Almond Breeze Yogurt

 Found this new product yesterday. Fruit on the bottom. Very nice smooth texture. Today I tried the blueberry. They also come in strawberry, peach and vanilla. They do not skimp on the fruit layer. Made with cane sugar, not corn syrup. I like that this is non-dairy so it won't cause gas. All in all a good find.

Yogurt in general is great for Crohn's. But it must be free from gluten and corn in order not to flare me. The cane sugar is nice. Also no added corn starch.

#almondbreezeyogurt #crohns #glutenfree #cornfree #beatcrohns #foodasmedicine

#dietforcrohns #crohnsdiet #bestyogurtforcrohns 

Quinoa Black bean Salad

 This salad contains literally everything that is good in this world. All my faves wrapped up into one delicious vegan salad. One thing to note is that I used Goya brand black beans. Other brands are good as long as they are free from added corn syrup.

Ingredients:

1 can black beans, mixed

1 and 1/2 cups cooked quinoa

1 red pepper, diced

1 mango, diced

1/2 jalapeño pepper diced small

1/4 cup cilantro, rough chopped

1/4 to 1/2 red onion, diced

Dressing:

juice from 1 lime

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 tablespoons olive oil 

turmeric, cumin and chili powders, to taste

dash salt

#quinoa #glutenfree #cornfree #crohns #beatcrohns #foodasmedicine

#dietforcrohns #crohnsdiet #howibeatcrohns 

Breyers Natural Vanilla Ice Cream

 Today was National Ice Cream day. I wasn't going to miss this one. Safest ice cream I could find was Breyers Natural Vanilla Ice cream. Real sugar instead of the corn syrup. Since it's hard to find a safe chocolate sauce I used Nutella, warmed for 20 seconds in the microwave.

#Breyers #Crohns #crohnsdiet #dietforcrohns #foodasmedicine #Crohnsflare #Glutenfree #Cornfrree

#natualcurecrohns #nutella #glutenfreeicecream 

Making safe Lasagna

 Lasagna. so satisfying. Here is how I make it compliant with my diet.

1. Start with a good gluten free lasagna pasta. Must also be free from corn. I have found these Jovial noodles made with rice flour. Bonus: they don't need pre-boiled. Use straight from the box.

2. Mozzarella cheese needs to be free from corn starch. Often this is added to pre-shredded cheese to prevent clumping. I use a mozzarella cheese block and shred it myself. 8 ounces is the same as one bag. Also cheaper this way.

3. Ricotta cheese is a no no. It usually contains white vinegar. I use Daisey brand cottage cheese instead. Daisey does not contain vinegar. White vinegar will flare me.

Here's the recipe I used:

Ingredients:

1 box Jovial Lasagna noodles

1 or 1 and 1/2 pound ground meat

1 jar spaghetti sauce

2 eggs

8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese

16 ounce Daisey cottage cheese

1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese (make sure no corn starch)

1 zucchini sliced (or other vegetables as desired such as spinach and broccoli)

1/2 cup sliced mushroom

Directions:

1. brown ground meat in pan

2. mix meat with most of the spaghetti sauce

3. pour rest of sauce in baking pan

4. combine cheeses and egg in separate bowl

5. layer noodles, meat, cheese mixture and vegetables

6. bake 50 minutes at 375 degrees

#glutenfreelasagna #glutenfree #cornfree #Crohns #dietforcrohns #crohnsdiet #Jovial

#foodasmedicine #crohnsflare #naturalcurecrohns #howIbeatcrohns 

Making Simple Swaps

 There are several things that I have learned to swap over the years to keep myself in remission from Crohn's. Avoiding gluten and corn is very hard. But I have found ways to make food very delicious without flaring myself. Here are some swaps I use all the time:

Instead of croutons on salad, I use salted nuts. Pistachios are particularly good. The salad pictured below is using pine nuts. I also leave off the dressing and use olive oil and lemon juice or apple cider vinegar.

Instead of sour cream, I use plain yogurt. Sour cream often contains white vinegar, which is a derivative of corn. Tastes almost the same. Added benefit of probiotics.

Instead of commercial mayonnaise, I use Vegenaise or smashed avocado. Mayonnaise contains white vinegar as well as corn syrup.

Instead of soy sauce, I use gluten free soy sauce or Bragg's aminos. Regular soy sauce is full of gluten.

Instead of White vinegar, I use apple cider, or balsamic vinegar

Instead of regular or sugar free soda, I use real sugar soda or seltzer water. Regular soda is sweetened with high fructose  corn syrup. Diet sodas use sweeteners that are derived from corn. 

#glutenfree #cornfree #crohns #dietforcrohns #crohnsdiet #crohnsflare #foodforcrohns

#foodasmedicine #cornderivatives #gluten #glutenderivatives #naturalcurecrohns #howIbeatcrohns

Borsht, super easy

 This is a recipe I tweaked myself. The flavor goes beyond the simple jar stuff. With the addition of the meat, this is a meal. Traditionally borsht is served with sour cream. I use plain yogurt as a substitute since sour cream often contains white vinegar. White vinegar is a derivative of corn, and of course I avoid all corn derivatives.

One take away: This may make your pooh look like you're bleeding. Remember this so you don't have a panic attack!

Ingredients:

12 cups water

1 pound stew meat

1 potato, peeled and sliced

1 carrot, sliced

1 tomato, chopped

1 large cabbage wedge, chopped

1 medium shallot, chopped

2 cloves garlic, sliced or minced

4 medium beets, peeled and diced

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

2 tablespoons gluten free soy sauce, or Bragg's Aminos

1 and 1/2 tablespoon brown sugar

3 bay leaves

plain yogurt, to garnish finished borsht

Directions:

1. Add water and meat to large pot

2. bring to boil

3. reduce heat and simmer on low for 30 minutes 

4. skim off foam that forms on top

5. Add the rest of the ingredients

6. simmer for 2 to 3 hours on very low

7. add more water as needed

8. Server warm, garnished with yogurt

#borsht #glutenfree #cornfree #beatcrohns #howibeatcrohns #foodasmedicine #crohnsflare

#borshtrecipe #healthyborshtrecipe #dietforcrohns #crohnsdiet 

How I Survive Cookouts

 Going to someone's house for a cookout can be a blessing! However it can also be dangerous for those of us with food sensitivities. Remember, the most important thing about cookouts is not the food, but the company we keep. Here are some things I do when attending a cookout:

1. hamburgers without the bun are generally safe when pure. I always ask the host if they added any fillers or seasonings to the meat. Lookout for soy sauce, ketchup and bread crumbs

2. Safe hot dogs are Hebrew National Brand. Not the low-fat however since they add starch. Of course, no bun.

3. If a hamburger bun is needed, I use Against the Grain brand. It does contain cheese so it may lead to some gas.

4. Condiments in general are unsafe. They contain corn syrup and white distilled vinegar. Both are big no no's for me. I have found some safe alternatives made with real sugar and apple cider vinegar. Read labels carefully. You can bring your own condiments or eat them plain.

5. No Corn. Grilled corn is delicious but not worth the pain.

6. Soy sauce is full of gluten. Use Bragg's Aminos or a gluten free soy sauce instead.

7. Most side salads are dangerous since they usually contain mayo or white vinegar. No coleslaw, egg salad or potato salad. I stick to raw veggies and fruit salad.

8. Soda pop contains either high fructose corn syrup or sugar substitutes which are derived from corn. I stick with the natural sodas made with real sugar, seltzer or water.

9. I make s'mores using Dandies marshmallow and Kinnikinnick graham crackers. Just as delicious.

10. For those who drink alcohol, wine and brandy are safe for me. No beer or grain alcohols.

11. Usually no dessert is safe unless it is specifically gluten and corn free. Safest to bring your own. Jello is generally safe before the add ins.

12. Sometimes I bring my own snacks or a protein bar just in case there is literally nothing to eat. I also eat something before I go so hunger won't drive me to eat something I shouldn't eat.

Safe Cookouts! Enjoy the company, the fresh air and the fireworks!

#crohns #beatcrohns #naturalcurecrohns #foodasmedicine #crohnsflare #eatingforcrohns #dietforcrohns

#crohnsdiet #glutenfree #cornfree #kinnikinnick