Unwritten

Savory donuts. Can you believe it?! 

A labor of love. Comfy Belly's donut recipe except without honey! Thanks Erica!!! :) Mine have a mixture of basil & oregano with lemon zest on top. MMMM! 

Dear 2011, 
I'm at a loss of words! Over the past 12 months, you've done nothing but push me, squish me, twist me, yank me, trip me, test me, tempt me, pressure me, anger me, delight me, surprise me, challenge me, the whole nine yards. But most importantly, you've taught me. You've taught me to think for myself, to question what I read, to look for answers, to try until I succeed, to trust my gut, to roast veggies (haha!), to stand tall, to not be afraid, to reinvent my future, to cry when necessary, to laugh with friends, to blog, to reach out for help, to BE ME. I cannot thank you enough. It has been far from easy but, I crossed the finish line. That's all that matters. :) You've properly prepared me for 2012. I'm ready for it!!!! It was lovely getting to know you but it's time to say our goodbyes. Cheers & au revoir! 
With much love & appreciation, 
Allie 


PHEW! What a year!!! Can't believe I made it to the end with a smile on my face. :) Most of it was spent as an SCDer & I'm thankful for that everyday. I have learned more than I can comprehend. Knowledge is power, folks! Although, the group of ladies & gents I've grown to positively adore might be my favorite part. Through it all, I have met the most sincere, generous, loving, supportive, & wonderful people. They've been my guardian angels from the beginning. With their help, I have successfully adhered to the diet for over 8 months now. If not for their words of encouragement, I doubt I would be where I am today. And thank you readers, for listening & helping my blog grow!!!!! Here are some of the people that have become a huge part of my life. 

• Tiffany, creator of the facebook SCD Support Group page
• Emily from Core Wisdom Wellness
• Vicky from Gfree SCD & Veggie
• Erica from Comfy Belly
• Elana from Elana's Pantry 
• Jo from The SCD Experiment
• My incredible endocrinologist Dr. Al-Zubaidi
• My family & friends 
• Whole Foods
• Village Green Apothecary
• Every darling from the facebook SCD Support Group
• D from My Cranky Gut  
• Cheryl from Sweet&Savory snacking the SCD Way    

I love you all from the bottom of my heart. This would have been an impossible task without you. ❤

Now you're probably wondering why this post is called "Unwritten". My future is unwritten!!! It changes everyday & you know what? I'm okay with that. The struggles I've faced with my health have encouraged me to take a step back & really focus on what will work for Allie Brown, not the rest of the world. Today I'm feeling like pursuing the career of a park ranger will be too difficult for me & my health. This split second I'm strongly leaning toward becoming a nutrition coach & livin' in the city! Will I feel that way tomorrow? Most likely YES. But perhaps instead of a nutrition coach, I'll actually become a nutritionist! :) Instead of relocating to Colorado, how about New York City? I'm sure I'd meet tons of health bloggers there! The options are endless. I've had to put my health first & this is where it's lead me. I'm going to make it work for ME. Watch out, 2012! I've got major plans. 

Hope you enjoyed the donuts I made as well! Savory little cuties. :) Who said donuts HAVE to contain sugar? I suppose I'll end the post with... 

✭ HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!! ✭ 

Have a fabulous time tonight either dining out (SCD-friendly!) or dining in, watching the ball drop, & openly embracing the new year! 

❤, Allie

Carry-out

Kung Pao chicken.

Chicken cacciatore. 

Fried chicken.

Baked chicken.

Grilled chicken.

Sauteed chicken.

Roasted chicken. 

Chicken soup.

Chicken thighs.

Chicken wings.

Chicken legs.

Chicken breasts. 

Chicken pancakes.

Satay chicken.

Curry chicken.

Chicken kabobs.

Chicken salad.

Chicken nuggets.

Chicken fajitas. 

Chicken bouillabaisse.

Whole chicken.

Ground chicken.

Barbecued chicken.

Crispy chicken.

Chicken potpie.

Chicken saltimbocca. 

Chicken purse.

A true honor!!! The Liebster Blog Award

Liebster Blog ❤ 
The most flattering award I've ever received.

My darling friend & fellow SCDer from Gluten Free SCD & Veggie has just honored me with the Liebster Blog Award. I’m flattered beyond words. Receiving this award has made me feel like an official blogger! Not a day goes by that I don't take a moment to appreciate those who have supported me & helped me get this far with my health & my blog. You all know who you are, so THANK YOU!!!!!  

The Liebster Award is bestowed upon makers of blogs with less than 200 followers in hopes of creating a bigger audience for them & their intended message(s). The word 'Liebster' is of German descent & it translates as "Dearest". In summary, the award means "Dearest Blog". The recipient of the award is to then (if they choose to accept it) pass on the torch & nominate 5 other bloggers! It's a contagious cycle of love, recognition, appreciation, & support between bloggers. Thank you again for allowing me to be a part of this heart-warming tradition! 

   

Here are the 5 blogs I've chosen (tough decision, I must say!!) out of ALL the incredible blogs I visit/adore:  

❤ Heal~Balance~Live

❤ Cassie's SCD Adventures

❤ The Crohn's Diary

❤ A Dietitian Gone Paleo

❤ My Big Fat Grain Free Life

To readers of health-related blogs, I'd like to ask a favor of you. Make a miracle happen tonight. Stumble upon one/all of the blogs I've mentioned above, show them you care, increase their stats, & tell a friend about it! Spread the word! ☺It'll make you feel good! 

❤❤❤ Love, Allie ❤❤❤ 

P.S. To those of you that I nominated, here's what you do if you choose to accept! 

1. Link back to the person who awarded you

2. Nominate 5 other blogs for the award

3. Inform the 5 bloggers by leaving a comment on their blog

4. Post the award on your blog!

No gluten? No guilt. No problem.

Can you say almond flour waffles? 

Sinfully easy, dangerously  ☞delicious ☜. 

If you'd like to indulge in some yourself, take a trip over to our ❧❧lovely❧❧ fellow blogger Comfy Belly for the recipe. (Thanks Erica!!! ☺) 

Do you think Americans ❧❧love❧❧ waffles? Founded in 1955, the Waffle House chain has served up more than 500 million waffles!

YUM!

❤

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!! :D

The best omelette of 2011 by far!  
❄ ❅ ❄

LOBSTA with a side of grilled tomatoes!  
❄ ❅ ❄

 I ❤ chicken.    
❄ ❅ ❄

Brussels on the stalk. My version of mistletoe. ❤     
❄ ❅ ❄

Poppable little bites of ❤ .
❄ ❅ ❄

❤❤❤❤❤ VOILA! Roasted with ❤❤❤❤❤
❄ ❅ ❄

Here we are on December 25th, celebrating a very MERRY CHRISTMAS once again. It's truly my favorite time of year. :) As soon as the Brown bunch was out of bed, breakfast was in the making. A generously-filled omelette for each of us, cooked on our new non-stick skillet from Santa: chopped hot dogs (Applegate seems to go over well with my tummy), peeled & chopped zucchini, chopped button mushrooms, spinach, salt, & pepper. Positively Christmas-y & delicious!!!! We then had somewhat of a "dessert" for breakfast: LOBSTER!!!! Thanks dad! It was tender, juicy, perfectly grilled, & incredible. Loved ❤❤❤ IT! Lunch was unnecessary after such a large breakfast. 

Then the rest of the day rolled on. Presents were opened, ❤s were warmed, pictures were taken, laughs were released, love ❤❤❤ was in the air. It was wonderful as always. Even our adorable little dog, Zoie, had a marvelous day & indulged in a big crunchy chunk of carrot! I spent the afternoon flipping through my newest cook books, dad passed the time reading his brand spankin' new Grateful Dead scrapbook, & momma peacefully napped up in my bedroom. Picture-perfect day? I'd have to say such is true. ☺ ☺ ☺

Not before long, dinner was being served. Grilled drumsticks marinated in a new spice blend I got from Santa, lemon juice (from about 2 lemons), olive oil (enough to prevent them from sticking to the grill pan), salt, pepper, & garlic (about 3 or 4 cloves), & roasted brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, & pepper (the staple food for the holidays, my favorite!!!!!!). :) Can you say YUMMY?! Who needs dessert when you've got chicken & brussels sprouts? I had planned on making some gorgeous almond flour waffles for dessert but my engine gave out before I had the chance. Tomorrow shall be the day! Look out for pictures of our new waffle maker! 

Santa Claus has come & gone, presents were given & received, food was cooked & enjoyed, & I have read & written myself silly. Time to get some much-needed sleep! :) I hope you all had a day that didn't skip a beat, that warmed your hearts, & maybe even tickled your feet! Hugs & best wishes! 

❤ HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!!!

❄ ❅ ❆ ❄ ❅ ❆ ❄ ❅ ❆

Love, Allie

      

Trying to be 20

Organic chicken thighs with cumin, coriander, turmeric, salt, pepper, & a smidgen of olive oil over a bed of organic pesto zucchini pasta. A-MAZ-ING!!!!! :) 

Throw on a dress & go run your errands in style. Call up a friend & go downtown to D.C. on a Friday night. Think about a cute boy all day. Get dolled up before going to the grocery store to impress the meat guy. Go to bed at night exhausted from too much laughter. Eat copious amounts of food like it's nobody's business. Be carefree. Live like a 20 year-old. My newest goal. 


A few weeks ago, something clicked in my brain. I realized that I'll only be 20 once. Was I going to let my health get in the way? Absolutely not! And with that, I was off. Off to live like a 20 year-old. :)


To continue on with the positivity, I most recently celebrated my 8 months on the diet. Can you believe it?! YES!!! This past Thursday, as a treat for sticking to the diet, I baked a whole chicken in the oven & ate all the dark meat. By far the most delicious food a girl could ask for. It also doubled as my reward for finishing school! I completed my last final exam Thursday morning. It's amazing what you can do when you've got your health back on track. As if these two major milestones weren't enough, I also had a JOB INTERVIEW on Thursday afternoon!!!!! :D 8 months on the diet, my last final, AND a job interview all in one day: UNREAL!!! I was on cloud 9 from beginning to end. And would you like to hear the best part? I GOT THE JOB!!!!!!!!!! I'm a working girl now! The transformation is officially complete. I go to school, I eat like a regular human being, & I have a part-time job. It's the first time in many years that I feel like the rest of the crowd. Un-be-lievable. I'm speechless. 


To further illustrate how far I've come over these past 8 months, I have two videos; one from 15 days into the diet, one from last Thursday 8 months into the diet. The difference in energy level is shocking! (just as a head's up, I recorded the second video last Thursday/the BUSIEST day I've had in FOREVER so pardon the exhausted appearance; I just wanted to be honest about how I'm feeling! ;)) Although, not a day goes by that I don't take a moment to appreciate having stumbled upon the SCD diet. Phew! I can feel the tears coming to my eyes. Anywho, I'm afraid to admit it's time for me to catch some zzz's. Tomorrow is my first day at work & I seem to be battling a wicked cold so getting loads of sleep might be the cure if I cross my fingers!!!! :) Hugs to you & hopes of sweet dreams. <3 

p.s. did I mention I had a severe allergic reaction to the drug test swab for my new job? YEAH. Is that absurd or what?! Gluten in my system... No wonder I got sick!!!! :( 

The BIG week!!!

Christmas is in two weeks?! Where has this month gone?! To be more exact, where has this year gone?! People weren't kidding when they warned me time flies when you're having fun. Better catch up & enjoy these last few days of 2011 before it's over! :) 


Quick! Time for the exciting stuff! I must tell you that my dear & darling friend of what feels like forever, Emily Jane Butler, is hosting a LIVE, worldwide SCD Holiday Class & Party next Tuesday, December 13th (different times for each time zone are listed on her site)!!!! Here's all the important details!!! I kindly beg of you to join in on the fun! It's going to be great! :D


In addition to that amazing event, I have another major thing coming up next week. Two BIG things, both of which fall on the same day. Firstly, I'll be taking my last final on Thursday for psychology which means the END of this semester. YIPPEE!!!! Secondly, I'll be celebrating my 8 MONTHS as a SCDer!!! WOW!!! :D Just thinking about that takes my breath away. I wouldn't say I doubted I'd come this far but I will admit that it's been tough at times & the going has gotten harder. But with every day that's passed, the benefits of sticking to the diet have increased. :) It's been the most rewarding habit I've ever adopted in my entire life & I could not be more grateful/thankful/appreciative/relieved/overjoyed about it. 


After a whole day of positivity & wishful thinking, I am ready to call it a night. Oh, & I managed to walk 2.5 miles today as well. :) I think I'll go down to my basement, pop in a little 30-minute holiday film, then crawl into bed. Sounds lovely to me! I was hoping to post some tasty shots of delicious chicken/veggies but the last few photos I captured did the food NO justice. They were taken too quickly. Word to the wise, don't try to photograph your food when you're hungry. It never works out in your favor! ;) 
Hugs to you all & goodnight!! See you again soon. 
~Allie


p.s. Almost 4,300 hits!!! WOOO!!!! I think reaching 5,000 is quite possible! :) 


Okay, so I did happen to stumble upon a scrumptious photo of some chicken. What a surprise, right? You'd think I went to the grocery store only to buy chicken... 

Organic chicken thighs heavily seasoned with cumin, coriander, & the miracle stuff aka turmeric. SO DELICIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)  

Never again

Next time I find myself feeling blah or doubting the success of the SCD, I'll read this post. Or better yet, I'll take a peek inside my old diary. A trip down memory lane. Never again will I allow myself to feel this way. NEVER!!!! Here's an entry out of my diary from November 29, 2006. Almost exactly 5 years ago. Oh & just to warn you, it's a bit rough around the edges... 

"What a day from hell! I have been in shit pain ALL f***ing day! My legs have f***ed me since I woke up this morning. What the f*** is up with that?!? I don't deserve this hellish life when I've never sinned a time in my life."

Reading this brings tears to my eyes. Not only out of sadness but also out of anger. Anger toward all the doctors I've seen over the years who did NOTHING to help guide me in the right direction. FORGET THAT!!!!!! All the more reason for me to take my health into my own hands & figure it out alone. Well guess what? That's precisely what I did. I became a dedicated SCDer almost 8 months ago & I refuse to turn back. I've come so far!!! :) It's SCD from here on out. 

This semester is coming to a close & I find that I'm barely able to contain my excitement. I WENT BACK TO SCHOOL & DID IT!!!!!!!! I did it & loved it. I went to class & grinned. I read my textbooks & retained the information. I studied 24/7 & time went by like a flash. I felt like a genuine college student. :) It's the most wonderful Christmas present I have ever received. And another outstanding thing? I only missed ONE class all semester!!!! That's a HUGE deal for this girl! I also passed every quiz with flying colors. The tests, too!! Two more major triumphs!!! Man, I don't need Santa to bring me anything this year. All my wishes have come true. I get to safely eat my heart out everyday, I am able to make it through a semester of school with hardly any skid-marks or bruises, I can go days upon days with very little to no pain. That's everything I've ever wanted. Ever. 

So my goal for this year? Hit 5,000 hits on my blog. :) Do you guys think I can do it?? I hope!!!! With two finals coming up, posting might be a tiny bit tricky but if I manage my time wisely, I think it can be done. Speaking of which, off to write my two final papers!! Then possibly cook up some ground chicken & parsley meatballs. YUM!!!!! Happy Friday everyone. Make something incredibly delectable today! 

xoxox, Allie 

Oh & since I love you guys, here's a few delicious photos. Try to restrain yourself from attacking your computer screen. I know it'll be hard...