A Cranky Gerd Thanksgiving: 2012 Edition

This year's place-setting, before the food.

Like last year, this year's holiday was spent divided between households.  Who can complain -- two Thanksgiving feasts, diverse dinner conversation, and lots of festivities, including a library book sale and Small Business Saturday shopping in a cute New England town!?

Navigating all this holiday ambience was a challenge for my guts, which have been "cranky" lately, with frequent heartburn, reflux, clenched throat feeling, belching and even chronic intestinal issues:  I've been swinging between diarrhea and constipation for a few weeks now, and am seeing my GI specialist this week because of all of these increased issues.  I've had bad nausea a few times a week, with episodes so profound I thought I would throw up.   And, three times since my road trip, I have thrown up after hours of feeling extremely bloated.

So, for the long Thanksgiving holiday, I was concerned.  How would I deal with not only my vegetarian/vegan diet and my preference for "locally sourced" foods, but also my out of control guts?

My common-sense strategy:  I decided I'd eat only what I was comfortable eating -- gently or, if necessary, slyly, ignoring foods that were problems for me.   Specific strategies:

• Emergency snacks in my luggage -- raw nuts, a Luna bar, some single-serving nut butter packets, dried fruit.    
• Leaving the room -- I excused myself a few times during a pre-meal coffee-cake snack "to check on the food" in the kitchen (where I snuck a few tastes of the butternut squash and white bean cassoulet).  
• Watching my portions -- I took only one serving of everything and ate slowly (if you want to avoid offending your host, take two tiny portions that make up one portion…)

THANKSGIVING MEAL #1

Here is what we had for our meal:

• White bean cassoulet
• Sweet potatoes with tamari marinade
• Mashed butternut squash
• Roast turkey slices (for the non-vegetarians)
• Cranberry sauce 
• Spice cupcakes with chocolate frosting

A SECOND THANKSGIVING -- AND LOCAL TEMPTATIONS!

My second Thanksgiving was spent with my parents, so I could more candidly navigate my gut issues.  (By now, I'm not shy about discussing all sorts of bodily issues with just about anyone, but even I have limits around a holiday table!)

Bloating was a huge deal by the time I left for my next destination.  I was also taking TUMS a few times a day for moderate indigestion.  I was feeling awful when I boarded the train north, and anxious that I had a long day ahead.  I told myself I was not going to "die from constipation," to relax, things would work out one way or another. Self-talk is something I apply a lot when I feel anxious, and it did help calm me down so I could enjoy the day.  (Things did work out later…but it took days for me to get back to normal motility.)

We enjoyed lunch at Whole Foods and a light dinner of lentil soup.   The next morning, we visited a new French bakery in the neighborhood -- and I indulged in a chocolate croissant AND tasted part of an almond croissant.   I was ambivalent -- here I was, going off my "vegan when eating out" and "pastured eggs only" rule, and possibly exacerbating my GERD, but not caring about either concern.  I was excited to just sit and enjoy the well-made pastries.   (My willpower is not the issue - it's my willingness to ignore my rules.  Not the same thing…)  (I'm being candid here!)

French bakery, Cape Cod, MA

Almond croissants, French bakery.

Long walks and a six-mile bike ride through the New England landscape helped de-stress me, and helped my food digest.   Another Thanksgiving meal followed, but it was full of vegetables and foods that were familiar to me, so I felt more at ease gut-wise.   Except for one surprise: a "Tofurkey" vegetarian "turkey."   I was excited to try this strange iconic food of vegetarians!   After a few bites, I decided I had enough -- I could sense it might result in indigestion for me (too processed?  too salty?) so I did not hesitate to just stop eating it.   

Tofurkey!

Cranberry sauce. 

THANKSGIVING MEAL #2:

Tofurkey with Savory Gravy

Breadcrumb stuffing

Nut loaf

Roasted sweet potatoes, butternut squash, and small potatoes

Broccoli

Corn off the cob
Ham (for non-vegetarians)

Cranberry sauce 

Pumpkin pie

Apple crisp

I overate slightly (during "clean up" when I ate extra scraps from the pans) but was pleased that I listened to my body.   Since Thanksgiving, I'm feeling less GERD/gut/motility issues. 

Meditation garden, Providence, RI.

Wildflowers, Cape Cod

Cape Cod, MA.  Martha's Vineyard in the background.

Road Trip with GERD: Stop 4 -- Savannah, GA

The loose-leaf counter at the Savannah Tea Room.

Our stay in Savannah was short -- just four hours in one late afternoon!  Food became incidental from the start.  We arrived at the hotel too early, and too hungry.   The room would be ready in an hour, so we killed time by having lunch at the Popeye's across the street (the only food option in walking distance, unless you count the gas station's grocery store).   It was a meal of convenience:  I had beans and rice, half a biscuit, and nothing else (the green beans were not available and I later learned they are spiked with ham, so no loss).   I am surprised by how well I tolerated this "fast food" meal.

Arrival at Savannah.  Quick lunch while our rooms were being prepared.

A few hours later, we drove to the river's edge and spent the rest of the day wandering the city.  Being the only person on the planet who has not read or seen Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, I did not have to visit the story's sites; instead, I walked from square to square, getting all mesmerized by the dreamy atmosphere.  (I wound up getting a copy of The Book at a consignment shop, just $14 for a hardcover First Edition.)

SAVANNAH TEA ROOM -- A MECCA!

I had my own list of "must see" places, including the Savannah Tea Room.   I was thrilled to find it, and left with five bags of excellent loose-leaf tea.  I have been enjoying the Oolong varieties with no trigger effect, further demonstrating that Oolong tea seems to be a safe tea for my GERD.  (Great news, since it is my favorite tea, next to Puerh!)  I'll see how the black flavored teas do -- I was not sure if these were good choices given my flare-ups after regular black teas, but they smelled so compelling.  Almond cookie!  Quince!  Here are the teas I brought home:

My stash!

• Emperor's Bride -- A flavored herby, fruity tea (not yet tried); the tea house favorite.
• Puerh -- fermented, aged tea; my favorite variety though I have not yet tried this one (too busy with the oolongs!).  The aroma is stunning.
• Big Red Robe -- An Oolong; I have been drinking this a few times a week; easy on my guts
• Pouchong -- Between an Oolong and Puerh; another regular tea in my rotation now which I can drink without concern -- never a trigger; I never heard of this tea before the Savannah Tea House.  I will have to mail order this one!  (See a review of this tea on the Tea and Talk blog.)
• Tessa's Almond Cookie -- Not yet tried, another fantastic smelling black tea blend.

I spent the rest of the day walking and considering shops and snacks, but consuming nothing else, except the city's strange energy.

Cotton Exchange on the River.

Savannah is full of delights like this one.

The famous "Forrest Gump" square.

FROM PAULA TO PANERA

In planning the trip, a Savannah highlight was supposed to be a trip to the Sentient Bean, a vegan cafe/bistro/art space with impressive reviews.  However, it was located at the far end of Forsythe Park, too long of a walk from where I reunited with my travel party.  Another case of "ideal" meets reality, as we were all hungry and exhausted, and starting to get irritable.   We plodded around for a few blocks, not agreeing on where to eat -- locavore hot spot?  Irish pub?  al fresco touristy Italian?  quiet diner?  loud burger joint that had "housemade" veggie burgers and walls covered with dead alligators?    The Paula Deen restaurant got us all excited, but the line was too long.

So, deflated, we slunk into a Panera's Bread and just ate a bunch of dull, dried out paninis.    My choice was the "tomato and cheese" panini, a disappointment but at least it was a small portion.

If only I had read Eat & Talk's blog entry on vegan food in Savannah before the trip…!

SECRET TRAVEL WEAPON: OATMEAL

As the days and trip went on, I relied more and more on oatmeal (or grits) for my morning meal.  I found it was a GERD-pleasing, filling option in a sea of factory farmed eggs, butter-rich baked goods, and trays of morning meats.   It was especially uplifting to find house-made oatmeal, but even instant packages were welcome.  (We packed a carton of these in our travel food stash, as well.)

Here is my breakfast bowl the next morning, courtesy of our Savannah lodging:  apple-cinnamon oatmeal with some strawberry jam I blended in.  Next stop, Florida!

Life is like a box of chocolates...

Road Trip with GERD: Stop 3 -- Charleston, NC

"Fast and French" special of the day.   Charleston, SC.

After Wilmington, we raced towards Charleston, where we would spend a day and a half exploring the town.   One of the challenges on the road was matching our itinerary to reality -- it often took far longer to get to our destination that we expected.  So, after checking into our hotel, it was usually a mad rush to find healthy food before places closed or we became too frazzled.  This led to desperate meals.  (Again, I had scouted places out before the trip but once we got to our destination, factors usually prevented us from going to them.  They were closed, too far from where we were, the menu was not pleasing to our entire party, and so on.)

By this time on the trip, my meals had been losing whole foods and vegetables by the mile.   We had been on the road for three days (only) and already I was feeling nutrient-deprived and "overly processed."    Menus never offered vegetables without a meat stock or addition, locally sourced whole foods were difficult to find in restaurants, and I began relying on green salads for my veggies.   I've never eaten so much lettuce so many meals in a row.  This trip opened my eyes to the "food deserts" and overall poor eating habits in the U.S. -- something I don't get exposed to living in NYC, a paradise of artisanal food stands, farm-to-table restaurants, greenmarkets, and vegetarian cuisine.  

We arrived in Charleston around 4:00 PM, and took a long walk on King Street -- the "shopping" street which also had numerous restaurants.  Unfortunately, most of them were upscale fast food places or "foodie" places which did not have anything vegetarian-friendly that I wanted to eat -- most veg-friendly dishes I encountered on the trip consisted of 1) mushrooms, which I loathe, and 2) "caprese" something or other -- and how much mozzarella can I eat on one trip?

Apparently, a lot.  We wound up at The Mellow Mushroom, a popular chain of "hippie" pizzarias:

The Mellow Mushroom in Charleston. 

I should have looked at the menu more closely to see if this location also offered a tempeh hoagie.   Next time...

OATMEAL -- THE TRAVELER'S FRIEND

The next morning,  we were supposed to eat in the Dining Hall on the base, but it was open only for "Grab and Go" food due to cleaning.   Oatmeal was becoming my staple on the road; I brought ground nuts with me for my own topping if needed, and places usually provided fresh and dried fruit.  This morning, the only oatmeal was instant, overly processed -- and unpalatable.

"Grab and Go" breakfast at the Mess Hall, 9:00 AM.

An hour later, my travel party decided to return to the dining hall for the "real" hot breakfast.   I got fresh fruit and watery grits.   It is what it is.

Breakfast at the Mess Hall, 10:00 AM.

"FAST & FRENCH"

I enjoyed my walk around Charleston, and especially the lunch I discovered at Gaulart & Maliclet  -- or, as the locals call it "because we can't pronounce it,"  Fast & French.  What an amazing find -- a daily special that day was the soup of the day with a baguette topped with sauteed leeks, tomatoes and goat cheese.  I asked if I could get the baguette without the goat cheese, and substitute the "fruit with nuts and raisins" for the soup.  No problem, and here, try some complimentary olive spread too.   The menu included many veg/vegan friendly options, and the flexibility of the staff makes it easy to get just what you need/want diet-wise.

Fast & French!

The rest of our Charleston visit was upbeat, and we ended the day with dinner at Whole Foods in Mount Pleasant across the river.  Vegetables!

King Street, Charleston, SC.

Gut status at this point of the trip:  Amazingly low-GERD, no food in throat feeling, no constipation, and no bloating, except for times when I ate too much.  (One of the dangers for me eating out with others is my tendency to "help finish" someone else's meal - an extra bite here and there and all of a sudden I have eaten beyond my portion, I'm feeling bloated and refluxy, and kicking myself for doing so.)

Road Trip with GERD: Stop 2, Wilmington, NC

Tofu scramble with hash brown and veg bacon/sausage at Nick's.   Fantastic!

DINNER -- ANOTHER LESSON

Wilmington, North Carolina marked the low-point and a high-point of our dining experience on the road.  The drive to Wilmington was leisurely -- too leisurely.  We arrived at our hotel as the sun was setting.  By the time we unloaded our bags and freshened up, it was dark outside, and late.  I had scribbled down a few places to eat, but by then they were closed, or the menu in-person was in fact not vegetarian-friendly.  After wandering around for 20 minutes, we decided to just head back to the hotel to see if we could get some light fare there, or a delivery suggestion.   Everyone was getting cranky and concerned about eating too late (already our destiny).

When the concierge pointed to a shelf of crackers, soda, candy, and other snacks as the only option, we asked for the delivery menu.   It was for an Italian restaurant; everything looked heavy, rich, and overbearing for 9:00 PM.   Our party was disgusted, more sleepy than hungry, and we returned to our rooms with a plan of last resort:  make dinner from our travel snacks.   Hot oatmeal (unsweetened, organic), applesauce, and a few crackers from the concierge served as dinner, and we were determined to not repeat this mistake.  Dinner by 6 PM from now on!

p.s. If only I had known about this blog entry on From A to Vegan before the trip:  Southern Vegan Gastronomy Tour: Wilmington, NC

BREAKFAST -- PERFECTION AGAIN

We made up for our  motley dinner with one of the best breakfast spots we found on the road:  Nick's Diner.   Our entire party was thrilled by this "fifties" themed diner that has a separate vegetarian and vegan menu, and tasty food with reasonable portions.    In our euphoria, we ordered too many things and had to get a take-out box for the leftovers (veggie sausage, a blueberry pancake) -- which we ate an hour later after a long walk touring Blue Velvet sites.

I ordered the Tofu Scramble, seen above, which is served with shredded potatoes and a choice of veggie bacon or sausage.  I got the bacon with a side of vegetarian sausage.  Everything was fantastic, and my GERD was managed well, probably due to my portion control, slow eating, and the familiar type of food.   

"HEY, YOU WANT TO GO FOR A RIDE?"

Blue Velvet is one of my favorite movies of all time.  So, when I learned we could incorporate a visit to Wilmington -- site of the movie's filming -- I was thrilled.  After breakfast, I convinced my travel party to roam the streets with me to look at significant sites related to the film:  Arlene's, the "Pabst Blue Ribbon" bar, Dorothy Vallen's apartment building, Dennis Hopper's old apartment building hallway.

Arlene's, now an American bistro/cafe.

Dennis Hopper lived here.  Hallway in the Masonic Building.

Carolina Apartments, where Dorothy Vallens lived.

Bar where Frank praises PBR.

Road Trip with GERD: First Stop -- Colonial Williamsburg

18th Century remedy for heartburn -- Colonial Tums

I've been away from Cranky Gerd for a few weeks and, literally, away -- on a two-week road trip from NYC to Orlando and back.   What an adventure!  Aside from experiencing this part of the country first-hand, and getting into a state of mind only achieved by going "on the road" for an extended period, I was constantly confronted with my guts and dietary issues.  Being a vegetarian (near vegan) while traveling in the South is not an easy task.  Having only a limited time in each place while traveling with a group (my family) was even more challenging.   Had I been traveling on my own, I could have planned entire afternoons around getting to "that great vegetarian place" across town, but I needed to accommodate the other dietary issues in my party, as well as time restrictions (this was a fast vacation!),  so I made due with what was immediately available.

For the next few blog entries, I'll reconstruct parts of the trip and how I navigated my GERD (and veg diet) -- often successfully, but sometimes not.  The first leg of the trip was a short 2-day stay in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia.  I had decided at the onset to eat eggs and dairy products if nothing else was available or I if I felt protein/nutrient deprived.  I vowed to seek "pastured" eggs when possible.  I'm not thrilled by my choice to eat outside my comfort zone when I did out of laziness or hunger or even temptation.

In the end, I did okay overall, returning the same weight as I left, slightly less toned but much less stressed.  I realize now I did not have the chronic "food in throat" feeling during my trip.  The times I had reflux or bloating were directly related to my eating too much food, or too much rich food.    Here is a summary from a GERD point of view.

FIRST STOP:  COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG, VA

One of the best breakfasts on the trip -- The Trellis restaurant's grits and eggs.

Our first stop!  Arriving late in the day, we roamed around in desperation looking for dinner.  None of the places I had identified prior to the trip were conveniently located, or looked good "on the ground," except one -- The Pita Pit, a Canadian chain across from William & Mary, making it also a popular college hang-out.  The food is excellent, but the hour we ate was not -- well past 8:00 PM.  The sandwich I had was enormous and delicious, and  I think the late hour and portion size caused my reflux that evening.  I vowed to not eat that late again…

The next morning, J. and I treated ourselves to breakfast at The Trellis, a "farm to table" restaurant in Colonial Williamsburg's "marketplace."  The portion was perfect and the quality amazing.  I ordered grits with two over-hard fried eggs.  I prefer fried eggs when eating out, as I don't care for most of the scrambled style, and there is a danger they will add milk or cream, making the result too "heavy" -- a tip I learned from a dairy-intolerant friend (Thanks, A.!).  Omelets are out of the question due to their size, unless I split one. And, I just like fried eggs!  I enjoyed every bit of this breakfast, and did not feel any GERD symptoms.

Ploughman's lunch in Williamsburg -- bread and herbed cheese.

I ate modestly the rest of the day, having a plum for a snack, and a hunk of bread and cheese for lunch.  Both were purchased at The Cheese Shop, a grocery specializing in "local" goods.    Bread and cheese were again on the menu for dinner -- our group decided to split a medium cheese pizza and salad at a pub across from our hotel.  It was a meal of convenience, as we were all tired, hungry, and eager to get to our rooms.

Note:  The Colonial foods prepared on site were fascinating -- most were lightly seasoned with just a few herbs, salt and pepper, involved seasonal items (of course), and the occasional game.  GERD-friendly?  Probably!  I did not sample this Colonial fare shown below -- boiled vegetables (leeks, squash, potato) with rabbit:

Colonial food in preparation on site.

More Colonial foods… 

Recipe: Breakfast Cereal (Got Nuts?)

What I eat almost every morning.

Several months ago, I realized I was probably not getting enough protein, at least during my breakfast.  I was always famished around 9:00 AM when arriving at work (I usually eat breakfast around 6:00 AM).  When a friend told me about how she increased the nut content of her diet for protein, I was impressed, and thought I'd give this a try to boost the nutrition and staying power of my cereal bowl.    I am obsessed with cereal for breakfast -- any other breakfast leaves me feeling unsatisfied emotionally and, now, with the addition of nuts, I'm happy until a late morning snack or lunch.  (Note: Snacks to me are not a "four letter word" -- I don't mean a bag of chips or danish, I mean a handful of nuts, a half banana, a "raw" veggie cracker.   I try to follow my body, not the clock, and that sometimes means having a bowl of vegetable soup at 3:00 PM.)

Now and then I may try Shredded Wheat, Life (guilty pleasure), or some kind of "O" cereal, but nothing pleases me as much as the Wheetabix brand.  I love it, and I find the mushy nature of it is very compatible with my GERD, in the same way grits and other soft foods seem to "go down" well.

As noted, I need to eat small portions, so when I decided to add 1/4 C. nuts to my bowl, I decided to reduce the portion of Wheetabix by half -- one biscuit instead of two.   I add a handful of raisins, the 1/4 C. of chopped/ground nuts, and sometimes a handful of blueberries or a half banana.  

Just before adding the almond milk...

My milk of choice is Blue Diamond Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Breeze.  Eating this concoction slowly while reading the paper, or just focusing on the morning breeze, is a calming way to start the day for me.


RECIPE:  BREAKFAST CEREAL (GOT NUTS?)


1 Wheetabix biscuit, crumbled (you can substitute any low-sugar, high-fiber, mostly unprocessed cereal; just use half of the serving size)

1/4 C. ground nuts (I always use walnuts for the nutrition value.  Sometimes I also add pecans -- my favorite -- or chopped/sliced almonds)

1/4 C. raisins (optional)

Other fresh or dried fruit additions as you wish: 1/2 banana, a handful of blueberries, sliced fruit as you like; very occasionally I'll add a few spoons of my homemade granola but that is definitely a treat...

1 C. almond milk (I use Blue Diamond Unsweetened Vanilla; you may prefer soy or rice milk -- unsweetened is suggested.  There's some evidence almonds help reduce heartburn, so this may be a good choice for GERD diets.  It's my personal favorite, and I dislike soy milk, so that's all I use.)

Mix dry ingredients.
Mix in fruit additions.
Pour milk over it all and enjoy.
Remember to eat slowly, breathe, let the morning unfold.

GO EVEN MORE NUTS!

My Cranky Gut's granola recipe focuses entirely on nuts -- you can easily substitute walnut oil for the ghee/butter.  

GERD and Stress: A Constant Juggle!

What to eat in a heatwave.

I've been experiencing increased GERD symptoms lately:  the lump/food in throat feeling, off and on nausea, belching, bloating, and some esophageal reflux.   I spent several days traveling during the Fourth of July holiday, and the next week in a very busy work schedule.  A heatwave complicated my cooking efforts -- who wants to do anything by the stove when it's 95 degrees three days in a row?   I missed a greenmarket, have been dealing with constipation, and neglecting to eat mindfully (slowly).  What a mess!  No wonder my system is responding as it is.

DON'T GRUMBLE.  GET GOING...

I am telling myself to just "go with the flow"-- maybe this just will not be the perfect week.   Maybe I will be eating out for lunch, eating quick frozen vegetables and veggie sausages.  Last night, J. and I resorted to pierogis from the supermarket (albeit "homemade" in our neighborhood) and frozen spinach.  Do the best I can to resume my GERD-friendly eating habits -- go slow!  Breathe.    The big greenmarket and cooking-ahead are in my weekend plans.

...BUT STOP AND BE IN THE MOMENT

I strive to find daily pockets in my busy days where I am outside -- crucial for my sanity, especially since I spend so many hours in an office.  Just being mindful and in the moment helps ease my stress.

Here are some mindful moments I try to incorporate each week:

Visiting a farm -- even in New York City -- or the next best thing -- the Greenmarket.  This is Eagle Street Rooftop Farm, which sells its crops to local restaurants and in its shop.  Visitors can stop by to buy produce and pop upstairs to view the farm itself (and the Manhattan skyline from a new angle).  I'm always more relaxed after stopping by!

Leafy things growing at the Eagle Street Rooftop Farm.

Green beans at Union Square.

My weekly ritual includes shopping at the greenmarket early Saturday morning.  I am always inspired  by the fresh foods, their smells and tastes grounding me.  I was delighted to spot these beans a few weeks ago at Union Square Greenmarket.

Connecting with animals.   My GERD symptoms began after the death of my cat a few years ago.  I am thinking about adopting another cat but this may be problematic due to my schedule (I'm gone all day) and my landlord (he's not keen on letting me have another one; I barely convinced him to accept my original cat).   Meanwhile, I volunteer once a week at the local no-kill shelter, where connecting with cats and dogs (and pigeons and chickens!) who need homes is immensely gratifying.  I know I am benefiting as much as the animals, probably more.  

One of the cats for adoption. 

Replacing the hassles of the commute.   Once a week at least, I hop the ferry instead of taking the subway lines.  This involves a 30-block walk to the pier, a reasonable wait for the next boat (which gives me time to catch my breath), and a lovely ride across the river.  It is a magical and rejuvenating experience every time, even under gray skies!

East River Ferry.  

Got GERD?: Going Dairy-Free May Help

In the July 7 Opinion section of the New York Sunday Times (and online blog), food/cookbook writer Mark Bittman writes about his experience with heartburn and milk -- and how removing dairy products from his diet immediately resulted in no more GERD.   Bittman notes he had been popping Tums and taking Prevacid for years; when he switched to a dairy-free diet, his symptoms went away -- and so did his medications.  This also worked for a friend of his (emphasis mine):

"So, three months ago, I decided to give up dairy products as a test. Twenty-four hours later, my heartburn was gone. Never, it seems, to return. In fact, I can devour linguine puttanesca (with anchovies) and go to bed an hour later; fellow heartburn sufferers will be impressed. Perhaps equally impressive is that I mentioned this to a friend who had the same problem, tried the same approach, and had the same results. Presto! No dairy, no heartburn! (A third had no success. Hey, it’s not a controlled double-blind experiment, but there is no downside to trying it.)

"Conditions like mine are barely on the radar. Although treating heartburn is a business worth more than $10 billion a year, the solution may be as simple as laying off dairy. (Which, need I point out, is free.) What’s clear is that the widespread existence of lactose intolerance, says Dr. Baker, is “a pretty good sign that we’ve evolved to drink human milk when we’re babies but have no need for the milk of any animals. And no matter what you call a chronic dairy problem — milk allergy, milk intolerance, lactose intolerance — the action is the same: avoid all foods derived from milk for at least five days and see what happens.”

It's worth reading the comments after Bittman's online article, which refute some of his points, and one person points out millions of people in the U.S.  are able to tolerate dairy.  


Food Politics Note:  Still, no one can refute the link between dairy farming -- even organic, small-scale farms -- and the veal industry.   I used to buy my cheese at the local greenmarket guilt-free until one day the same stand sold slabs of veal.  Most farmers cannot afford to keep dozens of non-producing cows (male or old females) around as pets.  My lightbulb moment.

Creative Night, 4/11: Books, Letters, and Successful GERD-Friendly Meal Out!

Dinner at EAT, Brooklyn.

In one of our efforts to "de-stress," J. and I have decided to spend one night a week devoted to "creative pursuits."  We both have several projects that are half-done or pending, with "no time" to do them -- something that has been frustrating us.  (Weekends are already stuffed with activities, from greenmarket shopping and prepping food for the week, to bike rides and other fun excursions.)

So, we have launched "Creative Night," one evening a week dedicated to our individual projects.  No housework or cooking allowed (unless "cooking" is one of the creative activities that night).   I'll document my Creative Nights here, as it's part of my de-stressing plan.

Last night's activities involved a trip to the library, writing a note to J.'s parents, and dinner at a restaurant I've wanted to try for months.

THE BOOKS

I am thrilled our library is open late on some weeknights.  I marched in and checked out:

• Tea: History Terroirs Variety, an oversize book on tea harvesting and enjoyment by a noted tea house.
•  When Did the Statue of Liberty Turn Green & 101 Other Questions About New York City, a compilation of interesting questions (and answers) by the New York Historical Society Library.
• The Art of Flourishing: A New East West Approach to Staying Sane and Finding Love in an Insane World, a "how-to" style book fusing Western lifestyles with zen, mindfulness, and other Eastern concepts…not sure how long I'll last reading this one, but there may be a few takeaway points here. 

THE MEAL

Then, I took myself to dinner at Eat, a restaurant epitomizing the "farm to table" approach.   Eating out is always a challenge for my cranky gut and picky palate.   Usually, I find that the vegetarian -- and especially vegan -- dishes served at restaurants are far too spiced.   Cumin, chipotle, black pepper, and other bold flavors muffle the clean vegetable taste I am hoping for.   Even the Whole Foods hot/cold bars are loaded with extraneous spices, wrecking the dish for me (I do not need red pepper flakes on all my vegetables, thank you).   Elsewhere, the one vegan soup is "Spicy Black Bean."

Eat's cooking philosophy matches mine -- that when you have terrific produce, you don't need much more, that recipes should bring out the flavors of the vegetables -- not drown them in counter-flavors, rendering them undetectable.   Nothing ruins a dish for me more than it being too spicy-hot, making my mouth scorched and unable to taste anything other than the "heat."  That's my personal taste preference; I know many people prefer hot spices on their food, and think complex flavors make a dish, but a more mild approach is what works for me.   Note: GERD-wise, spicy foods can be a trigger for many people, though as I noted before, my gut isn't bothered by them.

So, I was in bliss with Eat's "greens and beans" dish, composed of sauteed kale (with all stems trimmed --  bravo! -- something restaurants do NOT usually do), a creamy brown rice, and expertly prepared pinto beans -- all from the local greenmarket.   I was going to read while I ate, but decided to take a completely mindful approach, slowly savoring each forkful, chewing well, and taking moments to just breathe and relax between bites.   The portion was also pleasing -- perhaps a tiny bit more than I'd have at home, but not that much more, so I felt just right afterwards.  No GERD symptoms!

I could not leave without grabbing some desserts to go -- a gluten-free brownie, and chocolate chip/nib cookie.  Both not vegan, but with locally-sourced ingredients…

LINKAGE

Eat's Twitter feed 

Eat's Facebook page

Eat on Yelp - Four Stars

Linkage: GERD Treatment Breakthrough -- Magnets!

Breaking news -- LINX, a new FDA-approved magnet-based treatment is proving to be a successful remedy for GERD that is not managed by diet, medications, or other means:

On Monday, April 9, Santiago Horgan, MD, chief of minimally invasive surgery at UC San Diego Health System implanted the new FDA-approved LINX device in a 29-year old patient suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)... The LINX system is composed of a series of titanium beads, each with a magnetic core, that are connected to form a ring shape. It is implanted at the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), a circular band of muscle that closes the last few centimeters of the esophagus and prevents the backward flow of stomach contents.

One patient praised LINX: "This device has changed my life.  I suffered from GERD for years. Now I can eat what I want, when I want, and where I want.


Here is the UCSD press release/story.

Nashville's News5 includes an interview with Dr. Horgan about LINX

One patient's account from the Pittsburgh-Post Gazette, March 2012

And a video from WebMD about the magnetic band surgery option




For me?  No -- but anything avoiding lifelong medication is something to applaud.  


Addendum:  Still, surgery is surgery -- even minimally invasive surgery.  I'd rather work with my food intake and stress management as a way to control symptoms.

Bad Week (Reflux! Belching!): What's Next

What I need to be eating more of...

Disappointing update!   My belching, fullness, tight throat, reflux, and churning stomach -- even some nausea -- returned this week.   For whatever reason, I have been eating fast, gulping my liquids, and taking in too much food in one sitting -- a recipe for GERD.   I catch myself during or after meals, vow to eat mindfully next time, and then I do not take my advice, and experience more discomfort.

Other changes in my diet over the past two weeks include:

• More caffeinated teas:  I have not been curbing my tea intake, and have been drinking 2-3 cups daily, sometimes two of those are black or green teas.
• More dairy and fats: Recent trips out of town and family visits in town resulted in my eating much more cheese and other dairy than usual.  (I've reduced my cheese intake to one weekly pizza meal and occasional grated cheese on pasta.)    At a pasta dinner out, I smeared "real" butter on the bread.   Last week's meals included cheese-filled pasta dishes, creamy desserts, non-vegan cakes and doughnuts.  I've also had many pieces of milk chocolate.
• Lack of whole foods/vegetables/fruits:  I have not been able to cook many "whole foods meals" for weeks due to either lack of time/opportunity to buy ingredients, lack of time to cook,  or both.   For some reason, my fruit/vegetable intake has been less than usual -- I pack an apple and then don't eat it, for instance.  

I don't know if any of these are in fact my triggers.   This is just a record of what has been different, diet-wise.  

GOING FORWARD: RE-SET

I need to "re-set" my diet, return to mindful eating and more "cooking from scratch."   More trips out of town and very busy weekends ahead will make this challenging.   BUT it is not unachievable with a few guidelines for myself:

• Mindful eating can be (should be) done anywhere, so I will focus on eating slowly -- and stopping when full
• Mind my teas:  Chamomile tea in the morning, one black/green tea later if I wish, Pu-ehr tea daily if I want for the probiotic effects
• I'm not Martha Stewart:  I do not need to feel guilty if I don't cook everything from scratch, or eat a few meals comprised of prepared/frozen foods (canned soup, canned baked beans, frozen vegetables, Whole Foods hot/cold bar)
• On the other hand, I prefer to run my kitchen like a farm-to-table restaurant:  If I can't get to the farmer's market because I'm out of town, I need to remind myself that I can get to the produce section of my supermarket or the "local/organic" section of some neighborhood gourmet shops.  If I don't have my dried beans, I do have canned beans or a box of tofu.  If I am too tired to cook, just breathe and ignore fatigue for one evening and make food to last a few days.  (Know my limits but know when to push myself, too. Because when I achieve a good meal, I feel relaxed.  And cooking for a few days provides some "down time.")
• Better cooking organization/time management: So I CAN maintain my farm-to-table meals.  Apparently, there is a whole "Once A Month Cooking" movement online, with its own OAMC acronym!   
• Taking time for myself:  (In other words, reduce stress -- the big GERD trigger.)  I've recommitted myself to my stationary bike, Tai Chi, and quiet reading time.  Weekly "creative nights" are a new activity J. and I decided would be good for us and our projects -- the first one this week was a success, and I'm already looking forward to next Wednesday.  It's a chance to "get things done" but also shut out some of the "noise" of life -- a weekly mental "re-charge."  Simple rules: no cooking (heating up is fine), no household chores, just enjoy and focus on our various "creative" projects for 2-3 hours.   I'll be making collages, digitizing a 1940s scrapbook and a paper on 18th Century merchants, reading, and working on this blog!

 EXCITING LINKAGE!

In searching for tips on cooking and time management, I found this brilliant site:

Vegan Once-A-Month-Cooking

I'm discovering "mom" blogs often have great organizing tips! Check out recipes/strategies found on:

Once A Month Mom: Vegetarian Menu

Not necessarily vegan but veganizable -- Mark Bittman's Top 12 Make-Ahead Dishes

The Power of Small Portions

Example of my small portion dinner: beans, vegetables, bread (a roll, cut into small slices).

Since Monday, I have been experiencing a dramatic drop in GERD symptoms: reduced belching, a slight to no (!) "food in throat" feeling, less instances of a "gnawing stomach" and reflux in the morning.   Monday evening I realized, wow, I feel "normal!"  At this very moment, I do feel some bloating in my upper abdomen and slight burning reflux, but compared to recent months, this is encouraging.

On the other hand, I am experiencing more constipation than usual this week.   With Daylight Saving Time, my body thinks it's still 6:30 AM - my usual time frame for bathroom activity.  (TMI, but it's a guts blog, after all.)   Now it's nearly 7:30 AM -- time to head out the door! -- and my intestines are finally ready.  I went to work late yesterday, deciding to deal with my guts, which were causing me cramps and overall lack of well-being, but this is not a solution!  Somehow, I'll have to work to shift my intestines' sense of timing.

Regarding my GERD, I've been pondering what has been different the past few days:

1. Less tea?  At first, I thought this might be the answer, but then I realized I had more caffeinated tea than usual, green in the morning and Pue-rh tea in the afternoon, and never felt better.

2. Less stress?  No way.  This week has been exceptionally hectic and stress-full, with long hours and late dinners.

3. More relaxing?  Perhaps.  Despite late commutes and tight deadlines, I've found several moments the past days to just relax, whether it's reading a favorite comic on the subway or strolling a side street, stopping into a new shop, or mindfully walking, using all of my senses to experience the moment.  I also had a fantastic day out on Sunday with J. -- we enjoyed ourselves right to the last minute of the day, a great way to head into the work-week.

4. Letting things go?  Definitely.  I did not meet my goals of changing the sheets, sending out packages, or cooking farm-to-table meals any night this week.  While not meeting my goals is stressful for me, recognizing they may be unrealistic, at least this week, and "letting it go" does take pressure off.

5. SMALL PORTIONS and less food overall?  Probably the most important factor.  I realized due to design or situation, I have been eating small meals all this week.  I actually feel hunger at certain points -- but no "food in throat" feeling.  My guts seem relieved to have a break from a barrage of food.   The photo heading this entry is an example of a typical small portion -- a half cup of beans, small amounts of vegetables, some bread.   A.'s suggestion of "two fistfuls" has been my motto when serving myself, and I am trying to just stop eating when I feel that first moment of satisfaction.  Eating slowly is crucial, and something I have been mastering this week.  I have also been mindful of drinking slowly --  something I often do not do -- I guzzle down water, always causing me a bloated belly moments later.

So, I'll see if I can continue this trend!

Putting on the GERD (Dinner at the St. Regis)

Last week, I was invited to a winter fundraiser dinner held at the swank St. Regis hotel.  Finding a dress to wear was a major concern (that I solved quickly -- thank you, Nordstrom Rack and Adrianna Papell!) but wondering how I'd survive the evening without pushing my GERD to its limit was an even bigger challenge.   

I decided to give myself a head start by avoiding caffeinated tea for a few days up to the dinner, and also being especially mindful to eat slow and small portions.   (I hate to admit it, but tea can be a trigger for me.  I've been experimenting with ways to still enjoy it and minimize any trigger backlash.  Avoiding caffeinated tea for a day or two really does seem to allow me to drink a cup without issues, as long as my gut is feeling comfortable to start.)  I also increased my apple intake (applesauce and raw apple) and again avoided caffeine.  When it was time to go to the St. Regis, I told myself to relax, to do what I can to minimize my triggers but not to obsess about what I was eating (I don't have an allergy), and to focus on the festivity of the evening -- not just the food.  (Being a "foodie" that's a tall order, but I think reshifting my mindset did help.  I did not feel deprived avoiding a truffle; there was a fabulous view to photograph!)

APPETIZERS: HARD TO AVOID, HARD TO SAY NO


The willpower needed to stay the GERD-friendly course is like that of anyone trying to stick to a diet, whether for a health issue or weight control.   I felt immediate pressure to indulge in the passed appetizers and while I could have nibbled on something "healthy" beforehand, I chose to enjoy food at the event -- it was a special occasion and I wanted to participate in this "foodie's paradise."  My first choice was not a good one -- the brie cheese with honey on a fancy cracker.  It was the first tidbit offered to me, and I gave in to the polite waiter's impressive gentle pressure.   I thought I was going to gag; the cheese was so rich, with my very minimal dairy intake these days, it was overbearing.


Some mingling, and then I had a few nuts from a bowl and some "crudites" from a silver chalice -- good choices!   Some sparking water with lime, and I felt fine.    I'm already easily avoid non-vegetarian choices, so the pancakes with caviar, smoked salmon, and pigs-in-a-blanket did not even vaguely tempt me.   But others I could not resist -- where else do I get to slurp high-end mac and cheese from a ceramic spoon handed to me by a waiter in black-tie?  I resisted for a minute but soon gave in to a spoonful.  And a second spoonful.  Did it affect my gut?   I'm not sure, but I did feel a little disappointed that I did not maintain my vegan aspirations.  (That casein addiction, again.)

FIRST COURSE: BREAD AND SALAD


Once we were seated, it was easier to manage what I ate, and to eat slowly.  I found the waitstaff extremely helpful -- a "secret weapon" for anyone with a dietary concern.  They assured me they would have something vegetarian for me (at this point, vegetarian was "good enough" -- vegan was going to be too complicated). 

Dinner began with rolls and a mixed greens salad featuring green and white asparagus.  Divine!

I decided I would try just a bit of the round butter ball, and ignore the scoop of goat cheese.

ENTREE:  ENVY OF THE TABLE


My first impression when the waiter brought out a "mushroom risotto" for the vegetarian entree was not good.  I am not fond of mushrooms but that's all you seem to get at a non-vegetarian restaurant -- slabs of portabello,  the ubiquitous mushroom risotto.  What's that about?  When did mushroom become synonymous with "non-meat?"  Say I don't like mushrooms (I don't) or am allergic to them.  Then what?  (Then you're given that other non-meat restaurant staple, "pasta primavera.")   Honestly, it is not that hard to make a creative veg dish.  Or, maybe it is, according to Stefanie Gans' City Paper blog post, "The Politics of the Vegetarian Entree."

So, I was relieved to find I was enjoying my risotto at the Regis -- while a hackneyed concept, the execution was lovely.  I could taste cheese in the rice, but this did not bother me, and at the end of dinner, my guts felt fine.  And, the risotto was the envy of the table, enticing the meat-eaters (whose turnip side enticed ME)!

DESSERT:  ONE MORE CALCULATED RISK


Finally, dessert!  I knew I would be risking taxing myself with whatever dessert was coming -- sure to be decadent and dairy-rich.   And here it was, a "composed" chocolate ganache slice with caramelized biscuit and chocolate embellishment, with a side of chocolate ice cream.  I slowly ate two-thirds of the slice before feeling like I should stop -- I was getting full -- but I went ahead and finished the whole thing.  (I'm not a "clean plate" advocate, but couldn't bear the thought of leaving any of this behind.)

Ten minutes later, I had a small chocolate from a silver tray that was passed around the table.   I was not sure if I should have the black tea, but I decided I was feeling okay despite all this food, and enjoyed every drop.  I could tell it was very high quality tea.  (Does this make a difference?  Probably not for GERD, but maybe for my willingness to risk triggering my GERD…)

Reflection:  While I clearly recognized opportunities for a GERD-friendly experience, I ignored some of these.  I was surprised I did not suffer heartburn or other GERD symptoms after all this.  I think my low-stress, small portions, and occasionally mindful choices helped.  GERD continues to baffle me -- why do some days churn my gut, and other days don't?    In any case, the St. Regis evening was a success on all fronts.