Sunday, March 4, 2012

A Personal Note, Creamy Vegan Broccoli Soup (SCD Friendly) , and a funny for your Monday.


Ingredients
-1 medium yellow onion, small chop
-1/2 teaspoon salt
-4 cups cooked broccoli (I used baby broccoli)
-1/2 cup chopped zucchini 
-2 cups cashew milk* (see below notes for water-cashew ratio)
-2 cups filtered water or homemade stock (I used water) 
-1/2 teaspoons garlic granules
-Lemon and pepper for garnish/to taste 
-Preferred oil (enough to coat pot)

How To
1. Steam broccoli until just tender, set aside 
2. Add oil, onions, zucchini and salt to pot and saute for 3-5 minutes 
3. Add broccoli and garlic granules, saute for a few minutes
4. Add cashew milk and water (or broth)
5. Bring to a gentle simmer
6. Simmer until mixture starts to thicken, about 5 minutes
7. Remove from heat and carefully ladle into blender (I use a Vitamix) and blend until incorporated (or your desired consistency)
8. Serve warm with pepper, and fresh lemon juice is a must! 

Notes
* For cashew milk: soak 1 cup of cashews in filtered water 4 to 8 hours. Drain, rinse, and blend with 3 cups filtered water (I use a Vitamix). Poor into glass jar and store in fridge up to 4 days.

I must confess friends, I've not been well.  As you might know I started taking medication for Crohn's disease 5 months ago (first time on medication in 8 years).   And last week I experienced my first flare on medication.  Gasp!  I was so sad when it hit, as I've been enjoying and cherishing these pain free/symptom free days, and to my delight, put on nearly 20 pounds (I know, how often do you hear a 34 year old woman say that with excitement!).  

Before I started this medication I was very sick.  I weaned my son (of 2 years) over the summer and shortly after that my body went a little nutso.  I was experiencing some new (and scary) symptoms and losing weight.  So in August I had another colonoscopy and sure enough my entire colon was inflamed.  During my first colonoscopy most of my small intestine was inflamed and some of my colon, interesting how the inflammation changed location.  

So I started the medication in October.  Within days I was symptom free.  Medication is a wonderful reprieve, but here's the deal...it doesn't always work.  And really, who wants to be on medication for their entire life.  Oh, and the medication I'm on (Lialda) costs a dreadful $500 per month - ouch So obviously, several legitimate reasons to find alternative sources of healing.  All these years I thought I was doing it all right with my diet, but I was wrong.

About a month after starting medication I learned about the Specific Carbohydrate Diet.  I immediately bought "the book" and started researching recipes.  My goal is to try this diet (100%) and get off medication.  The SCD is pretty restrictive, it takes careful planning and research.  Success comes from strict adherence.  Over these few months I've been creating recipes and found some amazing SCD blogs and a network of support that was missing in my life.  None of my friends have a chronic disease and my family, well, they all have superior immune systems/digestions (and I joke, could probably digest a cinder block).  I'm grateful for my cyberspace blog friends for their stories and SCD information that offer up some much needed inspiration and recipes.  This diet requires preparation.  If you're interested in the legal and illegal foods, see here.  

I'll be sharing more about my healing journey with Crohn's disease, and I believe a post is in order sharing WHAT to eat during a flare. This is a difficult time for IBD sufferers - what you put in your body can either heal or exacerbate symptoms.  So I'm putting together what I call, "The Flare Diet."  Some easy to prepare SCD legal dishes to eat during a flare (something that really helped me this time around).  So stayed tuned for that.  I would love to hear from the IBD community (if you're out there).  How are you?  Where are you at in your healing journey?  Do you care for someone with IBD?  If so, how do you find support? 

I wish you well and thanks for listening!

*
Okay, after all this serious talk, I think we need a little laugh.  Here's another funny video from Genevieve.  I love her! 

Just Another Meatless MondayMelt in your Mouth Mondays, Monday Mania, Ruth's Real Food 101 (Mondays), Slightly Indulgent Tuesdays, Fat Tuesdays Real Food WednesdaysGluten-Free WednesdaysWhole Food Wednesdays, Pennywise Platter Thursdays, Wellness Weekend Freaky Friday, Fresh Bites Fridays, Lunch Box Love Fridays , Fight Back Friday, Friday Food, Sunday Night Soup

32 comments:

  1. Nancy @Real Food, Allergy FreeMarch 5, 2012 7:05 AM

    The soup looks delicious! I'm sorry you've been feeling bad and I can't imagine paying $500/mo for meds. Bless your heart! We have tried GAPS which is very similar to scd. It was very, very hard but we did see some amazing results.

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    • Hi Nancy,

      Thank you for your kind words! It's so great to hear you had success on the GAPS! I'm hoping for the same on SCD.

      Hugs,
      -Amber

      Delete
  2. This looks great! I love soup! It is a big step to follow the SCD strictly but it is the only way to go if you can manage it! My son hasn't had a flare since going on it but he is very very strict with the diet and he follows a vegetarian form of it. If you need any help or support at all you know where I am! I'm so sorry that you have suffered so much and I hope you feel better soon.

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    • Hi Vicky,

      Thank you for your words of support. It's nice to know you're just a click away. I'm slowly feeling better, but it takes time to recover from those flares. I'm excited about the SCD and can't wait to see how I do off the meds. I've felt pretty great since 2004, but this last summer was crazy and something changed in my body. Medication has been a nice reprieve, but I see now that it's not 100%. Big wake-up call! I'll do my best. But thank you for your well wishes. I'm so impressed with your son - and vegetarian on SCD. Wow! How great. Well, he's got a great mom, that's why! :-)

      Hugs to you,
      --Amber

      Delete
    • Awww thank you Amber but seriously all kudos to him since for four of the 6.5 years he was self-catering at university! Another good thing to come out of it all is we all now eat a much healthier diet than before...Glad to see you're feeling better and what an awesome help it will be for SCDers to be able to see some suggestions for what to eat during a flare from someone who knows!

      Delete
  3. gfe--gluten free easilyMarch 5, 2012 11:23 AM

    It is always a very brave and unnerving thing to do when one shares so much of one's personal issues. I am so sorry that you have been having such problems. I have seen many heal using SCD and I hope it will be the case for you, too, dear. Some folks can introduce some different foods much later on, but not all. You are so strong in your heart and soul and also so creative in the kitchen that I know you'll have success following this plan! Last, love that beautiful soup and oh my goodness on the video ... those totally crack me up! And I needed cracking up today, so thank you!

    xo,
    Shirley

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    • Hi There Shirley,

      I appreciate your email. I was debating about whether to share. But my blog is centered around IBD and healing from IBD, so I thought it was fitting to at least share I am struggling with a flare. Perhaps others will benefit from my experiences and the information from others. Some great resources today. Excited to check them out. The hardest part about a flare is I can't be the mom I need (or rather, want) to be. My kids miss activities, school, etc. It's difficult to get out of bed and nearly impossible to engage. That part breaks my heart, but I'm honest with my daughter and make sure she understands it's not her fault (the therapist in me is very concerned about that). My son doesn't yet understand. But, we do our best as a family and I have to tell you Shirley, my husband is amazing. So caring and nurturing. He takes over when I fall ill. It's a huge part of my healing - having that love and support.

      Glad that video provided a giggle for you today!

      Tomorrow is a new day. We all take different lessons from our health (and I'm sure you can relate to this), but I truly cherish the good days. I'm very cognizant of my health when it's good and if I wake up feeling well I try to make the most out of the day, brush off the small stuff, and find happiness...peace. Play with my kids, laugh, kiss them a million times. Just love and live. That's what it's all about! :-)

      Hugs,
      -Amber

      Delete
    • I was so sorry to hear you have been dealing with a flare! :( It can be so disappointing when we think we're doing the right things for our bodies - and then, seemingly out of the blue, things change on us. I think it makes all the difference in the world to have a game plan - and the love/support from family.

      I have to say that I connected with your comment that the hardest part of a flare is not being able to be the mom you both want and need to be. I can understand that completely and it helped me to know that I'm not the only one who deals with those feelings.

      I admire your resolve and dedication to healing your body - and I wish you great success!

      Delete
  4. Tessa Domestic DivaMarch 5, 2012 11:38 AM

    This soup looks SO lovely Amber, I can't wait to try it! I am bit of an addict to any thing that allows me to use my new Blendtec, I think I am a junkie!
    On your healing: I have had this nagging voice in the back of my brain wondering.. We just got stool test back on two of my kids, and their bowel inflammation was through the roof. Problem is, no can explain to me WHY. I have a HUNCH/INSTINCT that says this is just a by-product of two very damaged and leaky guts in my kiddos. But trying to find out how and what exactly to do about it has been maddening! I had no idea your symptom were in major flare-up again...I am so sorry! It is so hard when your body is not well. I think we might eventually be heading down your same path, I am just scared of it and all the new hurdles it will bring. When we already jump over hurdles with our food (or a 100!), the idea of adding more is exhausting and depressing.

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    • Hi There Tessa,

      Thanks for checking in friend. I'm so sorry to hear about those stool results! That's scary - and to have no answers. Terrible. You are such a dedicated, knowledgeable, and loving mother. I can imagine how difficult it is not having answers and thus not knowing where to start healing your babies. I hope IBD is not the culprit here. I think you're on the right track with damaged and leaky guts though. If I come across anything helpful, I will send it your way! I so wish we lived closer.

      Hugs to you friend. Keep me posted okay!

      Delete
  5. Looks delish as usual Amber!! During flare-ups for me, I'd go to carrot soup with a little SCD yogurt, but I think the cashew milk would be yummy in it. I'd also munch on SCD yogurt with bananas. A few days of that would help a lot. Hope you feel better really soon. I have a great nutrition consultant who knows Crohn's and IBD very well (her husband has Crohn's and she specializes in bowel issues). Her name is Julia McRae and her website is http://healthyhomenutrition.com/

    She's been so helpful with my IBD issues, my daughter's food allergy and inflammatory bowel problems, among a myriad of other "issues".

    I truly hope you're feeling well soon!!

    Jen

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    • Hi There Jen,

      Thank you for sharing your healing routine during a flare up. So funny, and I'm not surprised, but I made about 4 huge batches of carrot, apple, ginger soup (recipe coming soon). It was filling, nutritious, and didn't aggravate my symptoms. I stayed away from all nuts and all grains...and anything else difficult to digest, like greens. It took about 5 days for things to calm down. Still healing though. It was a wake-up all really Jen. I will definitely check out that website. Thank you for that and for your well wishes!

      Hugs,
      -Amber

      Delete
  6. Danielle @ Against All GrainMarch 5, 2012 12:13 PM

    The soup looks great! Broccoli bugs my gut so maybe I'll try a different veggie. I just made a cream of mushroom with cashew cream. Similar tastes!

    I'm so sorry to hear that. I know where you are coming from though, actually almost exactly your same story. I've had a few bad flares over the last few years, but the worst one came when I started weaning my son. Long story short, hospitalized again and blood transfusions. I am also on Lialda and it costs me $700 a month! How do you get it so "cheap?" ;-) Maybe different dosages?

    SCD is a tough one to start but you can do it! No one is perfect. I think everyone out there has probably fallen off the wagon a few times but being in a dire situation definitely pushes you to do it.

    I don't know how long you've been following my blog but here are a couple of updates I did one my most recent flare. Don't hesitate to ask any questions you have about SCD. It's hard when no one else around you knows what it is (and/or doesn't think it will work).


    http://www.againstallgrain.com/2011/04/13/all-good-things-must-come-to-an-end/

    http://www.againstallgrain.com/2011/09/19/new-recipes-and-update-on-health/

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    • Hello Danielle,

      I really can't believe the similarity in our stories. Crazy. I found your blog shortly after I started mine, so a few months ago. Thank you for sending these posts! Good to read them. I also had great pregnancies and was (pretty much) symptom free. I had a few brief flares, but nothing like when I was first diagnosed. I seriously can't believe what you've been through with IBD! I'm so sorry. AND so sorry you have to pay $700 for your Lialda! I take 2 pills per day (lowest dose). I just get mine at the CVS...not sure why it's so much cheaper. Pure robbery.

      Thanks for your support with SCD. Your blog is definitely a wonderful resource!

      Hugs,
      --Amber

      Delete
  7. Forgot to mention my great ND in Burlingame. I know it's a little far for you but maybe she could recommend someone else. Her specialty is IBD.

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    • I would love that information. My husband is from Pacifica and his brother lives in Belmont. We are always in the City!

      Thanks Danielle.

      Delete
  8. Adrienne @ Whole New MomMarch 5, 2012 2:43 PM

    I am so sorry you aren't doing well. I actually have been struggling too, though I think I know the dietary culprit.

    Your soup looks wonderful and like something I should cook up right now - Thanks and take care, Amber!

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    • Hi There Adrienne,

      Thank you for your message. I'm sorry to hear you're not feeling well. I've been meaning to email you about heavy metal testing. We were chatting about that a few months ago, but I would love to hear more about this process. It's the one area I have not tested. I'll be in touch via email about that soon! :-)

      I do hope you feel better soon too!

      Hugs,
      --Amber

      Delete
  9. Amber,

    Thank you for sharing this post and your experiences. My heart goes out to you. It is hard enough to be the best Mom we each can be when we are feeling well, let alone feel miserable and ill. I am so glad you have support from your husband. A dear friend of mine had a really good experience going on SCD and then later moved to GAPS.

    It should be a crime to pay that amount for medication each month! My husband got very sick last week from cross-contamination with gluten at work and it was a rough few days for him. I hope your flare ups cease and it is smooth sailing from here on out. You are such an amazing resource for the SCD and allergy-free community. I am always inspired by you!

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    • Hi There Laura,

      I'm glad to hear your friend had success on the SCD - I love hearing that! And I'm so sorry your husband was "glutened." Our symptoms can be very similar. I hope he's doing well. It's so hard for everyone involved. The caregivers don't have it easy either. I know it's very difficult for my husband (emotionally) when I'm ill, as he has to watch the pain and suffering. But we talk about it and always make sure communication stays open and honest (again, the therapist in me). :-)

      Thank you for your sweet words friend.

      Hugs,
      --Amber

      Delete
  10. Thanks for linking your great post to FAT TUESDAY. Thank you for sharing your personal journey. I hope SCD helps -- my blog is all about SCD and GAPS. There are other alternative treatments I will be blogging about soon for autoimmune diseases! Hope to see you next week!

    Be sure to visit RealFoodForager.com on Sunday for Sunday Snippets – your post from Fat Tuesday may be featured there!
    http://realfoodforager.com/fat-tuesday-march-6-2012/

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    • Hi There Jill,

      Thank you!! I don't know how I missed that on your blog! Crazy. I've added you to my list of SCD resources. This is great. I love your blog and link up every Tuesday. Thank you for your dedication to the SCD community. We are lucky to have you.

      Warmly.
      --Amber

      Delete
  11. Debbie @ Easy Natural FoodMarch 7, 2012 3:08 PM

    Hi Amber, your soup looks delicious! I'm so sorry you've been feeling lousy lately, but I'm so glad you're taking a dietary approach to addressing - so much healthier in the long run, although I know from my experience on GAPS that it can be hard. But definitely worth it :) Thanks for sharing this with Sunday Night Soup Night, look forward to seeing you again soon!

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    • Hi Debbie,

      Thank you for your well wishes. I'm feeling much better today, thankfully. I really enjoy searching through your Sunday night soup night. Such great recipes.

      Be Well,
      --Amber

      Delete
  12. Lisa NatcharianMarch 7, 2012 3:38 PM

    Hi! Just a note to say you've been tagged with the Liebster Blog Award :)

    http://allergyfreecookery.blogspot.com/2012/03/thanks-to-colette-at-learning-to-eat.html

    Love your blog!
    Lisa @ Allergy Free Vintage Cookery

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    • Hello Sweet Lisa,

      You just made my day. Hopping over to your blog right now to check out the other recipients. :-)

      Thank you so much!

      Big Hugs,
      --Amber

      Delete
  13. So sorry to hear about the flareup! I've heard that the SCD can perform miracles--I hope it does for you! Have you checked Meghan Telpner's blog (Making Love in the Kitchen)? She had Crohn's and claims that a holistic approach cured her of all symptoms and has lived symptom-free for years. She may have more info about her die on her blog (not sure but worth a check)! And thanks, as always, for linking to WW this week. :)

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    • Hi Ricki,

      Thanks for your note. And yes, I do love Meghan, she's one of my sidebar links! Love her! Don't know about her die, however. I will have to check that out. :-)

      Hugs,
      --Amber

      Delete
  14. Leslie @ Real Food Freaks.comMarch 9, 2012 1:04 PM

    Yikes... sorry to hear about your set back! Hope you are feeling better very soon!

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  15. Amber,
    I noticed your favorite products, just wondering since you have a Vitamix why do you also use a Ice cream maker? I also have a Vitamix but some of the recipes that are made for Ice cream say put it in the container and then freeze it,well how do you do that with the Vitamix? I would think it would make the ice cream and then you would have to eat it then and not have any for leftovers if you did not have a special container to freeze it.
    Thanks for your great site
    MJP

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    • Hello Anonymous,

      Thanks for your message.

      Please let me know if I don't answer your question here. :-)

      If you're interested in making ice cream, you don't need a Vitamix or an ice cream maker. However, an ice cream maker is certainly recommended. You can use any blender to mix the ingredients, then transfer from the blender into an ice cream maker. The ice cream maker churns the mixture, aerates, and creates a very creamy, ice cream texture. But then you also need to transfer the mixture into a container (I use a glass Pyrex) and store in the freezer. This sets it up and allows you to scoop out the ice cream. You could eat the mixture right after you churn in the ice cream maker, however it will look and taste like soft serve.

      Theoretically, you don't need to use an ice cream maker to make ice cream. You can simply blend your desired ingredients in any blender, transfer to glass storage and then freeze. However, it will be very hard, like a brick. So you must leave it at room temperature for a while before you scoop. And it will be a little icy, not creamy.

      I hope this has answered your question.

      Be Well,
      --Amber

      Delete

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