Recipes from an IC Survivor

Long before I met anyone in person with Interstitial Cystitis, it was first through "myspace" and "facebook" of all places that I came into contact with other sufferers like me.

I thank God every day for helping me find others because many have become great friends and support, as they truly understand what I am going through on this journey.

They also have helped me with advice and even offered recipes that make following the IC Diet a breeze :)

One friend in particular, Dorothy Inman, an IC survivor (I sometimes like to refer to us as survivors because we have weathered a storm in a lot of ways and have remained optimistic) has often posted IC friendly recipes throughout the time i've known her. I love this girl, she is one of many reasons why I am as positive as I am even after 5 years of struggle. Therefore, I asked her if I could share some of her recipes, and I must tell you all the ones I've tried are de-lish! I am crediting these to her as she plans to make an IC Cookbook in near the future. So if you do decide to make these, i'm sure Dorothy will be ecstatic :) Thank you for letting me "borrow" these :)


BTW I love the names of her recipes, which make them even better when you're making them!

The Purple Monster Recipe:

If you are like I am you are constantly craving a drink that is low acid that will not cause a flare up for you.  Below is a tasty IC friendly smoothie. I realize some IC patients cannot have bananas or low acid orange juice., so experiment with something else.  This is the recipe I have found that works for me.  I have been drinking this for years flare up free.

1 CUP Low Acid Orange Juice  (try substituting blueberry or carrot juice if you cannot have low acid OJ.  The consistency is a little different)

1 ½ Cup Skim Milk

1 Cup frozen blueberries

1 Medium-Large D’Anjou pear (sliced with skin on)

2 Medium-Large Bananas (broken up into smaller pieces)

Blend with immersion blender and enjoy. 

This makes approximately 52 ounces of smoothie.  I make them and store them in the fridge in old spaghetti jars.  It is a pain to have to make it every day.  You can cut the recipe in half for 26 ounces.  Use coconut or almond milk for a non dairy option (I prefer unsweetened coconut milk).

Easy Peasy, Corny and Carroty Ham and Potato Soup Recipe: If you are like me you love a big bowl of hot soup in the fall and winter. Most people who crave soup can go to the nearest Panera or grocery store to pick up a can of their favorite soup.  If you have interstitial cystitis chances are you do not have this option.  Each fall and winter when I start to crave a good bowl of soup I start experimenting with soup recipes to find a soup that is IC friendly, but also has flavor.  This is my most recent soup recipe.  I think it is pretty tasty.  My husband added cheese and pepper to his to add additional flavor.  He EVEN took the leftovers for lunch today.  That's a home run in my book.

1 32 Oz Box of Kroger’s Private Selection Organic Chicken Broth (This is an IC friendly, reasonably priced chicken broth.  You can also try Pacific Natural Foods Organic Free Range Chicken Broth Low Sodium-It is a little more pricy, but can be purchased at Whole Foods, Kroger and Meijer, check your grocery's organic section*)

4 C water

5 washed potatoes, cubed, skin on

¾ lb Ham, cubed

1 C frozen peas

1 16 oz. can of corn

3 peeled carrots, sliced

1 TBSP chives (dried or fresh)

2 TSP parsley

1 TSP cumin

1 TSP garlic powder

Salt to taste

Directions

Throw everything in the crock pot.  Set to high.  Cook 4-6 hours (until potatoes are tender)

*Please note if you are making this for someone with IC it is very important that you only use broth that they can have, otherwise they may end up at the doctor (or worse) the next day*

Dorothy's Pasta Salad Recipe:

½ box 16 oz.-Medium Pasta Shells  

1 Cup-Olive Oil  2 tsp-Basil  

2 tsp-Oregano  2 tsp-Garlic Powder  

2 tsp-Onion Powder  To taste-Sugar  

8 oz block of-Monterey Jack Cheese  

8 oz block of -Mozzarella Cheese  

Approx ¼ Cup-To taste-Feta Cheese  

To taste or until they look pretty-Carrots  

To taste or until they look pretty-Broccoli    

1. Cook Noodles according to directions on the box. Drain and put into a large mixing bowl.  

2. In a liquid measuring cup, measure one cup of Olive Oil and mix the spices (Oregano, Basil, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder) into it to make your dressing.  

3. Pour the dressing onto the noodles and mix with a spoon.  

4. Add sugar onto noodles to taste with a spoon.  

5. Cut up 4 oz of Mozzarella and 4 oz Monterey Jack Cheese into small (1/2 inch or ¼ inch) cubes. Mix into salad.  

6. Crumble Feta cheese into salad to taste (anywhere between ¼ cup or more would probably work).  

7. Chop carrots into small pieces. Mix into salad to taste and for color.  

8. Chop broccoli into small pieces (I use the head of the broccoli and not the stalk).

Mix into salad to taste and for color.

9. Bon Appetite!   

Why's It Gotta Be A White Hotti Manicotti Recipe:

 Cook
-1 package (8 oz) Manicotti (cook the whole package because if you're like me you will cook it to long and a lot of them will split)

Cook
-Chicken (16 oz should be good) on the stove top with olive oil and whatever IC friendly spices you can have (I currently can have oregano, basil, onion powder and parsley)
-Cut in small pieces when cooked.

Cut
-5 mushrooms (small if you don't like a lot).

Mix in a large bowl
-1 15oz. package of Ricotta cheese
-2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese
-1/3 to 1/2 C of feta
-mushrooms
-parsley (just sprinkle an even amount on top to color)
-oregano
-basil
-onion powder
-1 egg
-1/2 a container of frozen spinach (thawed). I think the container is 16 oz (I get the one in the box from Meijer.)

Stuff the manicotti

Put in greased 13 x 9 inch baking dish (I used glass).
Bake on 350 for 30 minutes (cover with foil)
After the buzzer goes off sprinkle with mozzarella and put back in the oven for 5 minutes and wa-la

**For people who do not have IC warm up spaghetti sauce in the microwave and spoon on top**

Quick and Easy IC Friendly Snack Recipe: 

Slice and peel one Fuji Apple
Place it in a bowl with:

Approx 1/2 C water
1 tsp. vanilla
Cinnamon to taste

Cover with plastic wrap

Put in microwave for 1 minute 30 seconds to 2 minutes.

Enjoy!

Also good with vanilla icecream on top, though that adds a lot more calories.

PS. If you have an IC family member chances are they can eat Fuji apples, but they may not be able to as well. You may want to check with them first.

Slow and Easy Cooker Ham and Beans Recipe:

If you have IC and are always craving something warm and hearty, this will hit the spot on a cold winter day.  Best of all, you let the crock pot do all of the dirty work, while you sit back and relax.  Paired with corn bread it will be sure to be a crowd pleaser.

Ingredients:

• 3 garlic cloves , peeled and sliced
• 1 large sweet onion , chopped coarsely (IC version I cut onion in half so the pieces can be picked out later)
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ Cup chopped parsley
• 1 teaspoon cumin (If you are an IC patient and have never had cumin, you may want to start with a smaller amount)
• 1 lb ham (Not all IC patients can have ham.  I personally cannot have smoked ham, but the other kinds do not bother me)
• 4 Cups chicken broth (Kroger Organic Chicken Broth is IC friendly)
• 2 Cups water
• 2 bay leaves

Directions:

1. Sort beans and soak in enough water to cover overnight.
2. Or you may sort them and place in a saucepan with 2-inches of water to cover.
3. Bring them to a boil, boil for 3 minutes, then cover and remove from heat.
4. Allow to sit for one hour after boiling (don't lift the lid).
5. Whichever method you use, rinse and drain the beans before placing them in the crock pot.
6. Put the rinsed beans and all other ingredients in crock pot.
7. Cover crock, and cook on low for about 8 hours, or until beans are tender and creamy.
8. Once beans are cooked, take about 2 Cups out and smash them up and pour them back into the crock pot.  Stir.
9. Skim any excess fat, if necessary, before serving.

The Best Dang Apple Crisp EVER Recipe: 

Cut up a bunch of gala apples (I used about 10...fill it more than you think, they bake down).

Sprinkle with a tiny bit (probably 2 tsp. total) of flour and a bit of cinnamon.

Stick in a baking pan.

In a bowl, cut together... 1 1/2 c flour, 2 c sugar, and 2/3 c butter/margarine. (I use a pastry blender - you could also use forks, your fingers...or even the food processor!)

Sprinkle over the apples - make it nice and thick :)

Bake at 350 for 45-50 minutes (if the top isn't brown, you can broil it for a few minutes...)Enjoy! (Perhaps with vanilla ice cream melting all over it...)

 

*Credit for the recipes goes to my lovely friend Dorothy Inman, Thank you for sharing these & also please be aware that everyone with IC has their specific trigger foods, so proceed with caution, but hopefully you will all enjoy these delicious recipes! *