We all need to hope that a democrat becomes the next president.

Living with Crohn's disease means may things and has it's many challenges. One of the largest is that getting health care is difficult. Having to pre-disclosed your disease means if you are looking for independent insurance you are likely out of luck. Luckily I am a teacher and get coverage regardless. I am so happy for this and thank my lucky stars each day. However, I am also a prisoner of my disease in the fact that I can not stray from my job as a teacher. There are hopes and dreams I hold inside for the future that might not include teaching. That dream becomes a bit brighter if what we are hearing from the current democratic candidates platforms for health care is truth. Regardless if it is an all encompassing health care program by Hillary or a affordable program that anyone can obtain but is not required by Obama. The fact that rings out to me is that insurance companies can not DENIE me insurance because I was unfortunate enough to have Crohn's disease.

The power of yogurt.

Since I have been trying to get back on track I of-course started with yogurt. I still and will always (hopefully) believe that yogurt is where to start. I order some more pro-biotic starter and am being religious about eating it. I have been trying something new though. I have two big spoon fulls of yogurt each morning, afternoon, and before I go to bed. I have been feeling full, slightly uncomfortable and just not right. I think that having the good stuff in my intestines to help process that bad can only help. I actually feel much better, lighter, and have more energy.

The other thing I have started was taking COD LIVER FISH OIL. I have read nothing but fabulous things about it. I thought if could not hurt. In fact the company that manufactures the brand I am currently taking (Nordic Naturals) was catapulted out of doctors offices in the US and into the main stream health food store by a patient with Crohn's disease nudging the owner to market in a greater market. I know it is a great source of vitamin D and calcium. You need these two paired to absorb calcium. My understanding is that since the vitamin D and calcium are coming from a natural source and not manufactured your body can more easily absorb it. I am still researching it, however. I have read that it helps the synapse in your brain fire more rapidly. It is a natural blood thinner and there for good for your heart ( please beware i f you are on blood thinners). It is good for your hair, skin, and nails.

In pregnancy it may lower the risk of diabetes. While breast feeding vitamin A found in cod liver oil helps developing brains and may help prevent infection.

This is just what I have read. There are things to consider. Looking to see if the brand you are interested in routinely checks the levels of toxins that can be found in the fish such as PCP's and mercury is important. Checking for heavy metals is important as well. I would always check with my physician before starting something new incase it reacts with one of my medications. My doctors rarely believes in supplements but I am more concerned to know if she thinks it can harm me. In this case no.

Cream of Artichoke Soup


(Original from Fournou’s Ovens in San Francisco, modified for me)

10 Servings

2 large artichokes (I buy the bag of steamed artichokes at trader Joes in the frozen section, yummy and cheap, no preservatives or additives)
8 cups chicken stock
½ cup hazelnuts
¾ cup rice flour (preferred 2/4 and you could get away with ¼ depending on how thick you want it.)
1 cup whipping cream (I believe in raw milk products, if you want you can choose not to add cream or raw.)
Salt & Pepper

Remove all leaves, stem & choke from the artichokes and discard, reserving bottoms only. Poach in water to cover for one hour. If you are using the Trader Joes pre-cooked, bring to a boil and turn off. Cover and let sit until you are ready for them. Remove with slotted spoon and add to large saucepan with six cups chicken stock.

Preheat over to 300 degrees F. Spread nuts in small baking pan and toast for 10 minutes, (I toasted for 20 minutes) Cool nuts slightly, then rub in towel to completely remove brown skins. Hey, if there are a few skins, no biggie. Return nuts to oven and toast until golden brown, about 10 minutes longer. Remove from oven and crush to a fine consistency. You can also process them in your food processor but either way do it to a very small consistent size. Add to artichoke bottoms and stock and simmer thirty minutes. Puree in blender, processor or food mill and return to pan.

Gradually add rice flour to remaining two cups stock and stir until smooth. Add to soup, place over high heat and whisk until it comes to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes, stirring frequently. Add cram and season with salt and pepper. Blend in sherry just before serving.

Question....food for thought?

Has anyone noticed once you are diagnosed with Crohn's disease the amount of people that suddenly you become aware of that also have Crohn's disease? I have also taken notice of other autoimmune diseases. As a teacher, I can not help but notice the cases of autism and celiac disease. I am amazed. I heard recently, on NPR, that the US only grows one type of wheat. ONE. Most countries grow dozens at minimum. The one type of wheat we grow yields six times the amount of gluten. I am not sure whether the thought that our grains are being genetically altered or that we are eating (as a nation) six times the gluten in every meal we eat. In reality, gluten and wheat (or by products of wheat, dusted in wheat, or processed with the equipment used to process wheat) is in EVERYTHING we eat that comes in a package. Gluten is found in wheat and can be extracted by a process I do not know about. I wonder if there is a connection? I am sure in my hear of hearts that by products of industry and non-organic faming practices also contaminate our waters and soil and play at least a part in the rise of autoimmune diseases. What do you think?

Procrasintation and cheating....

Well, with the holiday season over and New Years resolutions on our minds I have a heavy blanket of guilt. I ate terribly, drank merrily, and neglected my writing. And you? I hope survived the end of 2007 and the beginning of 2008 better than I. I am conflicted. I am on a medicine called 6MP or mercaptopurine. It is an immune suppressant that is commonly used on chemotherapy patients. It slows my immune system down which is good since Crohn's disease essentially puts your immune system on over drive. BUT it also slows my metabolism which I have gained some weight. I am finally eating what I want and absorbing the nutrients and should be happy. Right? But the weight looms over my happiness to enjoy food and energy. It is not all encompassing but it lingers. The other issue I am having is that the 6mp makes me completely symptom free, well that and the surgery that removed the infected areas and scarred areas) that I often loose my drive to eat right. I know in my heart of hearts that sticking to the diet will help keep me healthy. BUT it is hard to stay motivated when, for example, if I eat sour dough bread I don't swell up and or throw up. I feel little too full and less energetic but by far healthy. My biggest dread is staying on 6mp. I would like to start a family in about two years. I will stop taking the 6mp prior to trying to get pregnant. The doctors claim that it will not harm the baby but there are no long term studies on the effects of 6mp in humans (even at a low dosage). To my knowledge there is not long term studies on the effects of 6mp taken by moms on babies conceived and carried full term. If you have seem studies on this matter please point me in the right direction. All the research I have read claims that women feel better while pregnant and for up to 8-10 years after having a child that suffer from Crohn's disease. My aunt, not by blood, has Crohn's. She had two children and was medicine free for her girls. She felt better while pregnant and for the following several years and she was able to stay off medicine. This too is my plan. I would like to go off the 6mp to conceive. I would also like to maintain the diet. I believe that the diet can only help. I have read testimonies that it can heal. I personally believe that it can heal only if the infection is not severe. If severe, the infected areas including or not fistulas need to be removed. My hope is between my body working to create, nurture, and protect a growing child and the diet that I will maintain my health during pregnancy and years after. That is not to say that the first time I have symptoms I will not make an appointment to see my doctor. I maintain my belief that you must be proactive. You must do something to stop and help heal the infection immediately. Letting things go and hoping they will get better often can lead to damage that can not be healed and for me had to be removed.

On to procrastination and motivation. I need to stop procrastinating and move on to self motivation. I am trying to find a recipe a day to put online. I am going to take pictures of what I cooked. I am going to keep a log of my workout schedule. I will stop indulging in merry drinking.

Every medical test I have had in the past year shows I have no active infection. I am so happy. I am conflicted about staying on the 6mp. BUT will for at least one to two more years until my body has maintained health. I was sick for so long that the thought of it returning is much more terrifying than the possible long term effects that I create in my imagination. I do believe that the scale will tip and go the other direction in time. I believe in medicine and the wonderful things it can do. BUT I also believe that western medicine doesn't have all the answers and underestimates the power of will, food, diet, and motivation. I think we all need to find our won balance.