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Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Gluten Free Penne!
Yummm, Yummm, Yummm!!! Last nights dinner: Trader joes brown rice penne pasta and my homemade pasta sauce from my previous post! Tasted so good and the hubs didn't even taste a difference! Cooking has always been a love in the last few years and learning new ways to cook can be challenging BUT I've had a lot of support from my family, especially my cousin Katie (our dads are identical twins so were genetically half the same and god does it show!!) Check out her awesome blog! http://livehalffull.wordpress.com/
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Just want to get better..
So lately I've been a little down about my progress. I've been waiting a month now to get into the GI dr to get a biopsy done for this whole Celiac stuff. Well it's finally here today! As much as I don't want to get scoped again I'm looking forward to getting answers. Because I still feel a bit crappy even going off of gluten. I still have horrible tummy aches all the time. But as much as that's still there, the nausea and throwing up has stopped....soooo that is a plus!! I have feeling sick like that!
When I originally went to the dr's for the stuff that had been going on I had a few concerns: my tummy and constant nausea issues (later to be determined as celiac) and a major issue I feel my right leg is numb 85% of the day. It starts at my hip, down my thigh and goes to my foot. No matter what I do it seems to be a constant problem. I've had an MRI of my spine and brain done (to test for MS) a Venus Doppler (to check for a blood clot) and an exam by my dr. He made me do physical therapy for 5 weeks which they found there I had an upslip in my pelvis and it was raised, along with my foot about 3 whole inches higher then my left leg. When they finally popped it back in place I was hoping that would be the cure all for the numbness and tingling in my right side.
I have had no progress in the last 18 months and it's killing me. It keeps me up at night, it hurts to drive and I can't sit for too long without my right side going completely numb and tingly :(
The worst part my new dr (I wanted a second opinion) thinks I need to see a neurologist to clear if it is MS or not, and to simply get to the bottom of it all. I went back to my old dr (confusing I know) bc I couldn't get into my new dr for 3WEEKS and he didn't even try to hear me out just said it sounded like I had a i.t band injury gave me some exercises and still nothing. Oh plus getting into the neurologist they want me to see......6 MONTHS. Seriously 6 f-ing months. Pardon my French but that is so messed up. I'm in pain daily and it's really affecting my everyday life.
Soo yeah I'm hoping more progress is made in the upcoming months bc I'm not too sure how long I can't put up with the pain. But on a positive note I've pushed through the pain to start working out everyday again and that has been helping my depressive moods (compliments of my auto immune and thyroid diseases!) I'm determined to take control of that part of my life again so I can feel better about how rough I feel on the outside, especially running after my cutie patootie :D
Till next time! stay positive!
<3
When I originally went to the dr's for the stuff that had been going on I had a few concerns: my tummy and constant nausea issues (later to be determined as celiac) and a major issue I feel my right leg is numb 85% of the day. It starts at my hip, down my thigh and goes to my foot. No matter what I do it seems to be a constant problem. I've had an MRI of my spine and brain done (to test for MS) a Venus Doppler (to check for a blood clot) and an exam by my dr. He made me do physical therapy for 5 weeks which they found there I had an upslip in my pelvis and it was raised, along with my foot about 3 whole inches higher then my left leg. When they finally popped it back in place I was hoping that would be the cure all for the numbness and tingling in my right side.
I have had no progress in the last 18 months and it's killing me. It keeps me up at night, it hurts to drive and I can't sit for too long without my right side going completely numb and tingly :(
The worst part my new dr (I wanted a second opinion) thinks I need to see a neurologist to clear if it is MS or not, and to simply get to the bottom of it all. I went back to my old dr (confusing I know) bc I couldn't get into my new dr for 3WEEKS and he didn't even try to hear me out just said it sounded like I had a i.t band injury gave me some exercises and still nothing. Oh plus getting into the neurologist they want me to see......6 MONTHS. Seriously 6 f-ing months. Pardon my French but that is so messed up. I'm in pain daily and it's really affecting my everyday life.
Soo yeah I'm hoping more progress is made in the upcoming months bc I'm not too sure how long I can't put up with the pain. But on a positive note I've pushed through the pain to start working out everyday again and that has been helping my depressive moods (compliments of my auto immune and thyroid diseases!) I'm determined to take control of that part of my life again so I can feel better about how rough I feel on the outside, especially running after my cutie patootie :D
Till next time! stay positive!
<3
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Baby "fake out" Mac N cheese
So I made a yummy baby food yesterday for Cj and I have to say it tastes delish! Totally going to do this for the next few years or until he notices :)
I got it out of a cookbook then altered it little like any time I follow recipes :)
You use small pasta stars which I found in the ethnic area of the grocery store, you only have to boil a few tables spoons of those.
For the sauce I sautéed about 6 cherry tomatoes (seeded, skinned and diced) w/ a teaspoon of butter and 1 cup of steamed carrots, 1/3 cup of cheese puréed together. Then mix with the cooked pasta stars! He LOVED it! I really enjoy making all his baby food and watching him explore and be open to all kinds new foods. It's so rewarding to me. It even got me on a kick of how I could develop a line of homemade baby food! Far fetched BUT who knows what the future holds :)
I got it out of a cookbook then altered it little like any time I follow recipes :)
You use small pasta stars which I found in the ethnic area of the grocery store, you only have to boil a few tables spoons of those.
For the sauce I sautéed about 6 cherry tomatoes (seeded, skinned and diced) w/ a teaspoon of butter and 1 cup of steamed carrots, 1/3 cup of cheese puréed together. Then mix with the cooked pasta stars! He LOVED it! I really enjoy making all his baby food and watching him explore and be open to all kinds new foods. It's so rewarding to me. It even got me on a kick of how I could develop a line of homemade baby food! Far fetched BUT who knows what the future holds :)
The last two weeks
So it's been about 2 weeks since the Dr called with all the results..still have to wait another 2 weeks for my GI appointment so I can get scoped (fun...not!!) and I can find out about having a biopsy of my small intestines. This also does not sound fun!! But whatever needs to happen so I can get better is fine. I've been through way worse!
Also they can't clear that I don't have MS yet :( I have to see a neurologist and guess what?! The wait for an appointment for a new patient is 6 MONTHS!!!!!!!!!! That frustrates me beyond anything. My hands are weak, my legs have gotten weaker and the numbness and tingling is somewhat unbearable some days.
Now that I'm 95% GF I was hoping to say I was feeling better, but I'm not. Even on the days I have not touched gluten I still get super nauseous, light headed, bad stomach aches and lots of other fun stuff ;)
One thing I noticed too...going out SUCKS!! I find it hard to go and eat anywhere bc no matter how many times I look at labels or read a menu I get discouraged thinking what if it's in there??! Then it makes me miss living in Portland...there was TONS of places that had GF menus. Oh well! Adjustments take time I know. Out of all my health issues tho, I will say this one was the hardest to swallow.
If it wasn't for this sweet innocent baby boy sleeping in my arms and my strong husband I'm not sure where I'd be. It's weird to think about..there was a long time in my life where I never saw marriage and kids in my future. And I knew that all changed when I met my husband. Now I couldn't picture myself any other way. Nothing could ever make me want to be anywhere else in life then with my boys :)
<3
Also they can't clear that I don't have MS yet :( I have to see a neurologist and guess what?! The wait for an appointment for a new patient is 6 MONTHS!!!!!!!!!! That frustrates me beyond anything. My hands are weak, my legs have gotten weaker and the numbness and tingling is somewhat unbearable some days.
Now that I'm 95% GF I was hoping to say I was feeling better, but I'm not. Even on the days I have not touched gluten I still get super nauseous, light headed, bad stomach aches and lots of other fun stuff ;)
One thing I noticed too...going out SUCKS!! I find it hard to go and eat anywhere bc no matter how many times I look at labels or read a menu I get discouraged thinking what if it's in there??! Then it makes me miss living in Portland...there was TONS of places that had GF menus. Oh well! Adjustments take time I know. Out of all my health issues tho, I will say this one was the hardest to swallow.
If it wasn't for this sweet innocent baby boy sleeping in my arms and my strong husband I'm not sure where I'd be. It's weird to think about..there was a long time in my life where I never saw marriage and kids in my future. And I knew that all changed when I met my husband. Now I couldn't picture myself any other way. Nothing could ever make me want to be anywhere else in life then with my boys :)
<3
Thursday, March 29, 2012
GF ground turkey lasagna
Sooo last night was a success! I did my take on lasagna with GF rice noodles. I made my signature homemade pasta sauce then added artichoke and spinach. Yummy! I was so glad it didn't taste sweet like the rice elbow pasta did because I was hoping to find some alternitives for the hubby and I that he could actually say he likes and mean it :)
Soooo here it goes...
Ingredients:
Sauce: 32 oz can of Plum tom (I use a potato masher to mash them up) 12 oz can of tom paste, 1 cup of chicken broth or stock, 1/2-1 onion diced (depends on your preference) 2 carrot stalks finely diced, 1 lb ground turkey.
Lasanga: I used GF De Boles rice no bake pasta (you can use any no bake lasanga noodle!) 1 Cup Spinach, 1/2 can of Artichoke, roughly 20 oz of Skim low fat Ricotta cheese and a bag of low fat Mozzarella or parm cheese.
Sauce: Brown the ground turkey-drain, add diced onion and carrots saute with fresh garlic for about 7-10 minutes or until you see the onions and carrots start to sweat. I like to pre-season the meat rather than the sauce bc it tends to give more flavor, so I season the meat while the onions and carrots are softening. I like to use fresh garlic, basil, parsely, rosemary, thyme, fennel, kosher salt and pepper. Add plum toms (add all the juice too) and paste, chicken stock and stir I let this come to a boil and simmer on low for about 25-30 minutes. It may seem like a lot of sauce but at the end of everything you most likely won't have any left or you'll have a little to use on top!
Pre-heat oven to 375*
While waiting for the sauce I take the ricotta cheese put in a bowl the mix with the artichoke and lightly season it.
After the sauce is ready I take a Lasagna pan, spray with pam and the put a spoonful of sauce in bottom then layer with the noodles, cheese, sauce and spinach leaves, repeat!
Cover bake for about an hour! I usually check it at about 30 minutes bc every noodle seems different. I take the foil off for the last 10-15 minutes or so :)
Hope you like <3
Soooo here it goes...
Ingredients:
Sauce: 32 oz can of Plum tom (I use a potato masher to mash them up) 12 oz can of tom paste, 1 cup of chicken broth or stock, 1/2-1 onion diced (depends on your preference) 2 carrot stalks finely diced, 1 lb ground turkey.
Lasanga: I used GF De Boles rice no bake pasta (you can use any no bake lasanga noodle!) 1 Cup Spinach, 1/2 can of Artichoke, roughly 20 oz of Skim low fat Ricotta cheese and a bag of low fat Mozzarella or parm cheese.
Sauce: Brown the ground turkey-drain, add diced onion and carrots saute with fresh garlic for about 7-10 minutes or until you see the onions and carrots start to sweat. I like to pre-season the meat rather than the sauce bc it tends to give more flavor, so I season the meat while the onions and carrots are softening. I like to use fresh garlic, basil, parsely, rosemary, thyme, fennel, kosher salt and pepper. Add plum toms (add all the juice too) and paste, chicken stock and stir I let this come to a boil and simmer on low for about 25-30 minutes. It may seem like a lot of sauce but at the end of everything you most likely won't have any left or you'll have a little to use on top!
Pre-heat oven to 375*
While waiting for the sauce I take the ricotta cheese put in a bowl the mix with the artichoke and lightly season it.
After the sauce is ready I take a Lasagna pan, spray with pam and the put a spoonful of sauce in bottom then layer with the noodles, cheese, sauce and spinach leaves, repeat!
Cover bake for about an hour! I usually check it at about 30 minutes bc every noodle seems different. I take the foil off for the last 10-15 minutes or so :)
Hope you like <3
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Ore-Oh-No's!
Well yesterday consisted of two things- First, finding that Ortega makes GF taco shells!!! Big hurray on that because tacos just happen to be my favorite food :) The first thing my husband said when I told him about the call from the dr's about the Celiac was "you can't eat Mexican food anymore can you?!??" I was kinda miffed at first because I hadn't even thought of that yet. But after thinking and letting it sink in I got kinda sad because I just love so many different foods. I love trying new things and exploring and now I can't!
I was glad to see there ARE Gluten free options, just might not be out at most restaurants, yet.... I made these last night. Turkey, spinach and avocado GF tacos. So delish!
And then secondly, after being GF for about 2 days I caved and ate the rest of the Oreos in our pantry :( I figured if the GI dr can't see me for a month and they expect me to go completely off Gluten then I wanted to go out with a bang.... Well I paid the price! I spent the morning hurling my guts out. Hahaha.
True story...that is all that was left. One crumb. Oh well!
So.....
High point---GF TACOS!!!
Low point---Ore-oh-no no's!!! :)
Can't wait to go grocery shopping on Friday so I have more options here. This week has been a HUGE adjustment. But I'm learning a lot about new food and I'm eager to start trying new things.
Happy Thursday! It's almost the weekend :)
<3
I was glad to see there ARE Gluten free options, just might not be out at most restaurants, yet.... I made these last night. Turkey, spinach and avocado GF tacos. So delish!
And then secondly, after being GF for about 2 days I caved and ate the rest of the Oreos in our pantry :( I figured if the GI dr can't see me for a month and they expect me to go completely off Gluten then I wanted to go out with a bang.... Well I paid the price! I spent the morning hurling my guts out. Hahaha.
True story...that is all that was left. One crumb. Oh well!
So.....
High point---GF TACOS!!!
Low point---Ore-oh-no no's!!! :)
Can't wait to go grocery shopping on Friday so I have more options here. This week has been a HUGE adjustment. But I'm learning a lot about new food and I'm eager to start trying new things.
Happy Thursday! It's almost the weekend :)
<3
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Yummy! GF baby food :)
As most people in my personal life know, I make my own baby food for Cj. I try to make it all Organic too. Today I let him in on the whole "Gluten Free" train by making him brown rice peach pudding! I bake the peaches and mix with the brown rice and spice with cinnamon, nutmeg and cardamom.
Yummmy!!! He loved it :)
Yummmy!!! He loved it :)
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