Hazelnut-Vanilla Pancakes from Recipes from the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (Raman Prasad) |
Early in our marriage, Doug and I spent a year in Dallas. On our frequent trips back home to Missouri, we always stopped off in Mounds, Oklahoma for a visit with Doug's grandparents, which always included a good dinner, a sinful number of Grandma's crispy little cinnamon cookies, and often a good night's rest.
Upon our arrival at their farmhouse near Duck Creek, Grandpa Roller always greeted me the same way: "You haven't been missing many meals, have you?" Doug and I always got a chuckle out of his affectionate salutation, always directed at me, never at Doug. "Not many," I always had to admit.
Everyday Chicken and Baked Carrot Fries from Mary Plunkett's future cookbook. |
When I developed celiac disease a few years back, my answer to Grandpa's question would have changed, were he still alive to ask. Because I became so terribly sick every time I ate, I often had to choose between eating and living my life outside the confines of the bathroom. A diagnosis and a gluten-free diet made all the difference--for a while.
Mary's Spinach Turkey Frittata. |
I have been thrilled with the results I’ve experienced as I’ve
navigated my way through the SCD. I’m beginning to have more energy, I’ve
learned a lot of new kitchen tricks and tried a lot of new dishes, and my
symptoms have nearly disappeared. Sometimes, when Andy’s Frozen Custard or some
other forbidden treat is calling my name, it’s hard to maintain a positive
attitude.
I’m finding that instead of focusing on all of the foods I can’t have, though, it helps to think
about those things I can have. I can
usually talk myself into being satisfied with homemade yogurt and berries
instead of that frozen custard. And who knew that mashed cauliflower could
taste so much like mashed potatoes? It also helps to think about how much
healthier my diet has become and what a relief it is not to have to be looking
over my shoulder for a restroom every time I leave my house.
Zucchini Lasagna from Breaking the Vicious Cycle, the SCD "bible" by Elaine Gottschall. |