2013 Update

It’s been so long since I have updated this site that I forgot how!  Seriously, I had to look up the log in information and then remember how to post an update.  The other day, I received an email alerting me to a blog comment.  Someone was asking what type of prosciutto is SCD Legal.  Let’s just say that it has been a while since I have cooked with prosciutto, maybe even longer than my last blog post.  To the person who asked the question - I will definitely look for it the next time I am at Whole Foods!   In any case, the whole thing got me thinking about the days “BK” or “before kids” when I had discretionary time.  Nowadays it is go, go, go and not as many culinary adventures as in the past.  But the kids are getting older and (dare I say) easier, at least for now, so I am finding a few minutes here and there for things like SCD adventures and even this post.  

This morning while the kids played, in between changing diapers, mediating arguments, and building forts, I cut up a juicy pineapple, cooked up some bacon (baking it at 390 is my favorite method), and, with the help of my two year old, pulled together the delicious Cinnamon Cake from Lucy’s Kitchen cookbook.  I am excited that all of the kids love to cook and bake and I envision cooking even more together as they get older.

For Christmas dinner my husband will make a roast and I will attempt a gravy.  We'll have butternut squash puree and also a large pot of marinara sauce with sausages, chicken, and meatballs.  I like to make SCD rolls to go with my marinara.  My favorite are the Cheddar Onion rolls from Comfy Belly.  

After I first started this blog I found an online friend, a fellow SCDer named Amy from Michigan.  When I last visited her in 2007 she had one little girl and was expecting her second.  For me this was BK and I remember marveling at how she was able to pull together a fabulous SCD dinner for us all with so much going on.  The dinner was awesome, Mexican Meatballs and Apple Galette from Grain-Free Gourmet.  To this day, my husband always asks me when we are going to have Mexican Meatballs again.  Hmmm, maybe this week!

After six years I finally went back to Michigan this month to see Amy and her growing family.  Now, between the two of us, we have seven children!  It was so great to meet them all, catch up and talk SCD.  For dinner Amy made a FANTASTIC llasagna from AgainstallGrain.  It uses SCD tortillas in place of pasta, or the typical SCD substitute of zucchini noodles.  It was delicious and I cannot wait to make it for the family.

Whether you are just starting on the SCD or a veteran like myself, I hope you have a happy and HEALTHY holiday season and that you can find just a few hours to make yourself a delicious and nurturing meal.

Spring Fever

Happy Almost Spring-

It's hard to imagine this summer will be 6 years on the SCD! I look at all of the pictures on this site and find it difficult to remember a time when I had the luxury of cooking like that! These days simplicity is king. Tonight we had roasted chicken with green beans. Snacking on almonds and dry wine now. The good news is the kids are great and things are getting easier and easier every day. I cannot believe how many fabulous recipes and websites are out there now. Many similar diets, like Paleo, have taken off as well and lots of the recipes are adaptable. I look forward to a day when I can test out the elaborate dishes I see on these sites. For now I am enjoying life with twin three year olds and a one year old. Always thankful to Elaine for pioneering the SCD. I cannot imagine where I would be without it!

Hello out there!

Over the course of the past two years, as the mother of twins, I have neglected countless responsibilities including social outings, a reasonable attempt at fashion, basic yard work, window treatments, staying up to date on current events, thoughtful gifts, and even in some dire cases, hygiene, but nothing comes close to the delinquency I've shown for the care and upkeep of this poor blog.

The shame of slowly watching the blog sink to the bottom of blogrolls, until it finally falls off all together, is just too much. I hate it when my favorite blogs are left alone, helpless, leashes tied to fire hydrants for months on end while I wonder what happened to their owners. A rare case of the measles? A miraculous cure? A sabbatical in Antarctica? A vow of poverty and silence?

But in all likelihood, if those folks are anything like myself, the most accurate excuse is that life happened to them.

Well, I can't promise more frequent posts but I can bring you up to speed on where we are today.

Still following the SCD close to 100%. Still in total drug free remission. Still feeling great! As it will be 5 successful years on the SCD this August, I do reward myself with 85% dark chocolate now and then. No, I don't eat a whole bar at a time or anything like that but I do incorporate little bits into my diet here and there. It is my only full-on cheat and I have not had the desire, or the bravery, to venture further off the SCD path than that. I would also not recommend anyone try this at home unless you too have years of remission behind your belt.

The twins are almost 2 and we are actually expecting a third child in about a month. GULP. Still working full time as well though not nearly as much travel. As you can imagine, I have little patience for people who tell me they don't have time to follow the SCD. Really?

I usually eat some type of SCD baked good for breakfast (though on the weekends we try and go out once in a while for eggs and bacon) I eat SCD yogurt almost daily. For lunch I either bring leftovers from dinner or grab a salad with some type of protein. I eat a lot of fruit. A LOT. For dinner we throw together stirfrys, basic protein and veggie, and my husband makes me the occasional pizza. Love peanut butter with apples, cheese, hard boiled eggs and veggies and dip for snacks. Today we are celebrating my sister's birthday and my mom made deviled eggs, broccoli salad, and steak tips - all SCD of course.

We don't have the time or energy to cook like we used to but in a few years I know I'll be back to experimenting and with the explosion of SCDish related websites that have cropped up over the last year or so, I'll have a lot to catch up on!

Oh, by the way, I was at a prenatal birthing class last week and the instructor asked whether anyone was experiencing heart burn. Every expecting mother raised her hand - except for me. My husband leaned over and said "I know it is due to your diet." No sooner had he said this than the instructor mentioned that a known remedy is eating almonds. WOW. I eat almonds almost every day in the SCD baked goods. Can't be coincidence.

Well folks, I hope you are having as much fun and success with the SCD as I am. I cannot believe what an easy remedy it is for Crohn's disease and I am even more fascinated with the fact that many folks with Crohn's don't give it a try. For me it is a no-brainer and I remain forever grateful to Elaine and all of the folks that paved the way for us to have it so easy in 2011.

Now if only there was an equally efficient and effective remedy for the terrible twos.

Hmmmmm

Successful SCD and STILL an Ileostomy?

Yes folks, you read correctly. I am approaching my 4th year on the Specific Carbohydrate Diet which has allowed me to live med-free and in 100% remission from Crohn's Disease.

Regardless of my digestive successes, the universe decided to make things interesting by lining up two major resection surgeries including a temporary ileostomy.

What?!? Resections and an ileostomy while claiming success with the SCD? That's right. I am still in shock myself. You see, these unfortunate events had nothing to do with Crohn's disease and everything to do with past abdominal surgeries - the primary culprit being last year's Cesarean.

It all started last fall when I was on my phone at work one minute and on my office floor the next. I was rushed to the ER and when the doctors learned of my past history with CD they assumed that this was another lapse. However, after extensive tests it was determined that I showed no signs of CD whatsoever (the silver lining in case you missed it).

After 5 LONG days in the hospital I underwent exploratory surgery (4 hours) during which time they identified a "very serious and strategically placed adhesion" which impacted several feet of my small intestines. I was also informed that I was now the owner of a temporary ileostomy.

After 2 weeks in the hospital with an NG tube and three months sporting a PICC line and an ileostomy and then a second "reversal" operation in February, I am now slowly making my way back to "normal."

Let me tell you all that these operations, PICC lines, and ileostomies are no joke but sadly they are all too common occurrences for folks with Crohn's. If you follow the SCD and it is working for you. Don't stop. If you are thinking of trying the diet but are on the fence sign up NOW!

There are so many beautiful and creative SCD sites cropping up these days, not to mention the great email groups. You will have more support than you can imagine.

The bright side of the last few months:

• Doctors couldn't believe that the CD was undetectable
• Doctors who were once skeptical now encourage me to stay on the diet
• The C Section may be to blame but I have happy healthy babies to show for it!
• I have a new found faith in the SCD
• I don't have to worry about fitting into my bathing suit this summer

Lunch with Mom

I spend most weekends at my mom's house these days.  She is an SCD expert and always makes great lunches!  Here is a picture of her roast chicken salad and ice tea with lemon.

Yummm

Fast Fish Feast

The chicken dish I referenced a few weeks ago turned out to be only OK but we enjoyed a super fast and yummy fish dish last night.

-3-4 servings of fresh Cod

- Legal prosciutto (pork and salt only)

- olive oil

- pepper

Cut the fish into appropriate portions and sprinkle with pepper.  Wrap the fish in prosciutto. Heat olive oil in a pan and cook the fish for about 4 minutes on each side (medium high) or until cooked well.

No need to add salt as the prosciutto is salty enough.  As a side dish my husband had tomato, basil, and mozzarella and I enjoyed tomato, basil and avocado.

I think we had about 10 minutes to eat before needing to tend to the babies.

Cat Nap Blogging

Just a quick check-in while the babies are taking a cat nap.  So having premie infant twins must be the ultimate SCD challenge but I am still going strong.  Sometimes lunch is a piece of cheese and some almonds but I am sure that is no different than other non-SCD new moms!

Today I am trying Slow Cooker African Peanut Chicken.  It smells WONDERFUL and if it tastes just as good then I will post the recipe!

The "convenience" foods that I reach for these days includes:

- dried organic mango (my FAVORITE)

- Peanut butter and apples

- Apples and cheese

- SCD cheddar crackers with guacamole or salsa

- Cheddar cheese sticks

- Pineapple, bananas, etc

- Peanut butter Larabars (there is some dispute over whether these are legal but they work for me)

Opps- one of the twins is up... I will get back to you on that slow cooker recipe!  

Until then...

Happy SCDing

The Twins Arrive!!

The twins showed up a little earlier than expected (at 33 weeks). Considering how early they arrived, their weight was quite impressive (about 5lb and 4lb). However, because they are such premies, they will need to spend some time in the NICU.

As such, I have been putting in 10 hour days at the hospital myself. While I was pregnant my plan was to cook up a storm and freeze meals for after the babies were born. That plan went out the window when they showed up last week! Thankfully, my mom has been a huge help with meal preparations.

I spent 5 days in the hospital recovering from a C-section. During that time she brought me chicken soup with butternut squash and kale, hard boiled eggs, cinnamon cookies, fruit, and more. Of course I ate SCD yogurt for breakfast and had plenty of snacks too.

Now that I am basically living at the NICU during the days I bring my own lunch and snacks. For example, today I brought meatballs (made by mom), hard boiled eggs, a salad, cookies, cheese sticks, yogurt with blueberries and SCD granola, and an apple with peanut butter. Sound like a lot of food? You need many calories to nurse a set of twins!

At night when we come home hungry and exhausted, my husband and I make a simple dinner of grilled meat with veggies or a stir fry, taco salad, etc. I am making SCD yogurt from organic half and half to help increase my caloric intake.

The twins are doing really well and gaining weight at a great pace. We hope they can come home soon. My husband swears that their stellar progress is due to the SCD and I tend to agree. : )

SCD Twins!

I am such a blog-slacker but I have a great excuse - I promise. Since November 08 I have been ultra busy preparing for the two twin boys that I am expecting this spring. That's right, SCD twins!! I am taking the Perry prenatal vitamins, fish oil, vitamin D and LOTS of SCD yogurt.

So far so good on the intestinal front. I have also gained about 26 pounds at last check (I hear you are supposed to gain about 35-40 with twins). I credit the weight gain with lots of SCD baked goods (thank goodness for the SCD Bakery), organic SCD yogurt made from Half and Half, lots of fruits and 100% juices.

I have been on the diet for about 2 and 1/2 years and, thankfully, I can eat just about any legal food that I want. The only thing that doesn't agree with me completely is cauliflower.

So, as you can imagine, my posts will probably remain pretty sparse for the near future as I venture into my 3rd trimester and then embark on the journey of twinfants.

In the meantime, please be sure to check out all of the great SCD blogs (listed on the left hand side of this page) and Bon Appetite!

Jill

Thanksgiving Sandwiches

Thanksgiving was great. We enjoyed the usual turkey along with a roast beef and SCD legal gravy. I also made homemade cranberry sauce with apples and honey and some cheddar biscuits from Grainfree Gourmet Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

The biscuits were terrific for turkey sandwiches. I carefully cut the biscuits in half horizontally, toasted them and then added SCD mayo, cranberry sauce, gravy and turkey.

YUMMM

Too bad I forgot all of the leftovers at my mom's house.

Hot & Sour Soup

Yesterday I had a craving for Oodles of Noodles and in reviewing my recipe books I came across Hot & Sour Soup in Eat Well Feel Well.

I had to go grocery shopping anyhow so I picked up the ingredients and it was no trouble at all to whip up a batch.

This soup really hit the spot and satisfied that craving for a noodle-like soup. It is loaded with shitake mushrooms, boy choy, ginger, garlic, eggs, and thinly sliced pork. For those of you who like Hot & Sour soup, or just miss the taste of Chinese cuisine...it is a winner.