
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.

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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.
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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!
I love how honest you are with us! I am keeping you in my thoughts. I know what that lovely stomach ache is like. They removed my gallbladder over a year ago and that has helped, but the pain still exists. I sincerely hope you get to the bottom of this!!
As I was reading your post, I realized it sounded exactly like me 6 years ago. I eventually caved and had a full hysterectomy due to PCOS pain and ovarian cancer scares. While it has helped me tremendously as far as cyst-burst-pain goes, I would have to say that unfortunately my IBS persists still.
My Naturopath says I need to eat in a calm environment and make sure to keep my stress levels at bay around eating times. Of course this is near impossible as stress is something we can’t always control. Doing things like breathing deeply, eating slowly, lighting candles, and chewing at least 40 times per bite does help, though. Also, water 30 minutes before and/or 30 minutes after eating, not during. One other thing I have noticed that helps me are charcoal caps (but they do make some med’s less effective, so ask your Doc. before taking them).
You may also want to ask about taking Black Walnut supplements for a month or so as it is an excellent anti-parasite (even fights cancer) supplement that can get rid icky things lurking in your intestines.
Anyway, I felt great while on them and then about a month later, my IBS returned- so I will be asking my ND about this correlation next visit.
It’s possible it could have just been the Jarrows pro-biotics I was taking, or possibly a combination of the 2.
It could have also been that I started eating more fermented foods as well.
(Curious, do you soak your oats the night before? This really helps with digestion and it tastes way better too-amazingly awesome, actually).
Since most health issues are usually related to the gut, you may also inquire about the GAPS Diet, which has effectively helped tons of people cure their IBS and other conditions as well.
Some people put their faith in the blood Type diet, and perhaps there is also something there.
I tend to lean toward the Mediterranean Diet as I am a type O (carnivorous) and if I do not have lean white meat/cold water fish at least once a week, it seriously wreaks havoc on my gut- whereas my husband is a type A and does much better on mostly veggies, so Mediterranean is a good fit for us.
Best of luck to you- keep us posted as I am interested in any other advice someone so similar to me might find as a benefit. I so enjoy your blog, one of the few I still choose to read anymore, so thanks for all your efforts, sincerely ;).
Hey, girl! That totally sucks and I can totally commiserate! I’m not going to get into it here, but I can say I hope you feel better soon and that the reason behind your problems is simple and non-life threatening. :)
Oh and I LOVE the gluten free recipes! Keep em coming! You are a WIZARD in the kitchen! :)
Thank you so much for your post and your always delicious recipes, Angela! I’m so sorry about your stomach issues, and huzzah for you for advocating for yourself and the new ultrasound. I’ll definitely be thinking about you and hoping they’re able to figure out what it is and how to make it better! You’re too awesome to be feeling bad!
And I love love love your new autumnal header! Just gorgeous!
Take good care of yourself!
I am sorry to hear you have been experiencing such uncomfortable and painful stomach and back problems, but I am glad you are not freaking out about them (overtly, anyway). Stress can only make them worse! I doubt that it is ovarian cancer (reasons why I never use WebMD anymore, haha–it always tells me I am going to die or am pregnant), but it’s a really good idea to get another ultrasound, just to be on the safe side. And no matter what it is, we are all here for you!
We all love you, Ange! ^^ *hugs* Have a great hike!
Angela, good for you for advocating for yourself! I have a feeling you will be fine and find out it is something not too bad. I see a naturpath as well. So worth the money! Hope you enjoy your fall hike and love your new header :)
I totally feel you. I’ve been having a lot of reproductive/ endocrine issues for years, and last May was diagnosed with PCOS by my endocrinologist. That said, I’ve recently been experiencing a LOT of other issues…joint pain, random muscle pain fatigue (esp. in morning, I can nap in AM but can’t fall asleep at night), headaches/ migraines, extreme bloating, cramps, abdominal pain and a whole host of other issues. My doctor and dietitian think it’s all hormone related, but at this point I’m a little over the whole doctor thing, and the rountine cycle of blood work, doctor’s appointments, new meds, adjusting meds, new side effects, repeat.
Anyway, all that to say that I’m reading a book right now called “The Hormone Diet” by Dr. Natasha Turner (a naturopathic doctor) and I find it very enlightening. It’s not really a “diet” type book – the first whole part of the book is basically education on hormones and what happens in your body when they’re low/high. I am trying the detox suggested in the book now, so we’ll see what happens! (It’s not a crazy detox – basically, eliminating sugar, caffeine, gluten, alcohol, dairy, and anything else that may cause sensitives/ inflammatory reactions in your body.) Just thought I’d mention it as a resource I’m currently loving!
Hope all goes well at your appointment, but that you can get some answers!
Hey Angela- the pizza looks delish! I have been recently having bowel issues of my own, and I stumbled across this website http://www.colitis-crohns.com/. Even though it doesn’t sound like you have Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, the author of this website believes his diet plan can help with any kind of bowel issues. Basically, he advocates for a fruit based diet (because fruits are easiest to digest) with some vegetables. He says nuts, beans, and grains are very hard to digest. Also, he says food combining is very important or else you may have bloating, stomachache, diarrhea, constipation, etc. For instance, he says you should always eat fruit on an empty stomach. ANYWAY, I’ve been trying to follow it for a week or two, and it’s been REALLY hard, but I think it’s going to pay off. I just thought you might enjoy checking out his website and maybe some of the info could be helpful to you. Hope your ultrasound goes ok!
I’ve never been diagnosed with IBS, but I’ve definitely experienced stomach pain and digestion problems. I hope your tests give you some answers!
And that pizza reminds me of my toaster oven cracker-based mini pizzas :)
Love the new header!! And this recipe! So cool :)
I really hope you are ok… Please let us know how you get on?
As a GF reader, I LOVE all the GF ideas!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!! I can’t wait to try the pizza crust :)
Ange,
I really hope that you’ll get some answers soon. I know digestive issues are really hard to sort-out but I have found naturopaths to be really helpful in the past. I just started seeing someone in Toronto who specializes in women’s reproductive health.
Keep us posted.
xo
You can have polycystic ovaries without having PCOS, and you can also have PCOS without having polycystic ovaries. It’s like an ovary riddle. Anyway, the main driving factor of PCOS is insulin resistance (so there is definitely a correlation between food we eat and PCOS symptoms). In addition to PCOS, I have gluten intolerance and Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism. Fun times.
I’ve always heard that you aren’t supposed to reduce your gluten intake until after you take the tests, but that may be the medical tests rather than what the naturopathic tests. I had problems getting definite results from my MD’s tests because I had cut out the gluten on a hunch. I had to re-introduce it to get the results to come back accurately.
Good luck to you. Health problems are no fun.
I’m sorry you’re having such GI/GYN issues lately. I too suffer from ovarian cysts – although thankfully not PCOS – and they’re so horrible when they flare up.
And pizza DOES make everything better!!
*big hugs, but careful not to squeeze and hurt*
I was diagnosed with IBS when I was about 8 years old and it is difficult to live with. I’m gluten sensitive but not gluten intolerant, so I’ve been told. Sometimes I’m ok with gluten, sometimes I feel like I’m going to die of abdominal pain. Best of luck with your ultrasound! Pizza looks great by the way!
Angela, I love your fall header & all your photography for that matter! i’m so sorry to hear of your current health issues. to give you some hope – I went gluten free about 4 mos. ago and i was lying in bed this morning telling my husband how great i feel & that i don’t think i’ll ever eat gluten again. it has helped me SO much. i used to suffer from severe fatigue & many other symptoms (including some female) & it has relieved most of the symptoms. i’m a ball of energy now, like a 29 year old should be! i wish you luck on this journey & think the naturopath will help tremendously. p.s. eating gluten free requires a good bit of creativity with food, but you seem to have that down pat!
I’ve been eyeing up that crust since it was posted. Love the addition of buckwheat, obviously. :) Wishing you the best with your stomach problems. Can’t wait til you get to the bottom of it! xo
This looks lovely! Have you thought of trying the Specific Carbohydrate Diet? Hope you feel better soon and that it’s nothing major!
Angela, I hope they figure out what it is soon! I had the same problems (including the 6 month pregnant belly) and the sensitivity to nuts and beans! Turns out, I’m soy intolerant, and I have issues with other beans and nuts as well (things that are closely related to soy). It took me five years to figure this out, and I was also diagnosed with gluten intolerance at first (which was ultimately ruled out by an upper GI).
I find you so inspiring, and I hope feel better soon!