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. 

Blendtec Helping to Raise GP Awareness

It's only a few months away from the 2nd annual Awareness Walk for Gastroparesis and I'm so excited about this year's big sponsor.  Blendtec has generously donated 2 of their incredible "super" blenders,  as I like to call them, to help us raise money that will go towards research specifically for GP through the Digestive Health Alliance.

As you can see on the package, they like to say it will "Make Life Smoother," which I could not agree more.  One of the biggest challenges for anyone with digestive disorders is the ability to take in enough nutrition.  Healthy fruits like berries, and veggies such as spinach become a thing of the past for some.  Blendtec is beyond powerful with a blade that spins at over 300 mph and up to 5 times faster than other blenders.  This technology has serisously changed my life!  I'm able to toss in fresh grown strawberries from my garden, cook vegetables and puree them for soups or cubes to freeze and I've even made pumpkin coconut milk ice cream for a tasty treat.

I'm sure you are curious as to how we are going to use the blenders to raise money.  Aside from the sponsors donating funds and prizes, the money used for research needs to come from anyone and everyone we can reach out to.  In addition, it is all about spreading awareness.  To accomplish both we will be selling the t-shirts again this year, which have a funky design that will catch the attention of those around you AND every dollar spent goes directly towards research (see here for more about how last year's funds are being used).
Here is where the Blendtec comes in.  For every t-shirt donation your name will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win.  Not only are you getting a snazzy T that will have people asking more about GP, plus giving funds to a cause that will hopefully provide us with a cure one day, and there is a possibility to win one of these amazing blenders!
Note, this pre-sale will end August 15th in order to go to print.  Shirts will be mailed out first week of September.  This gives us an estimate of how many to purchase from American Apparel and the necessary funds ahead of time for the actual order.    

Options for donating: Cost - $20 + shipping ($5 ships up to 4 shirts)
-You can go to this link for information about a-wear-ness packages.
                                                 
Live in or near Bellingham?  Send me an email and I'm happy to meet up with you to save shipping costs!

To find out more about details for this year's walk go to this link.  Questions?  Please let me know by email or in the comments below.  Now let's spread awareness and raise some funds!

Click here for more about last years walk and to view photos.

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.  

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.

Spice Remedies Part II: Love Affair with Cilantro

Exploring the digestive benefits of spices is a journey I began years ago and still often turn to when preparing food.  From smoothies to soups, herbs and spices can be used to create much more than flavor. This series began months ago in Part 1: Cardamom Cures and to this day happens to be the most popular and viewed post!  So, this got me thinking, maybe its time to continue looking at ways to enhance flavor and digestion.  Continuing with C's, next on the list is my love for coriander/cilantro.

Creamy and Delicious Almond Milk

Almond milk is a wonderful alternative for those who are lactose intolerant or just looking for a delicious dairy/soy alternative.  Years ago I started consuming other milks such as soy, rice, almond and hemp.  Almond has always been my favorite and settles the best.  However, I had no idea how amazing homemade would taste until a friend made it for me last summer.  Since then, unless extremely pressed for time, this creamy goodness is a staple in my kitchen.  Trust me, once you try it you will never want to go back!

Cheers to 2012 GP Style!

Just because alcohol is not on the GP diet, that doesn't mean we can't celebrate the New Year with a festive drink.  I've been through the misery of feeling sorry for myself as I watch everyone else drink cocktails, wanting nothing more than to be part of the celebration.  Don't get me wrong, there have been moments of weakness when I give in and have a drink.  However, to this day, it has never been worth the pain afterwards.  What I came to finally realize is nobody really cares whether I drink or not, it's all about my own attitude.  When I'm confident, enjoying the company and festivities, everything else is forgotten and suddenly I am a part of the celebration.  

Spice Remedies Part 1: Cardamom Cures and Recipes

Most of us are well aware of the benefits of ginger for GP and nausea but how many know about one of my favorite spices, cardamom?
I was first introduced to this exotic aromatic spice when my dear friend Alan would serve a small cup of coffee with a pinch of cardamom after a delicious GP friendly lunch of well cooked local vegetables and soft melt in your mouth white fish drizzled with a tiny bit of olive oil.  Only if I could hire him to be my personal chef, everyday I would be swimming in waves of tasty adventures!
When I was in acupuncture school this past year I picked up a little bit of an addiction to coffee (hey, it's Seattle, whats a girl gonna do?!).  I know, absolutely NOT a friend to a sensitive stomach but between living in denial and the hours of studying it was my weak spot.  My favorite day of the week was Thursday when my friend Marlee and I would head down to our favorite coffee shop in Freemont.  We would find the largest table available, spread out our piles of books and note cards then anxiously order our hot java (aka liquid crack).  However, with me and my secret spice stash it was never just a normal cup of coffee.  Oh no, this was special coffee because hidden in my purse was a magical bag of ground cardamom.  Before diving into the hours of quizzing (and distracting) each other we eagerly scooped the spice into our coffee, took the first sip and for a moment melted into cardamom coffee heaven before the marathon began.
Now, a few months and fewer coffee's later, this spice is nothing but nice in so many countless ways.

A soothing and comforting food, cardamom is the perfect tummy tamer and should be at the top of the list of pantry staples for anyone with GP.  Known as the queen of spices, it has been around and used medicinally for 5,000 years.   Stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system, it helps to control digestion and saliva production. It is an anti-spasmodic and is recommended for nausea, chronic indigestion with bloating, belching, flatulence and hiccups. It is also an effective remedy for heartburn as it relieves pressure in the chest caused by swollen stomach pressing on the diaphragm.