In 2003, my mom died.  Her death has had a huge impact on me, and it majorly forced me to grow up, in a lot of ways.

There I was, 20 years old, suddenly motherless. Suddenly in charge. Suddenly so lost.

I had the love and support of my family and my then boyfriend/now hubby, but I still felt so alone.

Now, as a 28-year-old, as a mother, a wife, a teacher, a photographer, I still feel alone from time-to-time!

I still have Crohns, though it has mostly been in remission since my 2006 small bowel resection surgery.  You have heard the story before- Ava was born, I went nuts. I started making her baby food, and started learning about organic versus non-organic food.

Then I moved on to local vs. non-local.

Then I learned about BPA-free.

Then, head spinning, I learned about genetically modified food.

Last year, I started seeing a dietician. I worked with her until I made the decision to cut out 90% of the processed foods in my diet, then I knew I had to move on, to someone holistic.

In the spring, I met my nutritionist and learned about eating for your blood type, about wheat sensitives, about cleansing your body of processed foods, and about eating in combination.

My world has changed so much, but sadly, my experience with western medicine has not been as life-altering. Instead, it has been frustrating, annoying, and very defeating.

I saw the same gastroenterologist from the time I was diagnosed until the time CHOP sent me on my way at 18. My doctor was GREAT. I didn’t like him, because I was a kid and I associated him my disease, but in all honesty, it wasn’t him, it was the Crohns and the fear that accompanied it.

At 18, I went straight to a doctor at PENN, but decided to look for someone more local, and someone that didn’t talk down to me so much.

My next doctor was the polar opposite. Nice. Really nice. Too nice. Not assertive. I ended up being very sick for an entire year before we finally figured out that I had TWO partial bowel obstructions. HELLO?

I had surgery and then while sitting in a waiting room with my husband, saw an award for another GI who had won BEST CROHNS DOC in the Delaware Valley. Switch-a-roo. He was great, though he did not fully support my decision to go med-free while trying to get pregnant.  His rationale was, “Well, there’s no research that the meds will harm your baby, but there’s no research that it won’t”. Ummmmm no thanks! He checked “non-compliant” in my file and we moved on.

Then their office got into a battle with my insurance company and I had to move on. I was pregnant with my daughter and figured I had better have a GI in my pocket JUST in case. I visited the new doctor while I was pregnant with Ava. He was not cool with me not being on meds, and told me I needed to schedule for a month or two after her due date, to reassess, and get back on meds, “UNLESS (god forbid) you are going to tell me you’re breastfeeding“. Oy.

I religiously checked in on award-winning doc’s website and was elated when I read that they were now accepting my insurance again. Back I went. He made me a deal. Get a colonoscopy and then we can discuss meds. You look good, I will entertain no meds….

Fab.

Well, life got busy, I rescheduled my colonoscopy, and then cancelled the rescheduled one. Whoops.

Dear hubby of mine recently raised the colonoscopy/gi/med issue and threatened encouraged me to make an appointment.  I did, but my guy was wayyyyy booked. They set me up with another gi in the practice, one who specializes in women and nutrition. YAY! I recently went in for my appointment and she almost immediately reminded me that I need to get a colonoscopy. Fine.

Then we talked about food. She told me that I really just need to be a good mom, and stop reading so much. To eat everything in moderation.

Which is fine and lovely, but not really what I wanted to hear.

So I scheduled the colonoscopy, thanked her and left.

Around the same time, I scheduled an appointment to have a celiac blood panel taken to see if I was having a wheat sensitivity or celiac. Well.

They were not happy with me. They didn’t understand why I was “ordering” my own blood work. The nurse told me 8x that they were not a blood drawing station, and whoever ordered this was clearly misinformed (I told her several times it was I that ordered it). The nurse also informed me that the doctor ordered crazy tests that she had never even heard of and that were NOT in the code booklet. Gee lady, I am very sorry for making your day at the office so stressful.

I found myself apologizing over and over and explaining, I am not sure of the proper avenue, I am just trying to figure out why I feel crappy when I eat.

Several more oddities happened surrounding that visit and blood draw and I am now actively looking for a new family practice (ps- if you’re local, please email me if you go to a good one! babyinthekitchen@gmail.com).

Today, with blood work in hand, I headed to a rheumatologist to further investigate my possible wheat-related issues.  I made this appointment on the recommendation of another well-meaning professional, and was not thrilled when I arrived and the doctor looked at me with five heads when I said I was having bloating and not arthritis.  He made it clear from the beginning that I was at the wrong type of specialist, yet proceeded with the appointment, despite my two attempts to politely end the appointment.

It was not until I was sitting on the table, in a bra, underwear, and a thin paper gown, that I put my foot down and VERY politely and respectfully said I was not comfortable proceeding with the appointment when he had told me from the start he was not the right type of doctor for me!

He was taken aback and a little bit pissed but told me to get dressed and meet him at the counter.

Shaking and with tears in my eyes I got dressed, walked to the desk, and mumbled yet another apology. I graciously accepted my $35 co-pay from the very kind receptionist and left the office crying. My poor husband was the recipient of the hysterical phone call that ensued.

I am trying to be a good mom, a good person, a good self-advocate, yet why am I constantly feeling so discouraged???

Oy freaking vey!

So now, here I am, lost, and feeling pretty alone. In need of a family doctor, in need of answers, and at the end of the day, in need of my mommy!   I would love for somebody to give me the magic answer, to tell me what to eat to feel great 99% of the time, and to hold my hand and tell me I am NOT an idiot, but sadly, I am discouraged!

If you have made it to the end of this post, I thank you! I would love to hear your experiences…am I alone here?

Kohlrabi (it’s back, baby!)

Yams

Tomatoes

Corn

Leeks

Pumpkins!

Broccoli!

Cauliflower!

Onions

Beets

We ate what is probably the last of the corn tonight with local grass-fed burgers topped with tomatoes tonight. I made some delicious mashed cauliflower along with it and it was delectable. I cannot wait to dive head-first into pumpkins this week…it will be my first time cooking with FRESH pumpkins! YAHOO!

]]> http://babyinthekitchen.com/?feed=rss2&p=1793 0 http://babyinthekitchen.com/?p=1727 http://babyinthekitchen.com/?p=1727#comments Tue, 27 Sep 2011 04:12:50 +0000 caitlindomanico http://babyinthekitchen.com/?p=1727 Continue reading »]]> Check out some of my favorites made by my local pals!

Insulated lunch totes by Brookiellen Designs:

Brooke has two different styles and tons of awesome patterns.  I am eying up the design above, and we already have a sushi-themed lunch tote pictured below.  Abers takes it to babysitting and LOVES carrying her “yunch”.

Brookiellen also makes eco-friendly reusable snack bags~ perfect for kid (and mommy) snacks on-the-go!

The Diaper Bag Wrangler has wet bags that are meant primarily for diapering, but we have several and we use them for lunches!!!

For cooking at home, check out these fabulous aprons!!

For those of you with baby boys- check out MrsPTB Makes’ bibs!

I have been a little absent around here. Fall is just crazy-crazy for me and I sometimes have to put this on the back burner because above all, my priority is always my family of course, but then I have a little thing called a business AND a teaching job that I also have to give 100% to, so for ignoring BITK, I apologize!

I love this blog because it’s like a best friend- it is there when you need it, and it’s like no time at all has passed.

What have I been up to food-wise?

I have been researching.

Gluten-free, wheat-sensitivities, crohns disease, paleo diet, etc, etc.

I have been neglecting to exercise, BUT I started adult ballet classes Monday night:)

I have been reading two new books: Everyday Paleo and Wheat Belly: Lose the Wheat, Lose the Weight, and Find Your Path Back to Health

I have been visiting my favorite local eateries: my CSA, Palovchak’s Produce, getting meat at Bolton’s Turkey Farm, eating lunch with family at the Down to Earth Cafe, and today, checking out a new (to me) local farm market, None Such Farm!

My darling girl is just shy of 2.5 years old and is talking up a STORM! She asks crazy questions and makes silly statements. She is potty-trained! She asks for all kinds of junk food all the time, yet still has an adventurous eating spirit and loves to “help” in the kitchen! She rules…

Carrots

Corn

Opo squash

Acorn squash

Butternut squash

Peppers

Potatoes

Garlic

Tomatillos

Eggplant

Scallions

Leeks

Onions

Week 18

PUMPKIN!!!!!

Butternut squash

Acorn squash

Potatoes

Green beans

Garlic

Onions

Yams (!)

Leeks

Scallions

Beets

Yahoo!  You know fall is coming when you have pumpkins, yams and squash at pick up!!!! I am super excited to experiment with both this year! Delicious!

I recently had the opportunity to check out Nasoya Super Hummus- a very delicious new kind of hummus available only in the Northeast.

Nasoya Super Hummus is made from a blend of soybeans and chickpeas.  Intriguing right?  Even more intriguing, Super Hummus contains twice the amount of protein and half the fat of the leading brand of hummus!  As I emailed back and forth with the rep, I had to ask, are the ingredients organic? I hate being like that, but with soybeans, it is important since they are often genetically modified (if it’s not organic).  They are organic ingredients! Woo hoo!  When you are shopping for products, it is always best to ask. I appreciate her providing the information, but I do wish it was expressed on the label, the ingredients list does not make mention of any organic ingredients that I saw.

I headed to my local Wal-Mart (also available at BJ’s) and found two different varieties : original and spinach garlic.

We tried both varieties with fresh local veggies, and they were delicious. They passed the mommy and toddler taste-test!

I do try to avoid wheat/gluten whenever possible, so these will be a sometimes treat for me, and good in a pinch, when I do not have time to make my own hummus.

Though we were provided with free vouchers to check out Nasoya Super Hummus to help facilitate this review, all opinions are our own.

Spooky Buddies!

They have a sweet and delicious recipe for doggie biscuits, I think Abes and I will definitely make these for our two wiener dogs!!!

Click here for some other fun Spooky Buddies activities.

Want to score it for less? Click here to get $5 off!

Warrior is based on a family that was torn apart by abuse and addiction.  The movie stars Tom Hardy, Nick Nolte and Joel Edgerton.  Hardy is reminiscent of a young Marlon Brando and plays Tom Conlon, a character you cannot help but route for as his story unravels.  Paddy Conlon, played by Nolte, portrays a once abusive/alcoholic father who is battling his sobriety who is hoping for a chance to reunite his family. Brendan Conlon, played by Edgerton, is the struggling “every man”.  With a daughter who is sick and a possible foreclosure on his home he turns to the one thing he knows best, fighting.

When going to see this film one would think the movie would be based mostly on MMA and fighting, however you cannot help but pull for every character.  You hope both fighters succeed and cannot decide who to route for to win.  In addition to the interesting story, the MMA fight scenes were very realistic, which is very important to an MMA fan like me.  Warrior will keep your attention throughout the film and I believe everyone can relate to the characters in some capacity and worth a watch!

Written by our contributor, John. Tickets were provided to us to help facilitate the review but all opinions are our own!

Corn

Cabbage

Broccolli

Tomatoes

Onions

Okra

Peppers

Eggplant

Carrots

Green Beans

Swiss Chard

Week sixteen was directly after all the rain/winds and flooding from Hurricane Irene.  I am impressed we got as much as we did!!!

Week 16

Green Peppers

Hot Peppers

Tomatoes

Opo Squash

Squash

Corn

Cabbage

Carrots

Green Beans

Tomatoes

Eggplant

Scallions

Leeks

This week’s pick- up was actually delayed two days due to Hurricane Lee passing through. Our poor farmers! Ours are hanging in there, and they were still smiling when I picked up today, bless them!

]]> http://babyinthekitchen.com/?feed=rss2&p=1743 2 http://babyinthekitchen.com/?p=1739 http://babyinthekitchen.com/?p=1739#comments Fri, 09 Sep 2011 01:23:34 +0000 caitlindomanico http://babyinthekitchen.com/?p=1739 Continue reading »]]> I posted this last year, but decided to re-post since I have been blowing up facebook with my tomato sauce pictures!!!!

Paula’s Pasta Sauce aka Crock-Pot Tomato Sauce

This recipe takes me straight back to my childhood, as this is my mom’s recipe.  I have to admit, I did not love it as a kid, but now, as a mom myself, I love making it for my family, and I love recalling memories I created with my own mom. There’s something about a crisp fall day and the scent of warm tomato sauce wafting through air, it’s perfection!

Combine in crock pot:

2 large cans tomatoes (peeled, whole) or 6-8 fresh ones- we use fresh, local
3 cans (6 oz) tomato paste, look for organic, in glass is even better:)
1/2 pack spatini OR a blend of italian seasonings to taste (I have never used spatini)
1 chopped onion
1 chopped green pepper
bay leaf – optional
sugar- to taste

Simmer on low in crock pot for 4-5 hours.  Stir occasionally.  Throw out bay leaf before serving.

Got picky eaters? Puree the sauce before serving- this is a chunky recipe!