It was worth a try...

Sorry I haven't posted in a few days. It has been a really busy work week!! I was able to keep my eating habits on track without a lot of pain though. Honestly, I don't miss sodas and junk food.

Thursday I received a call from Marsha with the clinical study. It requires a weekly meeting with a nutritionist and frequent exams by their Dr's. Wouldn't be practical for me to participate, given the distance. Damn. Oh well--guess I'll follow CR without the study and see how my Crohn's responds.

Here are some great daily menus--which I can't take any credit for. Angela from the E2L site gave me permission to share and she gets ALL the credit for these yummy menus. For my personal needs I would add more protein and tweak the amounts a bit, but Angela has done a fantastic job. I've also been using the menus from Beyond the 120 Year Diet by Dr Walford as a guide. After all, he's the authority and was kind enough to do the work. I've decided to work from the template he's provided rather than trying to reinvent the wheel.

Week 1 Day1:
Breakfast:
Fruit smoothie. Fruit blended with a handful of baby spinach leaves, a few dates 1 tbsp flax seeds, and a splash of rice milk.

Lunch: Whole wheat pita pocket stuffed with hummus spread. Raw veggies. Fruit.

Dinner: Lettuce topped with chili (mixed beans, tomato, green pepper, chili powder, corn). Fruit.

Day 2:Breakfast: 1 cup oatmeal, 3 tbsp raisins, 1 chopped apple,hazelnuts, 1/4 cup rice milk, 1 tbsp flax seeds.

Lunch: Raisin coleslaw, vegetable soup. Fruit.

Dinner: Salad. 2 different steamed veggies. Fruit.

Day 3:Breakfast: Fruit smoothie. Different fruit blended with 1 tbsp flaxseeds, splash of rice milk.

Lunch: Raw veggies with black bean salsa. Fruit.

Dinner: Lentil stew. Steamed veggies.

Day 4:Breakfast: fruit with brown rice with 1 tbsp flax seeds.

Lunch: Bean burger, salad. Fruit.

Dinner: Tomato Barley Stew. Salad. Fruit.

Day 5:Breakfast: Baby spinach, pears, strawberry, chopped apple with mango-pineapple dressing.

Lunch: Celery stuffed with Bean and Tomato Spread. Fruit.

Dinner: Leftover Tomato Barley Stew. 1 slice whole wheat bread.

Day 6:Breakfast: Fruit smoothie. Fruit blended with a handful of baby spinach, a few dates, 1 tbsp flax seeds and a splash of rice milk.

Lunch: Whole wheat pita stuffed with hummus spread. Fruit.

Dinner: Broccoli and Red Pepper Soup. Steamed vegetables.

Day 7:Breakfast: Frozen banana fluff with one tablespoon of ground flax seeds. Lunch: Raw veggies with spicy bean dip. Fruit.

Dinner: Salad. Fruit.

Recipes for week 1

Hummus spread:1 cup cooked/canned garbanzo beans2 tbsp lemon juice2 garlic cloves, finely chopped1/2 cup bean liquid (from the can)Blend all ingredients in a blender until creamy smooth.

Raisin Coleslaw:1/2 cup raisins1/2 cup apple juice1/2 baked potato, skin removed1 tsp mustard1 tbsp lemon juice4 cups cabbage, shredded2 cups carrots, shredded2 cups apples, peeled and shredded Blend the raisins, apple juice, potato, mustard, and lemon juice,then mix all the ingredients together.

Vegetable Soup:1 1/2 cups lentils1/2 cup barley, uncooked1 large onion, chopped3 celery stalks, diced3 carrots, chopped1 tsp Mrs Dash seasoningMix everything in a large pot with 6 cups of water. Bring to a boil and simmer over low flame for 2 hours.

Black Bean Salsa:3 Cups chopped tomato (about 2 med.)1 Cup chopped red bell pepper (about 1 med.)1 Cup chopped green bell pepper (about 1)1/2 Cup chopped red onion1/3 Cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)1/2 teaspoon ground cumin1/2 teaspoon chili powder1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained1 (11-ounce) can extra sweet no-salt added whole kernel corn, drained Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, stirring well to combine.

Lentil Stew:1 cup lentils for every 3 cups water1/2 medium onion, finely chopped1 tsp black pepper1 tsp basil3 ripe tomatoes, chopped1 stalk celery, finely chopped Cook lentils in water for 30 minutes with onion, pepper and basil.Add tomato and celery and cook for an additional 15 minutes.

Bean Burgers:1/4 cup sunflower seeds2 cups red or pink canned beans1/2 cup minced onion1/2 tsp chili powder2 tbsp ketchip1 tbsp wheat germ Chop the sunflower seeds in a food processor or hand chopped and mash the beans with a potato masher and mix. Mix in the remaining ingredients and form into patties. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.Remove from the oven and let cool until you can pick up each patty and compress it firmly with your hands to reform the pattie. Then cook for another 15 minutes on each side.

Tomato Barley Soup:1 cup V8 juice1 medium onion2 carrots, diced1 zucchini1/4 cup unrefined barley6 tomatoes, chopped1/3 cup sun dried tomatoes, finely chopped8 oz white mushrooms, choppedHeat 1 cup of water and the juice on a low flame. Add the onion,carrots and zucchini. Let simmer about 1 hour and then blend in the blender. Return pureed mix back into pot and add the barley,tomatoes, dried tomatoes, and mushrooms and simmer another 45 minutes.

Bean and Tomato Spread16 ounces refried beans -- 1 can6 ounces tomato paste -- 1 can1/4 teaspoon chili powder1/8 teaspoon ground chili pepper -- red chipotle1/8 teaspoon garlic powder1/2 teaspoon cumin Put the refried beans, tomato paste, salt, and all spices into a mixing bowl and blend thoroughly, scraping the sides frequently.Cover and chill before serving.

broccoli and Red Pepper Soup2 lbs of fresh or frozen broccoli, chopped into large pieces1 large onion, diced3 large garlic cloves, minced3 tbsp dried soup mix1/2 cup brown rice (uncooked)3 red bell peppers1 lemon, juiced1 tbsp vinegar seasoning, to tasteIn a large soup pot, combine the broccoli, onion, garlic, water,soup base and rice in 2 quarts of water. Simmer, covered over a very low flame. Roast the red peppers in a broiler or on a gas grill until all sides begin to blacken. Quarter and remove the peel and seeds from the peppers, then puree them in a blender with the softened broccoli with some of the soup liquid. Add puree back to the pot. Add the lemon, vinegar, and seasonings to taste (eg tarragon, thyme, white or black pepper)

Frozen Banana Fluff 1 banana1/4 cup soy milkDash vanilla Peel and freeze the ripe banana in a plastic bag. Place soy milk inblender. Drop in small slices of the frozen banana.Mango Pineapple Dressing 1 mango 4 oz unsweetened canned pineapple2 tsp lemon2 tbsp red raspberry vinegar3 oz silken tofu Blend together

Too many 'ologists spoil the broth...

Well, made a trip to my Rheumatologist today--NOT my Gastroenterologist or my Neurologist--and the good news is I can participate in any food-related clinical study I want to. Bad news is I'm doomed to feel like hell for several more months. I'll spare you the details but suffice it to say---it sucks.

Speaking of food-related studies, I received an email on the study I volunteered for. I'm going to call tomorrow to ck out the details, but it sounds like I'm out of the running since I'm too far from St Louis. Guess I'll find out for sure tomorrow--I'll let ya know. Here's the info. I received:

If you are in the St. Louis region, call Marsha at (314) 747-3181 or Chris at (314) 747-3180.

Jim DrydenAssociate Director, Broadcast ServicesMedical Public AffairsWashington University in St. Louisphone: 314-286-0110fax: 314-286-0199

I spent some time jotting down easy, healthy food combos and snacks. I'm trying to compile a list of mix-n-match staples rather than specific meal plans so I can toss them together ad lib. I manage better eating several snacks/small meals rather than 2-3 large ones and I eat most of my meals at my desk or in my car. Some of my favorite easy-to-pack goodies are: olives, almonds, raisins, prunes, grapes, bananas, FF cottage cheese, apple with organic p-nut butter and several others that have escaped my mind right now....Some of my personal weaknesses are CHEESE and any type of pasta. For the past month I've been moderating my pasta and cheese intake, and frankly, I haven't suffered at all. And best of all, I think my behind is a smidgen smaller. That's really good to hear since my normal weight is 115-120 but (due to Crohn's) I've had to take steroids for seven months and I've gained nearly 30 lbs. I've got enough butt to share with a village of pygmies but luckily, I will be completely off the steroids on Sunday. YEAH!! For the past month my dose has been low enough that my appetite has returned to normal so I've been able to revive my CR interest in earnest.

To Amy--Thanks for the encouragement!! You've got little kids so I know you're double-busy. When my kids were little (they're now 14-Sara and 18-Mikael) I ate most of my meals as left-overs from their plates. Keeping everybody healthy is tough. eat-2-live@yahoogroups.com has some great kid-friendly, healthy recipes and ideas, as does the CR site.

Guess I'll learn to keep my mouth shut...

As soon as I posted yesterday's entry my mom called-sick. I drove and hour to pick her up and take her to the ER. Luckily, we were only there about 3 hrs but she complained the WHOLE time. She was miserable. Upper resp. infection, UTI, gross stomach bug plus the effects of smoking for decades (I quit about 4 yrs ago). She got a shot and a couple of prescriptions. As soon as we got out of the ER she wanted french fries and a strawberry shake. I didn't indulge in any of it. I just sipped my water. She enjoyed them though, and that's what counts. Anyway, I took her home and tucked her in. I'll call later to make sure she's feeling better.

For anyone who might be interested, here's the address for the CR support group I belong to. CRsupportgroup@yahoogroups.com Lots of neat information. The digest I received today had a few posts about the study I've volunteered for. Plus it had some research info regarding CR decreasing the levels of TNFa, which is my specific point of interest--besides the whole longevity thing in general. Crohn's patients have too much Tumor Necrosing Factor, which causes inflammation, which in turn contributes to the autoimmune process that makes us so sick. Some of the more powerful Crohn's drugs act to decrease TNFa. Remicade is one example but the side effects give me the creeps. Not to mention the fact it contains mouse DNA. Wonder if my cats would think differently of me if I took it??? Anyway, I've exhausted most of my Crohn's treatment options--and if I end up in the hospital again with complications, Remicade is my only remaining option. Actually, I could take a couple of other medications, but the side effects of those are worse than the Remicade. The choices are" bad" and "worse" at this point.

For now I'm going to work on my new CR-based health plan. Nurses have to make careplans... Plus, I think it's important to take a holistic approach. My intention is to make several small, deliberate changes over a period of time and not try to change too much at once. Today's challenge is to make my menus for the week. My goal is to create a master list of 15-20 simple, nutrient-packed dishes and keep supplies on hand to toss them together at any time. I don't get bored eating the same things, so I think it will work really well. After I tweak them, I'll post them and get some feedback!

Don't you hate it when your mother is right?

My mother ALWAYS told me that life went to hell at 40. Of course, I didn't believe her. Then I turned 40. (Before I go on, I want everyone to know I'm not a cranky, negative person but this part might sound that way!) Within a month I started feeling "not quite right"--running fever, no energy, stomach problems--silly me, I chalked it up to stress, single parenthood, poor diet, being 40. Also keep in mind that I'm a Registered Nurse.....Nurses do a great job caring for others but we get really CRAPPY marks in the self-care department..... Anyway, I felt really bad and went to the ER after work one day. I expected to come home with an antibiotic prescription but instead, I was admitted in guarded condition with a bowel abscess. Stayed seven days. That was 13 months ago and I have been sick ever since. Bad news--I have Crohn's disease and there's no cure. Good news--I have Crohn's disease and there's no cure. The illness has forced me to examine my life, priorities and health. Now that I'm feeling a wee bit better I'm making some slow, deliberate changes.

I started following DR Walford's research way back when, but never made any serious changes in my diet. I was young and invincible, after all. Now I'm feeling very mortal and I don't dread change now like I did 15-20 yrs ago. So...I'm making over my lifestyle (with CR being a big part of it) and implementing a self-care plan because I'm tired of being tired. So, in my maiden post I would like to thank several of the CR practitioners who have influenced my decision: Thanks a bunch--Nerissa, Warren, Al, April, Mary, Francesca and all the others that have offered support, encouragement, informative blogging and sage advice.