Chicken Soup – Not Just Good For The Soul

Dec2

Yesterday started Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week and what happens…I get sick. Ok, it is just a cold, but still feel like crap. The weather has cooled down a lot and I am constantly feeling cold now. So what better thing to do then to make some nice hot chicken soup. Recently someone asked me how to make it. I sent them my recipe and now that I am making it I figured, let me take some pictures and share the recipe with you.

I know a lot of Crohnies like soup for when they aren’t feeling well and it helps to settle a stomach and rehydrate you. Also, I grew up hearing it called Jewish Penicillin so how bad can it be for you. The great thing about this soup is that it is naturally Gluten Free so I don’t have to worry about that.

So, without further delay, here is my chicken soup:

Ingredients:

1 Whole Chicken
3 Carrots
3 Stalks of Celery
1 Turnip
1 Parsnip
1 Onion
Fresh Herbs

Take chicken and wash it off. But into 1/4 ers and place in large soup pot.
Peel carrots and parsnip. Place into pot. Trim celery and turnip and add to pot. Peel onion and slice into 1/4ers. Add to pot.
Add any fresh herbs that you like. Some ideas are thyme, marjoram, oregano, parsley, basil and rosemary.
Fill pot with water and cover.
Place onto medium heat until water boils.
When water boils, add 2 tsp of chicken bouillon (I use the loose instead of cubes).
Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for an hour.
When done, turn off heat. Remove chicken to a plate. Remove any vegetables you don’t want to serve with the soup to a bowl. Drain any soup in the bowl with the vegetable and discard the veggies. Drain any soup from chicken.
Serve.

Now how you serve it is all up to you. I take my chicken and back it off with some spices. As for the soup, I make some gluten free pasta and serve the soup with that. I keep the carrots only. Some ideas are to add rice to the soup, chop up the chicken and add that back, or even make some matzoh balls for a traditional jewish soup.

Use a fresh clean chicken

1/4ered chicken

Veggies…yum

Cut up veggies and chicken in pot

Add Water

Finished Soup

Soup without all the veggies

Finished product with Gluten Free pasta noodles.

Day 6 – #NHBPM – News Style Post

Nov6

Since the explosion of the world wide web, many people have turned to going online to look for help for problems. For many people with IBD, going to a doctor doesn’t always help. They treat the physical problems, sometimes, and very rarely treat the mental problems. Because of the lack of a bedside manner, patients with IBD look for treatment online in the form of forums, social medias and medical based sites.

One new site designed to help those with many illnesses, including IBD is http://www.meddik.com. This is a new site which just came on the scene. It was developed by 2 medical students, one of which has a relative with IBD. The site is a user based site but also carries links to medical articles. The design behind the site is that you can research not just the inner workings of your disease but get first hand help from people who also suffer from the same.

Another site, with a heavier user base is http://www.crohnology.com. This site is made so that you can connect with people who not only have your disease but live near you. You can also ask questions to everyone on the site. You can look up people taking the same meds as you or have the same side effects or even symptoms.

If you are looking for an upbeat site with a dose of comedy, turn to http://www.ihaveuc.com. Adam has UC and treats his disease with comedy. He believes that laughter heals. He also has on his site a place to post and answer questions from other IBDers. Adam also post informative information about the disease and the treatments used.

If you’re looking for a feminine side to IBD, there is no shortage of that either. Sara at http://www.inflamed-and-untamed.com is probably the most recognizable face for IBD. She talks about a lot of personal dealings with Crohn’s and having a J-Pouch. She has become an inspiration to so many people and when she is ill, she in overwhelmed with well wishers.

Another person who is big on helping others is Kelly. She has a page on Facebook called I-Have-A-Bad-Tummy-With-An-Optimistic-Mind-Chronic-Illness-Support. Kelly is the face of being brave and strong with IBD as she has been very sick this year but still manages to come online to help others. She is yet another big inspiration to many.

If you have an ostomy and love videos then check out Maggie at www,youtube.com/LetsTalkIBD. She shows everyone that just because you don’t have part or all of your intestines doesn’t mean you can’t live life. She shows that you can do whatever you want to do, whether it is swimming in a bikini or going to college. Your life doesn’t stop just because you wear a bag on your side. In fact she shows just how life is just starting after surgery.

Are you athletic? Do you have IBD? Well, your life isn’t over. Brian at http://www.intenseintestines and Heidi from http://www.ostomyoutdoors.com both show that just because you have a disease doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy exercise. Whether it is hiking, running or biking..you can do it all.

With so much help out there online doctors need to step up their game. They can’t give the advice that any of these sites can offer. Most doctors don’t have enough time to spend with their patients to find out what is going on in their minds. It is no wonder why everyone turns to the internet now.

Gluten Free Mac & Cheese

Sep22

I wanted to share with you another recipe I have that is gluten-free. I started making this recipe a couple of years ago when I was on Weight Watchers for the 2nd time. This is one of their recipes but I have modified it a little. Originally this wasn’t a gluten-free recipe but as my lifestyle changes, so do my recipes. For any vegans, you can also modify this using a dairy free cheese and soy or almond milk.

Gluten Free Macaroni & Cheese – Serves 2

6 oz Uncooked Gluten Free Elbow Macaroni – you can use whatever brand you like
1 cup Fat Free Milk (can be lactose free, soy, almond, or regular)
1/8 cup Gluten Free All Purpose Flour
1/4 tsp Kosher Salt
1/4 tsp Onion Powder
1/2 cup Low Fat Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese

Cook pasta in water according to package. Drain and return to pot.

While pasta is cooking, in a large saucepan, whisk together milk, flour, salt and onion powder until blended. Bring to a boil on a medium – low heat, whisking frequently. Reduce to a low heat and simmer, stirring often, until thickened (about 2 minutes). Remove from heat and whisk in the cheese.

Add sauce to the cooked pasta, toss to coat, and serve.
I sometimes add cooked broccoli to this. You can also add meat to this dish like cubed ham. If you do, I would reduce the amount of pasta to 4 oz then.

Feel free to play with this recipe as there are a lot of things you can do with it. Some people add hot sauce or red pepper flakes. Some will add bread crumbs and bake it. Whatever you do, enjoy it like I always do.

Iota Beta Delta – This one is for the women

Jul23

I decided to post this for 2 amazing health activists.

This one if for all the ladies out there with IBD or any chronic illness. Are you in college right now but don’t feel like you can join a sorority because your illness won’t allow you the time. Or did you not have the chance to do it while you were in college but now your out and you want that feeling of sisterhood. Maybe you’re at the point where you can’t even go to school right now because of your illness.

Well, Maggie and Kelly have started a sorority just for you. It is called Iota Beta Delta (IBD). This is not an actual accredited sorority but they want to give that feeling to the women that couldn’t join one for whatever reason.

Check out their site at http://iotabetadelta.webs.com.