Hi, it’s me and a gazillion letters of text!
You may have noticed that I’ve been making a lot more gluten-free recipes over the past couple of weeks and I thought I would talk about why I’ve been doing this.
It’s sort of a long story!
Luckily, I’m jacked up on caffeine right now.
I’ve been experiencing some strange health symptoms over the past 4-6 weeks. For example, I’ve had bad stomach bloating to the point where I look 6 months pregnant (I’m not). I’ve always had bloating on and off all my life, but this is much worse than the normal bloating I’ve experienced in the past. I’m also experiencing bad stomach pains in my abdomen area, round-the-clock lower back pain, fatigue, and pressure in my pelvic area, among other things. The pain in my abdomen and lower pelvic area gets much worse after eating and I often feel really full after eating a normal-sized meal. Lately, I’ve been waking up with mild stomach pain too.
Several years ago, I was diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (which I’ve mentioned on the blog a while back) and for most of my life I’ve struggled with stomach pain, headaches, and GI discomfort on and off. My stomach is very sensitive to certain foods like dairy, nuts, soy, and beans. I never really know how it is going to react. Sometimes a handful of raw almonds can set it off with pains, while other times it’s fine. IBS is also strongly associated with our emotions, so it’s not surprising that my anxiety manifests itself through my stomach and digestive system.
Since I’m divulging my life story, another thing I’ve struggled with health-wise is my reproductive system. Specifically, my ovaries.
In 2009, a pelvic and transvaginal ultrasound revealed that I have multiple cysts on my ovaries as well as an enlarged (they called it ‘bulky’) right ovary. In addition to my regular yearly pap test and physical, I also go for a yearly ultrasound to monitor the cysts and make sure that they aren’t getting larger. Keepin’ an eye on things. Basically, I’m on watch for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).
I had another ultrasound in March 2011 and it revealed that my right ovary decreased in size from 17.7 ml to 10 ml. My left ovary is also smaller in size. Apparently, this is encouraging news, but I’ll be the first to admit that I haven’t really received a proper explanation. I’m thinking about asking for a referral to a specialist soon.
Fast forward to the symptoms I’m experiencing today. They could be the result of a mild or more severe illness, like most symptoms. And trust me when I say that I’ve Googled them all! I think Google has told me I’m going to die of a horrible illness about 654 times during my life, so I’m trying not to self-diagnose or draw any conclusions until I have the proper tests done. It could be something as minor as an ulcer or as major as Ovarian cancer. That’s why I always say it’s important to listen to your body and be your own health advocate if you think something is abnormal for you.
This brings me to tomorrow, my next ultrasound appointment. I pretty much had to beg my doctor for this ultrasound since my last one was only 6 months ago, but I’d rather ruffle a few feathers than to have a health issue go undetected for months. Bring on the 5 large glasses of water and bladder-bursting hour wait time!
The results of my ultrasound will determine my doctor’s next steps. I had blood work done in May which all came back normal, but I will probably have to get my blood checked again.
So, this brings me to the gluten-free recipes.
My doctor suggested that I try eating gluten-free for a while to see if I have any relief in my symptoms. I really do not think it’s gluten causing the issues, but I’m willing to try anything at this point. I’m also going to see a naturopath on Tuesday for a general consultation and food-sensitivity testing the following week. I’ve heard from many people who have had great relief from their digestive issues when seeing a naturopath, so I figure it’s worth trying out.
At this point, I just want to get to the bottom of this as quickly as possible, but in all likelihood, it could take a while to figure out. I will try to post an update or two on the blog as I get more information.
PIZZA makes everything better.
[print_this]
Gluten-Free Almond & Buckwheat Flour Pizza with Roasted Tomato Basil Pesto
A thin, crispy, flatbread-like crust filled with a nutty and lightly sweet flavour that will keep you coming back for more and more. Top it with Roasted Tomato Basil Pesto, some fresh herbs, Daiya cheese, and roasted tomatoes for a pizza that will be gone before you know it.
Yield: 3-4 servings
Inspired by Roost.
Pizza Crust:
- 1.5 cups almond meal (155 grams)*, made from ground raw almonds
- 1.5 cups raw buckwheat flour (205 grams)*, made from ground raw buckwheat groats
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 2-3 tbsp chopped fresh herbs (I used oregano, thyme, parsley)
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 flax eggs (2 tbsp ground flax + 6 tbsp water, mixed)
- 2-3 tbsp water, as needed
- 2 cloves roasted garlic, optional
Notes: I ground raw almonds in my blender to make the almond meal. You can also use a food processor. To make the buckwheat flour, I ground raw buckwheat groats in my blender. I strongly prefer the taste of freshly ground buckwheat flour to the store-bought kasha flour.
1. Preheat oven to 350F. Mix flax eggs and set aside for 5 mins. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a non-stick mat.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together dry ingredients. Add wet ingredients and mix well with hands until you can form a ball.
3. Place ball of dough on a non-stick mat or on parchment paper. Place another mat or more parchment paper over top. With a rolling pin, roll out the dough until it is as thin as you can get it. Transfer to baking sheet (dough may rip a bit and that is ok). Gently patch rips of dough with fingers and spread on a couple cloves of roasted garlic (optional). I left the crust looking very rustic, so don’t worry it’s not supposed to look perfect!
4. Bake in the oven at 350F for 15-17 minutes until golden along the edges. Remove to cool slightly. Set oven to broil on medium heat setting.
Pizza:
- Pre-baked crust (above)
- 1.5 cups Roasted Tomato Basil Pesto
- Daiya cheese, as much as you want
- 1/4 cup fresh finely chopped herbs
- 3-4 leftover roasted tomatoes
1. Spread the pesto onto pre-baked crust. Sprinkle on cheese, fresh herbs, and chopped roasted tomatoes.
2. Broil for 2-3 minutes over medium heat (3), watching very closely so you don’t burn it. Slice and serve immediately. I served this with a big salad to round out the meal.
[/print_this]
This crust turned out much better than I expected. The dough tasted amazing!
I spread on a couple cloves of leftover roasted garlic before baking.
After pre-baking, I spread on the mouth-watering pesto.
Followed by Daiya cheese, chopped roasted tomatoes, and fresh herbs.
Then I broiled it for 3 minutes over medium heat.
Crispy, ultra-thin, packed with nutrients, and oh so good.
This pizza did not last long!
If you are a thin-crust fan, you will love this pizza.
The crust is one of the most flavourful crusts I have tasted and the toppings went really well with it, but of course you can top it with whatever you see fit.
p.s.- See my new Fall header image? Hold down Control + F5 to refresh the page if you can’t see it.
p.p.s.- I have an exciting mushroom challenge & recipe post coming up Monday! If you love pesto, you will go crazy for this recipe.
We’re off for a day of hiking on this gorgeous Fall day…have a good one!
Good Morning Angela! I have been wondering about all the gf recipes and am very happy for them – though not for the reasons… stomach pain and bloating are terrible to suffer through on a daily basis. I went through a lot of that, had an ultrasound for an entirely different matter and they ended up finding gallstones which they figured were causing all the pain. Fast forward to having my gallbladder removed which all worked out in the end. I know this sounds corny but the Dr. Oz show did a special on ovarian cancer a few weeks ago (my mom recently was diagnosed, had surgery and has been through chemo – which is the reason I watched the show) and has a fact sheet you can print out and monitor your own symptoms which you can take to your doctor. Something to think about looking at? You know your body and when something is wrong, it’s good you pushed for another ultrasound. Good luck with your tests and thank you for sharing something so personal. You are much loved and supported in your on-line community!
We’re going hiking today too, turned out to be gorgeous after calling for rain.
Sorry to hear about your stomach troubles. I hope it’s something as “simple” as gluten but more importantly, that you get some answers. That’s always the most frustrating part of medical issues for me, trying to figure out just what the heck is wrong and the time inbetween while you wait for results.
I hope your health issues turn out alright! :) I will be thinking about you!
I have IBS, and have VERY similar problems to you! I know how frustrating it is to never know what is really causing the stomach pain, etc. It is really weird how sometimes, our stomach can tolerate certain foods, but at other times, can make us miserable in every sense. I am also trying to cut out gluten. I have found that it helps some, but I do not think it is the root cause of the problem. I do think I am sensitive to gluten, but I am not going to worry about every small ingredient.
This pizza crust does look amazing! Pizza is one thing that my tummy definitely does not agree with very often, so I would love to try out this “safer” version. :)
Once again, best of luck with your ultra sound and getting everything figured out!
Hope you feel better soon Angela! My digestion is always better when I reduce my gluten intake – it definitely helps me.
Pizza looks great! :)
Good for you being your own advocate! I too have learned recently that it’s REALLY important to bug healthcare workers for certain tests when you feel like something is off. It doesn’t take a degree in medicine to know when something isn’t right with your own body. I also think it’s important to experiment with your diet to see what works and what doesn’t. I have intolerances to certain fruits and vegetables that no test could reveal, it was only figured out through experimentation. Bread actually helps settle my stomach when it’s feeling off. I’d have starved on chemo if it wasn’t for toast and crackers! Hope you get it sorted out soon. Having stomach aches constantly is no way to live :(
Last year, even though I was already following a gluten-free and vegan diet, I suffered from many of the same symptoms. After visiting a naturopath and having many tests done, the conclusion was that I had an overgrowth of bad bacteria (or dysbiosis). It took about a year for me to feel completely normal again, after I completely changed my diet and greatly lowered my carb intake. Good luck with your health – I hope it is a simple fix and one that doesn’t require surgery or major treatment.
Do you mind me asking what types of tests confirmed the dysbiosis? I feel like I’m in the same boat and would love to confirm it.
I’m glad you pushed for another ultrasound to find out what’s going on. Hopefully this one will get you some answers. I would also go ahead and see a specialist. I say that because I was told after an ultrasound by my regular doctor that I had PCOS because I had multiple cysts on both ovaries. Several years later, I have had 3 other doctors, all specialists, tell me that there is no way at all that would be the case. Just something to think about, if you haven’t already. There are points in your cycle where you actually should have multiple cysts, and if you don’t, it’s a sign that something is wrong.
I hope you find all the answers you’re looking for! Diagnoses like that seem to come with a fight… I’ve been trying to find answers too for internal problems just like that. I hope you feel better soon =)
And pizza is like The Price is Right — it just makes even the crappiest day better. This pizza looks so unique and delicious!
I hope you find relief and explanation for your symptoms soon! i have also been having a lot of GI issues, which is one reason why I have sort of been neglecting my my food blog. I actually went to see a doctor and all my blood work was normal so all she could suggest was stress reduction. I would like to see a naturopath though because they may have different insight. It seems like such a common problem among women, too! Many of my female friends and family members suffer from similar issues.
im stoked that your into more gluten free foods recently because I think they are healthier for nearly everyone. this was quite interesting http://robbwolf.com/2011/08/30/the-paleo-solution-episode-95/
Looks delicious. Can you tell me what you baked this on? I’ve seen it in many of your posts.
This sounds lovely!
Hi!
boy do I feel your pain. Personally no one could tell me my problem with the 6 months pregnant bloating, but after a ton of experimenting (on my poor self) I found that I’m really sensitive to things made with whole grain. YUP! crazy eh? I can eat white bread/pasta, but not whole grain… (I try to stick with spelt and stuff now) It’s tough, but good luck!
btw, pizza looks amazing!!
AGAIN,,,,pictures to drool over! AWEsome looking pizza. Love the header.
Enjoy your beautiful Fall day,,,another great bike ride for me<3
Hope it doesn't take long to figure out your health issues,,,good to be proactive.
Oh man, I feel you on IBS. I’ve had it for 13 years now, and it’s such a frustration when you’re not sure what’s going to set things off.
I hope your ultrasound goes well and you get the answers you’re looking for.
Also – I’m a huge convert to pizza crusts made with different flours. We, almost weekly, make one with a bean/quinoa/chickpea flour crust that’s insanely good. I’m super curious about trying one with almond meal!
Please share your recipe? :)
Here you go:
http://www.datesandquinces.com/2011/08/tex-mex-thrive-diet-inspired-pizza.html
I was in a Tex-Mex vibe that night, but you can go any which way with the herbs/spices in the crust and the toppings (heck, even the beans in the crust too).
Ange — your pizza looks awesome! I went gluten-free about four months ago, as a side-effect of meeting my boyfriend, who has Celiac Disease. I wanted to learn more about cooking for him, so I tried out the diet and started cooking all gluten-free meals, for him and myself. What happened after I did this was remarkable — all of a sudden, I didn’t get stomach aches anymore, my nails, which had always been weak, stopped pealing, and I felt all-around better. I had not realized that I was gluten-intolerant, and I just thought people normally dealt with the symptoms I was experiencing. I’m so glad this man came into my life, for a number of reasons, including my health! And just to make sure I wasn’t imagining things, I ate some gluten-y appetizers at a party last weekend . . . and felt six months pregnant and miserable the entire next day. Live and learn.
While you are not so sure that gluten is causing your problems, I hope you do get to the root cause of your issues and find a solution. I’ll be thinking good thoughts for you. :-)
I so feel your pain! My bloating came from dairy and foods that were heavy. I have eliminated dairy and watch my intake of fats( even nuts or olive oil have to be used sparingly.) I also think my stomach tends to bloat more than othe people. I hope you figure out the problem and feel better!
I recently discovered your blog and this post hit very close to home, together with your About and Before+After page. I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was in my teens and I’ve been struggling with my body weight+image and eating behaviour most of the time since that. Being vegan has helped a lot, but as a pharmacy grad who firmly believes that hormones and neurotransmitters rule our life, I believe there might be a connection there between PCOS and eating – I’ve seen the pattern in other women too. Anyhow, your story has given me new courage to work on building a healthy relationship with my body and food, and I hope you get your answers regarding these latest symptoms soon. And this recipe looks amazing (I love ‘rustic’-looking pizzas btw!) so I’ll try to give it a try asap! Thanks! :)
I hope your ultrasound goes well tomorrow Ang! :)
Hi Angela. I’m currently reading a book called The Paleo Solution, by Robb Wolf, which I would recommend you read. It talks a lot about how grains, legumes, and dairy cause inflammation and resulting disease, which was simply not found in our paleolithic ancestors. Only with agriculture and the consumption of cereal grains did humans start to develop mysterious illnesses, like what you are describing. Of course, the crux of paleo diet includes meat (well, protein). But the book is at least worth a read to understand the science of how food affects our bodies. He challenges people to give up grains, legumes, and dairy for 30 days, just to see what difference it may make. He asks, what do you have to lose? If you learn nothing, then you’ll have given up food you like for 30 days. If it changes your life, then you gain that.
Good luck with everything!