As of a day and a half, I am now officially gluten-free, dairy free, and caffeine free. I know it sounds crazy, especially for those of you that know me and know how much I love food.
After about 2 years of battling Ulcerative Colitis and going the medical route, which has been beneficial, (until recently), I am now seeing a nutritionist. The doctors have been amazing when trying to find a proper diagnosis, and then treating the problem with the appropriate meds so that I could go on living as a mother and wife, friend, sister, daughter, all that good stuff. I've had prayer for my condition a couple of times, and by God's grace and miraculous power, He has eased my symptoms and given me an indescribable peace about the whole situation. Such a blessing!
By nature, I can easily accept my condition and just say, "it's alright, I'm used to it, I'll just always be this way". How stupid of me. Can't believe I even thought that! Once we get too comfortable is when life starts taking it's toll, we come the devil's dartboard, and the true meaning in life is gone.
In the wise words of Switchfoot, "This is your life, are you who you want to be? This is your life, is it everything you dreamed that it would be? When the world was younger and you had everything to lose" ... I hear that song playing in my head and I'm thinking, "NO! This isn't who I want to be. I don't want to be that loner lady who stays at home and has no fun because she can't control her bowels. NO! I don't want to be that mom that ditches her shopping cart in Target and grabs her kids and runs to the bathroom in hopes to make it before she craps her pants. NO! I don't want to be tired and grumpy all the time. NO! I don't want to be sticking medicated enemas up my butt every night." :-)
So, I met with an amazing nutritionist who after a 2.5 hour consultation has narrowed down my symptoms to a highly possible food allergy, and has given me herbal anti-inflammatories, herbal digestive supports, a diet guide, and weekly consultation so that we can get me back to health! And THAT is why I am now gluten free, dairy free, and caffeine free. It's going to be tough at first, but once I start seeing a difference, it will be worth every minute!!!
And now, I read food labels. I never thought I'd be that person. Normally my response would be, "Donuts? Bring 'em on! Burgers and Fries? But of course! Deep Fried Snickers Bars? Why not!!!" Ha. Not anymore. God knew I loved to read. So he's given me another area to research and read up on. I love the irony of life. Growing up, I used to always joke about poop and rewrite books and put the word poop in every sentence and read them to my sisters to make them laugh. And now, I get to deal with poop on a regular basis. God has a sense of humor, that's for sure.
Anyways, I've been praying that God would change me from the inside out, and now it begins. A whole new diet, a whole new attitude, a whole new life! Can't wait to see the difference!
Monday, February 28, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Cream Cheese Won-Ton Recipe
CREAM CHEESE WON-TONS
* Two 8oz Garden Vegetable Cream Cheese, softened
* 1 pkg Won-ton Wrappers
* 1 1/2 tsp. Garlic Powder
* Dash of Black Pepper
Mix together all above ingredients in a Tupperware (makes about 60 won-tons, so I refrigerate the rest of the mixture and use within the week)
Pour canola oil or vegetable oil in a frying pan about 1 inch deep. Let it heat on med-high while you're filling the won-ton wrappers.
Take a won-ton wrapper and place 1 tsp of filling in the center. Moisten the edges of the wrapper with water, then raise all the points of the won-ton square together, completely covering the filling, just like a dumpling pouch.
Gently place the won-tons in the frying pan and fry to golden brown, just about 30-60 seconds. Place on plate covered with a paper towel (to soak up the oil). While cooking the rest of the won-tons, place a damp paper towel over the already cooked won-tons to keep them moist.
Serve with Sweet n Sour Sauce or Raspberry Chipotle Sauce (from Costco!)
* Two 8oz Garden Vegetable Cream Cheese, softened
* 1 pkg Won-ton Wrappers
* 1 1/2 tsp. Garlic Powder
* Dash of Black Pepper
Mix together all above ingredients in a Tupperware (makes about 60 won-tons, so I refrigerate the rest of the mixture and use within the week)
Pour canola oil or vegetable oil in a frying pan about 1 inch deep. Let it heat on med-high while you're filling the won-ton wrappers.
Take a won-ton wrapper and place 1 tsp of filling in the center. Moisten the edges of the wrapper with water, then raise all the points of the won-ton square together, completely covering the filling, just like a dumpling pouch.
Gently place the won-tons in the frying pan and fry to golden brown, just about 30-60 seconds. Place on plate covered with a paper towel (to soak up the oil). While cooking the rest of the won-tons, place a damp paper towel over the already cooked won-tons to keep them moist.
Serve with Sweet n Sour Sauce or Raspberry Chipotle Sauce (from Costco!)
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Crock Pot Tortilla Soup Recipe
Tortilla Soup ala Harmony
*Pour 8 cups Water into crock pot
* Wisk in 1 package "Bear Creek Tortilla Soup Mix" (found at Vons and Wal Mart)
* Add 2 cans Black Beans
* Add 2 cans Mixed Veggies (I like to use the potatoes, carrots, and green beans)
Cook on HIGH in Crock Pot for 4-6 hours. (the longer it cooks, the softer the veggies are)
* One hour prior to the end of cook time, add in 2 cans shredded chicken or 1 package chopped tofu (depending on your protein preferences).
* Serve topped with sour cream and crushes tortilla chips
* This recipe will feed an army, so be prepared to share with neighbors or eat leftovers for a week (but it turns out SO delicious, no one minds the leftovers!!!)
*Pour 8 cups Water into crock pot
* Wisk in 1 package "Bear Creek Tortilla Soup Mix" (found at Vons and Wal Mart)
* Add 2 cans Black Beans
* Add 2 cans Mixed Veggies (I like to use the potatoes, carrots, and green beans)
Cook on HIGH in Crock Pot for 4-6 hours. (the longer it cooks, the softer the veggies are)
* One hour prior to the end of cook time, add in 2 cans shredded chicken or 1 package chopped tofu (depending on your protein preferences).
* Serve topped with sour cream and crushes tortilla chips
* This recipe will feed an army, so be prepared to share with neighbors or eat leftovers for a week (but it turns out SO delicious, no one minds the leftovers!!!)
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Take Your Time
I haven't blogged in a while, and the main reason is life has gotten busy again. Time seemed to stand still during the holidays, since I was sick for most of it, but despite that, I enjoyed the down time. The time to read, write, think, and pray. The time to cuddle with my children. The time to sit down and relax with my husband. The time to take walks and play at parks. The time to call a friend or respond to an email. The time to sit at the feet of Jesus and wait for Him to speak. The time to meet a friend for coffee or the time to get pedicures with my sisters. The time to take an afternoon nap. The list goes on.
The sad thing is, that time is gone. This new year is in full swing now and all the calendar days are filled with ink. I often ask myself, "why and how did we get so busy?" "Why am I always rushing around picking up toys and doing laundry instead of sitting down and reading books to my kids?" "Why do my husband and I feel like roommates with opposite work hours?" My goal for this week (I figure, one week at a time, I can handle), is to sit back and enjoy every moment and take the time to just BE with my Lord, my husband, my kids, my family, my friends. Instead of rushing through it all, I want to "stand and stare" like the following poem explains, instead of having "no time to see the woods we pass" ...
Leisure
(by William Henry Davies)
What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.
No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.
A poor life this is if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
The sad thing is, that time is gone. This new year is in full swing now and all the calendar days are filled with ink. I often ask myself, "why and how did we get so busy?" "Why am I always rushing around picking up toys and doing laundry instead of sitting down and reading books to my kids?" "Why do my husband and I feel like roommates with opposite work hours?" My goal for this week (I figure, one week at a time, I can handle), is to sit back and enjoy every moment and take the time to just BE with my Lord, my husband, my kids, my family, my friends. Instead of rushing through it all, I want to "stand and stare" like the following poem explains, instead of having "no time to see the woods we pass" ...
Leisure
(by William Henry Davies)
What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.
No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.
A poor life this is if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
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