Lyme update + Raw Vegan Sushi with Sprouted Buckwheat Spread

Lyme update is up first so skip over this next part if all you care about is food.

The past few weeks… okay months… have been hard. Really hard. Lyme wise. I feel like I’ve slowly been headed downhill. Despite learning all these things that may be affecting treatment and my health (mold, heavy metals, etc) and addressing them, it doesn’t seem to be doing much. I feel like nothing, treatment wise, touches me. It may help for a week or a few weeks then it’s like I’m not even taking anything. I start treatments that other people rave about (yes, I realize everyone is different but something has to work for me, right?!) and it makes no difference for me. I’m hoping to start more of an herbal protocol at some point in the next 6-months and see if that makes a difference. I take some herbs now but I mean a real hardcore herbal protocol.

Side note update: Last week I got my heavy metals test back which came back positive for mercury, lead, thallium, and a little cesium. I’ll be starting a chelation protocol for that within the next week or two. I’ll be doing 4 days a week of oral chelation then 3 days of mineral replacement (since chelating pulls out essential minerals with the metals).

A year ago at this time wasn’t great either but I was able to workout at least 3 days a week, go out occasionally, and do more (granted, I still had a lot of other symptoms and would crash at least once a week). The past few weeks I haven’t even been able to do any yoga because I’m EXHAUSTED beyond belief, my muscles feel weak, and my joints are killing me. I have to say, though, that I don’t feel like I have specific Lyme symptoms (like night sweats, air hunger, vision spots, etc) besides joint pain. I feel more just extremely fatigued, worn out like nobodies business, and like I am repeatedly being run over by a bus. Every little task of the day takes SO MUCH ENERGY. Brushing my teeth is like death. I’m wondering if it is just intense toxin overload from killing off the bugs and I am not detoxing enough or if I’m legit Lyme sick. Detoxing has been tough because 1) I’m in school which means less time for it 2)our water doesn’t get/stay hot so I can’t really take detox baths… unless a cold bath counts 3) when I feel like crap my eating goes to crap because I’m exhausted and don’t have the energy and frankly I stop caring because I feel shitty as it is already. I realize when I feel the worst is when my diet needs to be the strictest…. you don’t have to tell me. Come make me food, please?

It’s been extremely cold and snowy here, which also doesn’t help because cold makes me feel worse. This also means walking to class (in the cold) through snow and it feels like I’m hiking a mountain. So, my body is dead by the time I get home. BUT HERE IS THE GOOD NEWS! I saw a new doc yesterday. He is a Naturopathic Doctor who went to the grad school I am considering AND he has trained with Dr. Klinghardt (they are on a first name basis). He is not a Lyme-specialist but knows about lyme (obviously, Dr. Klinghardt) and works with other Lyme patients. I found him because he is also an acupuncturist, which is my main reason for seeing him (yay some detoxing help!), but figured he might have some other insight and ideas for treatment. My appointment went great and I felt able to be open and honest with him about my disease and symptoms. He was very receptive and listened intently. He writes everything down, even the information he wants me to remember (writes it down FOR ME to take home… doesn’t just say it) and maintains constant open communication with his patients (you can call whenever or email and he wants to make sure you keep him updated about how you are feeling with treatment).

Anyway, just by feeling my pulse (based on the Chinese Medicine standards) he immediately pointed out what systems in my body are out of whack… the exact ones I knew where and had been giving me hell all week! We did some acupuncture which helped a lot. I’m going to continue seeing him for acupuncture but he is also having me do ozone enemas. I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS! I have heard that ozone is supposed to be great for Lyme and I also have heard good things about enemas for detox (plus my digestive system is whack) so I hope this helps at least some! He said he has tons of ideas but we will start slow and see how I respond. I’ll keep you guys updated.

So, food now? Yes? Yay. This was my first attempt at making any type of sushi period but it turned out AWESOME. This recipe is very flexible but below is a basic starting point. You can use whatever veggies you like for inside the wrap but I will post exactly what I used. There are some sprouted ingredients (the most important is the buckwheat), which needs to be done 2-4 days in advance. Buckwheat is awesome because it’s actually a fruit seed. Plus it is gluten-free. It is a complete protein and healthy for your heart and digestive system! Here we go:

Raw Vegan Sushi with Sprouted Buckwheat Spread:

Ingredients:

Nori Wraps (can get at local health food store like Whole Foods)

Beet

Jicama

(Any veggies would work… carrots, cucumber, zucchini, etc)

Pea Sprouts

Sprouted sunflower seeds*

Buckwheat spread (recipe below)

Avocado

*To sprout sunflower seeds: Get some sunflower seeds, shelled, from the store. Rinse well and soak in water overnight, first. Drain in a strainer and rinse again. If you have mason jars with mesh sprouting lids you can put them in there, without water, or you can spread them out over a strainer. You basically want to let them sit in the strainer or jars (spread out so they aren’t all piled on top of each other) for 2-4 days, rinsing twice a day, until they have sprouted. You can google videos for a better understanding if you need! 🙂

Let’s make the sprouted buckwheat spread first….

Sprouted Buckwheat Spread

Ingredients:

2 cups raw sprouted buckwheat*

1 tbs. apple cider vinegar

1/2 lemon, juiced

1/2 tsp. sea salt

2 tbs. olive oil

Water, as necessary

*First you need to sprout your buckwheat. Go to the store and buy raw buckwheat groats (THESE ARE GLUTEN FREE). Rinse and soak your buckwheat like you did your sunflower seeds. After soaking for 1-24 hours rinse VERY well (they will have a slimy mucous on them, which is normal). Spread them out on a plate and let them sprout for 2-4 days, placing in a strainer and rinsing well 2x a day. They are done once their little tails are about as long as the groats themselves (too long and the flavor changes). Now they are ready to go!

Place all ingredients, except water, in a food processor and process until smooth and creamy! May take some time like when you make other nut/seed butters. If it seems thick add a tablespoon of water at a time until smoothed out. Add more salt, lemon, or spices as you desire.

Okay, now onto The Sushi

First, you’ll need to peel and chop your beet and jicama. Cut your veggies into strips (so they look like french fries). Now, lay out a nori wrap on a cutting board and lay your chopped veggies in a line at one end of the wrap.

Next, take some sprouts and place them over top of the veggies. Sprinkle on your sunflower seed sprouts and sliced avocado. Spread the buckwheat spread onto the OPPOSITE end from your veggies.

 (I used carrot and beet pulp from juicing as a “rice” for this one after an idea I got from detoxinista.com… have to say, didn’t like it, though).

Okay, time to wrap it up! Don’t be scared, this isn’t as hard as it may seem and I find it easier then wrapping a burrito (this is saying a lot… I can’t wrap a burrito for my life). Start at the VEGGIE END, rolling your wrap tightly. You may have to push the ingredients in on the ends. Roll until you get to the buckwheat end, the buckwheat spread will help seal the wrap and keep it closed.

Next up we will cut the wrap into sushi bites. This is easy, you guys got this! Just take a knife (I mean you can try it with a spoon if you want but I don’t think you will be very successful) and cut your roll into bite sizes so it looks like sushi.

YESSS! NOW IT IS TIME TO PUT IT ON A PLATE AND EAT IT!

Clearly that is snack size status right there ^^^. I would advise making a couple wraps if you are having these as a meal OR serving them along side something else. Below I served mine with marinated veggies.

Do you love sushi? What is your favorite kind? I love sushi and it was a blast to finally make my own, especially raw style. As always, let me know if you try these bad boys out and how you liked them.

Wishing you all the best and stay warm!