I was going to just post a recipe today--the final "Reader Recipe" installment before our new contributor, Jocelyn, takes over--but then Friday happened and I felt the need to tell you about it. So, today's post is going to have 2 parts: Some of my thoughts on "food as medicine" and a somewhat unrelated (but also kinda related) healthy recipe. Ready? Food as Medicine On Friday I went to Acupuncture for the first time. I went for some crazy jaw and neck pain that I've been having (which has been causing excruciating headaches) and I have to say, the experience was very intense and also very incredible. I'm a total believer/convert and am already looking forward to my next session. The Acupuncturist that I went to (shout-out Carin Trainer!) is also a Doctor of Oriental Medicine and a Nutritional and Herbal Counselor, so although I thought that I was just going for the needles and the energy work, I got a whole lot more. To sum up our long conversation: She told me that my jaw-clenching and neck pain is just a symptom of other things that are happening in my body--imbalances, obviously. As a part of my treatment plan for getting everything back in balance, I was told to stop eating wheat, dairy, and sugar for 6 weeks. Um, what!?!?! She said it without batting an eye. Like it was easy and normal and just another prescription. Later in the appointment, as I lay on the table getting needles inserted into my body (which was pretty sensational), I tried to breathe and relax, but I kept doing food calculations. What foods are still okay? What milk substitute should I use? Gluten-free is one thing--I did it for a year and can do it again--but dairy AND sugar too? Yikes. As I drove home, I did a little self-talk, and decided that if I really want to get better, I need to try everything I can. So I'm doing it. I decided that I am going to finally try treating food as medicine, instead of food as food and medicine as medicine. I am going to stop hiding under my "everything in moderation" blanket (even though I still believe this 100%!) and see if eliminating certain food groups can help me feel better. If it does, that will be fabulous. If not, I'll eat a huge bowl of ice cream in 6 weeks with a BIG smile on my face (What? Am I missing the point?). Wish me luck! I'll report back. Balsamic Swiss Chard Recipe
Last week, two different students brought me a bunch of fresh veggies from their gardens. It was amazing and I've decided that maybe it was a sign from the universe that I can do this strict diet, after all... But sign or not, one delivery was a HUGE bunch of swiss chard and a recommendation on how to best serve this gigantic, bitter, super healthy, leafy green. So, last night, I sautéed up some swiss chard using my student's verbally-transmitted recipe. I was kind of nervous just winging it (you know I'm not much of a cook), but it was DELICIOUS. And so easy that I couldn't mess it up ;) Here's the recipe: Ingredients:
Instructions:
I know it doesn't sound like much, but you guys, this was really yummy. I mean, srrrsly. Plus, swiss chard is one of the most nutritional vegetables in the world, so eating it definitely counts as medicine ;) Enjoy! And remember, starting next month, Jocelyn Spurrier of Clean Creations will be taking over all things recipes + healthy eating on Starr Struck (hooray!). You can look for one amazing recipe from her per month to start--on the last Monday of every month--starting on 8/25. More to come on Jocelyn... Oh, and if you have *any* recommendations for super easy meals (think: 4th grade cooking level + a link to directions) that are wheat-free, dairy-free, and sugar-free, I'm all ears! Please do sent them my way, I'm kinda desperate here ;) OMG lady, I could talk your ear off about all of the jaw/neck/headache circuit of treatments I've tried! My experiment with elimination diets taught me a lot about food & my body, but didn't do much for my pain. Everyone is different, I hope you get amazing results from your food as medicine approach, and let me know if you want to hear about the things that have/have not worked for me.
Mary Catherine
7/28/2014 11:40:50 am
Oh Kelsey, I'm SO sorry to hear that you've dealt with this for so long and haven't found relief! SIGH. I def may reach out to pick your brain about your experience in the future...
Stacey
7/28/2014 10:34:27 pm
Here are some of my favorite vegetarian food blog/recipes - many of which can be easily adapted to cut out wheat, dairy, and sugar (and you could add in a simple protein). www.smittenkitchen.com; www.greenkitchenstories.com; "One Dish Vegetarian Meals" by Robin Robertson. Also my boyfriend and I are hooked on this no sugar, no flour protein packed banana muffin recipe: http://dashingdish.com/recipe/banana-bread-protein-muffins/
Sara
7/29/2014 11:28:34 am
You can do it! Six weeks is no time in the grand scheme of things. I've tried a number of elimination diets and they've all helped in their own way. I always find the most relief from eliminating sugar. It's hard but amazing at the same time. My favorite sites for recipes are Against All Grain and Elana's Pantry. Good luck!!
Angela
8/8/2014 08:24:49 am
Not sure if you're tired of salads, but I adapted a Martha Stewart recipe to be dairy free. I don't cook much either, so it's an easy one: Comments are closed.
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HELLO!I'm Mary Catherine, a Cape Cod-based yoga teacher, painter, designer, writer, mom, and list-maker extraordinaire. My goal is to inspire you to start living a more creative, simple, joyful, + purposeful life.
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