Reading and Eating: Dead Languages, Boarding Schools, Sweet Treats and Warm Eats

I've decided to start a min-series within my blog that combines two of my favorite things-books and food! Basically I'll be reviewing what I've been reading over the week as well as including recipes and pictures of SCD food I have been currently enjoying.

Book of the Week: The Lake of Dead Languages  by Carol Goodman 

In a Nutshell: 

Twenty years ago, Jane Hudson left the Heart Lake School for Girls in the Adirondacks promising herself she'd never return after the tragic suicides of her roommates Lucy and Deirde, and Lucy's brother Matt.  Separated from her husband and looking to start afresh with her daughter Olivia, Jane finds herself back teaching Latin to a new generation of girls.  But pages from Jane's missing journal, written during the horrible events of her senior year, begin mysteriously reappearing revealing long buried secrets and tormenting her at every turn.  Suddenly, young, troubled girls are starting to die again and Jane is forced to piece together the shocking truth behind the nightmarish events.   

Cast of Characters: 

Let me just preface this by saying that the only person I would want to befriend in this book is Celeste Buehl the principal and former science teacher (because she is pretty much the only one who isn't extremely boring or really crazy).  The main protagonist of the story is aptly named "Jane Hudson" as I never felt like her personality ever leapt through the pages.  I don't know if this was the author's intention, but she seemed to exist primarily so the reader could be inserted into the events of the story.  I couldn't even tell you what she looked like or use any adjectives to describe her other than "guilty" and even that emotion never came out too strongly.  While this lack of personality made it difficult for me to really "root" for her, it didn't necessarily detract me from enjoying the story itself.  I found myself strongly disliking both of her roommates, Deirde and Lucy.  Lucy was particularly manipulative and selfish but kind of fascinating much like Cathy in Wuthering Heights.  Deirde seemed more like a "wild '70's girl" caricature to me but it was refreshing to see small moments of vulnerability from her. Matt, Lucy's brother, appears to be your average cookie-cutter sweet-boy-for-main-character-to-swoon over type but his relationships in the book unfold into much darker territory. Jane's Latin teacher, Helen Chambers, is also a character worth noting for being a bit of an enigma; she is both interesting and tragic but like most of players in the story you never quite feel like she is a whole, rounded person.  The only other character worth mentioning is Albie, a younger student that Lucy takes under her wing.  Goodwin does a remarkable job of making this character feel chilling and creepy.  

Novel Seller or Storyteller?: 

While the plot of this book sounds something akin to a Lifetime movie, the prose are beautiful and fluid, cold and crisp.

  "Past where the girls sit, Heart Lake lies blue-green and still in its glacial cradle of limestone.  The water on this side of the lake is so bright it hurts my eyes.  I rest them on the dark eastern end of the lake, where the pine tree shadows stain the water black."

"The jutting prow of the Point seemed close now and I could see, a little to the east, one of the three sister stones emerging from the ice, like a silent witness to our deed." 

Littered throughout the story are reflective, melancholic observations that add to the overall tone of the story.

"It's sad, I think, that my two old teachers have lost the aptitudes most important to their fields: the art teacher, her sight; the history teacher, her sense of time." 

Theme Song: 
I like to imagine what songs would be used in the movie version in the books I read. I think Imogean Heap's Speeding Cars ties in perfectly with the ominous tone of the book and Jane's guilt and fear of the past being dredged up to ruin her future. 

The Verdict:

While reading this book I felt transported to a wintery, isolated world.  Heart Lake is a lonely, chilly but fascinating place.  Goodwin did a wonderful job of drawing me in to the dark mystery, despite the icy characters she has created.  The final act was probably the weakest bit of the story because I wasn't too concerned with Jane or how her story ended.  I also felt like the author tried to pack in too many "shocking secrets" which came off as a little hokey.  I would recommend this book to fellow mystery/thriller lovers unless you have a weak stomach ( a few twisted elements to the plot and several detailed scenes involving blood made me a bit queasy).  This was a compelling story but not one that really captured my literary heart. 

Tasty Eats of the Week:

No-Grain Granola

This was devoured in about a week despite the fact that it filled a gallon tupperware container.  Next time I am going to take out the pumpkin seeds since they were too hard on the teeth and add more raisins.  I didn't have any sesame seeds to use but no one seemed to miss them! 

Ingredients:

1 cup of raw pecans

1 cup of raw almonds

1 cup of raw pumpkin seeds

1 cup of raw walnuts

1 cup of raw hazelnuts

1/4 cup of sesame seeds

1 tablespoon coconut oil or unsalted butter, melted 

1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup dried cherries, raisins or cranberries

Directions:

1.) Preheat your oven to 300 F/150 C.  Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick silicone mat.
2.) In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients except for the dried fruit, stirring until the nuts and seeds are well coated
3.) Spread the mixture evenly across the prepared baking sheet (I used two!). Bake for 10 minutes, then use a spatula to shuffle the granola around so that it bakes evenly
4.) Bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until the granola begins to brown.  The pieces should be slightly sticky to touch.  Remove it from the oven, separating the pieces before they cool and clump together.
5.) Let cool completely (for at least 20 minutes) and then mix in the dried fruit. Store the granola in a sealed container at room temperature for several weeks or in the refrigerator for a few months

***That last direction makes me laugh.  It's too delicious to last for a whole month!

Cauliflower Popcorn with Tahini

This cauliflower is supposed to be eaten like popcorn (which it can) but after eating at a Lebanese restaurant in Portland, I was inspired to add Tahini to the cauliflower and make it a fancy "small plate" dish.  You should be able to find Tahini at most grocery stores.  It has a unique, slightly bitter taste but goes very well with cauliflower and meat!

Ingredients:
2 Large cauliflower heads
1 tablespoon high-heat oil (like coconut oil)
1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Directions:
1.) Preheat oven to 425 F/ 220 C.  Line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper or nonstick silicone mats.
2.) Using a knife, dice the cauliflower heads into pieces about the size of popcorn kernels, all about the same size so they'll roast evenly.
3.) Mix the cauliflower, oil, and salt in a bowl until the pieces are well-coated.
4.) Spread them out on the prepared baking sheets
5.) Bake for 15 minutes, or until all the cauliflower is crisped around the edges.  Let cool for a moment before removing the baking sheets and serve immediately
6.) (optional) Drizzle about a spoonful of Tahini on to a plate of cauliflower popcorn.

Grain-Free Banana Bread 

I could not believe that this recipe worked! You cannot tell that this is an SCD recipe.  It tastes just like normal banana bread.  I made two loaves, one with pecans and raisins while the other loaf was plain.  I recommend adding the pecans and raisins or walnuts because it really adds to the flavor!  Some of the bread in the bottom picture looks crumbly because I was too impatient to let it cool; the bread actually stays together very well.

Ingredients:
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
3/4 cup almond flour
1/4 cup coconut flour
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 eggs
2 very ripe bananas
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
1/2 cup raisins (optional)

Directions:
1.) Preheat your oven to 350 F/ 175C.  Oil or butter a 5x8 inch or smaller loaf pan, or cover the bottom of sides of the pan with parchment paper.
2.) Using a whisk or fork, blend the baking soda, salt, and flours in a bowl.
3.) In a separate bowl, mix together the oil, eggs, mashed bananas, and honey. Combine the blended wet ingredients with dry ingredients.  I
4.) Pur the batter into the prepared pan.  Bake for 40 minutes or until the sides and top are browned and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
5.) Let cool in the pan or on a cooling rack and slice.  To store, cover and refrigerate for up to a few weeks, or freeze for about a month. 

Homemade Yogurt: A shield of good bacteria

In my last post I mentioned that the homemade yogurt was a key element to the SCD diet.  Sometimes I eat it straight (with a little honey), mixed with nuts and raisins, in a "milkshake" (yogurt, cider, coconut milk and honey), in smoothies and as part of several baking recipes.  Not only is this yogurt better than anything you can buy in a store but it will save you money in the long run if you consume large amounts of yogurt each week.  A few months ago I was listening to an NPR story about how gut bacteria affects your brain (watch the video in the article for a really fun and interesting visual). Probiotics have been linked to alleviating anxiety and negative moods.  There are over a trillion strands of probiotics in homemade yogurt which multiplies each batch you make.
   On the SCD diet I am only allowed natural sugars that occur in honey and fruit.  Yogurt in stores are full of sugar especially low-fat options.  Using a yogurt maker you cook milk for 24 hours to make a lactose-free yogurt.  I've used everything from half and half to 1% milk.  I, obviously, enjoy half and half yogurt the best but for those who are concerned about consuming too much fat I would recommend using 2% milk.  If you go any lower it just simply isn't enjoyable.  I've included the steps, tools and ingredients required to make proper SCD homemade yogurt along with some pictures.

What You'll Need:

1.) A Yogurt Maker 

   -It must be able to cook for 24 hours

  -I suggest going to Bed, Bath and Beyond.  Yogurt makers are about $35-$40

2.) Several jars 

    -The yogurt maker may come with jars

   -My step-dad purchased a few mason jars and also found a larger cap for our yogurt maker so we could make more at one time

3.) A Cooking Thermometer

4.) A measurement cup that can hold at least half a gallon of milk 

5.) A container with a lid that can hold at least half a gallon of milk 

Ingredients

1.) Ultra-pasteurized milk 

-1/2 gallon

-At least 2%

-We use Organic Valley 

2.) Yogurt Starter

-This will only be used the first time.  After making one batch, save a small amount of yogurt to put in the new batch 

Steps

1.) Pour whole carton of milk into a large measuring cup (large enough to fit a 1/2 gallon)

2.) Microwave for 6 minutes

3.) Measure the milk temperature using a cooking thermometer 

      -needs to be between 110-120 degrees Fahrenheit 

4.) Stir milk with the thermometer

5.) Pour into a quart-sized container

     -needs to have a lid

6.) Pour 2 yogurtmet packets into the milk

     -For any batch after your first you'll put in a scoop of the previous batch 

7.) Shake it for 15 seconds

8.) Pour it back into the large measuring cup

9.) Pour it into each of the jars all the way to the top

10.) Put the jars in your yogurt maker

11.) Follow the directions for the yogurt maker

*It must be in the yogurt maker for 24 hours to properly get rid of all the lactose.  Most yogurt makers will tell you to keep the yogurt in for 8 hours

*1/2 gallon of milk may be too much when using the smaller jars that come with the yogurt maker.  I recommend measuring out how much milk will fill all the jars

 I really do believe eating the yogurt once a day has improved my moods and relieved me of some anxiety.  Homemade yogurt has been a huge factor in my healing process and it is delicious! 

SCD: The pains and triumphs of a clean food diet

My Problem
    Part of the reason that I embarked on the big move to Oregon was to improve my health.  For basically my entire life I've been plagued with annoying bouts of eczema, allergies, constipation and bloating.  Now at first some of these issues seem unrelated but I've come to understand how powerfully the gastrointestinal system can affect other parts of the body.  I have been frustrated with traditional medicine as anything I'd been given merely treated the symptoms temporarily.  I know many people are skeptical of naturopathic medicine and doctors but I felt like I had no other alternative.  A friend of my mother's recommended a doctor about thirty minutes outside of Portland in the town of Aurora.  On my first appointment, I looked akin to a red alligator/human hybrid.  My neck and face were covered in scaly, red rashes, my eyes were puffy and swollen, and I had patches of eczema all over my body.  This was more or less pretty typical for me and had been on and off for about seven years.  I discussed with the doctor about how all my stomach problems began occurring around the same time my eczema worsened.  I was given an at home breathing test which looks for signs of SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth).

The Cause 
    On my second visit the results were strongly indicative of SIBO which is where the SCD diet came in to play.  Basically my doctor's theory was that bad bacteria had somehow grown in my small intestine (probably around 7 years ago).  She couldn't say how this happened but often times this is a result of being on large doses of antibiotic and not getting enough probiotic to counterbalance and grow good bacteria which then prevents them from fighting off the villains of the bacteria world.  These nasty little guys were eating in to the wall of my stomach creating what is known as a "leaky gut."  When I would eat certain food, it would not digest properly as a result of the leaky gut. This was disguised as a food allergy because I would break out in rashes after eating certain foods like soy.  I would often find that my "food allergies" were constantly changing from year to year. SIBO also causes a range of symptoms in the stomach ranging from constipation and bloating to diarrhea.

The Possible Solution 
    My doctor created an action plan to hopefully get rid of the bad bacteria giving my gut a chance to heal so I could then, hopefully, begin eating all foods without experiencing breakouts of eczema.  Part of that plan involved the SCD diet which is used to help people with Celiac's disease, Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis.  The theory is that the bacteria in the small intestine thrive off of certain foods (like grains) so by eliminating them from my diet I would starve the bacteria into oblivion!  Here is the full list of foods that are "legal and illegal" on the SCD diet.  If you've taken a look at the list one thing you will notice is that all grains and starches (breads, rice, potatoes, oatmeal, etc.) are off limits as well as.....sugar!  Anyone who knows me even casually would be able to point out that I am a major sweet fiend.  As you begin reading about my struggles with going on this health food diet please enjoy Shirley Temple's On the Good Ship Lollipop.  I think it's a fitting song as I would often eat my way into a sugar coma by inhaling chocolate, cakes, and sweet breads before starting the SCD diet.

The Follow Through 
         I decided that if I really wanted to improve my health, I could not do the diet half-heartedly even though I very much resented giving up bread and conventional sweets.  Most SCD experts recommended going on an intro diet which I decided to do a few weeks in after I didn't feel any different.  The idea is that it helps clean out your system allowing for the healing process to begin faster.   Here are examples of the SCD intro diet and the GAPS intro diet which is similar to the SCD diet but seems to have more restrictions.  I picked the GAPS intro diet because it takes you through stages and allows for optimum "clean out" as I call it.  In retrospect I probably shouldn't have done the stricter intro diet unless I was bedridden with sickness because it was really hard to get enough calories in everyday.  At the time I was working at a call center and I'd often feel dizzy throughout the day.  I only spent about 6 days on it as opposed to the recommended 2 weeks for obvious reasons!  My constipation and bloating did lessen a bit and I appreciated all the foods I could eat on the SCD diet instead of being resentful ha! I would say it took a good three months to see vast improvements with my skin and my stomach.  It takes time for the body to adjust and heal!
      The food is actually very tasty on the diet but the challenge is that you have to make so much of the food yourself.  Most packaged easy-to-make meals and restaurant food is riddled with additives that are not approved on the diet.  It's also really hard to get away from starches, especially when eating out.  Something that was really helpful in keeping me motivated at the beginning (when positive results were scarce) was that my step-sister also went on the diet for her own, more severe stomach condition.  We shared frustrations, tips and recipes.  A friend of mine from London also decided to give it a try as well to see if it made a difference in her body.
    After being on the diet for awhile I've acquired some go-to, easy SCD recipes that are tasty (a very important requirement!).
     For breakfast I usually have eggs, bacon and fruit.  Sometimes I jazz it up with these recipes:

Bacon and Egg Cups with Spinach 

The recipe is here. I would recommend cooking the bacon in a pan to almost well-cooked before putting it in the oven.  Otherwise, the bacon doesn't cook all the way in the oven and it's not very pleasant. 

Egg and Spinach Skillet 

The recipe for this is here. I would recommend not including the bacon like I did here since it's healthier that way.  Also next time I make this I'm going to add more spices. 

Banana Pancakes 

The recipe for this consists of simply 1 egg, two scoops of peanut butter, 1 banana and 1 Tablespoon of honey.  I heat the skillet to medium and then serve it with just butter.  These don't taste exactly like real pancakes but I enjoy them when I am craving the "real deal." 

Pumpkin Smoothie

The recipe is here.  I used coconut milk instead of almond milk because stores only sell almond milk with additives that are not SCD approved.  This was similar to eating the center of a pumpkin pie so I would probably only eat a small amount at one time or right after an intense workout (as was intended by the author). 

Grain-Free English Muffin

I can't believe this really works but this extremely easy recipe is great when you want something resembling regular bread.  The recipe is here.  Two flours I can have on the SCD diet are Almond and Coconut.  I use these flours all the time when I am craving baked goods. 

Grain-free Cinnamon Rolls

While these cinnamon rolls do not exactly taste like the "real thing" they are extremely delicious in their own right.  I will say it isn't the easiest SCD recipe and I may have used a few choice words trying to make sure they wouldn't fall apart.  For the more ambitious here is the recipe.

If I need to pack a lunch I'll bring apples, pure peanut or almond butter, pecans and raisins, green peppers or other easy to eat raw vegetables, bacon strips, lettuce wrapped chicken with cheese melted on the top or easy to store leftovers from dinner. 

There are two snacks that are my absolute favorite for this diet.  

The first is known as a Broccoli Popper

People who aren't on the SCD love these poppers!  They are a great appetizer for parties and very easy to store and freeze.  I've also found that doubling the recipe is a good idea since they keep well.  The recipe is here.  I  also included cauliflower and loads of garlic and onions for flavor.  

Bacon-wrapped Dates

This snack is a real treat and great for parties.  They keep well for a day or two but taste the best soon after popping out of the oven. My step-sister and I discovered this snack after eating at the local Portland food truck/stand The Cultured Caveman which caters to people on the Paleo diet.  

At dinner I usually have vegetable soup, fruit, broccoli poppers, grass-fed beef, free-range/hormone free meat, fresh seafood etc.  Other dinner foods include:

Cabbage or lettuce-wrapped burgers

Vegetable Stir-fry

Spaghetti Squash Casserole with Elk

The recipe for the casserole is here.  This is a delicious meal and even though it is very rich it's much healthier than most casseroles. The elk was shot and prepared by my step-dad's brother-in-law so I'm afraid I don't have any tips on how to acquire fresh elk meat. 

Desserts have always been my weakness.  I had a really hard time finding something that tasted remotely like a regular sweet baked good. Both almond and coconut flour have very distinct flavors but I've found that when I mix the two together, I get better results.  This is my favorite treat I've discovered so far:

Peanut Butter/Almond Blondie

Here is the recipe.  I preferred the almond butter but make sure to use pure crushed almonds which you can find at Whole Foods.  I brought some of these for my sister's bridal shower and several non-SCD eaters thought they were delicious! 

Before going back to North Carolina for Christmas, I made an SCD feast for my mom and step-family. The meal included Philly Cheese Steak Stuffed Peppers, broccoli poppers, bacon wrapped dates and raw vegetables with SCD ranch dressing. 

One of the biggest pieces to the SCD diet is the homemade yogurt.  I will include that recipe along with  one for mayonnaise in another post. 

As a result of continuing with the diet my eczema has improved immensely.     

These were my hands about two months after starting the diet.  This is a vast improvement from when    I first arrived in Oregon.

However, almost four months into the diet, my hands look almost normal except for a bit of redness. 

 

My face has also healed as well and I have experienced very little problems with my stomach recently. 

I may need to stay on the diet for two years to really heal the damage done to my gut but I think it is definitely worth it. I'm not saying that everyone should go on this diet but I do believe that all of us ought to be more aware of the awful things we put into our bodies everyday.  Clean eating has certainly done wonders for my own health.

Below I've included some links for information on the diet and lots of great SCD recipes.  

Breaking the Vicious Cycle

SCDfoodie (This is my favorite site for recipes!)

Against All Grain (I found a great pumpkin pie recipe for Thanksgiving here)

comfy belly

GlutenfreeSCDandVeggie (My friend P from London loves this site)

SCD Recipes

For all you pinterest lovers:

Pinterest SCD recipes

Pinterest SCD desserts