Blog. Work. Yoga. Post.

I don’t know what to say❀

I don’t know how to explain where I've been❀ 

I don’t know where I'm going❀

I don’t know why certain foods give me acne around my mouth❀

I don’t know if I'll ever stray from the SCD❀  

I DO know that I'm headed in the right direction❀ 

I DO know that I'm doing the right thing❀

 I DO know that I can accomplish anything if I put my mind to it❀ 

I DO know that I will heal❀ 

I DO know that I'm not alone❀ 

This dreadful funk that's held me hostage ☹ for the past 4 weeks is finally posting bail ✿. If I can keep myself together, I will never have to endure that nonsense ever again. Time to embrace my adventure. ☼

Now that I'm out of school for the summer, taking more hot yoga ☺ classes is on the top of my to-do list. ✿ Working on my blog is next in line.  Oh & I must not forget to bring my camera everywhere I go!!!!!!! No more iPhone photos. They just aren't cutting it! Deliciousness can only be captured through the lens of my Nikon Coolpix. 

✿

Blog.

Work.

Yoga.

Post.

Don't worry, I won't be performing any more disappearing acts from here on out. If I'm feeling under the weather or my positivity is snuffed out, I am going to blog my way through it! Hugs!!!!!  

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

I Must Be Dreaming

Ground pork with organic fresh-pressed garlic & organic ground black pepper. Throw them onto a grill pan & you'll have some irresistible pork meatballs in no time! :)  

Can someone pinch me please? I need to see if this is real. 

Sauteed mushrooms! :) I used a little ghee to grease the pan.

Huh. Nothin'. So tell me then: is this real? 

Zucchini pasta. Plain & simple. Positively delish. :) 

 It is? Are you sure? I know these photos are a bit of a distraction but please try your best to focus. 

Zucchini pasta with steamed shrimp & basil pesto (the pesto recipe is in the "Presto Pesto" post). :D

Alright, alright. I believe you... I guess. Try to put yourself in my shoes for a moment. If you woke up one morning to discover that you were able to tolerate ripe bananas after MANY fruitless months, wouldn't you need a reality check? I mean, seriously!!!! Breakthroughs of this magnitude don't happen very often! :) 


I'm having difficulty readjusting to a fruitful life. A ripe banana everyday? How can this be??? It's inconceivable! 


As if that wasn't enough excitement, I'm almost finished with school. Only a few class days left! Then I'll be ready to kick back, relax, & make numerous batches of banana ice cream! Oh, & run off to Colorado & Oregon this summer. No big deal... 


Despite all this good news, I cannot let it get me off track. I have to keep myself together until exams are over with. As much as I'd like to just sit around & giggle, I have lots of important stuff to do!!!! An english paper; a sociology paper; research on Naked juices; hot yoga; responses to comments on the SCD support page; be happy! I think that just about covers it. 


I better get to work. Until next time, try cooking up one of the dishes I've photographed above. They're unbelievably easy to make & very gentle on the gut. Be sure to cook the mushrooms & zucchini to MUSH!!!! Easy in, easy through, easy out. :) 


Lots of love & healthy cooking, 
Allie 
xoxo

Hot Yoga 101!!

Bikram Yoga is incredible; it's the answer to my prayers. When you spend 90 minutes in a 105 degree room, everything becomes clear. It's a remarkable phenomenon. The exercise aspect is secondary to the emotional healing. You must give it a try! :) Lucky for me, I have access to the most wonderful hot yoga studio in the world. If you live in MD, come to Bikram Yoga in Rockville. The yogis are lovely, extremely helpful, supportive, & great inspirations for growing yogis like myself. I hope to see you there! 

SO, how does one prepare for hot yoga you ask? Let me fill you in! :) In order to do it right, there are a few things you should remember. 

1. First, STAY HYDRATED!!!!!!!!! Drink at least 1 oz. of water per 2 lbs. of body weight everyday. This will keep you constantly hydrated. On class day, drink an extra liter of water but lighten up on your water consumption about 3 hours before class. You wouldn't want to rush to the bathroom during savasana! Be sure to bring a huge bottle of water into class with you. Don't drink too much though or it'll sit uncomfortably in your tummy. Take sips!!
2. Second, eat properly BEFORE hot yoga!!!! Don't eat anything dense/heavy at least 3 to 4 hours before class. Coming to class on any empty stomach is what you want. BUT if you must eat a little something during this waiting period, have something light like a banana with a few almonds or a protein bar. :)  
3. Third, eat properly AFTER hot yoga!!!!!! Try to have a lighter meal like a salad or an egg-white omelette with veggies. Stay away from copious amounts of meat. In the days following, lean toward foods/beverages high in potassium such as bananas or coconut water to replace the electrolytes you lost during class. 
4. Fourth, remember you're there to HAVE FUN!!!! You must not forget why you chose to take hot yoga in the first place. Don't let all these preparation tips scare you off. Let the experienced yogis help you! :) Come to class with your yoga mat, your water, a BIG towel or 2 or 3 (HAHA!), & an open mind. We'll help you with everything else. And don't hesitate to ask your yogi peers about anything you're unsure about. They're there to guide you! 

That wasn't so bad, was it? :) If you take these tips into account, I guarantee your next hot yoga class will be magical!!! 

As for those Naked juices, I'm still researching as to whether they're truly healthy or not. Let's hope they are! :) 

Well believe it or not, I'm getting ready for hot yoga class at 4! It's been a few days since my last class; I've had too many papers for english. I've only got one left then I'll be just about finished with this english course which means more college credits under my belt. YES!!!!! :D Until next time, read this over & give hot yoga a consideration. I promise you will love it! 

~Allie 

p.s. look out for a post tomorrow with some super delish recipes for you to try. YUM!!!! :) And feel free to check out my boards on pinterest! If you type my name, "Allie Brown", you should be able to find me. If not, let me know! 

Happy One-Year Anniversary on the SCD!

Happy One-year anniversary following the

Specific Carbohydrate Diet!!!!!!!!

 ✿ ✿ ✿

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...

✿ ✿ ✿

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

✿ ✿ ✿

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

✿ ✿ ✿

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!!!!