Upcoming Webinar - Foods for Healing GP

Top 5 Foods for Healing Gastroparesis 

with Chalyce Macoskey

Join us as we explore the top 5 foods that can help you gain back your quality of life when living with gastroparesis and learn what the term healing can mean for you. At the end of the talk, there will be a Q&A session to help answer any questions you may have plus ideas on additional resources.

Health coach and certified aromatherapist Chalyce Macoskey will share an approach she has used with hundreds of clients over the years to overcome some of the most difficult challenges when it comes to digestion. She has helped to change my own life for the better and it is my hope she can do the same for many others living with GP. You can read more about when I was first introduced to Chalyce and her work here. 

We look forward to chatting with you soon! 

When: Date and Time: Wednesday  2/01/2017  11:00 AM - (US/Pacific) Duration: 1 hour Audio: Dial-in Number:   (712) 770-4652 Access Code: 711781 International Dial-in Numbers: View List Online Meeting: Screen Sharing / Video Online Meeting Link: https://join.freeconferencecall.com/journeywithgp Instructions: At the scheduled date and time of the meeting, dial into the conference line. When prompted, enter the Access Code followed by the pound key. To join the online meeting, click on the meeting link listed above and follow the prompts to join the meeting. For 24/7 customer service please call (844) 844-1322

Carrot and Parsnip Puree

When it comes to a GP friendly diet it really varies individually.  Lately I've been calling it the "MF" diet, otherwise known as my-friendly!  However, it's hard to go wrong when it comes to a soft vegetable puree.  While it is tempting to go the easy route with store bought baby food, you can make your own blends at home that taste SO much better.  I would like to share one of my favorites inspired by my friend Lindsay, who writes for the blog Day by Day Gluten Free.   What I love about this site is that she shares her weekly menu, creating meal plans that can satisfy her family as well as foods she can eat that are both gluten free and tummy friendly.  Click here for her delicious recipe on her website.  Directions are also posted below.  

Note: I have replaced butter with coconut oil.   

Carrot and Parsnip Puree

Ingredients

2 tablespoons coconut oil
1 teaspoon olive oil
4 medium parsnips, peeled and diced into 1/2 inch pieces
1 bunch of carrots, peeled and diced into 1/4 inch pieces
1/2 small onion, coarsely chopped*
1 clove garlic*
1/2 cup homemade chicken or vegetable broth

Directions 

Blend butter and olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the remaining ingredients and cook, covered, until vegetables are tender, about 25 to 30 minutes.
Transfer vegetables to a food processor or blender and puree.  
Serve and store rest in a container for fridge or ice cube trays for future veggie cubes!

*To make it low FODMAP, saute the garlic and onion in the oil and take out before adding the vegetables.

Post Procedure: Healing with Love, Rest and Soup

Another procedure survived!  It's sad when going under anesthesia becomes as common as the yearly check up, especially at the age of 32.  I can't even actually count how many times I've been through it, though it still feels like a strange and confusing place to be.  When we arrived at the clinic, my husband in tow with our entertainment bag of phones, Ipads and magazines, I went through the usual paperwork (no, I don't need a copy of the HIPPA practices I have signed a hundred plus times), clinical questions and dressing in the oversized hospital gown that makes you feel like you have disappeared under a king size bed sheet.  T and I got cozy, him playing a game on Ipad and me drooling over summer recipes in the latest Real Simple (don't ask me why I torture myself).

Recipe: Homemade Turkey Loaf and Burgers

Recipe: Homemade Turkey Loaf

This is a recipe that my dear friend Lori and I have adapted from the book Eating Alive II, finding it to digest quite well if animal protein works well with you.  Fat is limited with the use of lean turkey meat and easier to metabolize coconut oil.  Spinach is a wonderful green that, when cooked, works well for most.  If not an option then an alternative recipe for turkey burgers is also posted below.

Wonderful served with roasted sweet potatoes or pureed squash, or a couple slices of avocado and low fat baked potato chips!

Just Cube It! Preparing and Freezing Purees

This has to be one of my favorite tips for cooking with gastroparesis, or really anyone for that matter!

It's a lovely Sunday afternoon and I am heading out to play soon but couldn't help but share this tasty tip.  While scrambling an egg + white for breakfast, it was quick, easy and nutritious to add a cube of pureed spinach.  This meal took about 3 minutes to make, providing a good source of protein, fat and greens.

What I have cubed in the freezer now: pumpkin, butternut squash, roasted pureed zucchini, spinach, bieler broth, coconut milk, carrot chicken soup, carrot ginger soup, and homemade chicken broth.

It's so easy!

Post 100: What's Been Said and Done in 2 Years of Blogging

Wow, can you believe this is now post 101?  It makes me wonder how many people have actually read them all, it's almost like a novel by now!  There are hundreds of views from all over the world, every day, which makes every moment worth it and continues to give me reason to write.  Seeing this motivated me to look back, reliving some of the good and bad times over the last couple of years.  I'm thinking about printing each one out and starting a little binder, to have a tangible piece of this experience just in case, God forbid, the computer/internet crashed and all was lost.

Just in case you haven't been following from the beginning, I thought I would provide a breakdown of some of the highlights including good times, rough patches, and popular posts since July of 2011.  In addition, recipes are listed in categories to make it easier to find.  Hope you have found this helpful and enjoy catching up, possibly relating to this crazy journey over the last couple of years!

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. 

Homemade Nut Butter - Mmm!

Image credit to www.paleoblocks.com

Have you ever had the chance to experiment with making your own nut butter?  I recently came across the picture below that shows the simple how to steps and just had to share.  Nut butters are a great way for those with gastroparesis to fit in some extra, nutrient dense calories in the day.  Most can tolerate 1 tablespoon which can provide a source of good fats and protein.  By making your own you can not only choose your favorite nut (peanut, almond, cashew, etc) and save money, you can get creative with the ingredients.

Gastroparesis Friendly Breakfast

You've probably heard it from your parents:  Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  Has this changed for you since your digestive trouble began?

Recently I've started posting a weekly "curious question" on the Journey with GP Facebook page, with thoughts on food choices, symptoms, remedies and so on.  Over the weekend the following question was asked:  "What do you tolerate best in the morning?  Juicing, smoothies, eggs, coffee, yogurt, cereal, etc."  It was nice to see such a variety of answers as well as some support for those who tend to have more nausea this time of day.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Pumpkin is a bit of an obsession of mine this time of year.  Starting in early September when the fog begins to settle in, the love affair begins.  Grain-free pumpkin pancakes* for breakfast and banana pumpkin smoothies for a an afternoon snack.  As the weather cools and the leaves begin to fall in October, starting the day with hot cereal with a scoop of pumpkin and almond butter to energize my morning, and tomorrow warm pumpkin soup with a drizzle of coconut milk to warm the evening.  

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!

Missing Minerals Part II: Cashew Smoothie

To continue with ways to increase missing minerals, an excellent source of magnesium and zinc can be found in cashews.  They can be a great addition to your smoothie in the form of cashew butter or used straight from the package if you own a Vitamix or Blendtec.  Recently, I was given the opportunity to post one of my favorite past time smoothie recipes for Shiloh Farms Blog, one my family and friends enjoy very much!  The recipe itself has too much fat for most GP'ers, but that can easily be reduced by making a few adjustments.  

Missing Minerals found in Fresh Crab

Two minerals essential for human health, zinc and magnesium can often be found deficient for those with gastroparesis as well as many other digestive disorders.

Magnesium helps to regulate blood sugar levels, helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function, supports bone health and helps keep a healthy immune system.

Zinc has many benifits, including the metabolism of the food we eat.

While in Baltimore, I was able to enjoy what they are known best for, blue crab!  I'm a big fan of crab because it is hign in protein, low in fat and easy to digest for many.  Just 3 oz contains 20 g of protein, 1 g of fat, 13% of daily magnesium and 20% of the daily zinc recommended! 

Zucchini Ribbons and Summer Sauce

It's time to welcome summer with a delicious seasonal vegetable! Zucchini has not had enough spotlight in the GP diet, mainly due to the seeds located in the middle of this delicate squash.  However, there is a way around that, literally.  All it takes is a vegetable peeler, one you would use to peel those skins off the potato.  With this simple tool, you can create edible zucchini "ribbons."

Pancakes for Everyone!

Years ago, I enjoyed nothing more than entertaining friends and family with dinner parties and brunch gatherings.  My absolute favorite meal to make has always been breakfast.  On Sunday mornings friends and their kids would arrive, ready to chow down on stacks of my famous blueberry, spelt flour pancakes, topped with pure maple syrup and served with farm fresh eggs.  Now I'm ready to bring this tradition back to the table, GP style!  Keep reading for nutritious details and a 15% discount!

Preparing a Family Feast with a Slow Stomach

Preparing a delicious, home cooked meal is like creating a piece of art...even if it is purely to admire the beauty in the end, surrounded by family and friends.

Last week I flew back to my hometown in Kansas for a much needed visit with family and friends.  It can be a bit nerve-wracking to leave the comfort zone but I came well prepared.  We somehow managed to pack my  Blendtec (similar to Vitamix), feeding tube supplies, a bag of snacks including Macrobars, protein powder, crackers, teas and ginger chews, and even my favorite heating pad. 

As we all know, when family and friends get together it usually involves food and/or drinks of some sort.  Luckily, everyone here is very supportive and easily accommodating to my many "special" needs.  Prior to GP, I always made a feast of my latest and greatest recipes.  After a week of being here I began to miss the feeling of a chaotic kitchen, plates stacking and counters covered with cutting boards, pans and produce. 

I woke up one day and said to myself, "Just because I can't eat the whole kitchen does not mean I can't enjoy creating a feast for everyone else."  After all, the best memories usually involve everyone surrounding the food, not the food itself. 

Now Scheduling Free One-Hour Consultations

By working as a health coach one-on-one, I can provide you with:  

• Weekly/Bi-Weekly One-Hour Sessions - Over the phone or on Skype
• Unlimited Email Support 
• Recipes and Food Ideas
• Living with food intolerance's such as gluten, dairy and FODMAPs.
• Helpful Handouts - Relaxation techniques, digestive education, beneficial supplements and more.
• Assistance on creating a medical "dream team."
• Gifts to help you explore and experiment, which may include food samples, wellness products and books.

For more information Contact Me through email to set up a complimentary one-hour consultation, which includes a review of your health history, current challenges and goals.

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.

Craving Chocolate Smoothie

With Easter here we are inevitably surrounded by more than just bunnies and baskets.  If chocolate candy is not an option and you are craving that rich flavor, give this cocoa cashew treat a try.