Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Family Food Journey and Dinner Favorites Part 2: Sweet Chilli Hash Stew

So in Part One I told the story of the big dramatic thing that seems to me, "the start of it all".

After my surgery I was hopeful that my issues would improve, but as the months rolled by, I noticed increasing bloating and abdominal pain. I also developed this extremely painful and itchy rash that kept me awake at night.

When Friendly was a few months old a friend shared about her celiac diagnosis. Her symptoms sounded extremely familiar. I decided to try gluten free for a bit. I soon noticed a pattern: when I ate gluten I became sick to my stomach and my rash would itch and... well I'll spare the description, it was not fun. But sticking with it was hard, was it really helping? No, no it wasn't.... okay, I got really miserable that time.... but maybe it was some thing else...

Now, I know the normal response when you have a rash like this you'd go to the doctor and get it checked out. It was on the To Do list. I had a newly walking toddler and was pregnant and already going to lots of appointments for my pregnancy...I had a newborn and a 1 year old... I had a crawling infant and a Into All the Things toddler... I had a crazy one year old and busy 3 year old. Peppered in there was an extreme level of sleep deprivation (more on that in a minute) and also, kids today have a LOT of expected "well checks" 1 week, 2 weeks, 6 week, 2 months, 4months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, 18months. I did most every single one of those with the older two. All the well checks for them (what was it 15-20 between them?), the thought of making time for a non-emergent doctor appointment for me? No, thanks.

Well, it all continued until Friendly was 18mos old. She was a terrible sleeper. From the time she started solids she woke up SCREAMING 5-12 times a night. She was quite crabby and fussy all the time. Probably from the terrible sleep, but also she seemed to be in pain. The pediatrician said it was likely teething and "some kids just get it rougher than others". Her belly was always bloated and hard and she struggled with regularity.
We knew some thing was bothering her.  We decided to go gluten free as a family, but we weren't strict about it, going at it alone there was a lot of, "this is a ton of work, this won't really help.... but but..." around and around. It's hard to accept that the food we were eating was HURTING us. So I allowed gluten when out and about. We noticed as we limited it Friendly's belly seemed a bit better. But we also noticed when she had it she was beginning to get her own weird rashes-different from mine but she scratched them to bloody. We also noticed the intensity of her tantrums and meltdowns lessened when we kept gluten out of her diet.

As for me my rash had drastically improved, it had become more of 2 large bruises on my rib cage, rather than the nasty mess it had been. It still flared badly after eating a meal with gluten but in general it was improving.

It all came to a head when we ended up at the ER with Friendly, she was having some thing called "rectal prolapse" and it was happening when we allowed gluten. Rectal prolapse is probably the scariest thing when your baby is screaming in pain, it certainly looks disturbing!!! We took her to the ER and the doctors assured us it was "common when potty learning". I was a bit surprised by this reaction and claim. How is a Childs internal organs protruding from their body common and or normal? I am sorry, that isn't normal!!!

I am not a doctor and I understand in the ER they see a lot worse so it seems like not big deal. But I went home and researched it, and apparently it is a sign of celiac disease in young children. Since it was only happening after a gluten exposure we decided as a family that gluten needed to be 100% out of our diets. We are very careful about gluten because these prolapse were very scary and painful to Friendly: she hasn't had an incidence since! And my rash? It completely cleared and the bruising eventually went away as well.

I haven't had the skin biopsy to confirm this, but it looks like my rash is Dermatitis Herpetiformis  it's an auto immune reaction to gluten. Your body cannot digest or even recognize the gluten proteins as food, and creates antibodies to attack the proteins. In doing that, they attack other organs in your body. Your skin is an organ of your body and DH, for some reason, sends the antibodies to attack your skin.  DH can also go into full blown  celiac disease where the antibodies not only attack your skin, but  (as with Celiac) attack the villi of your intestines. The villi are a key part of absorption of nutrients. Untreated celiac disease can lead to failure to thrive in children, and increases the risk of many other diseases and intestinal cancers.
Because of the invasiveness and inaccuracy involved in celiac testing right now, I have decided not to pursue an official diagnosis. To get an accurate positive, I would have to eat gluten heavily for 6-12weeks.
 Even having a trace amount makes my rib cage (I get a butterfly-like mirroring  rash across both sides of my rib cage) burn and itch for days. It also makes me so sick to my stomach that I would probably be vomiting and spending hours in the bathroom- I would rather just live happily with the new health these dietary changes have brought me. My skin has been completely clear since we went gluten free, I have had a few accidental exposures that brought it back since then.... but generally free and clear.

A few interesting about gluten intolerance and celiac disease we discovered

So that was how we came to be gluten free. What lead to the other changes we made? Well I'll discuss a bit more of that in Part 3! :) I will also probably write a post about some common themes around why we're seeing an increase in our country of these diseases, and how our family is trying to do our part to change that. On to the recipe!


 Sweet Chilly Hash Stew

It was one of those, "what do I Maaake???" Sunday afternoons. I threw stuff in the chefs pot and Sweet Chilli Hash was the result.

This was a delicious sweet and gently spicy stew. It got 2 giant thumbs up from my normally picky 4 year old. She and the 2 year old had 2 big bowls each!!! I really think some of the secret to it's success was the sweet and spicy pasta sauce from Wegman's...checkout their ingredients to find some thing similar! 


 

Sweet Chilli Hash Stew
By H. Burgett
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
1 LARGE Sweet Potato (diced)
4-5 medium russet potatoes (diced)
1 medium/large onion (chopped)
2-4 cloves garlic (minced) 
1 23oz jar of Spicy-ish Pasta Sauce (I use THIS from Wegman's)
3-4 dashes of chilli powder
2tsp sea salt

We use coconut oil for our cooking oil. In large skillet or wok brown beef until nearly cooked, add  oil (if beef is lean) and  potatoes (both kinds), onions, garlic, salt.

Toss potatoes occasionally for about 10minutes if potatoes stick (we don't use non-stick pans) pan add 1/4c of water and loosen with stirring.

Put lid on and cook for 15minutes stirring often.

Add jar of sauce and dashes of chilli powder  stir well... allow to simmer (stirring often) until potatoes seem soft (5-10minutes).

8-10 servings (depending on the crowd)

Option 2: I also browned the beef, sauted all the ingredients but the tomato sauce a bit and then threw it in the croc pot, mixed in the sauce, and left it to cook on low for 5-8 hours.
 
enjoy!

 

Monday, April 14, 2014

Family Food Journey and Dinner Favorites Part 1: Roasted Garlic Chicken with Rosemary

We are a quirky bunch and our diet is no different! And as it has become quite a big part of our life and our journey as a family these last few years I feel like I should probably talk about it.

Many years ago (about 12-13years) I got sick, very sick. My liver and spleen were distended for many months and my body was in constant pain and I felt generally terrible. About a hundred tests later it was shown that I had elevated levels of mercury and was negative for the main viruses and diseases that might cause my symptoms.

Back then much wasn't understood about some of my issues. One big thing that did seem to help and kind of reset things for me as a "low crab" diet (big stuff back then!). My health improved and we never really got firm answers on what was up, but I was feeling better and that's all that I cared about. The next 10 years flew by as I guess your late teens and 20's tend to do!

Well fast forward to 2007 and my pregnancy with Roo. I was horrifically ill the entire pregnancy. Besides intense "morning" sickness I was also dealing with this horrible intermittent pain that made me wish I could die. Seriously, I have spent days upon days of my life in long labors having our kids. I would take those all over again, in a heart beat. The pain was awful. I almost went to the ER many times, but every time the pain would get to "that point" I'd throw up and it would go away, and stay away for a few days, or even weeks. I told my midwife and OB about it several times and was told that heart burn could cause that and to take some Tums.

I was assured that it was probably a hiatal hernia and it would go away when Roo was born. My third trimester found me up most of the night, every night with this "heart burn", vomiting until it would pass.

And then she was born.

And the attacks continued. Let me tell you, vomiting with a c/s surgical incision across your abdomen? Horrific. When Roo was 3weeks old I took myself to the doctor to get a second opinion on this "heart burn" he said it could be my gall bladder but the pains I was having didn't sound quite right. The pain was like a stake through my sternum that wrapped around the left  and shot down my spine.

To make a long story short after weeks of trying to take care of a newborn, trying a few medications that didn't work, and trying to sleep between hard nursing sessions with a baby who struggled to latch, and what I am sure looking back a raging case of thrush, AND long bouts of vomiting at night I was spent.

I called Ryan home from work one day and said that it had gotten to the point where it was ER time (it was probably WAY past hospital time. But after the weeks of hospital time I had during my Dad's battle with cancer I was extremely reluctant to consider the hospital until i'd exhausted all my other options). We waited many hours in the ER  and when they got the results of my blood work they admitted me. My liver was extremely taxed liver, enzymes through the roof, and if it continued to stay at the levels they were at I was looking at liver failure.

Turns out those attacks were my gall bladder. I had tons and tons of little tiny stones that I had been blocking the duct to my liver almost daily- and passing daily- for several weeks. The pain and symptoms were misplaced due to the pregnancy moving things out of place.

I was kept for a week and I had my gall bladder removed among other tests and procedures. they kept me a few days longer because I spiked a 104.5 fever post op and they couldn't figure out why (I had picked up the flu in the ER waiting room). It was all so very dramatic and we were thankful little newborn Root was able to continue to nurse through it all and stay near me with Ryan and my Mom trading off.

We went home hopeful that the problems were resolved.

But my issues continued.... And they became an issue for more than just myself... More in Part 2.

Here's a family favorite. I am obviously not a professional cook (ha!!). I have learned from trial and error, a few slightly panicked phone calls to my Mom, and the joy of finding new creative foods and tastes that work within our dietary restrictions (more on that in part 2).

Recently Ryan's parents were visiting and his Mom kept asking how exactly I made this or that meal. And I realized... yeah, these are all original recipes! But apart from my genius (wink) I think they are so delicious because they are so SIMPLE. God simple ingredients, real unrefined Celtic sea salt, ground black, and good pure oils like refined coconut oil, and bacon fats (really I think it's the bacon fats). Oh also,  I am a one pan cook whenever I can be, and I love the challenge of seeing how few dishes I can use. I have learned a lot from Rachael Ray on that part!

I thought instead of trying to explain them or type them up to email them to one person I'd share them here with family and friends! 😊 I wrote this for if I was going to he making them 5 years ago and I had no idea how to cook this way.

This first one isn't really anything special, but it IS delicious. Especially with a side of roasted red potatoes, asparagus or kale (recipes for those coming soon).

**we do NOT consume anything with gluten (wheat, barley, rye), any dairy products (well fresh goat milk and cheeses when can get out to a local farm). We do NOT eat regular milk, cheese, yogurt, butter or anything containing those products and or whey), corn, soy, or any other grain but occasionally white rice. We DO eat all vegetables, fruits, meats and we have learned some incredible recipes for delicious muffins and cakes that are made with coconut flour.

Phew! We didn't get there over night. It's been a journey of going on 3 years to eat this way and the learning process is quite time consuming and changes all your interactions with food... I'll explain more in part 2!

Onward to the recipe.

Roasted Garlic Chicken with Rosemary

Picture coming soon! 😉

Ingredients
1 whole Chicken (we prefer clean organic meats when possible)
3-4 cloves garlic (chopped)
Dried Rosemary
2-3T oil or animal fat ( we prefer bacon drippings)
Sea salt
pepper

Preheat oven 425 degrees

1. Make sure chicken cavern (or whatever the proper cooking term is) is empty. Dump in chopped garlic holding a few pieces back.
2. Lay chicken breast up in  dish and drizzle oil and spread oil across skin.

3.Spread 2-3 light taps or pinches of Rosemary across chicken and add the few bits of garlic and some salt and pepper too.

Roast at 425 degrees (no lid) for about 2 hours or until internal temp is at least 165 degrees. I prefer to wait until a gentle nudge with a fork makes the legs fall off the bone. If you don't like the skin getting that roasted skin you can use a lid on the chicken.
 

 

Sunday, April 6, 2014

Family Time...Spring is Park...ing!!

It's been a crazy few weeks, Ryan's parents were in town and we had a really great visit with them. They helped us with some outdoor projects and the girls had a blast with them. And now we dive into SPRING- it's going to be a busy one!But first, some snap shots of life...
Pip and Mommy cheesing.

Pip really prefers to choose all of her own clothing. One night she chose a pair of Pj's that were 18-24mos.They were just a smidge too small. So we took a picture.

see how tight the feet were?

Adorable. Sad she's outgrown them.:(
This morning, the girls before church.

The sweetest and the best.
Today was GORGEOUS and we've been trying to soak up every second we can together as the next several weeks are going to be really busy. This afternoon we took a trip to the park to spend some much needed family time together...
Roo dances while she waits to go around to her side of the car.
Tag!
Pip and Daddy are "it".
Climbing walls


Another picture.
 Roo and I have recently gotten into hula hooping. We made some really pretty ones this past week using irrigation tubing, connectors, and tape or fabric. We both hula hooped for a bit at the park...But Roo wanted to scooter and climb more- so I didn't get a picture of her...yet. Ryan snapped on of me though!

goofing on the train tracks
yes...goof.

She wasn't so sure about being up off the ground with no railings!

Roo can jump up and hit that circle there!! These kids have been amazing us with their "big kid" skills lately!
These are from yesterday...
Friendly can climb to the top of the spider web!

We've been trying to get into pictures more too- we exist- see?

And this child! She's becoming quite independent and adventurous on the playground!
 Back to our fun time today at hte park...More chase...

And then we got out the skooters and Pip's balance bike and went for a walk..

She is so so proud of being able to ride a REAL big kid bike. She calls it "My new Bite!" and she is so unbelievably SLOW. The 1/4 mile walk took about an 45 minutes- and that was with lots us us giving her breaks..encouraging her to walk a bit.

She loves to off road on it!

Being silly.

A picture by Roo

A picture by Friendly

A picture by Daddy! Ha!!!

Sweetie
We've been busy busy busy! There's been lots of exciting stuff happening for the Joys...Roo is learning to whistle, and Pip is talking in 4-6 word sentences!!! Friendly is a Lego Maniac, and we're all extremely happy spring is on the way!