Chicken Enchiladas With Cauliflower Tortillas

Chicken Enchiladas With Cauliflower Tortillas

Chicken Enchiladas With Cauliflower Tortillas

This recipe is from my other blog.

Candida! Do you or a loved one experience these symptoms?

Candida!

To some, this word has no meaning.  To others it's just another "disease."  I first heard about candida just after graduating from college.  I had all of the symptoms they listed at that time.  There are other symptoms, (most of which are themselves considered "diseases"), but the most common are:

• Chronic fatigue
• Brain fog
• Digestive issues
• Recurring yeast infections
• Oral thrush
• Sinus infections
• Food allergies/intolerances
• Fungal infections on the skin and nails
• A weak immune system
• Joint pain
• Low mood*

This is another list:

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Chronic Sinusitis
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Fibromyalgia
• Thrush
• Eczema, or Atopic Dermatitis
• Autism
• Leaky Gut Syndrome/Crohn’s/Ulcerative Colitis
• Interstitial Cystitis (IC)
• Celiac**

I really didn't know what to do about the condition, and a friend of mine was seeing a doctor who attempted to treat her condition.  She ended up being paralyzed from the treatments!!  She still is wheel chair bound some 30 years later.

Initially, I didn't do anything about the condition.  Later, when reading Dr. Atkin's New Diet Revolution, I learned more.  I felt it could be controlled with diet.  I also started self-treating with oil of oregano, as  he described in the book, and probably did that for 3-4 years around 2001.  Half a dozen years ago, I had some allergy testing and stool samples taken.  At that time, they found severe staph and strep infections.  There was also a candida infection.  I spent a year on specialized antibiotics attempting to clear these out.

In hind sight, probably all these things just made the candida organisms stronger!  I've recently begun taking a different type of probiotic -- one that actually has the enzymes to be able to break apart the tough outer shell of the candida organism.  I have heard it is like the shell of a cockroach.  No wonder I wasn't successful at just dealing with it by diet and essential oils!  Any idea how difficult it is to kill and get rid of cockroaches??  I located this description of chitinase -- the shell of the candida organism, on Wikipedia.  Basically it describes it as a pathogenic substance.  This was what I felt most significant, "Like cellulose, chitin is an abundant biopolymer that is relatively resistant to degradation." It can't be broken down easily -- meaning diet alone won't work!

Since I published my most recent article, I've had a few folks tell me that they are controlling their candida with diet.  I have not found this to be entirely successful.  This is now my 3rd candida treatment.  (I had one before the special antibiotic.)  I've never previously been rid of the condition based on the fact that my food and chemical sensitivities continued to worsen.  If the candida was "under control" my allergies would be getting better.  They have only worsened until just recently. (See previous article.)

I would caution anyone against self-treatment as I have done it. I am currently being guided by others with experience.  

Please, if you feel that you might have a candida-related condition, contact me.  

 (I am not  recommending these sites for anything but information.)

*Reference:  https://www.thecandidadiet.com/candida-symptoms/ 

**Reference:  https://www.candidasupport.org/resources/candida-related-diseases/

How the Lord is working in me --- I'm been being healed of my food allergies, finally!

How the Lord is working in me --- I'm been being healed of my food allergies, finally!

Last year, January 2016, I was admitted for emergency surgery to remove my gall bladder.  I had a huge gallstone, and apparently it was occluded.  I had actually known about the stone for about a dozen years.  It had been asymptomatic all that time. However, there I was having emergency surgery!  I did not recover well from the surgery.  I ended up back in the hospital something like four times over the next several months because of severe pain in my abdomen.

In January 2017, I was hospitalized for 2 1 /2 weeks, I had a severe urinary tract infection, very high blood pressure (HBP) and had experienced several small strokes.  I came home on 4 prescriptions for HBP.  However, I felt certain that God was going to give me a way out of this.  I’m an “alternative health writer,” and I really prefer the natural approach to things.  Usually I have very adverse reactions to medications.  Within a couple of weeks Elsa Moss, the mother of one of our camp’s volunteers, (my husband is the caretaker of a Bible camp), contacted me about Plexus.  At first, I thought I knew what she was talking about, then it dawned on me that I really didn’t.  I had been having the worst food allergies of my life, and my acceptable foods list was just a handful of items.  Elsa (E) and her ladies, (up-line), were able to help me through this and get me started. E sent me a bottle of Probio5,(on March 22, 2017), and I was counseled to start at ¼ to ½ capsule, opened because of my sensitivity to rice (in the capsules) and what they felt was the severity of my candida infection.  I had actually been treated for candida by two different doctors (ND and an allergist) and had done a lengthy self-treatment --  NONE of which worked.  I have been aware that I have candida since I was a young adult, so what they were telling me made a lot of sense!

 I did start slowly, as they suggested, and began to experience pretty harsh die-off symptoms.  My belly got huge!  Seriously, it was as big as I was when I was very pregnant with my 3^rd child nearly 18 years ago, wearing a size 13 underwear!

Initially, I was having severe trouble with my eyes being very sensitive and red, and I had a very severe case of athlete’s foot.  I had huge blisters on my feet!  I could hardly even walk they were so painful!  I continued to take my Probio5 and use some essential oils for comfort, and within a few weeks my feet were clear.  My eyes are improving.

Another improvement I have noticed early on was the Lyme disease symptoms I had been experiencing (It was discovered that I had Lyme disease in my system by my natuopath last year.)  The major identifying factor was that I was running a sometimes quite high fever, (before Plexus!)  Even several weeks into the candida “treatment” I was still experiencing fevers, but not anything like what they were before.  Now,  I don’t have them anymore!

I’ve now been on the full Triplex for several weeks, (a little over 2 months.)  I was able to add in the other products at about 4 weeks into my Journey.  Previously, I had been unable to try them because of my allergies.  It seemed like there was something in just about every product Plexus had to which I was allergic!  However, at that point I felt I could add the Biocleanse, which helped me immensely with eliminating.  Also, E sent me a sample of the previous formulation of Slim.  I really liked it!  It really helped me to eliminate better.  It also gave me energy.  I also added in the Ease product to help with my pain which was mostly in my spine.  I have severe osteoarthritis and have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia.  My doctor also thinks I fit the profile for MS, but I’m unwilling to undergo any further testing.  I’m also unwilling to take anymore medication!

As I’ve progressed on this current Candida cleanse, (using Probio5), I have mostly experienced severe bloating, as I mentioned, and very intense itching just about everywhere.  However, I’m beginning to have some REAL SOLID results!  As soon as I added the Nerve product, about 2 weeks ago, after just 2 capsules I began to have feeling in my big toe.  It had been completely numb since I had the small strokes at the beginning of the year.  My hair is beginning to come in thicker – I had been losing hair by the handful after I came home from the hospital in January of this year.  Now I hardly shed at all!  My nails are growing really quickly too.  I’ve lost about 6# and at least a couple of sizes VERY recently.  I’ve mostly been able to cut out the pain medication from the doctor.  I’ve been using the Ease product, as needed, for the pain.

Just a few days into the Candida cleanse, I had immediate results with my thyroid/adrenal glands.  I’d had testing done several years ago and I showed a marked adrenal insufficiency.  I’ve been taking natural products for them, (pretty expensive!), for the past couple of years.  Within a matter of days, I had to stop those supplements because I had way too much energy!  I was jittery all day when I used them and I had plenty of energy when I didn’t.  I also don’t need naps most of the time, and when I do; I have to limit them or I don’t sleep at night.  I can only manage about 7 hours of sleep, which was my norm in college and when my children were young and I was actively writing books.  Also, as evidence that my thyroid is functioning better, my eyebrows are beginning to fill out.

I’ve had an open sore in my nose since I had surgery to repair it at least a dozen years ago.  It’s actually healed.  That, also, only took a very short time to heal once I started the Probio5.

I know not everyone is on the lookout for something to help them get well, but I was.  Even though I’ve had several Candida treatments in my adult life, (this was the 4^th!)  This is the first one that is actually working.  I can tell because of all of these things above that I have listed.  I’m so thankful to E for sharing about the products with me! 

Shrimp Scampi Over Cauliflower

Shrimp Scampi Over Cauliflower

Shrimp Scampi Over Cauliflower

This is so easy and so delicious!  

In a 10" frying pan melt:

4 tablespoons coconut oil


Add to the frying pan: 

3 cloves fresh, minced garlic
1 teaspoon parsley
1 teaspoon chives
1 - 12 ounce bag of peeled, raw shrimp that has been rinsed and soaked for about 10 minutes

Sea salt, to taste
Cook over medium heat for about 8 minutes or until the shrimp is pink

Meanwhile, boil 1/2 head cauliflower cut into florets or 1/2 bag of frozen cauliflower in a covered saucepan until it can be pierced with a fork, about 6 minutes.  Drain The cauliflower.  Serve it with the shrimp and sauce over it.  (It could be served over rice or noodles for non-SCD.)

Enjoy!

Apple Almond Bars

Apple Almond Bars

Apple Almond Bars

I'm still fairly early on my SCD* adventure hoping to heal my stomach.  I was wanting something that was yummy, easy and SCD friendly.  This is what I came up with.  They would be amazing with a variety of other flavorings like cinnamon and cloves or other SCD legal extracts like almond or maple.  They are SCD legal, as well as being low carb, gluten free and dairy free if the yogurt topping is omitted.

Apple Almond Bars
Makes 9 cookies

Preheat the oven to 350F.  Prepare an 8" square cake pan with an olive or coconut oil cooking spray with no added ingredients or butter the pan.  Set it aside.

Place the following ingredients in a mixing bowl:

1 cup blanched almond flour
1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/3 cup raw honey
2 tablespoons coconut oil, liquid state (above 70F)
2 teaspoons Homemade Vanilla Extract
1/4 teaspoon salt ("Real Salt" or Himalayan)

Combine them well and spread the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top.  Bake the bars for about 20 minutes or until they are just becoming golden.  Cool and cut into bars.  

I served mine with honey sweetened SCD yogurt and blueberries.  (Omit the yogurt for IC.)  Heavenly!

Enjoy!

*SCD = The Specific Carbohydrate Diet by Elaine Gottschall 


Simultaneously published on my other blog, here.

Protocol for a Flare

Protocol for a Flare

Protocol for a Flare

I had to have my gallbladder taken out by emergency surgery around Christmastime last year, 2015.  To be very honest, I've been struggling since.  I've ended up back in the emergency room three times and the hospital twice for several days at a time for severe abdominal pain.  The last time, in February, they did upper and lower scopes on me and discovered that the lining of my stomach is inflamed and that a lot of the pain I am experiencing is because of my back.  I've had arthritis due to injuries since my late twenties, and I have multiple herniated disks; so it is not surprising that my back would be causing me issues.

With the diagnosis of an inflamed stomach lining, I decided to go on the Specific Carbohydrate Diet.  The diet is described in detail in the book, Breaking the Vicious Cycle, by Elaine Gottschall.  It was designed specifically for inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and other intestinal conditions.  My sister has crohn's and was at the point of needing radical surgery.  She asked me to research alternatives and I discovered Elaine Gottschall's book.  She did the diet and reversed her crohn's.  With that knowledge, I decided that it certainly wouldn't hurt me; and most likely, it would help!

This link will take you to Amazon.com where you can purchase the book and I will recieve a small affiliate credit.  Thank you so much!

I began the diet the day after I got home from my last trip to the hospital.  I immediately improved.  I have been doing it for about a month now.  I've lost several pounds and inches around my midsection.  My pain level is much better, I'm sleeping better, and my tummy hasn't been hurting.

Well, it hadn't been until a couple of days ago.  I ate some dried fruit without thinking clearly about what I was doing.  I had some stewed prunes, and a couple of hours later I had some dried dates.  Within about three hours I had severe diarrhea and horrible burning pain in my stomach.  The first day and part of the second I tried to continue eating.  Then a friend of mine on the Breaking the Vicious Cycle:  Specific Carbohydrate Diet Facebook Group suggested that I stop eating solids for a time until I am feeling better.  He said, 

Sometimes it's best not to eat it all but just stay on non-acidic fluids with lots of honey...Putting any type of food in that will cause digestion and scarring or scraping as it moves along and digestion is the last thing that you want. Isn't it?

That seemed like really wise advice, so I stopped trying to eat any solid foods.  Now, this doesn't mean I'm not taking in any nourishment.  Actually, I am quite comfortable, food wise, and actually, I'm feeling a whole lot better.  

One of the things I learned while I was at the hospital and subsequently is that pain control is really a lot more important than I ever gave it credit.  When my pain is out of control, so many other things go out of control as well.  Is the the pain that is causing my problem or the problem causing the pain?  It seems like it is a vicious circle to me.  Much of my protocol is geared at pain control.  It is concert of food and medication seeking to balance each other with the end being restored functioning.  My goal is to document what I'm doing and why.  My hope is that it will help someone else along the way.

My Personal Protocol for a Flare:

Bone broth with egg stirred in, aka "Cream of Whatever Soup" without the spinach -- this provides easily digestable minerals and protein that don't process in the stomach.
Weak peppermint tea -- steeped for only 3 minutes, soothes the entire digestive tract and is anti-inflammatory.
Warm or room temperature water -- soothing to the digestive tract and maintains hydration.
Honey -- raw, local honey can be stirred into the water or tea or eaten off of a spoon.  It has many healing benefits as this article describes.
Warm packs -- offers comfort to a very sore tummy.
Pain medication -- either Tylenol or prescription offers pain relief, as needed, and should be taken along with the bone broth and egg to protect the stomach lining.
Hyland Leg Cramp Pills -- Although these are not SCD "legal," I have discovered that they not only help with leg cramps but other muscle spasms, as well.  I have not found anything else that works as well as these tablets do.  I take them 2 at a time, as needed.
Topical pain relief -- I use essential oils and other topical creams to help with the pain.  I use the Now brand Peppermint and fennel oils which are good for digestive issues.  (Clicking the link will go to PureFormulas where high quality supplements can be purchased.  I will recieve a small referral credit if anything is purchased through this link.)
Benadryl -- if allergies are involved.  I use the WalMart brand, dye-free liquid gels.
Stay down and rest!  This is actually harder than it might seem.

After things are beginning to calm down:
Add diluted home made fresh juice in small amounts. I started with a small serving of carrot and apple because I tolerate both well.  Be sure and chew your juices, as described in this article:  

Benefits of Chewing Your Juice
While you are chewing, your body is figuring out how many enzymes and what kind it will need to produce in order to digest this bite. It is also allowing the temperature of food to match its own, as well as absorbing the sugars from the carbohydrate digestion directly into the bloodstream before you even swallow. So it only makes sense to drink a fresh juice slowly, mindfully, holding each sip in the mouth for a short while before swallowing. Remember—it's ultimately all about how much of the good stuff the body will be able to absorb and make its own. This practice will ensure the best assimilation of the juice you took effort and time to extract.

Then try as tolerated:

Soft scrambled eggs

Applesauce in very small amounts

Homemade SCD yogurt

Again, I hope this will help someone else along their way.

Blessings!

Cheese-flavored Non-dairy Cheese Spread

Cheese-flavored Non-dairy Cheese Spread

Cheese-flavored Non-dairy Cheese Spread

First, prepare a batch of Almond Cheese.  To the finished cheese product, add 

1 1/2 teaspoons nutritional yeast (gives the "cheesy" taste)
1 teaspoon whey (from the Almond Cheese making process)
3/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/8 teaspoon turmeric

Mix it well and store covered.  Use as a dip or in recipes.