Coconut Shrimp: Gluten Free, Lectin Free*

 * I don't really know what a Lectin is. I just know I'm not supposed to eat them right now. I also know that shrimp, coconut, and olive oil are all on my "OK" list, and therefore do not contain significant amounts of lectins.

So, I've pretty much been in a food funk since the start of my new anti-leaky gut diet restriction, BUT this recipe kicks ass because it's the only thing I've been inspired to make-- AND it's absolutely delicious.  I've been making it for dinner on Fridays, then finishing it up for brunch over the weekend.

THE RECIPE:

raw shrimp, peeled and deveined, (tail on is ok)
3 tbs coconut flour
3 tbs shredded unsweetened coconut
pinch salt
smaller pinch pepper
coconut oil and/or extra light olive oil, for frying

Combine coconut flour and coconut in equal parts in a bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste. Heat a frying pan / skillet with enough oil to cover bottom of the pan, over medium heat. Throw a couple shrimp in the bowl of breading materials, and toss to coat. (Optionally, you can dip the shrimp in egg first to help the breading to stick.) When oil has heated, place breaded shrimp into pan- they should sizzle and begin to fry!

When the shrimp turns from clearish blueish (uncooked) to look whiteish pinkish (cooked), flip each to brown the other side. Remove when the breading on this side is golden brown. Keep cooking until you've used up all your shrimp- make sure that there is oil in the pan at all times, since this helps conduct heat into the shrimp PLUS adds deliciousness. If the oil gets "dirty" with bits of burned breading, wipe out the pan and heat fresh oil to continue.

The Results are In...

So, about a month ago I started working with a new functional medicine doctor to have some comprehensive tests done, and figure out just what exactly my deal is. I needed to reevaluate my health plan.

The results came in last weekend, and weren't all-together unexpected. Nevertheless, I'll be on an even more restricted diet for the next month, as I eliminate all lectin-containing foods as well as the usual sugar, dairy, and gluten. This means no soy, beans, eggs, nightshades, etc... -- when life gives you lemons, grab the stevia!  Expect some crazy posts to come, including darkdarkdark chocolate fudge, and possibly coconut yogurt (I can eat fermented things now! the only good diet-news!)

So, the official results:
1. Leaky Gut Sydrome - tight junctions between cells in intestines leak, letting undigested large molecules through the Basesment Membrane Zone into my bloodstream.. triggering autoimmune reactions.

Leaky Brain - same thing can happen in the brain. Sounds scary, huh?

2. Gluten Intolerance - yes, no wheat for me. Also, no wheat for me in shampoo, lotion, toothpaste, etc.

3. Foods that Imitate Gluten - include Dairy, Rye, Barlet, Spelt, Yeast, Oats, Coffee... avoid those too!

4. Auto-immune attack on Thyroid and Pancreas -- hopefully fixing up my diet, fixing the leaky gut will let my body chill out a bit so this goes away too.


Basically, that's the situation- and really, it's not too bad. The only food I really had a bad reaction to in blood tests is gluten. Right now I'm focusing on a lectin-free diet to heal my gut and stop the leakiness!

I'm on day 3, and (although I don't want to get my hopes up) I honestly had shockingly normal energy levels today! AND didn't even wear my bloating-proof fat pants to work the last two days. Awesome!

Golden Snitch Snack Balls

I open at the close.......

As I'm still behind in my posts, I made these in honor of the opening weekend of the Deathly Hallows, Part II, and ate them for lunch before heading to the theater to watch the show (complete with Dark Mark on arm.)

What did I think of the show? As with all of the HP movies, it wasn't quite as good as the book, and certainly botched a few key moments (like Neville's heroic moment! ...fail) but overall it was quality entertainment... and, succeeded in making me tear up on multiple occasions. I really lost it at the end when Harry, Ron, and Hermione were all grown up, sending their own kids off to Hogwarts. When I met the Harry Potter franchise, Harry was younger than I was-- and now all of a sudden, he was an adult, married, with children, and the magical saga had reached its conclusion. If Harry had grown that much over the years, where does that put me?

Sentimentality aside, these snitch balls are a super easy way to have a magical lunch.

THE RECIPE:

mozzerella soy cheese

Peeves, my first favorite character.

flaxseed meal

Snitch filling:
1/2 avocado
2(or more) fresh basil leaves
2(or more) spinach leaves
dash of salt                              ---> pulse in Magic Bullet until leaves are chopped and a paste forms

Roll in flaxseed meal to form a "golden" ball. ****
Slice soy cheese, and cut slices into matching diamond shapes. Stick into ball to form wings of the snitch.

Place mouth on snitch and let it "open at the close" ....of your mouth. As it explodes in flavor and awesomeness.

**** Really want to take it to the next level? Put a whole hazelnut inside to replicate the Ressurection Stone.

Luna Lovegood, my other favorite character (that's MEE!)

BONUS: take the Harry Potter Comprehensive Sorting Test HERE and let me know what you get!
(I'm an all-out Ravenclaw :) )