Natural Tools I Use To Manage My Autoimmune Condition
by Andrea Cogley
Being an office manager, health coach, wife and friend is not easy and I’ve shared it with you in previous blogs where you learned more about me. It’s been a busy summer. The last couple of months alone we’ve gone on two out of state work trips. First, to Washington D.C. with the Institute for Functional Medicine, followed by a trip to Iowa where Dr. Cole was speaking at Dr. Terry Wahls seminar. Then this last week was the Global Leadership Summit here in Pittsburgh. Whew okay, done now.
So I just had some blood work done as well. Liver enzymes elevated, hypothyroidism, positive past infection for EBV, and high antibody markers for Hashimoto's. Some new information, most I’ve known. What does all this mean? It means I need to try and bring my inflammation down. Since I have a pretty clean diet, I’m going to have to up my detox pathways and utilize some other detoxing tools.
I’m human. A human with an autoimmune disease. Stress can cause flare ups so for me, it’s about managing those when they happen if my lifestyle didn’t prevent it this time. I’m going to share some of my detoxing tools that I do personally.
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First is my coconut milk turmeric drink. This drink contains anti-inflammatory properties that are very helpful. I will have this drink every night for a couple weeks just to help. Dr. Cole talks more about some of his other anti-inflammatory drinks and foods here if you want some more information on that! My recipe differs slightly from his, but both are delicious and feels like a treat even though it’s good for me!
Turmeric Coconut Milk Hot Beverage
Ingredients
- 1 cup canned coconut milk (I also add about a half cup unsweetened carton coconut milk to make it slightly less thick. This is just a texture preference.)
- 3/4 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 2 teaspoons raw honey
- pinch of salt (I use Himalayan pink sea salt)
Directions
- Add coconut milk to a small saucepan. Whisk in turmeric, cinnamon, and ginger.
- Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes.
- Stir in honey and salt until dissolved.
- Let cool slightly and drink up!
Another thing that I will do nightly for at least 2 weeks will be epsom salt baths for my feet. You can do full body soaks, but I find it more convenient for me to do them in a bucket in my living room while I watch the Olympics with my husband! Just do one cup epsom salts in a bucket of hot water.
And lastly, and very importantly I watch what I’m eating. This is just a glimpse of an idea of what I do in my home. This recipe is a huge hit with my husband, Alan, and my grandma. I marinate chicken in pickle juice for 30 minutes – 1 hour. I use pickle juice that has no added sugar and no nightshade spices. This mainly adds a garlic flavor and tenderizes the meat. I love it. So here is a meal I made just this week.
Chicken, Shrimp and Salad
Chicken:
Ingredients
- Pickle juice (AIP friendly)
- Chicken tenders (can do breasts, I just prefer tenders because they cook faster)
- 1 cup cassava flour
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- 2 tablespoons ghee
Directions
- Marinate chicken in pickle juice for 30 minutes-1 hour.
- In a bowl mix flour, salt, and garlic together.
- Once marinated, dredge chicken through flour and spice mixture.
- Place in frying pan with the melted heated ghee until done. Depending on chicken thickness about three minutes a side.
Shrimp:
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. shrimp
- 2 tablespoons ghee
- 2 clove garlic minced
Directions
- Melt ghee and add garlic.
- Place shrimp in pan and cook until done. About five minutes.
Salad:
Ingredients
- Butter lettuce
- Avocado
- Cucumber
- Olive oil and red wine vinegar
Directions
- Chop and cut up all ingredients.
- Add to bowl and drizzle with oil and vinegar dressing. Easy peasy!
These are tools I use and help with my particular health issues. I encourage you to find what works for you and work with a Functional Medicine practitioner if you need direction and someone to monitor your case. We do email, webcam or phone evaluations with potential patients to determine if our clinic may be right for you. It’s our passion and mine personally to help as many people as we can find and keep their precious gift of health!
Read Next: 7 Go-To Anti-Inflammatory Juice Recipes
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REVIEWED BY DR. WILL COLE
Dr. Will Cole, IFMCP, DNM, DC, leading functional medicine expert, consults people around the world via webcam and locally in Pittsburgh. He received his doctorate from Southern California University of Health Sciences and post doctorate education and training in functional medicine and clinical nutrition. He specializes in clinically researching underlying factors of chronic disease and customizing a functional medicine approach for thyroid issues, autoimmune conditions, hormonal imbalances, digestive disorders, and brain problems. Dr. Cole was named one of the top 50 functional medicine and integrative doctors in the nation and is the best selling author of Ketotarian and The Inflammation Spectrum.