Pumpkin bread

Making this in the summer. Why not? pumpkin bread is good all year round with the convenience of the canned pumpkin. High in fiber and simply delicious.

For the baking powder I always use Featherweight brand. Most commercial brands use corn starch. Featherweight does not. They use tapioca starch instead.

The psyllium is good for gluten free recipes and helps to hold things together.

Ingredients:

3 eggs

1/2 cup milk or milk substitute

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/2 stick butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 and 1/2 cup sugar (white or brown)

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

2 tablespoons molasses

1/2 cup gluten free oats

1/2 cup quinoa, amaranth or almond flour (for hearty flavor)

1 cup rice flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

3 teaspoons ground flaxseed

3 teaspoons psyllium powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1  15 ounce can of pumpkin

Directions:

1. In large bowl beat eggs

2. Add milk, sugar, molasses, and vanilla. mix well

3. Melt peanut butter and butter in microwave to melt. Add

4. Add cinnamon, nutmeg and ground cloves

5. Add oats, flours, flaxseed, salt, baking powder and psyllium 

6. Mix well

7. Fold in canned pumpkin

8. Pour into two bread pans

9. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes

#pumpkinbread #glutenfreepumpkinbread #glutenfree #cornfree #Crohns #beatCrohns

#curecrohnsnaturally #foodasmedicine #crohnsflare #crohnsdiet #dietforcrohns 

Things I avoid: Xanthan Gum

 Xanthan Gum is used to thicken products. It adds a chewy texture to foods. This is especially so with gluten free items, such as bread, cookies and pizza. Xanthan Gum is widely used in gluten free production.

This would be fine, except that Xanthan Gum is derived, usually, from corn. Sometimes it is derived from wheat, but that's no good either. I have had to eliminate all corn and corn derivatives as well as gluten to keep myself in remission from Crohn's. 

A good substitute for Xanthan Gum in recipes is psyllium powder.

There is one product on the market that I found. It is called "Not xanthan not guar" by the brand Pamela's. This is made of a combination of psyllium and potato starch. Here is a link to their site:

https://www.pamelasproducts.com/recipes/not_xanthan_not_guar

#xanthan #xanthangum #Crohns #glutenfree #cornfree #foodasmedicine #crohnsdiet #dietforcrohns

#crohnsflare #beatcrohns #naturalcurecrohns 

Pasta with Red Pepper Sauce

 Well this red pepper sauce was so good I could just drink it! That's how delicious it was! I used Jovial gluten free bowties for the pasta. Mezzetta was the brand I used for the red peppers. Its most important for the peppers to not be in vinegar. The shredded cheese can not contain corn starch, as some do. The heavy cream must be free from corn syrup. And the broth must be free from maltodextrin.

Ingredients:

1 pound gluten free pasta (free from corn)

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 tablespoons butter

3 cloves garlic, minced

3 green onions, sliced

1 16 oz jar roasted red peppers, drained but not rinsed (free from vinegar)

1/2 cup broth

1/4 cup heavy cream

1 teaspoon oregano

1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (more for toppings)

Directions:

1. sautée garlic, onion and red peppers in olive oil for a few minutes

2. stir in butter and oregano

3. set aside to cool and start boiling water for pasta

4. place pepper mixture in blender

5. add heavy cream

6. blend till smooth 

7. return sauce to pan

8. stir in shredded cheese

9. pour over pasta when done

10. top with extra cheese

#redpeppersauce #crohns #glutenfree #cornfree #beatcrohns #dietforcrohns #crohnsdiet

#foodasmedicine #howIbeatcrohns #crohnsflare #mezzetta 

Things I avoid: Powdered sugar

 Powdered sugar is great for decorating. However regular powdered sugar is usually mixed with corn starch to make it, well more powdery. I avoid all forms of corn and corn derivatives as well as gluten to keep me in remission. Luckily there are some organic powdered sugars that use tapioca starch instead of corn starch.

Sugar in general should also be limited since it can feed the bad gut bacteria.

#powderedsugar #cornfreepowderedsugar #glutenfree #cornfree #crohns #beatcrohns

#naturalcurecrohns #crohnsdiet #dietforcrohns #crohnsflare

Hu Grain Free Crackers

 New on the gluten free circuit is this company Hu Kitchen, short for "get back to human". Today I tried their Everything Grain Free crackers. I saw that there is also a pizza flavor. Very good. Lots of flavor and the texture was crispy and not too thin. Got them at my local grocery store, but they are also available online as well. 

These are made with a nice combination of almond and cassava flours. They work well together and lend to a hardy taste.

Of course, to keep myself in remission I hav eliminated all gluten and corn in my diet as well as gluten and corn derivatives. One thing that I noticed right away is the use of apple cider vinegar instead of white distilled vinegar. White distilled vinegar is derived from corn and I avoid it like the plague.

#hu #getbacktohuman #glutenfreecrackers #glutenfree #cornfree #beatcrohns

#crohns #foodasmedicine #dietforcrohns #howibeatcrohns #hucrackers

Lime jello with Pineapple

 Jello. A safe dessert. Safe to eat that is. Made with real sugar and grain free. Safe to order in restaurants. Totally agrees with me. The possibilities are infinite with so many flavors and add-ins. When you can't have cake, cookies or donuts, a good substitute. Especially refreshing in the summer. By the way, the sugar free are NOT safe. sugar substitutes are derived from corn. Corn and corn derivatives will flare me.

Years ago jello was way more popular. It was found in recipe books under the heading "salad". A cookout or party was not complete without a jello mold. I would like to bring back jello in popularity.

Lime Jello with Pineapple

6 oz box lime jello

3/4 cup plain yogurt

3/4 cup crushed pineapple (packed in own juice) (no corn syrup)

Directions:

*add 2 cups boiling water to jello powder

*stir util all sugar is dissolved

*stir in 2 cups cold water

*refridgerate 1 hour

*blend in yogurt with hand mixer

*gently fold in pineapple

*back in refrigerator for 3 more hours

#bringbackjello #glutenfree #cornfree #crohns #beatcrohns #crohnsflare #naturalcurecrohns

#foodasmedicine 

What I Eat: Oat Salmon Patties

I like all forms of salmon; baked, smoked, sushi and patties. Patties are super easy to make. (see recipe below) I use whole gluten free oats in my patties as a breadcrumb substitute. It works very well. You can't even tell that they are in there. Very few ingredients. Super healthy. (Except the frying in oil part)

Additional add-ins can include green onions, broccoli or green peppers just to name a few. 

In addition to the salmon patties, I had homemade saucer kraut, Noble Made Ketchup and roasted broccoli and cauliflower. Noble Made Ketchup is produced without vinegar or corn syrup, which are found in commercial Ketchups.  

All of this fits in very well with my diet to keep Crohn's in remission. I avoid all gluten (bread crumbs) and corn (Corn syrup, white distilled vinegar), as well as all gluten and corn derivatives.

Lynne's Oat Salmon Patties

Ingredients:

1 large can salmon (15 oz)

2 eggs

1/2 cup gluten free whole oats

Oil to fry in (not corn)

Add-ins: onion, peppers, zucchini... (optional)

Directions:

*heat pan with oil on medium heat

*drain salmon

*remove spine bones if present

*smash big chunks of salmon

*mix salmon with eggs, oats and add-ins

*form patties and fry till browed on both sides

serves 2 to 3

#salmonpatties #crohns #glutenfree #cornfree #beatcrohns #dietforcrohns

#naturalcurecrohns #foodasmedicine #crohnsdiet #crohnsflare

Supplements: Green Juice

 One thing I take every morning is green juice, which is wheat grass and other healthy greens in a powder form. This is different than wheat. This is the actual grass. I like this brand, amazing Grass, because it is a combination of wheat grass, barley grass and other greens such as spinach. Other brands are good, just be sure to check all ingredients. Avoid maltodextrin which is added to some brands.

This mixes easily with water. I take about a teaspoon. It has a refreshing, Spring taste.

Green juices provide tons of nutrients that may not be included daily in our busy lives including A, K, and C. Green juice acts like a prebiotic. Prebiotics feed the good bacteria in our colon. Greens are also know for their anti-inflammatory properties. And green juices are easy to absorb, especially important where irritation is present.

#amazinggreens #crohns #glutenfree #cornfree #foodasmedicine #dietforcrohns #beatcrohns

#naturalcurecrohns #crohnsflare #wheatgrass #barleygrass

Blueberries and Crohn's

 Here is a link to a study done in 2020 on the benefits of blueberries for Crohn's. If nothing else hey are delicious!

We already know that there are beneficial anti-oxidants in blueberries as well as fiber.

Blueberry season peaks around July 4th. They can be bought in bulk and frozen for later. They should be cleaned and dried prior to freezing.

https://www.healthcentral.com/article/crohns-and-berries

Back to Nature Granola

 Found this granola, Back to Nature, at my local grocery store. Finding a lot more gluten free foods in mainstream stores.

Certified gluten free. The blueberries, apples and pineapple juice makes it sweet and no need to add nasty corn syrup.

This product fits in with my diet since it is both gluten and corn free. The oats are gluten free. No wheat products, naturally sweetened.

I liked this a lot and it was quite satisfying.

#backtonature #glutenfree #cornfree #crohns #dietforcrohns

#beatcrohns #crohnsflare #foodasmedicine #glutenfreegranola

Adapting recipes

Any recipe can be tweaked to be compliant with my diet. By making important substitutions I can adapt any recipe for my needs. 

My foods need to be both gluten and corn free. They must also be free from gluten and corn derivatives such as soy sauce or corn starch. Here are some easy ways to convert recipes. See examples below.

Flour

There are many flour substitutes for wheat flour. These include rice, millet, amaranth, almond, garbanzo bean, and oat as well as many others. These can be mixed and matched. They will not rise as well as glutinous flour.

White Distilled Vinegar

White distilled vinegar is derived from corn. I substitute apple cider vinegar in all recipes. The taste is actually better.

Other substitutes:

instead of soy sauce use gluten free soy sauce or Bragg's Amino acids

Instead of mayo use Vegenaise (free from white vinegar and corn syrup

Instead of regular ketchup use brands free from vinegar and corn syrup (Noble Madd is found at Whole Foods)

Instead corn starch use potato starch

For baking powder use Feather Weight brand (or brands without corn starch)

For canned fruit use "lite" or packed in own juices (free of corn syrup)

For tomato soup use Amy's (Or one free from wheat flour)

Instead of couscous use quinoa

Do not use corn oil. Substitute any other oil

Make sure all broth is free from maltodextrin 

Do not use margarine made from corn (I use Earth Balance)

Instead of sour cream I use yogurt (sour cream contains vinegar but not all brands)

always use gluten free oats

Apple sauce needs to be natural or made with real sugar

#crohns #cornfrree #glutenfree #dietforcrohns #beatcrohns #foodasmedicine

#crohnsflare #crohnsdiet 

 

Where to Start: Journaling

At this point you may be wondering where to start. One of the best things to do is to keep a food journal. I did this when I was first diagnosed and it lead me figure out which foods I could and could not eat. Through trial and error I figured out that it was gluten and corn as well as gluten and corn derivatives which flared me. I eliminated these foods and went into remission from Crohn's. It takes a while but is worth the effort.

It is important to write down everything that goes into your mouth including drinks, snacks, gum and mints as well as supplements. 

Also note brand names of precooked foods. There are huge differences in ingredients depending on the brand.

Note the name of restaurants if you eat out.

Be sure to label bathroom results. Note the time of each bowel movement along with consistency, volume, blood level, gassiness...

I like adding some notes on how I feel and highlights of the day. 

Note the addition of any sauce or seasoning.

Below is an example of a typical journal entry.

#glutenfree #cornfree #Crohns #beatcrohns #crohnsflare #dietforcrohns #foodasmedicine

#naturalcurecrohns #curecrohns 

Rice Ramen by Lotus Foods

Now here is a versatile food. I use these noodles as a staple because they can be used in so many different ways. They come with and without the season packet. Today I added shrimp, seaweed and bone broth. But the list of additions are endless; cooked chicken, broccoli, mushrooms... Whatever happens to be on hand 

Be creative!

These noodles are made from rice and millet flours and are gluten and corn free. to stay in remission from Crohn's I avoid all gluten and corn and all derivatives of gluten and corn, such as soy sauce, corn syrup and white vinegar. Like regular ramen noodles they take only minutes to make.

#lotusfoods #crohns #beatcrohns #dietforcrohns #glutenfree #cornfree #foodasmedicine

#glutenfreeramen #naturalcurecrohns 

New Study: effects of diet on Crohn's

 And in case you need proof that diet alone can benefit Crohn's disease, check out the link below. Two diets, the Mediterranean diet and the specific carbohydrate diet, were shown to have significant impact on patients with Crohn's disease and Colitis.

My diet is very similar to the Specific Carbohydrate Diet with a few differences.

https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/dinecd-results?fbclid=IwAR1j_TtrnKJWpvD3xoRVn3N4lcdtX1aF0JB9Pixnk9ZFSl5qkH__NvvONyc

Supplements: Flax seed oil

One of the supplements that I take almost daily is flaxseed oil, also known as just flax oil. It is an excellent source of essential fatty acids. It soothes the intestines and is well known as being anti-inflammatory. It also helps to lubricate joints and skin,  and is a good substitute for fish oils for brain health (vegetarian). Flax seed also contains lignan's which have anti-cancer properties. It has also been shown to control both constipation and diarrhea. Now that's a trick! Flaxseed oil may help cardio health by lowering cholesterol. And it may also reduce tummy fat.

I use Barlean's and take it by the spoonful because I like the taste. You can also get it in capsule form. Always check the label for purity and no other oils added.

This oil is for supplementation only and is not meant to be cooked with.

Like fish oils and other supplements, flaxseed oil should be discontinued two weeks before surgery and if on blood thinners.

#Barleans #flaxseedoil #cornfree #glutenfree #crohns #foodasmedicine #beatcrohns #curecrohns

#crohnsflare 

Deep Indian Kitchen

 Indian food is the best! But getting Indian food free from both gluten and corn can be a challenge.

New discovery: Deep Indian Kitchen. Found at my local grocery store. They are also available online. There are many varieties available. Not all of them are gluten and corn free.  The Chicken Masala for example contains vinegar. white vinegar is derived from corn. In order to stay in remission from Crohn's, I avoid all gluten and corn, as well as all gluten and corn derivatives. I was able to find three meals that were gluten and corn free. They were:

Spinach Paneer

Chicken Curry

Chic Pea Masala

There may be other safe ones as well. The labels need to be checked. Do not buy if they contain vinegar, corn starch, maltodextrin, corn syrup, or soy sauce. And of course no Nan bread.

These are quite convenient. They come frozen and heat up in 5 minutes in the microwave. Very tasty and they come with rice.

#deepindiankitchen #glutenfree #cornfree #Crohns #beatcrohns #Crohnsdiet #crohnsflare

#howIbeatcrohns #crohnsnaturalcure #foodasmedicine