Eish London 7 - 8 August

Friday, 7 August

My positive vibe for today: a text Message from a friend in Cape Town,

“1 Peter 1:3-9. Grace and peace be yours in abundance. Love you J”

I honestly don’t know how I’d get through the daily requirements of life without good friends reminding me about the real priorities in life and that there are people around who do care. Thank-You for the awesome people around me Lord; Thank-You.

I finally got around to doing some research on candida. The best site was: http://www.candidadiet.com/treatment/treatment_diet.shtml It gives this definition:

Yeasts are tiny micro-organisms which are naturally present on the surface of all living things. The most common type of yeast is called candida albicans, it thrives in dark and moist cavities and can be found in the mouth, digestive, genito-urinary tracts and the skin. In a healthy person friendly bacteria control the number of yeasts in the gut by eliminating some of them. When the immune system is depleted or if there is not enough healthy intestinal flora or if something feeds yeasts, candida grows out of control and threatens the health of individuals.

The main culprit appears to be sugar: individuals who have a diet rich in sugar are more likely to have candida, especially those who eat a lot of sweets, processed food (ready made meals, sauces, tinned food) or carbohydrates. Stimulants such as tea, coffee or alcohol are the second group of food that feeds yeast, large quantities of these drinks can stress and exhaust the adrenals and cause stored sugar to spurt out into the bloodstream.

Generally candida sufferers are sensitive to mould, cigarette smoke, perfumes or pesticides. Symptoms worsen in muggy or damp conditions and after consumption of yeast.

After reading the sensitivities on the list I was overwhelmed that I had them all. I think everyone in my family could tell you of a time that they said I was being ridiculous because I couldn’t tolerate the intensity of those and other smells! I’m glad I researched this; usually I don’t look into these things because I get paranoid that I may have more problems than I do and then I’ll think myself sick. At least with this I can match the sensitivities to year’s worth of hassles and I know that it’s not just my imagination. I have to reduce my sugar intake and see how I go.

Today was my last day with the TC for this month and I’ll be back in the office on the 1st to get going with properly putting together my final roll-outs and documents on my new scenarios and role play suggestions. I've created a whole lot of new role plays and a draft document for them - but, get this - I finished it, and sent it to the managers ready for feedback, yet no-one has responded. Thus I have no idea what they think, why I haven't received feedback, or whether not they like my ideas - nothing... if I’m on the wrong track, then what on earth they want me to do in September is beyond me. They really aren't the most organised group, but I’m not about to start complaining and biting the hand that feeds! I know I can’t be doing too badly because the Head of Citizenship told me that I had done a good job and the team were looking forward to seeing me again in September; so I’m sure all will sort itself out in its own time.

Saturday, 8 August

Today I introduced myself to the ‘Free from’ zone in the ASDA supermarket store. ‘Free from wheat, gluten and dairy’, the sugar part was a mission. Everything has sugar in it, unless it’s fresh. I spent a small fortune stocking up on ‘new’ foods to try. This was going to be tough. Still I was on a mission to persevere and sort myself out. Eventually it all had to work out. It had to.