Book Review: The Gastroparesis Healing Diet

A few months ago I was curious what else was out there on the topic of "healing gastroparesis." As some of you know, I've been writing for the Healing Gastroparesis Naturally website for some time and working on the book this past year (to be released end of May!). To my surprise, the image for The Gastroparesis Healing Diet came up with its upcoming release date in March. I could not be happier to see we were not alone when it came to using the word healing. Not to mention the cover looked so delicious and inviting! 

I contacted the author Tammy Chang, a nutrition coach and cook living in the San Francisco Bay area. While she does not have GP herself she has knowledge of how the gut functions and experience with creating nourishing meals to help heal the body, having worked one-on-one with clients and wrote her first book, The Nourished Belly Diet. She admitted this was not an easy task, finding GP to be the complicated disorder that many of us know firsthand. But she shared in her book that she "found the GP community, along with it's taking in people's harder days, is also extremely loving, supportive, and strong." Between the medical research plus interviewing and talking with those who live with GP (some of whose stories you will find in the book), she was able to get a good understanding of how to create ideas for a healing diet. 

SmaryPants Wellness Package Giveaway

"We are on a delicious mission to put health in reach of more children and grown-ups by bringing simplicity and sanity to our supplement routines."

As someone with digestive trouble, you most likely know how difficult it can be to get the important nutrients in when eating food and even drinking at times can be such a challenge.  We are advised to take vitamins but how do we do that when many of them are enormous, chalky, hard to swallow pills, ones that come back up with fish-burps, or require 4-6 a day?!  And can we trust the ingredients and the bio-availability?

Moroccan Spiced Sweet Potatoes

This morning I posted on the Journey with GP Facebook page about my simple breakfast for the day and of course a recipe was requested!

"Small cup of Perfect Energy tea, 1 egg + egg white scramble with a few pieces of leftover Moroccan spiced, steamed sweet potato."

The spice blend used includes some wonderful digestive aids and releases a sweet, exotic aroma in the air.  I was inspired by a dish I used to make years ago, Moroccan chicken with almond couscous, when we engaged more in dinner parties, entertaining friends through food and drinks.  For my best friend's surprise 30th birthday party, I had the entire stove top covered with multiple pans, simmering mounds of spiced chicken in broth, shallots and fresh dates.  She still talks about that dinner to this day!

Bieler Broth - Nourishing Green Soup

Looking for a way to incorporate more vegetables in your GP diet?  After a long fall/winter of potatoes, yams, squashes and carrots, this is a refreshing and light soup that digest easily.  It was created by Dr. Henry Bieler, author of Food is Your Best Medicine.  I've adjusted the recipe to include the taste of celery but not the actual blend, as it is often not well tolerated on our stomachs.  Both zucchini and green beens are excellent sources of potassium and sodium.  
When prepared and cooked right these green veggies digest surprisingly well.  Add in some simmered ginger and fresh parsley, both wonderful digestive aids, and you have a nourishing soup. 

Help Make a Difference!

Loving and laughing are necessary to feeling our best and should most definitely be a part of the treatment plan!  You might ask though, how can I make a difference?  Well, here are a few simple things you can start with:

1.  As a result of past persistance from the community, the Functional Gastrointestinal and Motility Disorders Research Enhancement Act has been reintroduced into the U.S. House of Representatives.  This means that there is another chance at not only raising awareness for disorders such as gastroparesis, but also gaining initiative for increased research, treatment options and programs to support us.  In order to make this happen it is crucial to have as many individuals possible contact local Representative and asking them to support H.R.842.  Please click here for detailed information.  At the bottom of the page is a place for you to enter your zip code and get started.  Share this link with your friends and family in person, by email, Facebook, etc. and let's get this passed!

2.  Brainstorming has begun for the 2nd Annual Awareness Walk for GP.  Last year we worked with the Digestive Health Alliance, a total of around $13,000 raised specifically going towards research for gastroparesis.  Interested in being involved?  Here's is what you can do:

• Though months away, it is a good idea to get started early with plenty of time for ideas and planning.  The DHA were a fantastic group of people to work with last year and most likely will go with them again.  However, I am open to options and exploring what organization would be best to raise money for.  If you have some thoughts on this and/or would like to possibly host your own walk with us, contact me through email (see below).  

• How about sporting the awareness t-shirts we created last year?!  If you don't have one already, I still have some in stock and would like to offer you the chance to have one.  Last month I had numerous comments and emails with those really wanting to try the new Macrobars and I was so sad I could not send samples to everyone!  So, I thought of a way to incorporate a great snack/meal and raising awareness!  For $10 total I can package and send 1 t-shirt (size xs-xl), 1 Protein Purity and 1 Protein Pleasure (previously Chocolate Protein and Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip).  This price covers both bars, which I order in bulk, as well as shipping.  If you would just like the t-shirt I can also send that for just the $5 shipping.  Here is what someone recently said about wearing her shirt: "I have had quite a few comments on it, a good way to spread the word on what Gastroparesis is and start a dialogue!"  

If you are interested please contact me at stephanie@journeywithwellness.com.  Also, if you would like more than 1 t-shirt or additional bars let me know and we can work something out!  

Macrobar Giveaway

It's time for the monthly giveaway.  I'm so excited because Go Macro has kindly offered to participate by giving three of their most GP friendly Macrobars out to not only one, but THREE of you!

If you have been following me for awhile you are probably aware of my love for these delicious, protein packed, organic, non-GM0 bars.  Most of the GP'ers I've worked with and have been in contact with seem to tolerate them quite well, including myself.  In addition, Go Macro was a big sponsor of the first annual Awareness for Gastroparesis Walk last September, donating funds for GP research and boxes of bars for the walkers and volunteers.  

Grain-Free Pumpkin Pancakes

This time of year I can't get enough of this delicious, nutrient dense, GP-friendly food!  Pumpkin is an excellent source of vitamin A (1 cup has 760% of the daily value!) as well as vitamin C, iron, and calcium.  The variety of ways to use it are endless, for example adding a scoop to hot cereal, smoothies, soup, etc.  Most recently I experimented with a recipe for a protein rich breakfast that would include the pumpkin love.  The result was a light and fluffy crepe like pancake, with plenty of fall flavor!

FODMAPs Part II, with Handout!

If you have been following this blog or my Facebook page you are probably somewhat aware that I do my best to follow a low FODMAP diet.  To this day, the post Could FODMAPs be Related to GP? written back in November, 2011 is the most viewed on this website.  Since then, I have become much more familiar with this strange acronym by reading articles, books, and posts from other bloggers, listening to podcasts from healthcare practitioners and talks through medical universities. In addition, I've learned from personally working with registered dietitians as well as my own clients who seem to feel better when limiting these dietary carbohydrates.

Cardamom Infused Cantaloupe Sorbet

Cantaloupe is not only GP and FODMAP friendly, but also packed with vitamins A and C, providing antioxidants as well as a good source of potassium.  This melons mellow sweetness pairs well with the earthy, sweet flavor of cardamom, a spice that has many digestive benefits.  And finally, if you are not familiar with Sucanat, it is a wonderful substitute for refined sugar, which unlike the white stuff, maintains its vitamin and mineral content.  Just a scoop of this simple, sweet sorbet is a perfect non-fat, refreshing treat on a warm sunny day.

Vickie Shares Her Story

"Pace yourself, only you know how you feel."

Today's post is the very first "Share My Story." I recently interviewed Vickie, a strong-willed Tennessee woman who refuses to let gastroparesis stop her from living life.

Holiday Gingerbread Cookies

The words ginger and cookie mixed together in the same recipe is music to my ears (currently Christmas music of course)!  Though I keep sugar to a minimum most of the time I can't help but to get in the holiday spirit of baking.  I just finished making a gluten free batch and want to share a couple of recipes for anyone wanting a tasty gingery treat.

Soothe Nausea with Ginger People!

As most of you probably know, ginger is a proven home remedy for nausea, vomiting and inflammation and a good friend to anyone with GP.  However, it can be so much more than just a cup of ginger tea, especially when there is a company like The Ginger People (GP!) that provide unlimited possibilities.  My favorite products include the ginger chews, crystallized ginger candy and chips, as well as the jarred organic minced and grated ginger, all conveniently ready for use.

Comforting Congee

This simple rice soup is easily digested and assimilated.  In China it is traditionally eaten as a breakfast food. Ingredients are chosen for their specific medicinal properties. The chicken and broth, for example, builds strength and are especially good for wasting illnessess and injuries. The ginger and cumin all boost flavor and aid digestion plus each offers other medicinal properties.

Congee is easy to make in a crock pot. Put up the soup before going to bed and awaken to this satisfying porridge.  Or, put it up before going to work and the soup will be ready when you come home.
*Note: Can also be made on the stove top.  Bring all ingredients to a simmer, cover and turn low for about an hour, making sure not to let it boil.