My Story

Hello and welcome to Kimbo's Kitchen!

This blog was created to pass on recipes I've tried using the SCD/Paleo diet. Two years ago I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis (UC). My mom and sister both have Crohn's disease, so it shouldn't have been such a shock when I was diagnosed with UC.

It was.

I grew up with a list of things I could eat. Allergies, asthma and a heart condition to boot (WPW).  I was too young to understand what life would be like without restrictions on diet, so I lived comfortably and accepted that I couldn't run or eat certain things like my other friends. As I got older, most of my allergies went away (except my anaphylaxis to peanuts). I grew up with supportive friends and family and knew where I could eat. I had heart surgery and could run (... if I would get off the couch, mind you...) I was content. I had issues with my GI but anytime I talked to my GP she said they were all 'hormonal' issues since they only seemed to happen around my period. I would get fissures every month since I was 16 and assumed they were normal. Anytime I ate spicy food, tomato sauce or a lot of carbs I would look 6 months pregnant: I assumed I just ate too much.

When my sister got diagnosed with Crohn's-  I saw the suffering she was going through. The medication was killing her insides and causing her hair to fall out. She couldn't work or eat anything without getting sick. I also asked her some of her 'warning signs' or symptoms leading up to her diagnosis. I had the same early symptoms she described for years and just brushed them off thinking it was normal. Then I knew: I was on a one way train to digestive hell.

I decided I should start taking better care of myself- be proactive versus reactive in case I got sick as well. I set up an appointment with a GI and started writing down my symptoms and talked to my mom about how she survives with Crohn's without medication. She told me she was tested for allergies by our family chiropractor and that she took out wheat and dairy and hasn't been on medication in 20 years. Enough so that last time she was in for a check up they said she had absolutely no signs of Crohn's and that it must've been a 'misdiagnosis' by another doctor. If you met my mom 20 years ago, you'd know this wasn't the case. She was sick every single day I was growing up and took so many scary medications. I have no idea how she did this with 3 kids (and me being so sick too!)

The GI confirmed I had proctitis: a form of UC that was moderate to severe. I was given the same medication that made my sisters hair fall out and was told this was the mildest thing he could give me. We could also just remove my entire large intestine and replace it with a bag. I was not convinced this was the only way to live with UC. I explained my mom and sister had Crohn's and how my mom has been medication free by following a strict diet: He wasn't having any of that. I was told that if I wanted to follow 'that path' I was alone to do so. I left with a probiotic prescription and didn't return.

I researched different approaches to battling gastrointestinal diseases-my chiropractor let me borrow a book: Breaking the Vicious Cycle by Elaine Gottshall. This book changed my life and how I looked at food. She breaks down why certain foods trigger inflammation and overproduction of bad bacteria in your gut.

This Diet has no grains, no sugars or starches. This is really scary for anyone who loves potatoes and pasta (me). So after a month of pretending I felt better, I took the book for a spin- and haven't looked back.

I also follow Paleo recipes: I find that the two are very similar (minus the fermented dairy). Everyone has different trigger foods: for me, I've done elimination diets and found that wheat, sugar, grains, soy, nightshades and dairy (unless fermented) have been my triggers. Everyone is different! I found another book which helped out immensely: Meals that Heal Inflammation by Julie Daniluk.

The recipes out there will satisfy you and make you feel energized. Food does not have to be your enemy- in fact, once you take charge and responsibility of your diet- you will realize how much freedom you have with it. Your health is in your hands- and your gut!

There are many blogs, recipe books and friends on the internet in the same boat. Let's make sure we all have access to yummy recipes and the vital information we need.

I hope this information helps you as much as it has helped me!

Kim