(Place your curser over the words in bold in the paragraphs, as these are linked to the relevant information)

This metaphor is widely used as a problem solving technique and the answer, of course, is ‘One bite at a time’.

Simply put it means that if you have what seems like an insurmountable problem approach it one small step at a time and eventually you will reach a conclusion; you will have managed to eat the whole elephant.

Elephants come in all shapes and sizes. That which seems to some the size of a mouse can seem to others more like an elephant. For people suffering from a severe digestive disorder, being told that a diet can help to cure their disease, having to change their eating habits is certainly an elephantine task.
So how do we start? First we must make sure that we are prepared for the colossal task. Since we have never eaten an elephant before we are aware that there might be some surprises along the way. But there are some things we know:

• we know it is not going to be easy and
• we know we won’t be able to do it in one sitting
• we know there are going to be some tough bits and
• some even tougher bits
• we know there might be parts we really dislike and
• we also know we will never go hungry

The things we do not know:

• we do not know how to prepare for it
• we do not know what it is going to taste like
• we do not know whether we can do it
• we do not know if we will be successful
• we do not know what happens if we want to give up
• we do not know what extra tools we might need to complete the task

In the case of eating an elephant, the research is pretty much non-existent. Nobody has actually eaten one. One man, Fifty-six-year-old Michael Lotito of Villars de Lans, France is known as Monsieur Mangetout, Mr. Eat-It-All. For reasons unclear, he began eating small amounts of glass and metal at age nine. Over the course of his lifetime he has consumed seven television sets, six chandeliers, a computer, 18 bicycles, 15 supermarket carts, two beds, a pair of skis, a coffin, and a Cessna airplane. He is able to eat up to two pounds of metal per day, has regular bowel movements, and has never had any serious stomach problems. It should be noted however that recent x-rays discovered a chain and several other pieces of metal still working their way through his digestive system. I think I would rather eat an elephant!

Now let us get to the real issue at hand. To get to cure our digestive disease we need to begin with changing our diet. This is our ‘elephant’ – changing our diet. The things we know empower us, but the things we do not know discourage us. So it is important to gain some extra knowledge by finding the answers to the things we do not know.

We do not know how to prepare for it:

Whether you are on medication or not, changing your diet will help. To prepare for this change in diet you will need to read ‘Breaking the Vicious Cycle (BTVC)’

by Elaine Gottschall first and visit the official website for more information. It is important to gain knowledge about the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) and read about the successes and about the problems people have encountered. There are some great websites that will give you thorough insight. To find these websites click on this link (CCCCIBS).
Preparation includes talking to your family that there might be some changes in the menu – show the ‘Healing Foods’ cookbook. It tends to ease any despair that your family might feel, as the recipes look and sound so delicious.

Then go through your food cupboard and start eliminating all the foods with ‘illegal ingredients’ in them. Print out the legal/illegal food list from the BTVC website. Then download the Four Day Intro Diet from here (CCCCIBS).

We do not know what it is going to taste like:

Judging by the hundreds of emails I receive the consensus is that the foods allowed on the SCD are delicious. And why shouldn’t they be, as they are just everyday normal foods. The other reason is that you have eliminated all the foods that can make you feel bloated and heavy. Also, I could imagine that if you were actually eating an elephant it probably tastes like chicken.

We do not know whether we can do it:

As long as you can cook and eat, you can do it. Thousands have (not eating elephants of course) and when you get to read some of the forums on SCD you will see that. I recommend you check out the
Yahoo! BTVC/SCD group.

We do not know if we will be successful:

This is tough, because it takes 110% adherence to the diet to be successful. Mostly the diet begins as an elimination diet. We start of with the intro part and for some even this has to be more restrictive. Each person has different allergies; some might find that after only two weeks the difference to their health is amazing. For some it can take several months. It took a whole year before I reached the final stage of the diet. To make it easier to work out when to introduce new foods, you can download the 5-stages to success food-introducing list (CCCCIBS). Mostly you will find that the difference is noticeable within a few days, the tough bit is to keep at it 110%. Then you will be successful!

We do not know what happens if we want to give up:

If you give up you will have to continue your medical treatment. This is limited as research and progress for finding the one pill that fixes all is just not available. You will need support via a trained professional who supports the notion that diet plays an important part in healing the gut. Find someone; look for this person via the websites I have pointed out. But unlike elephants, there is no use by date. You can always start again.

We do not know what extra tools we might need to complete the task:

In the case of eating elephants, a large refrigeration unit will be needed, as it will take time. But in the case of the SCD and your health; again you will need support via a trained professional. I suggest a bio-medical doctor. This is someone who understands that health and healing requires a multifaceted approach. Healing is not just popping a pill to get rid of a chronic headache. The occasional headache, yes, but with Crohn’s, Ulcerative Colitis etc, these are chronic disorders and they need deeper analysis. This should take the form of stool analysis for bacterial and parasitic content. Neural Emotional Technique (NET) is another tool, which works on deep-seated emotional issues that might affect your health. Allergy testing will also reveal if there are foods, which might be on the SCD legal list, that are to be avoided for the time being. To find someone in your area I can recommend several sites:

www.pecanbread.com
www.mindd.org

Also check out the practitioners’ reviews on our website (CCCCIBS).

On a practical level you will need the usual kitchen implements, the ‘Healing Foods’ cookbook and not to forget all the other SCD cookbooks which are available through Amazon. You will also need to stay motivated and determined to beat ‘this thing’. Be organized; cook in advance and keep informed via our ‘Flog’ section of the website. There we offer new recipes and keep you informed on new developments.

And, before I forget, elephants are legal on the Specific Carbohydrate Diet.

For most of us suffering from digestive diseases starting SCD was the hardest part; having to eliminate all the comfort foods we were used to and completely re-adjusting our lives to incorporate a whole new eating regime.

Generally the benefits are immediate, even a few days into the intro diet we are feeling the results, and those of us who continue on, the effects are close to miraculous. There are thousands of people who have followed the SCD and as sales of Elaine Gottschall’s book have rocketed to over one million copies, sites such as BTVC-SCD Yahoo Group and Pecan Bread become the support foundation for people following the SCD.

So there comes a time when we all ask, “Can I eat ‘normal’ food again?”. In other words, what is beyond SCD?

Matthew Bourke a Bio-medical practitioner from Sydney, Australia has put together some notes on this (see practicioner’s review for bio).

The SCD diet is an essential part of the process for controlling and reaching remission for almost all inflammatory conditions within the body.

For people with inflammatory bowel conditions there is almost always a history of excessive carbohydrate intake and a period of intense or sustained emotional stress. The combination of these two factors causes the large bowel to become too acidic and this also lowers the pH of the lower small intestine (jejunum and ileum). The acidity in the small intestine reduces the effectiveness of the digestive enzymes from the pancreas and creates an environment where undigested carbohydrates and other food ferments and parasites thrive. The region that is often most effected is the iliocecal valve which is the junction point between the small and large intestine in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen. This area is always tender to pressure when this region is too acidic and often corresponds with tenderness of the right sacroiliac joint in the pelvis. People with chronic low back pain that does not respond or is aggravated by manual adjusting will often have an inflamed iliocecal valve.

It is important to note that lactic acid producing bacteria including streptococcus, lactobacillus and bifidus all may contribute to the acidity if the diet contains excess carbohydrate. For each molecule of glucose these bacteria produce two molecules of lactic acid which then lowers the pH of the bowel. Symptomatically you will often experience a burning sensation when passing a bowel motion when this situation is present. Therefore taking any probiotics exacerbates the situation unless the SCD program is in place.

In my experience emotional stress will override even a PERFECT diet. Thus one must address any key issues and make the appropriate lifestyle changes so that the immune system can normalise. We have found Neuroemotional Technique (N.E.T.) and Neurolinguistic Programming (N.L.P.) very effective for dealing with unresolved emotions and repetitive negative emotional states that have a huge effect on the health of our immune systems.

Heavy metal or chemical toxicity will also prevent the immune system from normalizing and reduce the effectiveness of the SCD protocol unless addressed properly. We use homeopathics, ZeoActiv8 zeolite, nutritional protocols and EB Pro advanced cellular cleansing ionic foot baths (www.erchonia.com).

Fine tuning is achieved by looking at what allergies exist including allergies to foods that are included in the SCD. Kinesiology especially N.A.E.T. is a very effective and efficient way of detecting and correcting the abnormal neuroimmunological response to these foods and other environmental substances.

For more information check our website www.optimumhealthessentials.com.au or www.naet.com for allergy elimination and www.netmindbody.com for neuroemotional technique.

Health Practitioners will agree that if we started off with following the simple rules of: A - an Apple a day, B - Breath deeply, C - Chew your food more, D - Drink more water…and E - Exercise we all would be much healthier. It certainly is a good start; and as the law of attraction will have it, once you start on these simple healthy habits, other healthy habits will follow.

Here is what this easy guideline can do for you:

Apples

Apples contain vitamin C which boosts your immune system. They are also high in antioxidants and rich an flavonoids, which helps to prevent heart disease and cancers. Not only does an apple have around one and a half times more antioxidants than a 75 gram serve of blueberries, it has more than twice the antioxidants of a cup of tea, about three times the antioxidants of an orange and almost eight times the antioxidants of a banana (according to the past 10 years of scientific research and published in ‘The Apple Report’)

Breathing

The primary role of breathing is gas exchange: our cells need oxygen and their waste product, carbon dioxide, needs to be expelled. Breathing is an automatic body function, controlled by the respiratory centre of the brain. However, we can also deliberately change our rate of breathing.

Different healing systems, from different cultures, have long realised the healing benefits of the breath, including yoga, Tai Chi and some forms of meditation. Many holistic practitioners believe that the breath is the link between the physical body and the ethereal mind, and that spiritual insight is possible through conscious breathing.

Regardless of the philosophy, scientific studies have shown that correct breathing can help manage stress and stress-related conditions by soothing the autonomic nervous system. (Better Health)

Chewing

Most people think that digestion begins in the stomach. This is not true. Digestion starts in the mouth. Saliva in your mouth contains enzymes that are important to food digestion.

When you do not chew your food thoroughly, this will result in incomplete digestion. Large particles of food will pass into the colon and become a breeding ground for bacteria. This can lead to bacterial overgrowth. Properly chewed food is important for a healthy lower GI tract.

A good way to tell if your food has been chewed properly is to chew until you can no longer recognize the food by the texture. If you are chewing a carrot and are still able to tell it is a carrot by the texture in your mouth, then you need to chew it a lot more before you swallow. (The benefits of chewing properly)

Drinking

How much water should you drink each day? A simple question with no easy answers. Studies have produced varying recommendations over the years, but in truth, your water needs depend on many factors, including your health, how active you are and where you live.

Lack of water can lead to dehydration, a condition that occurs when you don’t have enough water in your body to carry out normal functions. Even mild dehydration can drain your energy, make you tired and influence how well your stomach digests food. Lack of fluid can cause constipation.

To ward off dehydration and make sure your body has the fluids it needs, make water your beverage of choice. Nearly every healthy adult can consider the following:

* Drink a glass of water with each meal and between each meal.
* Hydrate before, during and after exercise.
* Substitute sparkling water for alcoholic drinks at social gatherings.

If you drink water from a bottle, thoroughly clean or replace the bottle often. (The Mayo Clinic)

Exercise

Everyone knows this one. Walking or climbing the stairs is considered exercise. It’s not necessary to spend two hours pumping weights in the gym. Walking 30 minutes each day can reduce and prevent the risk of Diabetes 2 combined with a moderate change in diet, by 50%. Exercise not only benefits your body, but your organs as well. It certainly makes the heart stronger and aids digestion and has been proven to combat depression.

The Law of Attraction

One quick word on the law of attraction … putting aside the rather vague notion that all you have to do is repeat a mind-numbing mantra endlessly and believing that what you want you already have, has never worked for me. Even though, in a Pavlovian fashion, I find myself repeating the mantra “There is a free car space at the front entrance of my bank, nail salon, deli,” whenever I am heading that way. Has it worked? Yes, it has …. once or twice…! So, how will doing A, B, C, D attract more health into my life? First, if you’re not doing any of the above, the apple alone will probably make a huge difference. Second, combining all five, ads up to a hell of a lot of benefits. And third, you are doing something and not just thinking about it!!

Ivan Pavlov

Oh yes, another quick word on Ivan Pavlov after whom ‘Pavlov’s Dog’ or ‘Pavlovian Conditioning’ was termed. It was popularly believed that by ringing a bell Ivan Pavlov had conditioned his dog to salivate in anticipation of food and therefore developed the concept of conditioned reflex. In fact Pavlov was also given the Nobel Prize for his research pertaining to the digestive system. So it kind of ties in with the law of attraction. As we condition our digestive system with healthier foods, it is only natural for health to be attracted to our whole being. As you will, a ‘conditioned reflex.’

Apple and Blueberry Crumble

Serves 4
Filling
1.350 kg (2 lb 11 oz) Granny Smith apples – peeled, diced and cored
200 g (1 cup) frozen blueberries
1 Tbs fresh orange juice
1 tsp lemon rind - grated
3 Tbs honey
Crumble
100 g (1 cup) almond flour
60 g (¼ cup) cold butter
1 tsp honey

Preheat oven to 150°C/300°F
Butter a 20 cm/8 inch square baking tin
Place all of the ingredients, retaining 2 Tbs of honey, in a medium size saucepan and cook covered on medium heat for 5 minutes. Remove lid and simmer on high for another 5 minutes. Drain the fruit of its juices in a sieve. Pour the juice back into the saucepan, adding the remaining tablespoon of honey, and simmer until reduced down by half. Retain this syrup for later. Cool the fruit in refrigerator.
Meanwhile, make the crumble by combining the almond flour, butter and honey in a food processor. Mix until chunky crumbs are formed. Place the crumble in the refrigerator for 10 minutes.
When the fruit has cooled down, place it into the prepared baking tin and top with the crumble.
Bake for 30 minutes or until crumble is golden brown. Serve warm, topped with a little french cream or scd yogurt and the retained syrup.

Pro-biotics (For-life) is an essential part of a healthy life. Probiotics, or the study of treatment through helpful bacteria, is gaining more attention as infections increase from overuse of antibiotics or a bad diet.

It may be startling, but according to the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) of Maryland, we each house two to five pounds (1.0 to 2.26 kilograms) of live bacteria inside our bodies. Bacteria come in good and bad varieties, or more to the point, can be helpful or harmful. While the vast amount of attention is given to bad bacteria because of their potential for creating illness, humans share a necessary symbiotic relationship with many types of helpful bacteria. Some are crucial to our very survival.

The Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) uses yogurt as one of the vehicles of introducing good bacteria back into the body.

(Read what Elaine Gottschall had to say about using yogurt.-click here)

It is also helpful to (find a practitioner-click here) who understand the importance of probiotics. So many times do I hear that doctors do not recommend probiotics when placing a patient onto antibiotics. Which is extraordinary considering all the research that goes into probiotics.

(Read some of the most recent article written on this subject-click here).

How to Make SCD Yogurt

I have recently discovered a great new kitchen gadget the Excalibur Food Dehydrator. Well, it’s more than a gadget it is a ‘power house for healthy food production’. You can make incredible dried snacks, but ALSO YOGURT!

(Check out the details here-click here).

In the beginning making yogurt can seem quite daunting, but after your first couple of batches it will become quite easy.

1. Heat the milk to 80°C/180°F, which is about as hot as it would get before it starts to boil. Be careful not to boil the milk, especially goat’s milk.

2. Let the milk cool to room or around 45°C/113°F temperature. I whisk it occasionally, which stops the skin from forming on top of the milk.

3. Mix in the appropriate amount of yogurt, or yogurt starter. Rule of thumb for using a natural yogurt as a starter is 1/4 cup per liter.

4. Place into the Excalibur Dehydrator and turn the thermometer to 115°F, making sure to place the door back onto the unit.

5. Set the timer to 24 hours and leave the yogurt to ferment undisturbed. It is important to have the dehydrator in an area where there is no airflow and where the back of the unit is not against a wall, as this might interfere with the temperature settings.

6. Remove the yogurt after 24 hours and place undisturbed into the refrigerator for at least 8 hours for it to set.

If you don’t have a yogurt maker or the excalibur check out this (yogurt making tutorial-click here) using a small kitchen cupboard and a table lamp (until recently this is what I was using).

Happy Cooking,
Sandra