Jenvan

[BamBam 0]

JenVan

Just wanted you to know that BamBam is doing much better on the no gluten and no dairy diet. We are kinda like starting from scratch again, as she ate a lot of rice cheeses, yogurts, cool whip types of things. In the past you have recommended eating beans as fiber. What kinds of beans do you eat and if you could share a few recipes. She is finding out that fiber may actually be her friend and not her enemy and so a few recipes would be helpful.

Mr. BamBam

[jenvan 7]

Hello! It really cheers my heart to hear Bernadette is doing better!! How are her spirits? Beans...I used to hate them, now I love them...I try to eat them several times a week. I have quite a few bean recipes at home that I like. (I'll post some more later). My favorite beans are black beans. Great northern and pinto are also good, creamier, softer taste. Red beans are good too. I like black eyed peas--good mild flavor. Lentils I love--green, black, red... Kidney beans I don't care for personally...they are too large and 'beany' for my taste

Here are some ideas to get you started:

Sweet bean pudding--I really love this one. It may sound funky, but is delicious. It tastes like sweet potato casserole: http://sidedish.allrecipes.com/az/SwtBnPdding.asp I use the earth balance butter (I have in sticks and tub) and rice milk.

Beans rice--I love this dish. This site gives you a great starting off recipe. The beauty of this dish, in my opinion, is that there are so many variations...sometimes I add shrimp, sometimes chicken sausage, sometimes just more veggies. The combinations are really up to what you like: http://www.gumbopages.com/food/red-beans.html Another quick way I do it: I sautee some garlic, onion, then add sweet peppers and tomatoes, and simmer in some of the tomatoe juice. I add some salt, tabasco or cayenne, black pepper, paprika, oregano or thyme sometimes... Then I add the browned sausage, chicken or shrimp, heat to warm and add beans till they are warm. I serve over rice or quinoa..or sometimes I skip the rice and just add more veggies like brocolli and peas. I make something like this weekly

Another bean recipe, homemade...I call them low-carb mashed potatoes My dh and I really like them. I take great northern beans/white, a can or two and puree them till very smooth, then I cook in a pan, like mashed potatoes and 'milk,' butter and salt and pepper. Season to taste...we really like this as a side.

Quick ways to include beans--buy canned beans and add to salads and soups. Very yummy...makes them more filling too. This also works with lentils...although I prefer to cook these myself as I haven't found a canned version I like. They are quick cooking. You can also add them to rice pilaf as a side dish.

[dlp252 5]

Now than Jenvan has responded, I just wanted to add that I'm so happy BamBam is feeling better!

[BamBam 0]

I really think she is feeling better over all, depression and all. If her system is in good spirits, she is in good spirits. The one thing I noticed since going totally dairy free, she doesn't have the feeling of having to go all the time. Which is nice. We need to work on the nutrition and fiber issue so she can continue getting more strength and happiness. I miss my Bernadette! Today is her Birthday, and I have put together a dinner party at a little steakhouse that will cook exactly what she needs, I think I have 10-12 people coming, so nothing too big, but it should be fun. I didn't make the cake recipe that you sent, I bought a chocolate brownie mix from the health food store and will take her rice dream ice cream. I will pick up a cake for everybody else, it will be a purple and black cake! Thanks again for all your help, we keep you in our Prayes of Thanksgiving!

[Rachel--24 7]

Mr. BamBam,

I just wanted to point out that I think its awesome how much support you're giving to your wife during this time. She is lucky to have you. I'm glad shes feeling better and I'm sure for all of your efforts she will have a wonderful birthday.

EDIT:

ooops I guess I'm a little late. I'm sure she *had* a wonderful birthday.

[jenvan 7]

The birthday you put together sounds great! Please tell her I said I hope her day was great. Let me know how it went!