Yum, Yum, Avocado!

10-22-12

  I've met a lot of new people over the last couple weeks and have gotten to share the particulars of my diet. It is fun talking to other people about the restrictions I have and what I'm still able to eat and make in spite of how bleak it might look initially.  I've been on the diet 100% now for about 4 months, but had semi-started it beforehand. Over the last 6 months I've lost a grand total of 20 pounds! I've finally plateaued and I think this is probably my bodies healthy weight.

  This last Friday I made a "pasta" dish for dinner! The guys thought it was so good that they devoured every last bit of it and there were absolutely no left-overs (and it made a good sized batch too!). It came out pesto-like in flavor only with a strong avocado influence, making it quite superior to red sauce. The recipe I used this time around was just for a sauce, so I used a Spaghetti Squash for the noodles (so yummy). For enough sauce to cover a whole squash I tripled the recipe. So, without further ado, here is the newest recipe that I've tried!

Creamy Avocado Sauce

Yields: 2 servings

1  med.  Avocado, ripe and pitted

1  Tbsp  Lemon Juice (half lemon squeezed)

2 cloves Garlic, peeled

1/2 tsp  Salt

1/4 cup  Basil (recipe called for fresh, but I used dried)

2  Tbsp  Olive Oil

   Dash  Ground Black Pepper

2 Servings Cooked Pasta of Choice (zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash for scd)

1)  While pasta is cooking, place garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil in blender. Blend until smooth. 

2)  Add avocado, basil, and salt. Process until smooth and creamy.

3)  Pour sauce over drained, cooked pasta and toss until pasta is evenly coated with sauce. Garnish with black pepper and serve.

Original Recipe Link:  http://ohsheglows.com/2011/01/31/15-minute-creamy-avocado-pasta/

Fall: Arriving in Style

10-1-12

  Today I welcomed fall with a wonderfully delicious Cinnamon Bun Muffin recipe. It made the house smell much like fall and the only thing missing was warm apple cider on the stove top. Sadly, the recipe makes only nine muffins, so I'll be making another batch before the evening is done. I've posted my version of the recipe at the bottom of this post. At the bottom of the recipe is a link to the original recipe from Elana's Pantry (http://www.elanaspantry.com/cinnamon-bun-muffins/). I find many of my recipes on her site and a couple of others (this will be very apparent as my posting progresses).

  I had my three month check up with my doctor today. It was probably the best doctor appointment I've ever had! She was very happy with the progress I've made on the diet (as am I) and how good I'm feeling. She was surprised to see how much weight I've lost, but is happy to see how well my body/gut is liking the diet. I went away feeling very confident about how well I'm doing and excited to continue on this journey to healing. 

  Another really neat thing, my father and eldest brother came up with a brine made of honey, salt, and water for smoking fish. I came home from a visit with some very delicious smoked tuna! yummy, yum, yum! I'm so very thankful for all the family and friends that are constantly supporting me in my dietary restrictions and finding ways to fix special things for me that I can have! 

  Happy Harvesting!

God Bless,

Kittydid

Cinnamon Bun Muffin
makes 9 muffins

Cinnamon Topping:
2 Tbsp Honey
1 Tbsp Cinnamon
1 Tbsp Grapeseed Oil

1)  To make cinnamon topping, combine honey, cinnamon and oil in a small bowl
2)  Set mixture aside



Muffin Mixture: 

1  cup  Blanched Almond Flour 

2  Tbsp Coconut Flour

1/2 tsp Baking soda

1/4 tsp Salt 

1/4 cup Grapeseed Oil 

1/4 cup Honey
3       Eggs

1  Tbsp Vanilla Extract

1)  Combine almond flour, coconut flour, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl
2)  In a large bowl blend together oil, honey, eggs and vanilla
3)  Blend dry ingredients into wet and scoop a scant 1/4 cup at a time into lined muffin cups
4)  Spoon topping onto muffins
5)  Bake muffins for 8-12 minutes at 350°. Cool on wire wracks.

Original Recipe Link: http://www.elanaspantry.com/cinnamon-bun-muffins/

Spring Cleaning in Fall?

9-28-12

Hey Everyone!

  So sorry it has been so very long, I'll try not to make it a habit ;-) .  Life has been super busy as a newlywed. I'm working with Visiting Angels PDX as a Caregiver. My husband is finishing up school and job-hunting. I'm enrolled at PCC as a student and hope to start some PreReqs next term so that I can start their Medical Assisting Certificate program the following term. So far, it looks like I'll only need to take 3 classes before applying for the MAC program. I've applied for Financial Aid and it looks like I'll probably have most of it covered via a grant (Praise The Lord!). 

  After my wedding in March I was diagnosed with Small Intestine Bacteria Over-growth(SIBO). It is basically good bacteria over-growing into my small intestines because the natural nightly GI "flushing" stops working, leaving the good bacteria to over-grow it's purpose, therefore infecting my small intestine. The results and symptoms are very much like Crohn's Disease. My doctor and I believe that, since I tested positive for SIBO and the images taken a few years ago indicated Crohn's, my health stands at one of three doors: 1)I have Crohn's and SIBO(so once the SIBO is gone, I'll still have Crohn's)   2)I have Crohn's caused by SIBO(so the Crohn's would go away with the SIBO) -or-   3) I only have SIBO, which made it look like I had Crohn's(so once the SIBO is gone I'd be healthy and "normal" again w/o any symptoms of Crohn's or SIBO).  

  This may seem odd, overwhelming, or both but, for me it is welcome news. The big difference between SIBO and Crohn's is that, SIBO has a known cure, where Crohn's does not. At present I am taking the slow route to cure the SIBO, which entails a very restrictive, grain-free diet called SCD(Specific Carbohydrate Diet). This particular diet starves the bacteria over-growth in my intestines. I'll be on this diet for exactly one year past my last symptom. I still have occasional symptoms so I haven't been able to start the countdown, as of yet. At some point during this diet I will have to take a prescription that will give that GI "flushing" a kick in the pants to start doing it's job again. I have my three month check-up with my doc on Oct 1st, so we'll see how she thinks it's going then.

  Since starting this diet three months ago, I've learned a lot about cooking without certain things and what manufacturers seem to thing is necessary to put in so many different foods! I've decided recently that I want to keep everyone, on here and in my family, in the loop and give them easy access to things I can eat and simple recipes that I prepare. My goal in revamping this blog for that purpose is to make it easy for people to help me maintain this diet and to help educate those around me on it at the same time as I am learning.

  I hope this hasn't been too much of a bore, but I wanted to get everyone on the same page! Happy cooking and I'll be posting my first recipe soon!

God Bless,

Kittydid