Autoimmune

I digressed. I was writing about autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune diseases occur when the body’s healthy tissues and cells attack themselves. It is an overreaction of the immune system. These good and healthy tissues and cells are considered to be harmful so the immune system in turn destroys them. Autoimmune diseases are generally treated with immunosuppressants. Unfortunately, these drugs may suppress your entire immune system, not simply the targeted cells. Ulcerative Colitis is an autoimmune disease in which the good cells in the colon are destroyed by themselves, causing inflammation and ulcerations.

The only “cure” for ulcerative colitis is removal of the entire colon. This was very confusing to me. I did not understand why they could not remove only the diseased portion of the colon. It was then explained to me that because ulcerative colitis is autoimmune, if only the diseased portion is removed the ulcerative colitis will then continue to attack the remaining colon. And we would be right back where we started. Suddenly, it all started to make sense…

ballpark

I apologize for my lack of posts recently. My husband and I took our boys down to Tampa for Yankees Spring Training. It was an absolute blast for the kids and even I thoroughly enjoyed myself. You do not have to be a huge baseball fan to be enamored with being so close to Derek Jeter. Need I say more?

Finding myself at a ballpark always proves to be a personal challenge. Enjoying the wafting smells of footlong hotdogs and hamburgers, french fries and blooming onions, cotton candy, peanuts, popcorn and Cracker Jacks, it is very difficult for me to keep my hands in my pockets. My boys swat at my hand as I beg for “just one fry”. They know I know better, but one doesn’t hurt. It is the next ten that seem to seal my fate. And off to the bathroom I go!

The first day is always the worst. I have to get it out of my system. Day 2 at the ballpark as I reflect upon the day before, I found myself taking a long walk around the stadium in search of a turkey sandwich…good old standby. Thank goodness for the sandwich stand. I was able to actually sit and watch the game! My point is there are alternatives and options for when you are eating or dining out (the hot pretzel looked pretty good too!). It is important to know your limitations and not deprive yourself entirely. Some call it self control or will power. Some days I just don’t have it in me, but most days I try really hard. My suggestion is to satisfy your senses while enjoying the aromas (and yes, they do smell better in the sun!). If that doesn’t work, grab some of those fries on the way out to enjoy in the privacy of your own home!

IBS vs. IBD

IBS and IBD are often mistaken in conversation for one another and rightfully so…it is a letter. However, they are very different. IBS is Irritable Bowel Syndrome. IBD is inflammatory Bowel Disease. There are two diagnoses that are classified as IBD: Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) may be referred to as spastic colon. IBS affects the large intestine (aka colon). As painful as it may be, it does not cause damage to colon. Symptoms may include abdominal discomfort, cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhea and/or alternating constipation. It can be very frustrating for IBS sufferers because routine medical testing does not show any abnormalities, however the symptoms are very real. IBS is believed to be caused by infection, food aggravators (as opposed to food allergies) and/or stress and may be managed with dietary and lifestyle changes, as well as various medications.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a group of inflammatory diseases that affect the digestive tract, Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and Crohn’s Disease (CD). These chronic diseases are very different, however the symptoms may present the same. They are also characterized by many of the similar symptoms as IBS, but additionally may include fever, weight loss, fatigue, dehydration, rectal bleeding, anemia and malnutrition. UC and CD cause inflammation throughout the digestive tract. Ulcerative Colitis causes inflammation and ulcerations in the lining (mucosa) of the colon, or large intestine and rectum, causing bleeding. Crohn’s Disease generally affects the end of the small intestine (ileum) but may also involve the large intestine, or any part of the digestive tract. The inflammation involved with Crohn’s may extend through the entire wall of the intestine. The inflammation for both of these diseases may cause severe damage and complications.

Obviously, I am just scratching the surface of these very involved diagnoses. Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s are considered auto-immune diseases, but that opens up a whole other can of worms that I am saving for next time…

turmeric

Turmeric comes from the curcuma plant which is dried and ground into a spice, commonly used as an ingredient in curries. It is a perennial plant, part of the ginger family. It has a peppery, ginger, citrus aroma. Turmeric is believed to have profound anti-inflammatory properties. It has been used over the years in Indian and Chinese medicinal practices. It is being investigated for healing benefits in Alzheimer’s, cancer, arthritis and other chronic disorders. In South Asia turmeric is used as an antibacterial and as an antiseptic on cuts and burns. I have done a great deal of reading trying to get to the bottom of this. It can be ingested in capsule form, found at most health food stores. Typically, however, I try to go right to the source. Just recently, I started dissolving ½ teaspoon of turmeric in hot water and drinking it like a tea every afternoon. I have tried adding honey, lemon and/or agave nectar. Jury is still out. I am not a huge fan of curry, so some days are harder than others to get it down. I will start cooking with it, as well, adding it to rice and chicken dishes. It is worth a shot! I will keep you posted…

superfood

So I have been staring at the ripe (now overripe) avocado on my windowsill. I always do that. I have a craving for avocados, buy 5 of them and move onto my next food endeavor, my next plan as I wait for them to ripen, and then eventually shrivel up. So I have finally caught on, and buy 1 at a time. I have been very determined to break this cycle, as it makes me crazy to waste them. Avocados have been called a new superfood. They contribute nearly 20 vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients. Phytonutrients are believed to help prevent many chronic diseases. Among many of their wonderful health benefits, avocados have been shown to improve cholesterol and are high in lutein (which is beneficial to the eyes) and potassium. And, above all else, they are digested well and ease the digestive system. Bound and determined, I refused to toss this in the trash! So, I toasted leftover panella bread from dinner last night, shaved some sharp cheddar on top and broiled it. I arranged the sliced avocado on the cheese toast and had the most delicious sandwich for lunch today! Mission accomplished…

party time

SuperBowl Sunday can cause much unease if you are not prepared. When going to a party, I usually try to eat something (like a turkey sandwich) before I go. I do not want to be tempted to eat all of the chips, wings, and other goodies that will ruin my evening. It pays to not be so ravenous upon arrival. It is also helpful, if asked to bring an hors d’oeuvre, that you bring something you can eat that will be enjoyed by others, as well. When looking for quick and easy, I enjoy a cheese and cracker tray, spanakopita (feta and spinach in phyllo dough), grilled chicken skewers, or thinly sliced baguette toasted and topped with goat cheese and fresh herbs. It is always fun to make a pizza (you can even use the store-bought crust) with your favorite toppings. I do not do well with red sauce, so regular pizza is out for me. I like to top it with blue cheese, caramelized onions, sautéed pears and a balsamic reduction drizzle. Another favorite is goat cheese, roasted red peppers and roasted chicken sprinkled with chopped arugula. Try it with whatever you have on hand, be creative. You will not feel deprived if you provide yourself with other tasty treats. It’s party time! Let the game begin.

it's all greek to me

I have been busy as a bee trying to get to the bottom of this whole internet situation. There really is so much to consider, so much to figure out, and oh so much to learn. It’s the search engines that have really thrown me for a loop.

If I have learned anything, it is that things are not always as you expect them to be. Being a chef it has been difficult for me to wrap my arms around my dietary constraints. While my mother will attest to my “picky” eating, I am sure she will confirm my attempt at a healthy well-being (these days, anyway). However, she never has understood my love of salad. I believe that in her heart of hearts she wishes her doctor/nutritionist would tell her she should never eat a salad again. I think it is being brought up having an iceberg salad every night with dinner, oh well. We always want what we cannot have. I still dream of a huge mound of greek salad next to a slice of pizza. The perfect meal! Not so much for me anymore, but I am working to replace those cravings. Speaking of, today I think I will have a wrap with chicken, feta and some homemade greek dressing (extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, oregano, salt and pepper – so easy and oh so good!). I am conquering one meal, one craving at a time…

plain old girl

We all have our battles, our personal struggles. I am not unique. I am here to tell my story, to hopefully relate to those of you going through or having gone through similar situations. I am not a doctor. I am not a registered dietician or a nutritionist. I am just a plain old girl trying to muddle her way thru it all. I have learned that it is ok to talk about your colon and digestive tract. However, do proceed with caution…not everyone is there yet. Colons have become the topic of conversation at many dinner parties around here! (Perhaps it is true what they say of age). I have learned along the way that people want or need to talk about their intestinal issues, but just aren’t comfortable doing it. I am not suggesting that you throw it out there right after “please pass the potatoes…”. You may not be invited back… But, it is important to know and to recognize that you are not alone. I cannot stress the importance of seeking medical attention for the irregularities (to name a few): pain, bloating, frequency, urgency, lack of control, unintended weight loss, bleeding. ESPECIALLY blood. Please do not assume “it is just hemorrhoids”. At various points I will be sharing information about my medications, therapies, treatments and surgeries. I would like to stress that just because certain courses worked (or did not work) for me, it is not indicative of your response. I can only share my experiences. I urge you to consult with your medical professionals. Everybody is different. Everyone responds differently. There is a reason that IBD is such a difficult, baffling disease.

new at this

Let’s be clear…I really know nothing about blogs, but it has been suggested to me many times that I create one. So I figured, why not? What do I have to lose, I mean besides my dignity…and that I assure you, is long gone. So to all of you fellow bloggers out there, please feel free to offer some advice, some helpful hints. I will get to the food part soon, but I just want to lay the groundwork, the background, so to speak. I think it is important that you know where I have been to understand how I got to where I am now.

First Foot

So, my first real diagnosed flare up in 1998 was classified as proctitis (inflammation in the lower portion of the colon). I was on and off medications to keep the symptoms at bay when they reared their ugly head. It was nothing to really worry about, it only affected the first foot of my colon – hell, I had 5 other feet! I continued to think this way. It just became a way of life. Get a flare up, take the pills, use the suppositories, get better. Suddenly, these cycles were repeating too frequently. The proctitis was creeping up my colon, and then all of a sudden the doctors were calling it Ulcerative Colitis. Even I knew this was not a good development (it meant that a larger portion of the colon was involved), but still NOT a big deal. Deny, deny, deny… I then found myself at my doctors’ office quarterly, which became monthly, then weekly. I had been on prednisone so long I looked like a pufferfish. I had a really hard time trying to cope with this, because when one is in the bathroom 20 times a day, ONE WOULD THINK…I should be on the new cover of Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue! Not so much…oh well…one can still dream…

here I go

Well, mine is a long story to tell, but we have plenty of time… As I have mentioned I am 39 years old. I have three boys who are 11, 8 and 7. I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis right after the birth of my first son, 11 years ago. I assumed I was having complications from a difficult delivery. Apparently, my husband says he recognized my “issues” long before that. His initial recollections of me (we worked together) were “Wow, this chick goes to the bathroom a lot”. I still giggle when he tells the stories…recalls the stops at any Burger King, diner or gas station along the way to our destination. I always had eagle eyes for the restroom sign at every mall, store or restaurant, and never stopped looking over my shoulder to be sure I had a straight shot to it…in case I needed it, of course. And I always did…

I will get to all the grueling details as we progress, but I would like to tell you what brings me here today. After exhausting all avenues, therapies and medications I had to have my entire colon removed. Believe it or not, this was the light at the end of my tunnel. I was a fighter and had fought the good fight, but I was clearly losing (actually getting the shit kicked out of me, no pun intended) quickly.

Upon my recovery from the surgeries, I was unable to find a cookbook that suited my situation. I could find a recipe here, a recipe there. There was nothing convenient. I contacted my surgeon who recommended a nutritionist in New York City. She was fantastic. However, she was limited in resources/cookbooks she could recommend for my situation. I understand that many patients go for the trial and error philosophy. That is not my style. I needed my guidelines, I needed my restrictions. But more importantly, at this point, I know I needed nutrients. It was at this point I was determined to create such a book. I hope you will enjoy starting this journey with me…