Happy One-Year Anniversary on the SCD!

Happy One-year anniversary following the

Specific Carbohydrate Diet!!!!!!!!

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I made it a whole year without... 

Ice cream; cookies (girl scout, to be specific); 

bacon; strawberries; watermelon; 

potato chips; chewing gum; whipped cream; peppermint patties; 

junior mints; m&m's; raisins; 

lunch meats; salad; raw nuts; ketchup; 

french fries; sour cream; 

hot sauce; baked beans; refried beans; 

chocolate; cantaloupe; 

sweet potatoes; chicken nuggets; 

fish sticks; falafel; tortillas; brownies; cake; 

granola bars; cereal; dried fruits; 

coconut; peas; lima beans; avocados; apples; 

snickers, three musketeers; butterfingers; 

reese's pieces; tomatoes; onions; burritos; hummus; chocolate syrup; 

cinnamon rolls; 

bagels; bread; crackers; pizza; pasta; 

soda; baked potatoes; pudding; 

onion rings; lasagna; ravioli; chocolate chips;

orange juice; pickles; cocktail sauce; 

tartar sauce; pineapple; 

croissants; biscuits; home-fries; 

chocolate-covered espresso beans;

biscotti; pretzels; 

scones; muffins; donuts; 

maple syrup; cheetos; fritos; durritos (hehe); 

cupcakes; macaroni & cheese; pop tarts; 

baked potatoes; chipotle's; gelato; 

italian ice; refined sugar; sushi; quiche;

croutons; pastries; goldfish; 

wheat thins; french toast; pringles;

trail mix; lemonade; jelly; pancakes; waffles; smarties; starbursts;

popsicles; fudge; banana peppers; 

pepperoni; grilled cheese; 

mozzarella sticks; fried chicken; 

sprinkles; frosting; 

lifesavers; tic-tacs; sandwiches; cake pops; rice krispie treats; klondike bars;

cheesecake; pie; cannoli; hershey kisses; reese's peanut butter cups; hamburger buns; hotdog buns; rice; alcohol; Starbucks frappuccinos; 

chocolate-covered peanuts; 

chocolate-covered malt balls; nerds candy; 

twizzlers; DQ; cotton candy...

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Did I leave anything out? Now to be honest, I didn't consume a majority of these foods even before I started the SCD. I've been gluten-free since I was 14 years old. As for the rest of these foods, I don't find myself craving them anymore. I have speed-bumps on a super restricted diet. Why on earth would I consciously choose to wreak havoc on my system?? I don't think so! Nowadays, I look forward to eating a baked wild-caught fish fillet with lemon juice & pink himalayan sea salt or sauteed wild-caught scallops with mushrooms. A real treat for me is a bowl of banana ice cream or a serving of zucchini pasta with steamed wild-caught shrimp. I've embraced the changes in my life & have no intention of turning back. :)        

   

I know this may sound cliche but none of this would have been possible without my new friends & family. I'd like you to meet some of those incredible people; they're from the SCD Support Group I'm admin for.  

Fantastic Apple Applegate-King (& her awesome husband) :) 

Adorable Amber Gerard!! :D 

Amazing Heidrun Schaller!!! :)  

Lovely Natalie Darden (& loving children) :) 

Wonderful Kyli Wolfson (& her loving fiance Dustin!) :) 

Stunning Emily Butler :)

Smashing Reid Kimball :D 

Incredible Tiffany Shipley-Reilly! :) 

Fabulous Rebecca & Rachael Miller (mom & daughter! :)) 

Gorgeous Alexandra Gomez (not pictured: her darling mom Jenny Gomez :))

This does not come close to capturing the number of people on the page (almost 600 total!) but it's a start. I cannot thank you enough! :) I would not have made it this far without your support. I love you with all my heart & will keep you close to me forever. <3

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I sit here & wonder what the next year has in store for me. I know I don't have to worry about facing a speed-bump alone. I know I don't have to worry about going without! ;) I have you guys to turn to & that makes all the difference. I know I can hold a job someday, have a family, & live a great life thanks to the SCD & my fellow SCDers. It's been a tough road but I've learned a lot about myself & my body. Every tear was shed for a reason. Every giggle was giggled with a purpose. I know this is just the beginning. Thanks for joining me on this journey to great health. Now I'm off to have a fabulous day! 

Hugs, Allie xoxox

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Presto Pesto!

Why hello there! :) It's been a little while since we spoke last. Things are crazy here lately. I'm extremely busy feeling well. Yes, you heard me... 

I'M FEELING GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Not just 'sort of great'. REALLY great. Something has changed. Ever since I quit chicken, things have continued to improve. Who would've guessed! My mom is convinced that my problems with chicken were not from the chicken per se but from their DIET. 

If you eat thighs from a chicken that eats corn, you are essentially eating that corn. Let me say that again. A chicken eats corn = YOU eat corn. Now you're probably thinking, "what the heck does that have to do with this?!". Uhhhh folks... It has EVERYTHING to do with it. For a person who struggles with sugar, starchy veggies, & disaccharides, eating corn is not a smart move. However, if that's all you can get your hands on right now, I completely understand. Just do yourself an enormous favor & get organic corn-fed chicken if you have access to it or can afford it (I know; healthy food is expensive!). The best choice would be organic pasture-raised chickens that are at least offered the option of eating grass. Or, if you've got friends in high places, eat strictly grass-fed chicken. The farmer's market we go to every Sunday down in D.C. has a meat vendor that offers grass-fed chicken. It tastes like steak if you catch my drift. ALSO, be sure to eat chicken that's free of probiotics & hormones. YUCK! You don't want to be putting that junk into your system. Another option would be to indulge in more seafood. That's what I'm doing. :D 

Wild-caught flounder fillets with lemon slices, a pinch of sea salt, & a sprinkle of pepper! :) Pop them into the oven at 375 for about 20 minutes per pound. 

Wild-caught scallops cooked on the stovetop with a little organic extra-virgin olive oil.  Just keep an eye on the scallops & flip them when they start to brown. The scallops are finished cooking when they're no longer translucent. SO delicious. :) 

Wild-caught shrimp cooked in a pot of boiling water. Total cooking time? About 3 minutes once the water begins to boil. Could that be any easier? :) 

You cannot sit there & tell me those dishes do not look appetizing. :D And what's even better is how easy they are to prepare!!!! They're basically one-piece (one pot, one pan, one cookie sheet) meals. Name me one SCDer who wouldn't appreciate having to wash only one piece of cookware. ;) Give this a try, guys & gals. I'm telling you seafood is the new buzzword. You will feel BETTER, I promise you. Don't forget to have a veggie, too!! 

If you're feeling really brave, buy a whole fish! :) 

We bought a whole wild-caught red snapper & baked it in the oven at 400 for about 40 minutes (until the thickest part read 145 degrees). SO tasty!!! :) Lots of bones though, just to warn you!

Cooking a whole fish is a great meal. I put a little olive oil (organic e.v.o.o., of course), a smidgen of himalayan sea salt, & a nice pinch of pepper over the entire fish. I'm all about simplicity but if you'd like to kick the spices up a notch or two, feel free! As long as it's incredibly delicious, right? :) 

More seafood and no chicken aren't the only things bringing me relief. Hot yoga is the other missing link. I mentioned it in my last post. IT IS AMAZING. :) I've been going 3-4 times a week & am absolutely loving every second of it. I sweat more than I thought was humanly possible; I stretch beyond my imagination; I am in very little muscle pain! 90 minutes of continuous breathing & relaxation. Doesn't that sound better than going to the gym & killing yourself on the treadmill? And instead of being a gym rat, you're a yogi. MUCH nicer. 

Before I go, I must tell you about my latest invention. :D Frozen basil/spinach pesto!!!!!! I have my dear mom to thank for this.

Frozen Basil/Spinach Pesto

(all ingredients are organic) 

• Wash fresh basil/spinach
• Place washed basil/spinach into a food processor 
• Pour in e.v.o.o. one tbsp. at a time (I added two) 
• Squeeze fresh lemon over the top for a little kick! 
• Add some pressed garlic to give it depth 

• Process until you reach desired consistency

• Spread onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper & place it in the freezer until hardened

• Break into pieces

• Place the pieces into a baggie & date it! VOILA! :) 

And there you have it! :) Now whenever you need pesto for your zucchini pasta, you can just grab a square from the freezer, put it in with your zucchini, cook it, & BAM! You've got yourself a nice bowl of gourmet pesto zucchini pasta! YUM! 

Alright, I believe it's time for me to go. I've got to do some research on hot yoga!!! Look out for tips on what to eat before & after class, how much water you should drink prior to yoga, how to rehydrate afterwards, & much more! :) 

Until next time, BE HAPPY! BE HEALTHY! :D 

~Allie

p.s. this Sunday is my one-year anniversary on the diet so get ready for a MAJOR post! :)

My Darkest Hour? OVER!!!!!

SO... Where do I begin?! 


Last time we spoke, I mentioned my problem with that addictive snack we all know as peanut butter. Inflammation was slowly engulfing my entire body (literally; even my toes were swollen) & removing peanut butter from my diet seemed like the most logical thing to do. Mission accomplished! The funny thing is that my inflammation didn't budge... I drank a glass of water with 35 drops of liquid turmeric as often as I could stomach it; I walked/ran everyday to break a sweat; I even started thinking like a 'typical' young woman & tried to go down the starvation route, knowing in the back of my mind that it wouldn't be sustainable. NOTHING WORKED!!!! No matter what I did, the inflammation stayed put. That's when I started to think outside of the box. 


Perhaps it was the drug I took in January? That stupid pill to jumpstart my period. GRRRRRRRRR!!!!! Did it change the biological make-up of my body? Were the 11 extra pounds of inflammation here to stay? TOO many questions left unanswered. 


Magnesium became my best friend for a while. At one point I was taking enough to be labeled a magnesium addict; yes, that's the truth. (I was desperate!!!!) You can take a wild guess as to how that went over with my body. It didn't work out too well... One too many trips to the bathroom convinced me to back off the stuff. I figured this vicious cycle was becoming more harmful than helpful. GREAT. Still searching for answers. 


Then, when I wasn't looking, the bottom fell out; I hit a brick wall. Nothing was changing no matter what I did. I was extremely depressed as a result. My joint pain shot through the roof; my stomach refused to cooperate; my intestines were either silent or violent; my heart ached; my mind went into hiding; my emotions were a mess; my life was upside down. I even had to buy bigger blue jeans which is never fun when you feel like the scum beneath the earth. Oh, & did I mention I was sweating through t-shirts within seconds? Or that my face was battling acne? How about acne on my legs, too? :/ It was time... to call a doctor: a Naturopathic doctor. 


We went to see a Naturopathic doctor hoping he could help me. Crohns Disease was his best guess. I was not the least bit surprised. My trip to the E.R. from a flare-up & my hellacious kidney stones episode last year helped him draw that conclusion but, the horrible history of my gut was a red flag as well. The drug I had taken in January COMPLETELY WRECKED my insides. Drugs + Crohns= epic disaster. He said the drug could easily be the reason my body has been malfunctioning. Can you believe it?!?! :( I would have never taken the drug had I known it would turn my life upside down. He said I'd have to be patient because healing would not occur overnight. Although, I was at the end of my rope folks. I had been feeling like crap since the beginning of January: every damn day. Waiting was the last thing I wanted to do. But time had run out; I did not have a choice. 


After that appointment, I geared up & prepared myself for major healing. It was time to bring out the big guns & fight this to the death! :) I messaged all my close SCD friends & asked for their help in conquering this severe inflammation. I was willing to do anything. I started by making raw veggie juices with celery & cucumber. I even forced myself to eat teeny tiny meals all throughout the day so as not to have problems with digestion. THEN, I eliminated eggs. Thanks to my detailed food journal, I was able to see a correlation between feeling horrible & eating eggs. I went a step further & stopped all my supplements. Apparently some of them are known to aggravate Crohns symptoms. Unreal! Things were slightly improving but not enough to jump for joy. The big kicker was when I removed the only food I depended on: CHICKEN!!!! 


I have been chicken-free for almost a week & HOLY COW!!!!! :D I FEEL LIKE MYSELF AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The acne on my legs is gone; I've lost 8 lbs. of inflammation; my heart is singing; my mind is content; the bathroom is not running my life; my face is clearing up; my life is normalizing again!!!!!!!!! Who knew the one food that was bringing me down was the one food I considered to be safe. I have become sensitive to chicken. Oh well! That's all I have to say. The bottom line is that I want to feel better. If that means no chicken, that means no chicken. I'm willing to add in or eliminate anything in order to feel like myself. As a result of this huge change to my diet, I've increased my seafood intake!!!! I eat cod, bass, sardines, scallops, shrimp... the list is still growing! I also have been eating a fair share of zucchini pasta, sauteed mushrooms, cauliflower, & spinach (everything cooked to mush mind you). I'm also consuming grass-fed beef, veal, & bison! Proper rotation of these foods is my goal so I don't develop any new sensitivities. I just can't believe I'm back. :) I took out all my dresses yesterday, too! When I feel good, I'm not taking a chance to miss the moment! 


The other thing that's really brought me tons of relief within the past week is hot yoga aka Bikram Yoga. Anyone ever heard of it? You perform yoga for 90 minutes in a room that reaches 105 degrees. You sweat more than you've ever sweat in your entire life. I LOVE IT!!!!! I went four times last week! :) There's a class tonight at 5:30 that's got my name written all over it. I love it so much that I'm considering becoming a yoga instructor. What do you think?! Doesn't that sound like a career for me? I think yes! 


I made it to the other side of this flare-up. No more tears! I know life is unpredictable & there's a chance I'll be battling another flare at some point but who cares. I'm living my life in the moment & right now, I'm feeling terrific. :) I can't afford to worry about the future & miss out on what's happening this instant! I'd like to thank you all for helping me through this. It was too tough for me to handle on my own. I disappeared from the blogging world because I had nothing positive to report. It was a dark time for me & I could not be more thankful to see it go. I hope this encourages you to keep going if you're currently struggling with a flare-up. It WILL end: nothing lasts forever. Stick to the SCD & you'll climb out of this hole! I promise you! 


Well as always, thanks for listening. :) You are my favorite audience. I'm thinking of blasting some of my favorite tunes & enjoying this day off of classes. Sound good? Until next time, I wish you the best of health!!! <3 Hugs!!!!!! 
~Allie 

Happy Anniversary to Souper Douper SCDer!

Boy oh boy do I have a LOT to fill you in on! I've missed you dearly. :) I just submitted my paper for english & have officially run out of gas! I promise to post a spectacular post tomorrow. Tons of love, Allie <3 

p.s. Before I go, I must say...

HAPPY 1-YEAR ANNIVERSARY, SOUPER DOUPER SCDER!!!! 

Giants or Patriots?

Let's just say the Super Bowl isn't the only event worth noting from Sunday night. Dad & I really cooked up a storm yesterday! :) (Sorry you couldn't be here, mom!) We indulged in some grilled masterpieces to celebrate the football throw-down: lobster, scallops, & chicken thighs. All it took was a little ghee, a spoonful of turmeric (you know I can't have chicken without it!), a dash of salt, a sprinkle of pepper, & a squeeze of lemon to bring everything together. Steamed cauliflower was our dish to lighten things up a bit. Absolutely scrumptious!!!!!! The fact that the Giants won really sealed the deal, making it a wonderful conclusion to my weekend. What did you guys cook up, anything fancy schmancy?


Now that the hullabaloo over football is in the past, it's time to move onto bigger & better things!!!! For example, my most recent desire to make homemade almond milk! :) Anyone out there have any experience with it? I would absolutely LOVE to have something to add to my coffee on the rare occasion that I choose to drink a cup! :) Drinkin' it black isn't working for me... 


In other news, I'm sad to say this but I think peanut butter is my enemy. Ever since I introduced it, inflammation has been knocking down my door & it refuses to GO AWAY! The only thing that could possibly be inviting such horrendous inflammation is that creamy addictive snack. Darn it. I've always hated goodbyes... 


Welp, I do believe it's time to take my turmeric shot! Oopsies, let me explain. Time for me to choke down my glass of water tainted by 35 drops of liquid turmeric. It's NOT an easy task, take my word for it. 


But before I go, I have to fill you in on my latest project. It's my newest weapon against evil. Although, it does involve some homework: 1) smile everyday, 2) say something positive about my life, 3) remember to reach out for help when necessary, & 4) don't be afraid to cry. What do you think, good idea? 


Until next time, cook something special. And if you're going through a rough patch, DO NOT give up. There will always be a light at the end of the tunnel. Hugs!!!! <3 
~Allie    

Ups, downs, & the in-between

Seafood craziness. DELISH!!!!! 

Ground chicken thigh nuggets with zucchini. Cute & fun to eat! 

Roasted chicken: my favorite! 

Mock Italian anyone? No one said pasta couldn't be green. 

TOO good to be true. 

If it's not one thing, it's another. A lesson in life I'm struggling to accept. On a Tuesday, it could be too many carbs. On that Saturday, it could be my new body lotion (that's already 'everything-free'/gluten-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free, & so forth). Or maybe even just too much standing on that particular day. Or not enough water. Or the bright lights in a store. Or the toxic smells from a clothing department. Or an overindulgence of a REALLY tasty food you know you can eat but you just don't know when to stop. Whatever the culprit may turn out to be remains unknown until it's too late to deny it. Before you have time to decide if you feel like fighting off an auto-immune response, you're smack-dab in the middle of one. If I had to single out the most important thing this way of eating has taught me, it would have to be this ugly truth; life isn't perfect. Life isn't perfect no matter how much you want it to be. Life will never come without bumps. SO, you have to take your great days & run with them! :) 


We haven't talked at all since the night of New Year's Eve thanks to those bumps I just mentioned. School has started back up (we've got a love/hate relationship), a new job at my college bookstore has begun, my "no time of the month" ordeal has not been resolved (thanks a lot, body), & my severe case of inflammation from head to toe has refused to kick the can. But I am doing EVERYTHING I can to smile, look on the bright side, enjoy each day, & live my life to the fullest. It's required some extra effort on my part such as taking more time for myself but it's worth it. I hate when my heart & my mind are in two different places. I'm torn!!!! Then I hop onto my computer, check my support group page, & am immediately reminded of what's most important to me. It's healthy distractions like the page, my blog, a book, or a movie that I have clung to most often lately when I've been in a real pickle. I just have to tell myself it will pass. Nothing is forever!!!!! 


If I've explored all those options & am still in need of a pick-me-upper then I usually venture into my kitchen, camera in hand, ready to create & capture something magical. Taking photos of everything I cook is somewhat of a form of therapy for me, I will admit. :) It gives me something to focus on other than reality that's sitting right in front of me. My most recent picture of the dollop of peanut butter is my favorite. Peanut butter takes the cake for the tastiest snack on the planet that's SCD-legal. I am LOVING it!!!!!!! I have to beware of eating too much though because I don't want to run into problems. I'm trying, I tell you! It's hard to turn down a spoonful! 


Well it's past 10 now which means it is definitely time for bed!!!! I would chat a bit more but while I'm struggling, sleep is crucial! I hope you enjoy my appetizing photographs. Look out for others later this week! Sleep tight & once again, thanks for listening. Please feel free to share what you do to cope when the going gets tough. 


~Allie      

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