Bring on the stomach bacteria

After at least 7 years of unrelenting stomach problems (actually, problem, singular, that has persisted the entire time), I finally have a diagnosis: SIBO - Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth. When my wonderful doctor (no joke, she's the best) tested me, my results were off the charts. Literally. I have such a high concentration of unhealthy bacteria in my guts that the laboratory that processes the test gave me free test kits to use for the duration of my treatment. The lane will process my results free go charge. will continue to process free of charge so they can track the results. Who knew?

My doctor knew. And she's the first doctor who has cared enough to keep exploring after she ruled out all of the classic stomach issues. She also knew the diet to put me on and the 3 rounds of two antibiotics to prescribe to get my guts back to normal. And she told me it would be challenging. She wasn't lying.

So here I am, in week 4 of a 6-month treatment plan. And here's what I've learned:

I have to cook. A lot. Like every 1 to 3 days.
No more packaged, processed, quick, easy food.

My diet is called the Specific Carbohydrate Diet. It dictates the source of all carbohydrates I consume: fruits and vegetables. Only.
I can get calories from meat.
I cannot get carbohydrates from any grains (including rice. yes, even brown rice), starches or complex sugars (no, not even agave).
Eggs are permitted in the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, but they give me hives that progressively get worse the more eggs I eat (think, red, intolerably itchy bumps on my chest, ear and face. Fun, right? They're pretty, too.)

So I spend exorbitant amounts of money and time buying and preparing fresh produce free of any sugars, starches or carbs. It's hard work. It requires a lot of creativity. It's really alarming how many products in the grocery store, even the fancy healthy one, are made with sugar or corn syrup.

Since this diet is the bane of my existence, and since there has already been at least one cooking fiasco that ended in a teary mess of inedible mush, I've decided to start blogging about the things I successfully make, in hopes of helping out some other poor dears who are put on this diet.
#SCDforLife … just kidding. #SCDNowForHopesOfEatingWhateverIWantIn6Months

Why I love it here. Even in the middle of winter.

     Over the past couple of months, many people have asked me how I like Portland. Most recently, my first response usually has something to do with disliking the climate. However, that is misleading. For awhile now, I've had a sneaking suspicion that it isn't the climate as a whole I dislike (as in the seasons, temperature, humidity level, etc); it is only the limited amount of sunshine. In fact, I actually enjoy the cold. I like winter. I was pleasantly surprised to revel in this today. 
    When I try to touch on the highlights, I rarely can put into words how magical my neighborhood feels. Today I tried my best to capture it. It is currently 34 degrees and sunny, and I chose to bundle up, put the sweater on the dog, and go for an hour long walk. The winter sunshine casts such a beautiful light on everything - it practically made my favorite parts of my neighborhood seem magical and new all over again. So I took pictures.
     Now, I have no photography training, nor do I have a fancy camera. My tool of choice was my iPhone. Four, not five. That may limit the magic exuded from these photos, but it certainly didn't make our walk any less magical.

South east Portland is a spectacular place, and the Ladd's Edition neighborhood feels like stepping into a fairy tale. Hopefully you'll catch a few glimpses of that in these photos:

Wool fair-isle tights and a gray and red sweater. 

Twinsies green and red.

Fairy tale cottage.

Trees for days and a curious find.

Whimsical peaks.

Perfect gate.                                             All tucked away.                                   

Two Chimneys for you, and a bench made for two.

Doll house, gum drop and rest for the weary.

Door and a porch. 

Yard with a house.

And this one's my home.