BBQ sauce

BBQ sauce in the making 

It turned out more like a spicy Ketchup.

  

This was good as a first attempt, but I definitely need to mess with the recipe. (No recipe at this time due to it not being quite what I was hoping for)

Another "testimonial"

When I see people post comments like this ... I can't help but to smile.  I'm even more determined to stick to this way of eating.

Sorry... I'm still here

I guess I didn't consider how little time I would have once I started school . I'm taking two seated classes at Wake Tech and three online classes at ECU. 

We're still doing SCD, but decided to regroup and start over this week. I promise I will sit down and write a proper blog post within the next few days.

The first few days...

Our first SCD day was Monday.  It didn't go too bad.  Tuesday was a little boring, but not unbearable.   I actually didn't eat very much due to sleeping most of the day.

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A few things before I dive into what I've been eating-

1) I cannot do the yogurt.  I tried to eat it, but I have never ever liked yogurt.  It may be a texture thing or a taste thing... I have no clue, but I can't eat it.  I have a feeling that if it is mixed into a food/ recipe that I wouldn't mind, but eating it straight is not going to happen.  

2) You will notice that I'm eating a lot of eggs.  I like eggs.  They're easy to make and I can make them a variety of ways.  I'm not suggesting that anyone else eat this many eggs.

3) I've started keeping track of my water intake.  Staying hydrated is important and keeping my gut flushed is too.  

4) This isn't easy.  No matter how much you prepare..... you learn as you go.  

5) I realize I'm not eating that much.  This disease causes severe fatigue and if I have the choice between eating and sleeping...... SLEEPING ALWAYS WINS.

6) Bananas are NOT included in the intro diet, but I ate them anyway.  They are legal though.... so I'd like to think I didn't break too many rules by eating them.  

Day 1

Breakfast- Fried egg

Lunch- chicken broth

Dinner- scrambled eggs & egg whites

Snack- hard boiled egg

40 oz water

Day 2

Breakfast- 2 hard boiled eggs, banana

Lunch- (skipped)

Dinner- a little bit of chicken broth, banana

33 oz water

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Scott seems to be doing much better than I am.  He's eating a lot more than me and a lot more variety.   I think it's easier for him because he does these crazy plain eating regimes with his workouts.  He's used to it.  He also knows he can eat "regular food" if he wanted to.  With that said... I'm thankful for him doing this with me. Sure I get annoyed when he points out that I need to eat more or reminds me that I'm going to benefit by doing SCD and "cheating" isn't an option.  But he's right and he's just looking out for me.  Thanks babe!

Chicken feet and broth

Scott took the task of making us some broth (and yogurt, more on that later) for the week.  We purchased chicken feet from the Asian market. We got two giant bags for only a few dollars.  SUPER DUPER CHEAP!  According to Scott, feet have a lot of connective tissue and therefor are great for making broth.  I don't ask where he finds this info... I just go with the flow.

To make the broth he put the chicken feet in our slow-cooker (aka crockpot) and added just enough water to cover the feet. He then added one teaspoon of Apple Cider Vinegar and let it do its thing.  It was actually on LOW for 24 hours.  It may have been a little excessive, but it just worked out that way with our schedules.  

Our entire house smells like chicken broth.  Which is a wonderful homey smell, but holy moly that's all I can smell.  I haven't tried it yet.  Scott said it's pretty good....just needed some salt and pepper.  

Creepy chicken feet that look like tiny alien hands.  The big one on the far right looks like it's flipping me off.  

Broth

HOPE

I have become a member of a few different SCD groups on facebook.  Many of the members have been following SCD for quite sometime and others are brand new.  I'll admit that there is some misinformationat times, but the best bet is to research what you see or hear.

Now for the HOPE:

Sometimes members give "testimonials" aka what effects SCD has had on them.  There was one in particular that really moved me... gave me hope... and had a huge impact.  (I removed her name for her privacy).

 Thank you "K" for your inspiration.  I hope to find that SCD gives me similar results.  

Late Start

I had every intention of starting SCD this upcoming week (1/5/2015).  Fortunately (or unfortunately- depending how you see it) Scott has decided to become more involved and try SCD too.  I'm excited that he will be taking this journey with me, but frustrated since I'm ready to start healing.  Since Scott tends to plan all of our meals AND do ALL of the cooking...... I wont complain.

We are trying two SCD recipes this week!
Tomorrow night we are making Sun Dried Tomato and Roasted Red Pepper "Pasta"
Thursday is Chicken Avocado Tots.

I'll be sure to post the recipes and let you know what I think.

Q & A (again)

How I managed to delete the last Q & A is a question that I don't have the answer to.  Oh well.  No big deal.  Let's try this again.

Why exactly are you doing something so drastic?
The short answer is...... I have Ulcerative Colitis and I'm willing to do whatever I can to help my body be more healthy and hopefully achieve remission.

When were you diagnosed?
April 2010.  I had been experiencing symptoms for about 4 months, but was hoping it was just a virus or something.  Finally I went to the doctor and was given a rectal exam.  My primary referred me to a gastroenterologist.

What happened once you saw a specialist?
I had my first colonoscopy.  I was diagnosed with mild to moderate left sided ulcerative colitis.  Unfortunately the specialist gave me the diagnosis, a prescription, and a nice "see you in a month".  I was scared and was left to the internet for advice and information.  Needless to say I returned to the doctor (in tears) and informed him that he may deal with this day in and day out, but it was life changing for me and I felt like he didn't give me the guidance I needed.  He was very apologetic and it seemed sincere, but I still chose to seek out a new doctor.  I now have an amazing doctor and couldn't be happier.

How often do you "flare" and what are your symptoms?
For 3 years I was lucky and only flared once or twice a year.  Then in 2014 I started flaring more often and probably had 4-5.  This last flare has been going on since right before Thanksgiving.  It has continued and progressively gotten worse.  I have seen my doctor and I'm currently taking my 4 daily Lialda tablets and Uceris (a mild steroid).  I did hydrocortisone enemas for 3 weeks too.  I return to the doctor next week to discuss our next steps.  As for symptoms..... a lot of blood and mucous, bouts of diarrhea and constipation, a constant urge to "go", urgency, fatigue, major weight loss followed by major gains (sometimes a 0 is too big and others a 6 is tight).

Do you really think you can go strictly SCD?
Yes I do.  I'm actually excited.  The more I read about SCD the more it makes sense.  I started this blog saying goodbye to foods, but there's so much I can eat.  I'm not saying it's going to be easy or that I wont be tempted.  I have to admit that I will miss ketchup more than anything else.  Yes, you can make your own, but we've done that before and it's just not the same.  Plus so many things that we eat are adaptable.  And I am very lucky that Scott already plans and cooks 95% of our meals.  So it isn't too far off of what we already do.

Feel free to ask any other questions in the comments.