Remicade day

Thursday, 2/7/13

Last night I made whole wheat pasta for my husband, with home made tomato sauce. For myself it was spaghetti squash (and I have to say, real spaghetti is about the only thing I miss, but after a while you just get used to eating alternates) along with chicken meatballs, chicken nitrate free sausage and hardboiled egg (I know I know, what? But it's an italian thing that my family has included in our sauce for generations).

And now, for breakfast. A big bowl of mixed fresh fruit, sprinkled with cinnamon, and 1 left over chicken meatball, sausage and egg from last night.

Boy, am I full!

Later today I have my scheduled Remicade treatment; can't wait to tell Dr. A that this diet WORKS! and that I am feeling MUCH better. Kinda smug about telling him that now I really don't have to consider alternate meds. So long as this diet continues to work for me, I will march on.

OK, so I am starting this Blog because I just have to share my enthusiasm and belief in The Paleo way of life.

Giving a (hopefully!) short version of how and why I came to be where I am now, and sharing recipes, ideas and progress. At the same time, I hope to help others like me; people with Crohn's and IBS.

I have had Crohn's all of my life, diagnosed with the disease when I was 15 years old, after a rather horrible bout of strep throat. It took doctors 9 months to figure out what I had, and by then I had almost died twice, been hospitalized at least 3 times, and lost 30 lbs; and let me tell you, on a 5'10 frame that at the time only carried 135lbs on it, I was skeletal!

After 5 years on different medications I required surgery to remove a good part of my large a small part of my lower bowels. After that I was "in remission" for some 34 years, until the disease started to reassert itself, as I had been warned it could do sometime in my life. 

Jump to three years ago, new gastroenterologist, and a new lease on life as I knew it. Of course, this was before I realized that at some point I just wanted to STOP taking meds all the time. I was started on an every 8 week regimen of Remicade, which I can tell you, changed my life!

But now, after a particularly stressful year (think elderly ill parent, the economy and life in general) I started feeling horrible again. AND that's where Paleo came into the picture. My son and future daughter-in-law started the diet (because they are health nuts!) and convinced me that I should try it already!

So, 4 weeks down the road, and it started to really kick in. All of my symptoms vanished, I felt stronger, healthier and CLEAN! But, you know, I just couldn't really believe it. And then we had our annual Super Bowl Sunday party, where our usual fare is home made pizzas, chili, pasta, and desserts. 

I tried to take it easy, only had a few things, but WOW! The next day I felt horrible again. After not having grains, beans, and any sugar for 4 weeks, did my body rebel. 

So now I know...the Paleo way works. I hope to post here ideas, recipes, notes etc. and share with you all my progress, so you may be inspired to do the same. And hey, even if you don't have a disease, you could do yourself a favor by making your life and body more healthy!

Starting tomorrow, I will post my food diary, with pics and such...enjoy!