understand which foods can be substituted for others, and which flavors will go well together.  I don’t have that.  I have the opposite of that.  I have no clue.  I can’t make things up.  I need solid, explicit recipes.

So yeah, it’s a bit intimidating and overwhelming.  Oh, and one more thing is that I won’t use the oven for the next few months.  I react badly to heat and humidity, both of which Boston has plenty of in the summers.  I’ll use the stove, but I won’t stand over it for long periods of time.  Last summer I did 90% of my cooking in the crockpot and I’d love to do that again, so crockpot recipes are especially welcome.  But at the moment, I’d love anything that will add to the contents of my currently-pathetic refrigerator.

Having said all of that, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE send me any recipes or useful web sites that could help me with this new challenge.  This is the first week and I’m already out of ideas!

I’m looking for three things:

1. Main courses
2. Snacks besides fruit and nuts, especially snacks that can survive a day in a purse
3. Easy small meals for when I just don’t have the energy to cook, and I’ve already eaten whatever was in the freezer.  I used to do eggs (they’re on the bad list now) or oatmeal (that’ll be my breakfast every day now) with peanut butter (also on the bad list.)  I need something that would be that level of effort.  You know, for days like this.

I will be unbelievably grateful to anyone who can help me out.  And if cooking isn’t your thing either, any messages of support will also be gratefully accepted.  You can comment here or tweet me @CIRants or email me at msrants at gmail

This isn’t about complaining, it’s just about being overwhelmed.  I’ll do whatever it takes to make this work… as soon as I figure out how.

Thank you in advance for your ideas!

The Anti-Inflammatory Diet:

• No gluten
• No dairy products
• No refined sugar products
• No Corn, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant
• No pork, cold cuts, bacon, hot dogs, canned meat, sausage, shellfish
• No alcohol, caffeine-containing beferages, soy milk, soda or fruit drinks that are high in refined sugar
• Foods high in fats and oils, including peanuts, refined oils, margarine, shortening, hydrogenated oils
• Additional specific foods to avoid: oranges, corn, creamed vegetables, soybeans and other soy foods, peanuts, peanut butter, cashews, cashew butter, mayonnaise, spreads, canola oil, ketchup, mustard, pickle, relish, chutney, soy sauce, barbecue sauce, white or brown or refined sugars, honey, maple syrup, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, all artificial sweeteners, all candy

***Note: This diet was suggested to me by a licensed naturopath.  I am not suggesting or recommending it for anyone else.  To be honest, I’m not certain that it will even work for me, but I’m taking a shot at it.  If you think it makes sense for you also, please speak to a trained practitioner.***