A yummy recipe that we all enjoyed!
Peanut Butter Fudge
1 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup peanut butter
2 Tbsp honey
dash of salt
1 tsp vanilla
Melt coconut oil gently in pan on low. Pour into blender with remaining ingredients. Blend well. Pour into 8x8 pan and put in freezer for 15 min or so, until hardened. Keep in fridge once solid.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Sunday, May 9, 2010
GAPS Nut Bread
Nut Bread
1 1/2 cups blanched crispy almonds
1 1/2 cups crispy brazil nuts
4 eggs
1/4 cup ghee, slightly melted
2 Tbsp lard, slightly melted (I have used coconut or palm oil)
1 tsp natural sea salt
Preheat oven to 325. Line loaf pan with wax paper cut to fit into the bottom of loaf pan. Grease paper and sides of loaf pan with lard or melted ghee. Pulse/blend almonds and brazil nuts in food processor until it turns into a thick nut butter. Remove 1/2 cup of nut paste and set aside. Add eggs, ghee, lard and salt. Blend until well mixed. Add back the nut paste that was set aside little by little until the mixture resembles very thick cake batter, blending with each addition. Refrigerate an leftover nut paste to use in a future batch of nut bread. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. Smooth out the top of batter with a wooden spoon or flexible spatula. Bake in preheated oven for approximately an hour, or until knife comes out clean. Cool for 5 to 10 minutes in pan, then run a knife around the edge of the bread and remove from pan. Cool completely before slicing.
1 1/2 cups blanched crispy almonds
1 1/2 cups crispy brazil nuts
4 eggs
1/4 cup ghee, slightly melted
2 Tbsp lard, slightly melted (I have used coconut or palm oil)
1 tsp natural sea salt
Preheat oven to 325. Line loaf pan with wax paper cut to fit into the bottom of loaf pan. Grease paper and sides of loaf pan with lard or melted ghee. Pulse/blend almonds and brazil nuts in food processor until it turns into a thick nut butter. Remove 1/2 cup of nut paste and set aside. Add eggs, ghee, lard and salt. Blend until well mixed. Add back the nut paste that was set aside little by little until the mixture resembles very thick cake batter, blending with each addition. Refrigerate an leftover nut paste to use in a future batch of nut bread. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. Smooth out the top of batter with a wooden spoon or flexible spatula. Bake in preheated oven for approximately an hour, or until knife comes out clean. Cool for 5 to 10 minutes in pan, then run a knife around the edge of the bread and remove from pan. Cool completely before slicing.
Chicken Salad in Steamed Cabbage
This is an easy lunch and we all enjoy it.
Chicken Salad in Steamed Cabbage
Core a cabbage and then steam for a good 30 minutes to soften the leaves.
Cut up chicken and add a generous amount of mayonnaise, salt and pepper to taste, sauerkraut, onions, celery, olives, mustard as desired.
Place a mound of chicken salad in a cabbage leaf and wrap - simple!
Chicken Salad in Steamed Cabbage
Core a cabbage and then steam for a good 30 minutes to soften the leaves.
Cut up chicken and add a generous amount of mayonnaise, salt and pepper to taste, sauerkraut, onions, celery, olives, mustard as desired.
Place a mound of chicken salad in a cabbage leaf and wrap - simple!
Coconut Milk Custard
Coconut Milk Custard
5 large eggs
3 Tbsp honey
1 cup coconut milk
1/2 tsp vanilla
Preheat oven to 325. Place rack in center of oven. Beat eggs, honey, and coconut milk until frothy. A stick blender works well also. Pour mixture into 8x8 baking dish or individual ramekins/containers. Place in larger pan filled with hot water. Water should be halfway up the sides of baking dish. Bake 30-45 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Be careful not to overbake. If serving hot, spoon into dishes; if serving cold, allow mixture to cool before cutting into squares. Could top with sprinkles of cinnamon, fruit or whipped cream. Serve warm or cold. Makes 4 ramekins or 1 8"x8" pan.
5 large eggs
3 Tbsp honey
1 cup coconut milk
1/2 tsp vanilla
Preheat oven to 325. Place rack in center of oven. Beat eggs, honey, and coconut milk until frothy. A stick blender works well also. Pour mixture into 8x8 baking dish or individual ramekins/containers. Place in larger pan filled with hot water. Water should be halfway up the sides of baking dish. Bake 30-45 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Be careful not to overbake. If serving hot, spoon into dishes; if serving cold, allow mixture to cool before cutting into squares. Could top with sprinkles of cinnamon, fruit or whipped cream. Serve warm or cold. Makes 4 ramekins or 1 8"x8" pan.
Very Cherry Bars
(Similar to Lara Bars)
1/4 cup chopped dates (roughly chopped)
1/4 cup dried cherries or dried cranberries
1/3 cup whole pecans, almonds or walnuts (I've also used cashews)
1/8 tsp cinnamon
Set out 2 pieces of plastic wrap for shaping and wrapping the bars. Do this first; you'll have sticky fingers when you need it.
Place the dates and cherries in a food processor. Pulse until processed to a paste. Transfer paste to a medium bowl (don't clean processor).
Add the nuts to the processor and pulse until finely chopped. Add the nuts, along with cinnamon, to the bowl with the fruit paste. Use your fingers to knead the nuts into the paste.
Divide mixture in half. Place each half on each of one of the sheets of plastic wrap. Wrap the plastic around each bar and start squishing into a bar shape form, 3 1/2" long, 1" wide and 3/4" thick; press against countertop to flatten bottom side, flattening top side and ends with flat of hand. Tightly wrap the plastic around each bar and store in the refrigerator. Makes 2 bars.
Variations:
Apricot-Almond: Use 6 Tbsp coarsley chopped dried apricots and 2 Tbs dates, use almonds for the nuts.
Tropical: Use tropical fruit bits; cashews, add 1/8 tsp ginger, 1/2 tsp grated lime zest, and 1 tsp fresh lime juice to the mix.
PB&J: Use 1/4 cup dried cherries or cranberries and 1/4 cup raisins or dates; use raw or roasted peanuts for the nuts.
Blueberry Bliss: Use 1/4 cup dried blueberries and 1/4 cup dates; use almonds for the nuts. Add 1/2 tsp finely grated lemon zest, and a drop of almond extract to the mix.
Cashew Cookie Dough: Reverse the proportions of fruit to nuts - use 1/3 cup date for the fruit and 1/2 cup raw cashews for the nuts.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough: Same as cashew cookie dough, but add 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, pinch cinnamon and 1/2 ounce very finely chopped semisweet or bittersweet chocolate to the mix.
Pistachio Heaven: Same as cashew cookie dough, but use raw pistachios and add a tiny drop of almond extract.
Peanut Butter Cookie Dough: Same as cashew cookie dough but use raw or roasted (lightly salted) peanuts for the nuts.
1/4 cup chopped dates (roughly chopped)
1/4 cup dried cherries or dried cranberries
1/3 cup whole pecans, almonds or walnuts (I've also used cashews)
1/8 tsp cinnamon
Set out 2 pieces of plastic wrap for shaping and wrapping the bars. Do this first; you'll have sticky fingers when you need it.
Place the dates and cherries in a food processor. Pulse until processed to a paste. Transfer paste to a medium bowl (don't clean processor).
Add the nuts to the processor and pulse until finely chopped. Add the nuts, along with cinnamon, to the bowl with the fruit paste. Use your fingers to knead the nuts into the paste.
Divide mixture in half. Place each half on each of one of the sheets of plastic wrap. Wrap the plastic around each bar and start squishing into a bar shape form, 3 1/2" long, 1" wide and 3/4" thick; press against countertop to flatten bottom side, flattening top side and ends with flat of hand. Tightly wrap the plastic around each bar and store in the refrigerator. Makes 2 bars.
Variations:
Apricot-Almond: Use 6 Tbsp coarsley chopped dried apricots and 2 Tbs dates, use almonds for the nuts.
Tropical: Use tropical fruit bits; cashews, add 1/8 tsp ginger, 1/2 tsp grated lime zest, and 1 tsp fresh lime juice to the mix.
PB&J: Use 1/4 cup dried cherries or cranberries and 1/4 cup raisins or dates; use raw or roasted peanuts for the nuts.
Blueberry Bliss: Use 1/4 cup dried blueberries and 1/4 cup dates; use almonds for the nuts. Add 1/2 tsp finely grated lemon zest, and a drop of almond extract to the mix.
Cashew Cookie Dough: Reverse the proportions of fruit to nuts - use 1/3 cup date for the fruit and 1/2 cup raw cashews for the nuts.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough: Same as cashew cookie dough, but add 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, pinch cinnamon and 1/2 ounce very finely chopped semisweet or bittersweet chocolate to the mix.
Pistachio Heaven: Same as cashew cookie dough, but use raw pistachios and add a tiny drop of almond extract.
Peanut Butter Cookie Dough: Same as cashew cookie dough but use raw or roasted (lightly salted) peanuts for the nuts.
Jelly Donut Cupcakes
Recipe adapted from Elana's Pantry
Jelly Donut Cupcakes
3 eggs
1/2 cup applesauce
1/2 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup honey
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup coconut flour
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
For the filling:
1/2 cup GAPS legal jam or jelly (I used fermented apricot)
In a food processor, combine eggs, apple sauce, oil, honey and vanilla and pulse together. Pulse in coconut flour, salt and baking soda. Allow batter to sit and thicken just a bit. Line cupcake tin with paper liners. Spoon 2 heaping Tbsp cupcake batter into each cupcake liner. Spoon 1 Tbsp jam on top of batter in each cupcake liner. Spoon another Tbsp batter in to cupcake liners to cover jam. Bake at 350 for 20-25 min. Cool and Serve. Makes 8 cupcakes.
Jelly Donut Cupcakes
3 eggs
1/2 cup applesauce
1/2 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup honey
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup coconut flour
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
For the filling:
1/2 cup GAPS legal jam or jelly (I used fermented apricot)
In a food processor, combine eggs, apple sauce, oil, honey and vanilla and pulse together. Pulse in coconut flour, salt and baking soda. Allow batter to sit and thicken just a bit. Line cupcake tin with paper liners. Spoon 2 heaping Tbsp cupcake batter into each cupcake liner. Spoon 1 Tbsp jam on top of batter in each cupcake liner. Spoon another Tbsp batter in to cupcake liners to cover jam. Bake at 350 for 20-25 min. Cool and Serve. Makes 8 cupcakes.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
PCOS Acupuncture Study Results Reported!
May 6, 2010
Dear Amber Sullivan (ID 70),
We have now completed recruitment and initial analysis for our study “The Influence of Acupuncture on Reproductive Hormones and Ovulation (IRB 12045)”. We have also unblinded the treatment categories for each participant. Based on our records, while you were enrolled in the study, you had 4 periods and ovulated 41% of the months you were in the study.* (A 50% ovulation rate means that you ovulated half the months in the study, 100% means you ovulated every month, and 0% means you never ovulated.) The study arm that you were assigned to was placebo acupuncture*.
On the next page, you will find a summary of the primary study’s findings. As you see, overall, this acupuncture regimen was not particularly effective for treating women with PCOS, although those of you with lower fasting insulin levels were definitely more likely to see a benefit (regular ovulation) than those with higher insulin levels. We’ll be exploring that finding more in the coming months.
It is just as important from a science point-of-view to learn what doesn’t work as what does work, although it sure is more fun to write a scientific article with a “wow!” punch line. I hope you don’t feel discouraged. Your participation in the clinical trial was very important, and we scientists will learn a great deal from your participation in the study. So thanks again, and I’ll send along the scientific papers when they are published, if you indicated that you wanted to see them.
Sincerely,
Lisa M. Pastore, PhD
Assistant Professor
Dept. of OB/GYN
UVA HealthSystem
LPASTORE@virginia.eduL
Title: RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL OF ACUPUNCTURE FOR POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME (PCOS)
LM Pastore1, CD Williams2, J Jenkins1, J Patrie1
1University of Virginia, Box 800712 Charlottesville, VA, United States, 22908 and 2Reproductive Medicine and Surgery Center of Virginia, 595 Peter Jefferson Way Charlottesville, VA, United States, 22911.
Objective: To determine if acupuncture, compared to sham treatment, normalizes ovarian hormones and increases the ovulation rate in women with PCOS. 3 studies (< 50 acupuncture subjects, not randomized) reported that acupuncture may be an alternative treatment for PCOS.
Design: Randomized, double-blind, 5-month clinical trial.
Materials and Methods: 80 women (+5 women who dropped out during follow-up) completed the study. Eligibility required PCOS diagnosis (NIH criteria) and no hormonal medication 60 days prior to enrollment. Intervention: 12 sessions of true acupuncture or sham procedure (Park Sham Device) for 8 weeks. Biological specimens were collected before the 1st and after the last treatment, plus 3 months later. Ovulation was measured objectively with urine or blood. Analysis, using alpha=0.05, consisted of Wilcoxon tests, ANOVA, and Spearman correlations.
Results: Participants by intervention arm (n=41 true acupuncture, n=44 sham) were similar in demographics, baseline ovarian hormones and androgens, and eligibility criteria. Post-treatment improvement in the LH/FSH ratio was similar by arm (-0.4 and -0.8 in true and sham, respectively, p<0.03). The monthly ovulation rate was similar by arm (34% - 52%), and similar to self-reported pre-study menstrual frequency (most recent 12 months without exogenous hormones). Within the acupuncture arm, the 2 strongest predictors of the ovulation rate were lower fasting insulin (p=0.03) followed by lower insulin area under the curve (p=0.06), controlling for pre-study menstrual frequency and BMI; this pattern was not evident within the sham arm. Neither intervention was associated with any impact to androgen levels, with the exception of decreased SHBG in both arms (p<0.05). There were 7 pregnancies (no difference by arm).
Conclusions: This acupuncture intervention was not effective for increasing the ovulation rate in PCOS overall, although it is possible that acupuncture may be helpful for women with insulin processing closer to normal.
*Emphasis mine (Amber's) - I find this very interesting!! I ovulated 41% of the time!!!! I didn't think I was ovulating at all. :-)
Dear Amber Sullivan (ID 70),
We have now completed recruitment and initial analysis for our study “The Influence of Acupuncture on Reproductive Hormones and Ovulation (IRB 12045)”. We have also unblinded the treatment categories for each participant. Based on our records, while you were enrolled in the study, you had 4 periods and ovulated 41% of the months you were in the study.* (A 50% ovulation rate means that you ovulated half the months in the study, 100% means you ovulated every month, and 0% means you never ovulated.) The study arm that you were assigned to was placebo acupuncture*.
On the next page, you will find a summary of the primary study’s findings. As you see, overall, this acupuncture regimen was not particularly effective for treating women with PCOS, although those of you with lower fasting insulin levels were definitely more likely to see a benefit (regular ovulation) than those with higher insulin levels. We’ll be exploring that finding more in the coming months.
It is just as important from a science point-of-view to learn what doesn’t work as what does work, although it sure is more fun to write a scientific article with a “wow!” punch line. I hope you don’t feel discouraged. Your participation in the clinical trial was very important, and we scientists will learn a great deal from your participation in the study. So thanks again, and I’ll send along the scientific papers when they are published, if you indicated that you wanted to see them.
Sincerely,
Lisa M. Pastore, PhD
Assistant Professor
Dept. of OB/GYN
UVA HealthSystem
LPASTORE@virginia.edu
Title: RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL OF ACUPUNCTURE FOR POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME (PCOS)
LM Pastore1, CD Williams2, J Jenkins1, J Patrie1
1University of Virginia, Box 800712 Charlottesville, VA, United States, 22908 and 2Reproductive Medicine and Surgery Center of Virginia, 595 Peter Jefferson Way Charlottesville, VA, United States, 22911.
Objective: To determine if acupuncture, compared to sham treatment, normalizes ovarian hormones and increases the ovulation rate in women with PCOS. 3 studies (< 50 acupuncture subjects, not randomized) reported that acupuncture may be an alternative treatment for PCOS.
Design: Randomized, double-blind, 5-month clinical trial.
Materials and Methods: 80 women (+5 women who dropped out during follow-up) completed the study. Eligibility required PCOS diagnosis (NIH criteria) and no hormonal medication 60 days prior to enrollment. Intervention: 12 sessions of true acupuncture or sham procedure (Park Sham Device) for 8 weeks. Biological specimens were collected before the 1st and after the last treatment, plus 3 months later. Ovulation was measured objectively with urine or blood. Analysis, using alpha=0.05, consisted of Wilcoxon tests, ANOVA, and Spearman correlations.
Results: Participants by intervention arm (n=41 true acupuncture, n=44 sham) were similar in demographics, baseline ovarian hormones and androgens, and eligibility criteria. Post-treatment improvement in the LH/FSH ratio was similar by arm (-0.4 and -0.8 in true and sham, respectively, p<0.03). The monthly ovulation rate was similar by arm (34% - 52%), and similar to self-reported pre-study menstrual frequency (most recent 12 months without exogenous hormones). Within the acupuncture arm, the 2 strongest predictors of the ovulation rate were lower fasting insulin (p=0.03) followed by lower insulin area under the curve (p=0.06), controlling for pre-study menstrual frequency and BMI; this pattern was not evident within the sham arm. Neither intervention was associated with any impact to androgen levels, with the exception of decreased SHBG in both arms (p<0.05). There were 7 pregnancies (no difference by arm).
Conclusions: This acupuncture intervention was not effective for increasing the ovulation rate in PCOS overall, although it is possible that acupuncture may be helpful for women with insulin processing closer to normal.
*Emphasis mine (Amber's) - I find this very interesting!! I ovulated 41% of the time!!!! I didn't think I was ovulating at all. :-)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
