Perfect Breakfast: Cream of rice with fruit

 I found a box of Cream of Rice tucked back in my closet. I had forgotten how delicious, healthy and versatile it is. I made the cereal in my microwave according to directions. Then I added strawberries, blackberries, raspberries and banana slices. Drizzled with honey and topped with almonds. Of course any fruits would be good. The added iron is a plus if you have been bleeding.

To stay in remission from Crohn's I avoid all gluten, wheat and corn was well as gluten and corn derivatives. Of course Cream of Wheat would be a big NO. I can eat any fruit and all vegetables except corn. Note: I would not recommend berries or nuts during active flare since seed can get stuck and add to the inflammation. Stick with soothing fruits such as banana.

#crohns #glutenfree #cornfree #Crohnsflare #Dietforcrohns #crohnsdiet #Foodasmedicine

#cancrohnsbecured #creamofrice 

Chic Pea bowl with Fried Tofu

 This bowl has tons of variations. I literally just use what vegetables happen to be in my fridge. I start with steamed rice as a base. Top with roasted chic peas. Then comes other veggies, cooked and raw. Top with crunchy tofu. Lastly, a drizzle of homemade sauce.

In order to keep my Crohn's in full remission, I eliminate all corn and gluten, as well as corn and gluten derivatives from my diet. What this means for this recipe:

*gluten free soy sauce or Bragg's Aminos

*rice vinegar, apple cider, wine vinegar or balsamic are acceptable. No white distilled vinegar

*Rice flour, or other gluten free flours only

*no corn. Stating the obvious

*for hot sauce I use Siete brand. Check labels though since changes do occur

There are so many variation to this recipe. You can add chicken or shrimp instead of the tofu. Other vegetables such as cauliflower, mushrooms, carrots or cabbage work well too. You can also sprinkle with sunflower or other nuts or seeds. This might also go well with kimchi. 

Ingredients:

*steamed rice

*1 can chic peas

*1/2 head broccoli, cut into bite size

*olive oil

*1/2 block extra firm tofu

*3 tablespoons rice flour

*1/2 red pepper, diced

*3 green onions, sliced

*4 tablespoons gluten free soy sauce

*1 tablespoon creamy peanut butter

*1 tablespoon margarine (No corn oil ingredients. I use Earth Balance)

*3 teaspoon brown sugar

*1/4 teaspoon powdered garlic

*1 tsp minced ginger

*1/2 teaspoon vinegar (Not distilled)

*1 teaspoon sesame seed oil

*Siete hot sauce 

*paprika to taste

Directions:

1. Steam rice

2. Rinse and pat dry chic peas

3. wrap tofu in paper towel and gently press out some moisture

4. Spread chic peas and broccoli on cookie sheet, drizzle with olive oil, salt, pepper, and paprika

5. Bake until broccoli starts to light brown

6. Meanwhile, toss tofu cubes in rice flour till all sides are coated

7. heat oil in pan, then add tofu. Cook on all sides until golden brown and crunchy

8. While tofu cooks, make sauce. Microwave peanut butter, margarine, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, sesame seed oil, brown sugar, ginger, hot sauce about 30 seconds. Stir to incorporate peanut butter.

9. Put it all together. Steamed rice with chic peas and vegetables on top. Add crunchy tofu, then red pepper and onion. Drizzle with sauce.

#crohns #beatcrohns #crohnsdiet #foodforcrohns #crohnsflare #cureforcrohns #foodasmedicine

#glutenfree #cornfree #tofurecipe #cancrohnsbecured 

Hot and Sour Soup

 This is the first time trying this recipe and it was really easy. We're all familiar with Hot and sour soup from our local Chinese buffet. This is an easy recipe that I tweaked to be gluten and corn free.

Ingredients:

*32 oz broth or stock (Imagine Foods is gluten and corn free)

*6 oz shiitake mushrooms (or other type if unavailable) (cut into small pieces)

*1 cup water

*1 can bamboo shoots

*1 can bean sprouts (or fresh if you can find them)

*3 green onions, sliced

*1/2 package tofu (cubed)

*1 tablespoon dry Wakame seaweed (optional but I like some green)

*2 tablespoons rice vinegar (can use white wine vinegar in a pinch. But NEVER white distilled vinegar)

*2 tablespoons gluten free soy sauce (or Bragg's Aminos)

*hot pepper flakes, to taste (I used about a teaspoon)

*1 teaspoon sesame seed oil 

*3 tablespoon rice flour 

Directions:

1. Pour some oil in the bottom of soup pot

2. Sautée the mushrooms and bamboo shoots for a few minutes

3.Add everything else except the rice flour

4. Simmer at least 30 minutes

5. In small bowl, mix the rice flour with some of the broth and blend well

6. Add flour mixture to soup and stir

7. simmer another ten minutes as soup thickens

8. I served mine with wild rice by Near East 

#hotandsoursoup #crohns #glutenfree #cornfree #beatcrohns #crohnsdiet #foodforcrohns

#foodasmedicine #Crohnsflare #cancrohnsbecured #dietforcrohns 

Cranberry Sauce

 Sweet and Tart! Nothing says Holidays like cranberry sauce. But forget the canned stuff. It's full of corn syrup. In order to keep my Crohn's in remission I avoid all gluten and corn as well as derivatives such as corn syrup.  Instead of canned, I make my own sauce using fresh cranberries. It literally takes five minutes to prepare and is so delicious. 

1 bag fresh cranberries (washed)

1/2 to 1 cup sugar (depending on how sweet/tart you want it)

 1 cup water (We used some orange juice as part of the cup. About half and half)

Put all ingredients into a pot and bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer as berries start popping. Simmer about five minutes until desired consistency is achieved. 

#cornfreecranberrysauce #cornfree #glutenfree #crohns #beatcrohns #dietforcrohns #crohnsdiet

#foodasmedicine #nauralcurecrohns #cancrohnsbecured 

Product Alert: Enjoy Life Chewy Bars

These Enjoy Life Chewey Bars now contain xanthan gum. Xanthan gum is a corn derivative. It is not allowed on my diet as I avoid all gluten, corn and gluten and corn derivatives. Quite unfortunate because they are yummy. Always, always, always check ingredients even on products you buy all the time. Manufacturers change ingredients all the time.

#enjoylife #glutenfree #cornfree #beatcrohns #foodasmedicine

#naturalcurecrohns #crohnsdiet #dietforcrohns

 

Pacific Foods Red Pepper and Tomato Soup

 I ate this soup for breakfast. Delicious! I added chic peas and Aleia's stuffing cubes. They were super crunchy. All this together made soup into a meal. The container is good for about 4 servings.

I bought the stuffing cubes for Thanksgiving but didn't end up using them. Theses would also be great for croutons. I bought the plain, but these also come with savory seasoning.

Both of these items were found in my normal super mart.

#pacificfoods #glutenfree #cornfree #beatcrohns #crohnsflare #dietforcrohns #crohnsdiet

#foodasmedicine #Aleias 

Cream of Rice

Naturally gluten and corn free. The box was tucked in the back of my pantry and it was quite a find. Super quick to make. It contains 70 percent of daily iron needs.  Great when there is substantial bleeding.

I added maple syrup, blueberries, almonds and chocolate chips. Truth be told, I added a lot more after the picture was taken. Many additions are delicious such as raisins, fresh strawberries, shredded coconut... Be creative! 

Always use real maple syrup. Commercial brands are mostly corn syrup.

#creamofrice #crohns #cornfree #glutenfree #crohnsflare #dietforcrohns #crohnsdiet

#naturalcurecrohns #foodasmedicine #curecrohns 

Corn: Not even for gluten free diet

 Interesting article:

https://www.glutenfreesociety.org/corn-gluten-damages-celiac-patients/?fbclid=IwAR2YbREWu0YqfZ64H4i40NZWlfrgSGXo_dFHkPGsEAeqOlw5t6Y58gT-0I4

Best French Toast Ever!

 Love French toast? Me too! Here's a way to get extra yummy, extra delicious French toast. I started with my banana bread, but any gluten and corn free bread will do.

I stay in remission from Crohn's by eliminating all gluten, corn and corn derivatives from my diet.

Start by crushing up some cinnamon Chex cereal on a plate.  

Beat two eggs with a dash of milk and 1 tsp vanilla extract and a dash of cinnamon.

Place bread slices in egg mixture and let soak for a few minutes.

Heat skillet on medium heat with butter or corn free margarine. 

Carefully lift bread from egg mixture and coat both sides with crunched up Chex cereal..

Fry to golden brown on both sides.

Enjoy with real maple syrup.

#Crohns #glutenfree #cornfree #dietforcrohns #Crohnsdiet #foodasmedicine #naturalcureforcrohns

#beatcrohns #Crohnsflare

Foods and Drinks I can Have

 Following up with my previous post, here are foods and drinks I can have.

Gluten and corn free products. There are many on the market. I start in the gluten free section. Then I make sure the product is also free of corn, corn meal, corn starch, maize, white distilled vinegar, xanthan gum and maltodextrin. Here are some good brands: Jovial pasta, Siete, Enjoy Life, 365

Cereal. I can eat some of the commercial brands such as cinnamon Chex. Also gluten free oatmeal

Bragg's Liquid Aminos or Gluten free soy sauce

Meat. All types are good plus fish. It is important to have gluten and corn free seasoning. Salt and pepper is usually enough for my tastes. No commercial ketchup. It contains corn syrup and vinegar. No batter. No lunchmeat unless you are sure of the ingredients.I usually do ok with salami.

Rice. All good. Rice itself is gluten free.

Eggs. No ketchup or salsa

Bacon. Speaking of eggs. just check that there is no corn syrup added.

Soda: Real sugar only

Alcohol: Wine and Brandy

Pasta: Many available. Check ingredients. Jovial is very good and has good texture.

Spaghetti sauce. Usually safe.

Vegetables: Literally any vegetable except corn

Fruit: All

Milk. Generally safe but does cause lots of gas due to intolerance. I use lactose free milk or milk substitutes.

Juice: Generally safe

Oil: Any oil is safe except corn oil.

Nuts and seeds. Great snack. Usually safe.

Frozen Waffles. Van's Brand.

Bread: Usually make my own. Also Against The Grain Brand found in the frozen section of Whole Foods.

Bagels. Against the Grain

Mints. Altoids are made with only sugar. Not the cinnamon however, which is made with corn starch.

Cottage cheesse. Daisy Brand. Other brands contain vinegar

Yogurt. Many. Oui, Chobani, Stoney Farms. Avoid the ones with corn syrup or corn starch

Cheese. Mostly ok. Look for starches and avoid pre-shredded.

Chocolate: Usually ok but some add barley malt. Avoid caramel and nougat. I can it pure chocolate and Heath Bars.

Dry Fruits. Generally ok

Other Grains. Quinoa, millet, Amaranth, Oat and Oat flour. All good

Beans and Lentils. Check canned beans. I avoid the ones with added dextrose, a corn derived sugar. Bonus: tons of fiber.

Vegenaise. Instead of Mayo. Mayo has corn syrup and vinegar.

Apple Cider vinegar, Balsamic Vinegar, wine vinegar and rice vinegar. All good. Avoid white distilled vinegar.

Warrior Brand protein powder. There are other safe ones. Check label carefully

Tea and coffee. Safe. watch the cream which can contain corn syrup.

This list is by no means exhaustive. The important thing is that I eat well.

#crohns #beatcrohns #naturalcurecrohns #foodasmedicine #curecrohns #glutenfree #cornfree

#crohnsdiet #dietforcrohns #cornderivatives 

Foods and Drinks I Avoid

 Here are the basic foods and drinks that I avoid in order to keep my Crohn's in complete remission. I stick to this 100 percent. There is no room for cheating.

Wheat: Found everywhere. This means no regular pasta, bread, muffins, bagels, cake, cookies, bread crumbs, couscous, pie, cereal, and canned soups. 

Gluten: Slightly different from wheat. Wheat contains gluten. But other sources of gluten are rye, regular oats, barley and regular soy sauce.

Corn: Found everywhere again. Not just corn in its natural state. I also cut out corn starch, corn syrup, regular baking powder, candy, many cereals, powdered sugar, corn oil, tortillas, corn flakes, diet soda and gum, and white vinegar. All of these are corn or derivatives.

White distilled vinegar: As mentioned before this is derived from corn and will flare me. Found in all good things: Salad dressing, ketchup, mayo, pickles, mustard, BBQ sauce. There are products, though a bit more expensive, made without white distilled vinegar. Usually apple cider vinegar is used instead.

Soda: Regular soda contains high fructose corn syrup. Diet contains sweeteners derived from corn. I drink soda made with real sugar

Soy Sauce: Regular soy sauce is made from wheat and is full of gluten, I use gluten free soy sauce or Bragg's liquid Amminos 

Grain alcohol: derived from barley, rye corn and wheat. I can drink wine and brandy, derived from fruit

Pancake syrup: Made from corn syrup. I use 100 percent maple syrup

Regular rolled oats: Oats are rolled in order to make them flat. The rollers can be dusted with various flours. I only use certified gluten free oats.

Powdered sugar: Mixed with corn starch for a nice consistency. Not nice for my colon. Several brands on the market that use tapioca starch instead. Usually the organic brands

Marshmallows: Corn syrup is the main ingredient. Dandees brand does not contain corn syrup.

Cottage Cheese: Usually contains White distilled vinegar. Daisy brand does not

Yogurt: May contain both corn syrup and corn starch. Check labels carefully. 

Sour Cream: May contain white vinegar. I substitute plain yogurt for any recipe using sour cream.

Shredded Cheese: Convenient yes. But many brands use corn starch to keep shreds separate. I shredded my own if I can't find any without corn starch

Potato chips: Many use corn oil. they are also subject to change oils due to availability

Hot dogs: Contain starches. Hebrew National does not as well as some of the natural ones

Lunch Meats: Check labels and don't buy from deli. These can contain starches and gluten as well as corn syrup.

Ice cream. Almost always uses corn syrup. I have found Bryers Natural Vanilla which is made with real sugar. And also watch the chocolate syrup. I use Nutella melted.

Xanthan Gum: Found in many gluten free products. This is derived from corn

Maltodextrin: Malto means malt and that is derived from barley

This list is not exhaustive. Mostly I avoid wheat, corn, gluten and all derivatives. Theres no magic here but it works! The key is substitutions and not feeling deprived.

#glutenfree #cornfree #beatcrohns #crohns #curecrohns #cureforcrohns #foodasmedicine

#dietforcrohns #crohnsdiet #crohnssafefoods #crohnsflare

Siete Churro Strips

 Think cinnamon French toast. But really crunchy. These Churro strips were delicious. Interestingly, they use psyllium seed husk in the ingredients. This may lend to their crunchiness. After having the bag open for a few days they still had a nice texture with bite. These are a little hard to find. Maybe because they sell so quickly. I got mine at Whole Foods.

These are both gluten and corn free.

#glutenfree #cornfree #Crohns #foodasmedicine #Curecrohns #dietforcrohns #crohnsdiet

#beatcrohns #candietcurecrohns #howIbeatcrohns 

Siete Mexican wedding Cookies

 These cookies had a nice almond nutty flavor and very firm texture. And what is a Mexican Wedding Cookie without the powdered sugar? What impressed me the most was that Siete uses powdered sugar that is free from corn starch. Corn starch is in most powdered sugar. It I one thing that I must avoid and its everywhere. 

The cookies are small. About the same size as shown on the package. About equal to a half dollar. But flavorful to hold a punch.

Avoiding all gluten, corn and gluten and corn derivatives is what I do to keep my Crohn's in remission.

#glutenfree #cornfree #Crohns #foodasmedicine #naturalcureforcrohns #dietforcrohns

#crohnsdiet #beatcrohns #sietemexicanweddingcookies

Salmon salad

 MMMMMMmmmm Salmon salad. The only thing I use on my salad as dressing is olive oil with lemon juice or apple cider vinegar. I use gluten free soy sauce and brown sugar to bake the salmon. Simple. Delicious. Healthy.

Rice with lentils and mushrooms

 loving mushrooms? Me too! Sauteed mushrooms with my usual rice and lentils. I use Earth Balance which is corn free. Other margarines may contain corn oil. Butter is good too, as far as my colon is concerned. I prefer the Earth Balance for my cholesterol.

For the rice I boil lentils and split peas for at least 20 minutes. Mix the boiled legumes with steamed rice. I top it with olive oil, salt, pepper and turmeric. 

To keep my Crohn's in remission I avoid all gluten and corn as well as all gluten and corn derivatives.