Healthy eating/gardening/anxiety

[rainbowninja]

Is anyone interested in joining a thread about the impact of healthy eating on their mental health?

I've suffered from anxiety for years but it's been a lot worse since I became a mum.

With lockdown in the mix I just feel physically and emotionally depleted.

I've had some tests done and I know that I am low in certain vitamins etc. I've been recommended supplements to take and to 'eat the rainbow' (basically eat shed loads of veg). I want to give it a go for my own sake and my daughter because I know I'm not being the best mum to her. I'm anxious and irritable.

It feels quite overwhelming but I am quite interested in learning about nutrition, I also quite like the idea of having a go at growing some of my own veg as I've been enjoying being outside lately and I know it helps me.

I don't want to do it on my own though so I wondered if there were any other anxious mumsnetters out there that would be interested in learning/growing with me. No pressure to change anything overnight, maybe we could just cheer each other on for drinking an extra glass of water or something?

I've attached a picture of cake pops. It's cake crumbs mixed with butter and icing sugar, then formed into balls. Then you decorate with chocolate or icing.

Work's not going well but other than that I'm okay. I had a work stress risk appointment on Monday. HR will arrange a meeting with me soon to discuss how things are going. I've had enough and might hand my notice in next week.

Good luck with your elimination diet. I know how hard my sugar detox was for me! Let me know how you get on.

Oh they are a lovely idea @Lokikitty I must remember them when it comes round to my daughters birthday ☺️

I haven't heard of a work stress risk meeting before, was it helpful? You sound really fed up with work, have you got a plan B if you do decide to hand your notice in?

Did you find the sugar detox helped? I'm interested to see if this elimination diet tells me anything. I've got a headache at the moment, it'd be lovely to just start feeling great but I get the impression it involves feeling not so good for a while!

The meeting wasn't helpful Rainbow. The only suggestion made was to increase the dose of my antidepressant! I can continue with agency work. I only do agency work in the holidays at the moment. I could get in touch with my agency and let them know that I'm available full time and hope I get enough work. I have got savings that will help with the first few weeks.

The detox helped greatly once the withdrawal symptoms went away. I felt more energetic and focused and my skin felt really soft and healthy. Not feeling great for a while is definitely worth it. Good luck with it.

That's not good @Lokikitty I'm shocked they would suggest that tbh, pay no heed and do whatever's right for you though.

Realising I still need to work on my sugar intake - I've improved where I'm getting it from e.g I'm now eating real food but realising that I'm still leaning towards the sweeter stuff - maple syrup on my pancakes, dried fruit in my granola. Think I need to retrain my tastebuds!

Thanks Rainbow. I started filling in an application form for a school near me. I need to finish it this weekend and email to the school by Monday. I also spoke to my agency to see if they have anything for September.

It's really hard retraining your taste buds. I think it takes around a month. I've been comfort eating this week. I need to try to get back on track with my exercise and diet.

How's the job application going @Lokikitty?

I had a savoury breakfast this morning - had some leftover potatoes, peppers and onions in a tomato sauce. I do miss chocolate, it was definitely my go to comfort food. In fact I used to feel a bit anxious if I didn't have any in the house 🙈 not surprised you've been comfort eating this week, I'd be the same. I guess we have to allow for that to happen!

I've made notes first for the application form. I need to add a bit more detail, then fill it in online.

Your breakfast sounds very healthy. I made a vegetable stir fry today. I'm finding eating less meat easier than I thought I would. I'm the same with chocolate. I get a bit obsessed with it when I'm stressed. Especially with Kinder Hippos.

I've sent the application form off this afternoon. It took me 4 hours in total. I'm guessing I'll get faster as time goes on. So glad I've done it.

Well done for getting your application in @Lokikitty and fingers crossed for you 🤞🏻

Vegetable stir fry sounds nice, good if you can avoid processed meat, don't think that does us any favours!

Thanks Rainbow. I got an email from the school today. I've got an interview next week.

How's your new diet going?

That's good news @Lokikitty how you feeling about it? Been a while since I did an interview!

Diet is going ok, did have a few squares of dark chocolate on Sunday but made cakes today for DD and her friend who came to play after school and I didn't have one. DH made a chicken curry tonight which was quite nice 👍🏻

BBC Good Food have joined with Futurelearn to set up a free course all about nutrition if anyone is interested.. 3 hours a week for 5 weeks..covers all the basics and gives some healthy recipe ideas..

Oh thanks @Ambo21 I'll look that up! Great tip - I've had some good recipes before from BBC good food.

I'm doing a course in nutrition myself now but I'm interested to see what the future learn one is like 👍🏻

I'm a bit nervous about the interview. I haven't had an interview for a long time.

You did well resisting the cakes. I like BBC recipes too. They have a good choice. Allrecipes is a good one too.

@Lokikitty I've just looked at Allrecipes, never heard of that but immediately saw some good recipes. There is a recipe for chocolate chip brioche which I think I'll have a go at with my daughter. She loves brioche.

We had roasted veg for tea with chicken and some little fried potatoes - I used avocado oil to make them a bit healthier.

Fingers crossed for the interview 🤞🏻

Chocolate chip brioche sounds lovely. What's avocado oil like? I've tried coconut oil but found the flavour too strong. Your tea sounds really healthy and nice 😋

I think you'd like avocado oil @Lokikitty I've not used it loads as all this stuff is quite pricey but it's meant to be a good alternative to olive oil as it has a higher smoking point so it was nice on fried potatoes for example.

Any food plans this weekend? I had leftover meatballs for breakfast with a wrap and some salad! I'm experimenting with having a more savoury breakfast and more protein to see how that affects my anxiety.

You breakfast sounds yummy. Did it affect how you felt?

I made chickpea curry for lunch today. It was quite nice for a first attempt.

Been a bit hectic today. Filled in most of another application form today. Then went to all the charity shops near me for a shirt to wear to my interview. I didn't have any luck. Eventually found a smart dress and jacket in the last shop that I tried!

Hi @Lokikitty I'm not sure yet with the savoury breakfast tbh but I'm keen to keep trying for a few days, I had falafels this morning.

I like the sound of a chickpea curry, we had lamb curry this evening which was nice.

Ooh is that a job with another school? And great charity find by the sounds of it. I love a good charity shop mooch!

I was really pleased with the jacket and dress. They look new. Yeah it's another school. I'm trying to apply for one job every weekend.

I had some bad news last night about a family member. So just trying to stay focused and productive despite everything that is going on.

Oh that looks really nice! I'd hire you! 😂

Sorry to hear you've had some bad news 😞

Take care and keep looking after yourself, you're doing a great job!

I'm finding that having my nutrition course is helping me feel productive and focussed too. It helps a lot 👍🏻

Thanks Rainbow, that made me laugh 🤣

I'm trying to get out for a walk every day to bring my stress levels down.

Glad your nutrition course is helping you. I wish I had the time and money to do it.

Good idea with the walking, I did a very short walk with my daughter today but still kind of a big deal for me as anxiety has made it hard to go out at all at times.

I ended up making a carrot and lentil stew earlier which didn't seem very summery but neither is the weather so it was actually pretty nice!

How long have you been doing the work you do? Are you feeling like you could do with a change?

Hi Rainbow, sorry your anxiety makes it hard for you to go out. I'm the opposite, it's really hard for me to stay at home for any length of time. I rarely spend a full day at home.

Your stew sounds really nice. Weather has been nicer today.

I've been a teaching assistant for around 8years. Could do with a change for financial reasons but not ready for that yet.

How are you doing @Lokikitty?

I turned my stew into a vegan shepherds pie today by adding some sweet potato mash and baking it. I don't think I can face it a third time though 🤣

Had my daughter at home today as the childminder who brings her back from school has to have a Covid test. I'm not sure if she can go in tomorrow or not which is causing me a bit of anxiety.

Have you been at the same school in those 8 years? I hope the interview goes well, is it tomorrow?