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How I became a locavore and why clean, healthy, local food matters when living with autoimmune disease.
Full Disclosure: I may receive compensation for sales resulting from some of the links in my posts, however my comments and opinions are my own and not those of the companies I recommend. I only recommend products and companies I truly believe in!
I’ve been a locavore for so long that I really don’t know when I officially started using the term in reference to myself. I know it goes back at least to when I owned Wisconsin Cheesecakery, and we chose to source our ingredients as locally as possible. At one point I was even described by a customer as being a “Rabid Locavore”, a reference I was fiercely proud of!
In 2007 I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease. I believe I had the disease for many years before then, but it was not until a time in my life when I was undergoing a great deal of stress following the closing of my business, and subsequent bankruptcy that my symptoms became so severe that I wound up having multiple tests and procedures to determine the cause, and it was a colonoscopy that finally concluded I had Crohn’s Disease. Crohn’s is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which is an autoimmune disease that is incurable. In plain speak, Crohn’s is inflammation of the digestive tract accompanied by an imbalance in the bacteria in the gut. There are treatments available for the symptoms, however nothing “cures” the disease. After trying a couple of particularly nasty pharmaceutical prescriptions, I made a conscientious decision to manage my disease through careful diet and self-care which includes avoiding stress, getting plenty of exercise, and getting plenty of sleep on a daily basis. During times of Crohn’s flares, I adhere to a very strict macrobiotic diet, and rely heavily upon Miso broth to keep me hydrated and as comfortable as possible. I even learned how to make my own Miso, but that’s for another post. Crohn’s is a disease which can go into remission, or can have periods of more persistent flares. If you know someone with Crohn’s their symptoms likely vary from others with the disease. At times you would not know I have anything wrong with me…other times it is difficult to live a normal life. And depending upon the genetics, once you have one autoimmune disease your likelihood of developing another are increased.
The single most important thing for me has been managing my “diet”. I do not mean diet in the way most people think of it (weight loss), but rather diet in terms of lifestyle choices. Through a process of trial and elimination I eventually found which food groups cause me the most intestinal distress, and now I avoid those foods to maintain a healthy gut balance. I avoid high fiber foods, which in most cases would not be recommended for gut health, but I have learned that high fiber foods cause me more intestinal distress. I also avoid acidic foods, and only eat meat infrequently. Chocolate unfortunately can also cause problems, so I only eat it occasionally, and go for the best quality I can find to truly savor the experience! I have some favorite local chocolatiers, including Gail Ambrosius, whose shoppe is just down the street from me. I not only love Gail’s style of chocolate creating, I also respect her business ethics, working closely with single origin cacao farmers. I fortunately can still eat spicy foods, perhaps because capsaicin is an anti-inflammatory. I have trouble with all cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage, so I eat them in moderation and always cook them for easier digestion. So, how do I get enough protein with this crazy diet of mine? It’s actually really easy. I do eat eggs, but hate them. I eat fish and seafood. And I eat beans and rice. Quinoa, an ancient grain, known as a superfood is a whole protein all by itself. In addition, many vegetables contain protein as well. And of course, I live in Wisconsin, so I eat local cheese!
One way I have learned to trust the quality and safety of the food I am eating is to buy my food locally from farmers and producers rather than purchasing mass produced foods that are shipped across the country or even from outside of the US. Even mass produced organic food has the potential for contamination and food borne illness, so I steer clear of large suppliers and growers.
I love forging relationships with local farmers and producers and supporting their livelihood, and making a smaller carbon footprint all while ensuring my food is as clean and healthy as possible. My love of all things local extends beyond my immediate location. When travelling I seek out local farmer’s markets and food stands. I love supporting local businesses and knowing that my money stays in the community.
One of the most frustrating issues with Crohn’s is the roving joint pain which occurs for up to 30% of Crohn’s patients. And I’ve got it. It moves from joint to joint randomly, lasting anywhere from a few days to months, sometimes it never resolves. I do not do well with prescription pain medication and aspirin and ibuprofen are not good for gut issues. As a result, for the past couple years I have been using CBD oil which has significantly helped with my joint pain, other than the arthritis which has developed in my feet, making me hobble like an old, old lady at times. I tried some prescription pain cream for this, but it did nothing. Recently I found CBDBiocare All Natural Pain Cream and tried it, and guess what! It’s amazing! The very first time I used it at night before going to sleep I got up the next morning and walked downstairs before I realized I was not hobbling and my feet did not hurt. I am a firm believer in the use of CBD for a variety of issues and although it takes a while to find the right amount or the right product for you, it is well worth it not to be taking some of the toxic pharmaceuticals normally used for these chronic diseases. When selecting CBD products, I always look for all natural, organically grown, full spectrum product, which means that the full plant is extracted to get the most health benefits for me.
I also use a probiotic on a daily basis to maintain a balance of the good and bad bacteria in my gut. Similarly to my experiences with CBD, I had to try a few to find one that works best for me. I now use Garden of Life Ultimate Care and it too has made a HUGE difference in my gut health.
So, now that spring is here in Wisconsin, and its a beautiful day, I’m off to the Dane County Farmer’s Market this morning to pick up some of the best local foods available, while getting some sunshine and Vitamin D in the process!