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!
So many nights of sleep I lost over pains in my abdominal over bloating so severely I would have to get up and walk until it went away.
For months I was going through medical tests that found nothing. As last resort to to try and get to the bottom of it I went gluten free and almost completely vegan. Life is good. It all went away like magic. Magic! no less. Its been almost a year now.
So I really wish you good luck I think you are in the right direction.
When I skimmed your post, the first thing I saw was ‘I’m 6 months pregnant” – I was so excited! On a serious note, though, I really hope you get some answers, and that the GF diet helps you. I haven’t struggled w/ digestive issues, but I have had unexplained reproductive issues (I’m blaming mine on the pill) and it is very frustrating not to know what’s going on your bod. Best of luck to you!
Your post is so courageous and inspiring. I hope that you get to the bottom of this as soon as you can, and I sincerely hope that everything is alright! I’ve really been enjoiyng your GF recipes lately; keep up the amazing work.
Agh thats crappy, really sorry to hear your struggling at the mo! Hope you get everything sorted soon! That pesto looks absolutely mouthwatering by the way!! :)
Sorry that you’re going through all this, I know how scary it can be. I wanted to share with you that I had a very similar occurrence this summer that lasted about 2 months. My symptoms sound quite similar to yours – abdominal bloating, and I had really bad pains, which I think may have been gas. Also, my symptoms would get progressively worse over the course of the day – to the point where I would have them every single night and then wake up with no pains, but it would start all over again. I havent had any problems for about a month now and I have made 2 big changes – I cut out processed soy and I began weight lifting. I have no clue how the weight lifting has influenced my problem – but all I know is my stomach is feeling so much better, so I dont care, I must be doing something right. As for the soy – its so weird – I can have tofu, but I steer clear of things with soy in them – Especially soy milk! Sorry post is so long, just wanted to share with you that you are not alone, and I understand what you are going through. Hang in there and feel free to email me and I can talk to you more :)
Oh Angela, I’m so sorry! You are in my thoughts. Good luck! The pizza looks delish! ;)
While I have been pleasantly surprised with all of the gluten-free recipes lately, I wouldn’t wish your symptoms on even my worst enemy. Dealing with gluten issues is no fun, and I’m actually not surprised anymore when I hear that anyone is suffering from similar symptoms. It seems like so many people are starting to realize that they don’t have to feel bad all the time!
That being said, I hope they are able to diagnose you with something else. Something that is quick and easy that will solve all of your problems.
As a celiac, I say keep the gf recipes coming!
Also, as a celiac, I can sympathize with the tummy troubles (with no apparent “diagnosis” or treatment that works.) I hope you find something that helps you feel better!!
Sorry to hear your not feeling well!!!! I hope they figure everything out!!!!
Wow, this is kind of like de-ja-vu for me. I was diagnosed with IBS about 10 years ago. After a really frustrating year I made some serious diet changes and realized lactose and refined sugar were some of the big factors. Making adjustments like that and eating a more balanced diet made a big difference for a lot of years, then I started having problems again recently and determined I was gluten intolerant. It took 3-4 weeks for me to really notice any change. Working with a naturopath has been the biggest help for me – 95% of the time I’m symptom free these days.
Excited to try this pizza, and hope you feel better!
Wow you sound a lot like me – even down to the ultrasound (which for me resulted in showing bowel distension and a follow up CAT scan which was super pricey).
I had been part-time vegan at the time. I too am allergic to soy and bc of eating gluten too much, my intenstines were so damanged they were no longer even breaking down lactose so now i’m dairy free as well. I have gluten intolerance and since eliminating that an all those other allergins my “baby” belly is completely gone. I too had PAINFUL stomach distension and other iBS symtpons. I googled gluten free for recipes and stumbled upon paleo eating. You wont like that as vegan but for me, the only way to eat pain free and up my iron (i was borderline anemic despite supllements) vit-d etc was to eat primarily fats, meats veggies and fruits. There is a lot of info out there regarding grains and what they do to your belly. A lot of people eating paleo notice PCOS symptons and other autoimmune diseases greatly subsiding. As someone who ate vegetarian this was a tough pill to swallow but you owe it to your health to look into. To be fair I believe there are also paleo vegetarians – harder but again worth a look.
i’m very picky about what I eat – only humanely raised/treated/grass-fed/pasture raised etc. It’s expensive but much cheaper than all my med visits which were breaking me.I hope you find relief bc it certainly can be a downer!
http://www.marksdailyapple.com/why-grains-are-unhealthy/
http://robbwolf.com/faq/
Also – dont let someone tell you you have IBS – it’s BS…it means they are just too lazy to figure out what is REALLY going on with your belly. For me – it was what I was eating. Going on an elimation diet (not eating the 8 most common allergans and slowly re-introducing them one at time) was sooooo helpful and has really helped me a lot.
An MD who was specializing in allergies helped me more than my Gyno and primary doc ever did. He even helps me treat my hashimotos (thyroid disease). I was so sick of GI docs telling me to tax laxitives or anit-diarreals as “treatment”. Good luck! Keep us posted
Aw Ange. I am so sorry to hear about this! So happy to hear though that you are looking on the bright side, and trying to solve the problem as best as you can! You go girl! Stay strong! :)
I hope you find relief from your symptoms and an answer to the medical uncertainties. I know how frustrating it can be to try to figure something like this out. Best of luck. I’ll be praying for you.
I hope your appointments go well and you get some more answers! The pizza looks fabulous, wonderful pictures as always!
Wishing all the best on your appointment. The pizza looks really good and I think I will make this crust, it has no yeast. ( Yeast scares me). Love the Fall header, just gorgeous.
So sorry you’re not feeling well. I really hope they can figure it out!
I love your new fall header.
And I made the other pizza on your website, the one with the roasted tomatoes, onions and pesto as sauce.. Best vegan pizza I’ve ever had! It was more effort for sure, but it’s definitely going into the rotation. :)
Wow Ange, thank you for being so open about all of this! I too experience bloating to no end, and especially over the past 2 or 3 months. I’ve been suspicious about gluten since many people say that even though they haven’t been formally tested, they still just feel better when they don’t eat it. The thing is, I don’t eat a whole lot of gluten anyway, so I’m not sure that’s the culprit. I do eat a ridiculous amount of produce, so usually I just attribute it to all the fiber. However, like you, I’ve decided to start investigating more closely. I’m planning to book an appointment with a Holistic Allergist that practices locally, and claims to be able to clear people of allergies and eliminate intolerances. Also, like you, I’ve been tested for PCOS a couple of times and results have come back negative – but still without explanation for other issues. I can definitely share in your frustrations because I just want to know what’s going on! I hope your appointment goes well tomorrow and that you’re able to get some answers. In the meantime, I think gluten-free pizza is an excellent choice. :)
Hi Angela! I’m short on time so I’m just gonna toss some things out there. I have no doubt it will be very unpopular on a vegan blog (no, it’s not advise to eat meat!) I am studying with a Chinese Medicine doctor who also specializes in immunology and molecular biology. Mark my words, within the next 10-15 years he will be revolutionizing not only TCM but western medical science.
Anywhoo…Ecoli. Raw leafy greens are packed with Ecoli. You can wash them till the Ecoli infested cow fertilizer comes home, but the bugs, they just hide in microscopic stomas in the plant. The Ecoli in the gut can penetrate throughout the abdomen, causing the symptoms and manifestations you are describing.
Advise, stop eating raw leafy greens (even from your own garden. The fertilizer you use is full of cow poo bugs from unhealthy feedlot cows). Cook your veggies. Even light steaming will do it. It’s just the day and age we live in now.
I hate it- I love salads. But even when I was eating “clean” (raw), I would get GI issues.
Probiotics are a wild card. Advise: Majorly decrease your sugar intake to starve the bacteria (sugar feeds bacteria and viruses- it’s like throwing gasoline on a fire), and keep fruit intake to two pieces a day. You already don’t eat dairy which is awesome (Most grocery store ice cream is loaded with klebsiella pneumonia). Eliminate raw ground growing veggies from your diet. See a trained herbalist who can give you herbs with anti-viral and anti-bacterial GI oriented properties. Keep up the green tea, and add Licorice Mint Yogi tea in the rotation.
IBS, Chron’s, diverticulitis…all bacteria caused disorders. Grains themselves are not usually the culprit, however the MOLD that grows on grains during storage BEFORE distribution is. Not to mention the grain is usually rancid from long term pre-distribution storage. However in your state, eating the “unpopular” grains (amaranth, buckwheat, kamut, etc) is the way to go as they are not harvested in such large quantities and have a lower incidence of opportunity to go rancid or become moldy. Incorporate Bhutanese red rice, Forbidden black rice, and keep up the lentils and quinoa.
I would love to not get heat from raw-foodists. I am writing this info for someone who is experiencing a problem. We are all different, and are susceptible and sensitive in our own unique ways.
This information is not my opinion. This is information from independent scientific studies, who don’t care about dietary labels.
Yes, there is bacteria everywhere in our environment. There is no reason to be paranoid, but there is absolutely reason to be prudent.
Take care Angela. Email me if you want to discuss anything.
Hi Angela,
I hope your medical appointments go well. Keep your chin up. You are listening to your body, and you are doing the right thing by going to the doctor. Stay positive as much as you can!