Peanut Butter, Sunbutter, Cashew Butter, Oh my!

Like my little Wizard of Oz reference there? When I was a little girl, I was completely obsessed with the movie. I would watch the movie over and over and knew the words to every song. On the first day of preschool, I even introduced myself as Dorothy Gale. Ah, those were the days… 🙂

So on to the important stuff: nut butters! I fell in love with nut butters last year after becoming a little sick of peanut butter and wanted to try something new. Looking at the giant nut butter aisle at my local grocery store looming ahead of me, I had to admit I was a little overwhelmed. But one lick of that organic almond butter and I was hooked on nut butters. And now, when I walk through that huge aisle, I would consider myself a seasoned pro. These are some of my favorite nut butters!

Yum. I am drooling just looking at this picture. Sent to me in a lovely Instagram friend’s giveaway, this nut butter has no added sugar, salt, or fats. Just pure organic peanuts and cacao powder. Pretty perfect.

I stumbled upon this peanut butter a little late. A few weeks before, I had created a peanut butter similar to this one by mixing all natural peanut butter and cayenne pepper. But, better late than never. Just a warning: This peanut butter is not for the weak. 

Cashew butter is perfect for a subtle, but tasty creamy treat. It has many health benefits, which is an added bonus.

I save this for more indulgent times, as it does include some added sugar. But let me be the first to say, every gram of sugar is completely worth it. This peanut butter pairs deliciously with fresh strawberries.

I totally love that there is an allergy friendly version of a popular household staple. Who could live without oooey gooey creamy PB & J sandwiches? I obviously could not.

Almond butter was the first ‘unique’ nut butter I tried, and a match was made in heaven. Honestly, I sometimes crave the roast, toasty goodness of almond butter over peanut butter. Did I just type that? 🙂

This is another ‘indulgent’ peanut butter. Cookie dough, chocolate, and peanut butter. Just let that sink in. If you like peanut butter even a smudge (who couldn’t) then you need to try this. Like, now. Why are you still sitting here?!

Nothing beats the original. It got us to where we are today. Just organic roasted peanuts, blended up to be spread onto your toast, banana, crackers, or spooned directly into your mouth. Enjoy 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flashback Friday-My Surgery

February, 2013 (just over a year ago) I found out that I would need an intestinal surgery to remove a stricture caused by a complication of my Crohn’s. The doctors believe that the stricture was caused by imflammation left over from diagnosis, which led to me feeling ‘full’ constantly and losing a lot of weight. Like any other thirteen year old girl, I freaked, knowing I would miss school, social events, and even a musical coming up that I was casted in. But deep down, I came to the realization that the surgery would be the right thing to do in order to heal my stomach and begin to lead a more “normal” life.

Flash forward to March 15th and I was being wheeled down to the operating room. Fear was all I felt as I stared at the dreary hospital walls. I didn’t know how long the surgery would take, or if I would have a large incision. We had know I idea whether I would be healed quickly or would need an ostomy before they could reconnect my intestines. All of the unknown details loomed over me until I took a final deep breath through the grape scented gas mask and drifted off into restless, drug-induced darkness.

Pain. Pain was all I felt for the 10 days I had to stay in the hospital, and the weeks of recovery I had ahead. Small tasks that people take for granted everyday, such as walking, sitting up, even going to the bathroom would take hours and leave me feeling tired, sore, and hopeless. Within a few weeks of the healing process, I began to be able to hold down more food than I had been able to before the surgery. A big plus was that friends and family visited, and I recieved a lor of attention and gifts, including my adorable, but incredibly naughty puppy, Rocky.

I learned a lot during the tough times I battled through. I learned that I have the ability to overcome difficult obstacles, no matter how scary they may be. I learned who will be there for me when I need them the most, like my parents and little sis.

But most of all, I learned that looking ahead at a gloomy time is far worse than looking back. Already, barely a year later, I look back on this time as a small bump in the road. Words cannot describe how much I have learned, healed, and accomplished in this past year. And because of how much I suffered through my surgery and recovery process, I have appreciated this year more than ever and did not take one moment of it for granted.

In
(Playing Cinderella in a local show last fall)

Daily Meal Plan

On most days, I try to eat a healthy diet while still getting the nutrients and calories I need to maintain a healthy weight and treat my disease. I tend to eat three small meals and two substantial snacks throughout the day. Here is a what a typical day of food looks like for me:

Brekkie

Oatmeal is my breakfast 99% of the time. If for some reason I cannot have my daily bowl of oats at the breakfast table, I almost always make up for it by having oatmeal for lunch or dinner. What can I say, they’re perfect! I also drink a milk supplement to add some calories and protein to my diet.

Lunch

I usually have a small, but filling and healthy lunch. My lunches usually are more like a bunch of snacks thrown together on my way out the door. Today I had a container of granola, Greek yogurt, and a fresh apple.

Mid-Afternoon Snack

For my first snack, I choose some type of protein bar. My favorites include Luna Bars and Quest Bars, because they are mostly natural (as far as packaged snacks go) and are high in protein to get me through the day. On a side note, the new Quest Bar is to DIE for. If you can only try one Quest bar in your entire life, go for this one. You will not regret it.

Dinner

For dinner, I enjoyed this delicious homemade Lemon, Rice, & Chicken soup, which was a satisfying comfort food to me in this chilly weather. I usually eat a larger dinner, but my stomach just wasn’t feeling it today.

Night Snack

I have always had a “bedtime snack” since I can remember, so this tradition still lives on. My night snack is usually something kind of fun and indulgent, but still healthy, like dark chocolate covered strawberries, or some SkinnyPop. Tonight I had toasted homemade bread (I make my own bread products) with a PB I found called “Cookie Butter.” It tastes like cookie dough, and even has mini chocolate chips! Yum. What a way to end the day. 🙂

Tummy Troubles

As Crohnies, we all struggle with a belly ache every one in a while. Or more like every time food we look at food. So I compiled a list of some quick tummy remedies:

-Hot tea. This relaxes your mind and body, and is soothing and warm for your belly. Bonus points for some honey. 🙂

-Reading a book. Although it will not directly soothe the stomach, it can take your pain off your mind for a little while. (For more distraction ideas, see my previous post!)

-Take a nap. This will give your stomach some time to relax and calm you down a bit.

-Heating pad. This is always a comfort to my aching belly. It soothes discomfort and reduces bloating, all while I relax on the couch. 🙂

-Food. Believe it or not, sometimes your stomach may be giving you trouble out of hunger. This happens to me all the time. If you have a sore belly, though, go for a reliable food, such as toast or broth.

What do you do on those days when your belly will not give you a break?

Rainbow Salad

Packed with a rainbow of fruit and veggies, this salad will give me the nutrients I need to tackle the day!

Distraction

One of the big effects of IBD is mental effects. at least, that’s how it is for me.

From anxiety to depression, panic disorders to eating disorders, chronic illnesses can cause a variety of mental effects. When I was first diagnosed, I experienced depression and anger towards every doctor, family member, and thing relating to my disease. Now, I have more of the anxious type symptoms, but anxiety medicine has helped me to stabilize this. I also have some food issues mentally, but (as mentioned in my last post) I have been-slowly- reintroducing the foods that are scary to me. 

Along the way, distaction has been a huge help in the toughest of times dealing with this disease. Taking my mind off of medicines, food, and pain keeps me in a positive mindset and even seems to improve my symptoms. These are some good distraction techniques:

-Friend time!

-Cooking/baking- even if you can’t eat it, it’s always fun to give to a neighbor! 🙂

-Tv- catch up on everything you missed while you were at doctor’s appointments.

-Shopping- there is nothing like retail therapy. 🙂

-Yoga- such an amazing technique for relaxation and clearing your mind.

-Doing what you love! Do you like painting? Running? How about playing the ukelele? Go out and do

what you love! It will make you feel so much better, and is great for your mind and body! 🙂

A side note on my passion- I love performing! My dream is to be on Broadway, but if I have to perform in community theatre my whole life, I’ll take it! I just love singing and inspiring others through the stage.

 

My Weekend (and big milestone!)

Another weekend has passed, and it’s back to school tomorrow for me.

And Geometry midterms. Ew. 😦

But I had a great weekend, one of those rare times where you forget you even have Crohn’s. Which is always a lovely thing to forget. 🙂

On Friday night, I had a rehearsal for Shrek the Musical. I have a busy tech week coming up, so I may not be posting too much. Sorry in advance! 

Saturday morning and afternoon were the same, filled with a flurry of rehearsals, costumes, and dancing until I thought my feet would fall off. Oh, the life of a performer. But Saturday evening something really crazy happened to me, something I am super proud of. I ate THIS for dinner:

Now, I bet you all are thinking, why is she proud of eating junk food? I’ll tell you why.

I try to eat very healthy, because I am scared, terrified, of what fast food may do to my stomach. So in fear that I avoid social events because of food reasons. But I recently came to the decision that I would NOT give food or Crohn’s that power. I am stronger than that. 

And it didn’t even hurt my stomach, even though it was the first time I tried fast food- or beef, for that matter- in over a year. This was a huge milestone not only in my disease but in my mind. It showed me that I can be normal sometimes, like any other teenager.  So take that, junk food. You don’t scare me.

This morning I slept in, which is always a nice and rare treat. After my usual bowl of oats (today’s flavor was Snowmeal, http://oatgasm.blogspot.com/2014/01/snowmeal.html#more) I relaxed and watched movies with the little sis. I just got back from another rehearsal, and am enjoying this lovely little snack before bed.

 

I hope your weekend was beautiful, and that your week will turn out to be even better! 🙂

GI Appointment 1/29/14

Today I had my three month follow-up with my GI. Don’t we all love those appointments where you have to get up early, drive through traffic and snow, and cancel all of your plans that day just for a visit with your doctor? I know I DON’T.

But it has to be done, and today’s appointment went better than many appointments I have had in the past. My symptoms have been slowly improving, thanks to carefully watching my medicines and the amount I am eating. My GI was very pleased with my weight, as I gained enough since my last visit to put me into a semi-normal place (I am still considered on the low side of the spectrum). 

On the flip side, we don’t know what to make of this strange bloating feeling that constantly bugs at me. Honestly, we have literally tried everything. From diet changes, to motility tests, from surgery to probiotic tablets, I’m not kidding when I say we have tried it all. It seems to be an annoying symptom of the Crohn’s that I will have to learn to live with, even when the disease is inactive, as it is now.  Have any of you experienced this at all, or any other strange symptoms that linger, no matter what how you try to remedy them?

One change my doctor suggested we try is to take a short trial off of my maintenance medicine. I take 6-MP, and the doctor said that there has been a very small amount of cases reported where this medicine has caused bloating. After some thought, I decided I do not want to stop the medicine that is controlling my Crohn’s, for risk of the disease becoming active again. However, this is a thought that will stay in my mind for the future.

Has 6-MP, or any other maintenance medicines, cause you any weird symptoms, such as pain, gas, bloating?

Good luck at your next appointment! Knock on wood, but I probably won’t have to see my GI for at least three months. Yay for me! 🙂

 

 

Sick Day

The brutal cold weather is just too much for my little body. I am already immune-suppressed, and since I have been huddled inside, I caught the flu. Not feeling like eating much, but I’ve gotta keep my body strong and filled up to the best of my ability. Thank you, Panera, for helping me feel better with some warm Chicken Noodle Soup! 🙂

Oatmeal

I love oatmeal.

it is not just a breakfast food for me, it is more of a way of life. I know, it sounds crazy, but oatmeal has helped me through my hardest times dealing with this disease.

As I mentioned before, it is hard for me to get enough calories because I can only tolerate a small amount of food at a time. Oatmeal is a great food for me because I can pack it with nutrients and calories, while not having to shove down a ton of food. Win, win! 🙂

I don’t think I could have stuck with oatmeal this long if I had continued eating the processed microwaved packages or the plain pile of mush I had eaten at the beginning. No, I discovered how to create art out of oatmeal, by adding a unique combination of fruits, vegatables and different flavors. This has become a passion of mine, and I eat oatmeal at least once a day. (Cheers to Savory Oats-don’t judge!)

Three blogs have helped me discover and continue this passion.

1) Chocolate Covered Katie- full of healthy and DELICIOUS breakfast and dessert options for any dietary need. This blog gave me tons of great ideas when I was on the FODMAP diet.
http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com

This was the first ‘fancy’ oatmeal I tried, and I fell in love! Blueberry Muffin Oatmeal by Chocolate Covered Katie!

2) The Oatmeal Artist- when I discovered this blog, I fell in love. So many oatmeal recipes that will satisfy any craving, from Baked Strawberry Oatmeal to Overnight Black Forest Cake Oatmeal. Yum, definitely a winner!
http://www.theoatmealartist.com

 

“Elvis Oatmeal” by the Oatmeal Artist!

3) The Oatgasm- I discovered this blog on Pinterest, and I sure am glad I did! 16 year old Meghan takes a new spin on oats, turning them into delicious desserts. From Root Beer Float Oatmeal to Clean Red Velvet Baked Oatmeal, she should be nomininated Oatmeal Queen!

Sweet Potato Casserole Oatmeal by Oatgasm! Creamy sweet potato oats topped with crispy broiled oatmeal. Great for a healthy Thanksgiving treat!   http://oatgasm.blogspot.com

Check out these amazing blogs that will be sure to fit any dietary need!

What is your typical ‘comfort food?’

Oatmeal is at the top of my list, but others include toast or some warm soup!