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CALLING ALL CARETAKERS COOKING FOR CELIAC SUFFERERS!! HELP!

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Posted 2/10/2012 11:16 AM (GMT -8)

HELLO ALL,

My adult son is scheduled for surgery to repair Crohn's Disease complications. But the doctors say he needs to bulk up and GET HEALTHY so he's in better shape for the proceedure. He's flying me up to cook for him and be there before, during, and after the operation. He's a single guy without a wife or girlfriend to take care of him. He needs his mom!! He also has Celiac Disease.

I'M CALLING ALL CELIAC MOMS, WIVES, AND CARETAKERS!! PLEASE share your best recipies, shortcuts, and secrets to bulk him up and get him in shape so this surgery goes well. I've no time to make mistakes and experiment much. His doctors say NOT to take any of the supplements he was taking, (?!!) shocked only a multi-vitamin.

PLEASE RESPOND, I WANT TO DO THIS THE RIGHT WAY

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!

-Diane in Salt lake City area yeah

Post Edited (Diane D.) : 2/10/2012 12:20:02 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/12/2012 7:39 AM (GMT -8)
Diane, My daughter has both Crohn's and celiac disease. She was jsut diagnosed in July with Celiac and November with Crhon's. We're pretty new to the Gluten free but I can tell you some easy and very safe things that may help little. Gluten free past( we like Sam Mills) with sauce or cheese (Velveeta is gluten free). She loves meatballs I use gluten free potatoe flakes instead of bread crumbs (this would also work for meatloaf) I also use fresh spices(like garlic) because some can have gluten. She LOVES egg salad, chicken salad ( I use gluten free canned chicken), tuna salad, and hummis. Instead of using bread( which isn't great tasting) to make a sandwichs she dips gluten free crackers ( she loves Blue Diamond almond crackers) Tostitoes chips or there's lots of other crackers and chips that are labled gluten free, Lays, fritos etc... Cheese omletts, there are gluten free pancake mixes and pizza crust mixes. I make the whole package and freeze it. baked Potatoes and sweet potatoes, fresh veggies. Gortons makes broiled fish filets that are gluten free. I make peanut butter cookies that are amazing, 1cup peanut butter,1cup sugar, and 1 egg. Yoplait yogurt smoothies with fresh fruit. By the way whenever I make a salad(like egg sald) I mash up some avacado and mix it with the mayo they're soooo good for you. Dinasour Barbecue Sauce on chicken in the crock pot is great. Rice is naturally gluten free and is great with cheese and veggies or jsut some chicken flavoring (we use Better Than Boulion brand in a jar). Just a few ideas to get you started. If you have anything specific you would like to know just ask away. By the way the hardest thing to get used to is the cross contamination. For example, you can not dip a knife into mayo or peanut butter that has touched regular bread and then use it as "gluten free", Never use the same utensils for gluten free that has touched something not gluten free without washing it. Be careful of counters and toasters especially if your not doing gluten free and he's used to doing it alone without the contamination. Good luck and by the way your a good mom!!!
Mary G.
Posted 2/12/2012 12:51 PM (GMT -8)

 Thank you Mary G.!

I was feeling kind of left out there (no replies). Maybe other members wrote me off as being lazy or maybe they thought why don't I just look in cookbooks or something. But there's nothing like mother to mother advice...from the safety of a website.

I've posted before about my son and I went up there once before to get him healthy. He looked like a concentration camp survivor and would go for days without eating. I had to go up so he flew me up. But it seemed like I was making the same things over and over. It didn't help that he was a fussy eater to begin with. He likes things plain and was very fearful of eating. He can't eat sushi 7/24 nor can I make sushi (I'm not a good cook). He's a big rice fan as is his dad who grew up in Japan (as the son of Missionaries).

The bread machine which he just bought is so intimadating! Everything about this disease is intimadating cooking wise! If I mess up he doesn't just say it sucked HE GETS HORRIBLY SICK, FRIGHTENINGLY SICK. I don't see how anyone can be all gunho about trying new things when so much is at stake! I read the posts of other caregivers and everything seems like it all falls into place naturally, in print. Like they're all Rocky Balboas ready to fight and destined to win, and they know it! I fought once before and it was a disappointing "draw" (tie) even though I tried my best.

He's had this disease for 8 years, since coming back from Kuwait (Shock and Awe). But he's aways lived 800 miles away and been able to take care of himself. Not anymore. So I guess I AM a newbee, sort of speak. Previously in December/January, (I was there for 6 weeks) I couldn't put any weight on him. What makes me think I can pull off a miracle this time?????? I need a miracle...he may have faith in me but I sure don't.

He scheduled the surgery sooner rather than later because he wants to get it over with and get his life back, he's so miserable.

I have 3 weeks. I get up there on the 21st and surgery is on March 12th. I'm nervous, to say the least.  

THANK YOU for letting me vent.

Diane A.

Posted 2/12/2012 12:53 PM (GMT -8)
Should we buy canned chicken as opposed to fresh chicken?
Posted 2/12/2012 3:03 PM (GMT -8)
You should always prepare fresh food if you can. I don't see how canned chicken would be better than fresh. But a whole chicken at the grocer. Buy two small lemons and some small potatoes (either red or white, say 2" around each, or buy larger potatoes and cut them into smaller pieces. Wash the chicken, potatoes and the lemons. Take a fork and poke holes in the lemons (say, 20 holes). Put salt and pepper on the chicken inside and out. Put the two lemons into the chicken cavity and put the chicken, breast side down, in a roasting pan.

Preheat the oven to 350. When the oven is hot, put the chicken in and cook for about 30 minutes. Take the chicken out, turn it over so it's breast-side up, put the potatoes in the pan and return the whole thing to the oven. Cook for another 30 minutes. Turn the oven temperature up to 375 and cook for about 20 more minutes. The total cooking time should be about 20 minutes per each pound of chicken. You can tell when it's done by checking where the thigh meats the back - if the juices run clear the chicken is done.

Take it out of the oven and carve. You can serve this chicken hot or room temp. It is completely gluten free. The lemons can be opened when you cut the chicken, or left alone. The potatoes will be wonderful.

You didn't get much response here because this part of the healingwell website is not very busy.
Posted 2/12/2012 11:29 PM (GMT -8)
Thank you for the recipe. Lemons. sounds interesting.

I guess I'm just a bit jumpy because I'm nervous about the surgery. Perhaps it's "easier" to worry about the cooking than it is the operation. A distraction from the past 3 months of this nightmare "flare". It doesn't help to live so far away and live alone in an empty nest. Lots of time to worry...
Posted 2/13/2012 3:55 AM (GMT -8)
OH NO I'm sorry you thought that's what I meant... I only added that I used canned chicken (which is labled gluten free) for convenience when I make her chicken salad and it's really pretty good. I always use fresh if I have it on hand. And of course it's always better to use fresh anything. Be careful though of anything that's injected into meat or marinated. Turkeys sometimes have injected chemicals and flavorings that are not gluten free. When I cook a whole chicken I always make soup with whats left. Either with pasta or rice.What kind of things does he like???
Mary G.
Posted 2/13/2012 1:26 PM (GMT -8)
I figured that that was what you meant, LOL I just wanted to make sure.

He doesn't like fish, doesn't like a lot of veggies, doesn't like NEW things, (Yes, he's very frustrating) doesn't like "thrown together" stuff...

I guess the better question is what does he "TRUST". I too wouldn't trust food if it had the potential to make me feel awful. He just doesn't trust food, that's why he'd go so many days without eating. Keep in mind he was "on his own" for the first time when he got this disease. Prior to that it was military food at the Air Force Base in Kuwait. Crohn's got him a medical discharge.

I feel so sorry for people who have both Crohn's and Celiac. If it's not one it's the other and you never REALLY know for sure which one it is. No wonder he doesn't trust food in general. And by the same token, no wonder I don't trust MY cooking.

I'd much rather consult those (here) who have the advantage of having lived with this "monster combo" longer than I have. I trust your experience.

He likes chicken, steak, (he's a typical meat 'n' potatoes type of guy) SUSHI big time, cheesecake, chips, etc...
Posted 2/13/2012 1:35 PM (GMT -8)
So you know that soy sauce is made with wheat? So if he's eating sushi, he needs to make sure he's got gluten free soy sauce (I use Tamari, marked gluten free).

I've been following a gluten-free diet for many months now and I think if you are sure he is gluten-free then whatever ailments he's suffering are bound to be Crohn's related.

It shouldn't be that challenging to eat gluten free if you're a meat & potatotes guy. What is challenging maybe for him is learning how to cook, because restaurant food is full of gluten and unless you specifically ask you cannot trust that a steak and potatoes meal will be safe.

Cheesecake as well - I don't particularly like it, and I'm lactose intolerant so it makes me nauseated - but it seems like you should be able to prepare a gluten-free cheesecake at home and use a gluten-free cookie to make the crust.
Posted 2/13/2012 3:19 PM (GMT -8)
Yes, he uses the gluten free soy sauce. He takes several with him when he goes out for sushi, but last time I went with him they used the same knife to cut both the raw and the baked so he got sick from the cross contamination. Uggh....

It's so nice to come here and just talk. It's amazing how comforting and calming it can be! Unlike my journaling, it's nice to have someone actually talk back. I always feel better after posting here. Aaron however says he feels worse because he reads the woes of cases simular to his and then he just gets depressed. I told him I'd "come" on his behalf and he can "look the other way", LOL

So here I am!
Posted 2/13/2012 6:15 PM (GMT -8)
  Glad you came here. It really is difficult to figure it all out. I'm really lucky my daughter is pretty easy going with her diet. She's had so many worse health issues in her 14 yrs that we actually feel lucky that the celiac can be fixed with "just diet". Of course the crohn's is a little harder since she needs medication for that.We're still working at getting her crohn's under control and her constipation. she's starting to have more good days than bad now but it's taken a year. Meat and potatoes sure makes it a little easier. Meats and chicken are safe and there's a lot you can do with potatoes. Does he like sweet potatoes? They're great for you,we make french fries out of both white and sweet. Does your son feel safe if the food is marked Gluten Free? Walmart brand foods are all pretty clearly labled GF. You be surprised at all the stuff that's labled now if you look for it. I have a GREAT Gluten free cheescake recipe if you would like it. Kathleen loves it (me too). She lOVES chips too and dips them in all kinds of good stuff. Glad you found your way here. I hope you can find time to enjoy your visit with your son. Maybe you can help him to figure out a broader diet while your there so when your gone he can stay healthy and not be as fearful of the food.

Mary G.

Posted 2/18/2012 1:08 AM (GMT -8)
My significant other is Japanese.. I can teach you how to make sushi mind you, its a Jamerican (Japanese American) Twist


California Roll:

Mayonese (Gluten Free)
Immation Crab
3 avocados
1 english cucomber
Package of Nori (seeweed)
Rice Vinegar
Sugar
Rice


***Please note, do Gluten Free I am giving you my man's recipe

1. Cook Rice
a. This is for approx 6 cups cooked rice:
in small bowl : 1/3 cup Sugar 1/3 cup rice vinegar Mix til sugar disolved
b. After rice cooked, whilst warm add vinegar mixture
c. Taste and continue to add sugar til it is a "sweet" rice flavor
d. Cool Rice (can be done by sticking in freezer and periodically stirring)
2. Get Nori out of package
a. Using the Nori as a measuring device, cut english cucomber in length wise and then cut in half, half, half
b. The extra little bit of cucomber cut in same consistincy
3. In bowl tear up package of immation crab like your pulling apart string cheese
a. add enough mayonese in bowl and stir til it sticks a little bit together
4. Cut avacodo in the thickness as cucombers
5. Place Your things in order as need for preperation time: Seeweed, Rice, Immation Crab, Cucomber, Avacodo (rice cooled)
a. Get a small like sauce size dish of water in it (you will need it to seal the seeweed)
6. Take a sheet of seeweed, you will see lines on it, lines face up and coming towards you (easier to roll) add a thin layer of rice be sure to have 1 line with no rice on each side
a. Add immation crab to where its a line across
b. add a cucomber strip
c. add avacado slices all the way across
d. Now take the end near you and roll tight, not too tight, towards the other end. Stop at the end of the rice. Hold roll with one hand, and using fingers from other hand dip your fingers in the water. run your damp fingers across the seeweed that is left til it is a little damp. roll up the rest of way and do the water with fingers til it is sticking to each other and sealed. Then you can pierce with a knife (poke it) where you want to cut, it cuts smoother if you poke it first.

Then you got sushi!

Do you need Sashimi Recipes too? (Raw fish)
Posted 2/20/2012 7:26 PM (GMT -8)
Thank you...I'm actually kind of excited about the Sushi and the cooking now. Thank you, I'm going to try the chicken and am hoping to put 10 pounds on him by surgery time. (I'd gladly donate 10 of mine if I could, LOL) Leaving tomorrow morning...Wish us luck!! Gotta run and pack...
Posted 2/21/2012 9:16 AM (GMT -8)
  So glad yourfeeling more confident. I hope you can get him healthy and ready for surgery. Also maybe get him on a regular diet that can help keep him healthier. Enjoy your time with your son and good luck. Let me know if you need the gluten free Cheesecake recipe.

Mary G.

Posted 2/22/2012 9:53 AM (GMT -8)
Oh yes, please! Thank you all! Gotta go make breakfast.
Posted 2/22/2012 9:37 PM (GMT -8)
please make sure all those ingredients for sushi is gluten free
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