Gallbladder life. Saved From Surgery by Starbucks Speciality Drink.

Crushed is a word not fitting to express disappointment in giving up Starbucks speciality drinks after my gallbladder attacks began.

Gallbladder diet.  Iced Green Matcha is my fav new gallbladder friendly Starbucks Speciality Drink

Green tea latte, iced coconut mocha, caramel macchiato, cappuccino make my soul sing with ecstasy and my tongue dance with joy.

So crushed like the ice in a Starbucks smoothie was I.  And I tried smoothies for a while but they never lived up to the speciality tea and coffee drinks.  However the smoothie bananas are high in potassium (two points for health).

But then someone (my university student daughter) told me of Iced Matcha Water.  Of course Iced Matcha Water is not on the Starbucks menu and some barristers won't be sure how to make Iced Matcha Water.

Remind them it is the same price as a speciality tea and ask for five or six scoops (I like six) Starbucks Matcha powder shaken in water and poured over ice.  Tall is good.  Grande is nice and Venti will wake you up and turn your otherwise slow day into eye-opening bliss.

Gallbladder diet. Iced Matcha Water contains no fat.  Green tea has been shown to be good for the gallbladder.

Caffeine as found in green tea can lower the chance of women experiencing a gallbladder attack by up to twenty five percent according to Dr. Andrew Weil.

And livestrong.com tells us because of polyphenols and caffeine content, green tea improves bile flow and is one of the best substances for alleviating gallbladder pain.

The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends drinking green tea for gallbladder issues due to high amounts of anti-oxidants in the drink.  Penn State's Hershey Medical Center recommends green tea for gallbladder issues too!

Finally, there are many resource pages recommending green tea as support for gallbladder health.  Do your research!

My gallbladder loves Starbucks Iced Matcha Water.  So does my mouth, tongue and brain.

I've never found matcha powder tasting anywhere close to Starbucks brand.  The drink is not too sweet -  yet Iced Matcha Water is exotic enough to satisfy my longing for a speciality drink I can't duplicate in my home blender.

Slowly but surely I'm learning about a gallbladder life full of choices and options, never dull and boring but limited only by boundaries of creativity and imagination.

Next time you are in the mood for a gallbladder friendly Starbucks speciality drink (and there are plenty of others too) try an Iced Matcha Water from your neighborhood Starbucks.

Cheers!  Kevin  #gallbladderlife

Gallbladder diet. Crab Cakes Are Oh So Gallbladder Friendly

The more I learn about cooking and ingredients for Gallbladder life, the more I delicious and fun recipes I find.

Gallbladder diet.  Gallbladder friendly Crab Cakes with Zero Fat.

Crab cakes for the Gallbladder is one recipe sure to please your palate all the while keeping your little bile sac happy.

And those of us with sharp little stones in our GB are intent on keeping that tempermental little organ happy.

The secret ingredients in these crab cakes are celery, apple, ginger and turmeric; and of course - delicious crab.  Carrots, celery, ginger and apples "encourage liver detoxification, alkalise and cleanse the system and provide vitamin C (and fiber) to move the bowel"  and do wonders for the gallbladder according to AskaNaturopath.com

Gallbladder Happy Crab Cakes (low to no fat)

• Two 8 oz cups of jumbo lump crab meat
• 1 large onion finely diced
• 4 stalks celery finely diced
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 cup Panco bread crumbs (fat free)
• 1 teaspoon celery seed
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon chopped or ground ginger (preferably fresh)
• 1 large green apple finely chopped
• 1 cup egg whites
• paprika for dusting

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Gallbladder diet.  Onions are an essential recipe for gallbladder diets.

Peel and finely chop one large onion.

Gallbladder diet.  Fresh and finely diced onions are a must ingredient for crab cakes!

Wash and finely chop four stalks organic celery.

Mix all ingredients in a large mixing bowl with a fork.

Add parchment paper to cooking sheet.

Using your hand scoop out a small handful of the crabmeat-vegetables blend and pat into a small patty, placing on the parchment paper.  Continue until all the crabmeat blend is formed into patties and placed on the parchment paper lined cooking sheet.

Gallbladder diet.  Crab cakes ready for baking in the oven!

Dust each patty with paprika.

Place in the oven and bake until the crab cakes are golden brown and crispy on the outside but moist on the inside.

Serve with cocktail sauce.

Gallbladder diet.  Yummy golden brown giant lump crab cakes will please your taste buds and gallbladder too!

Enjoy!  They won't last long.

Cheers and happy gallbladder dieting!

Kevin  #gallbladderlife.

Gallbladder Super Food, Pickled Beets

Beets are another of my gallbladder superfoods.  They are on my emergency, go-to list of reliable, tried and true remedies when the unexpected gallbladder attack strikes.

Gallbladder diet.  Another gallbladder superfood for emergency pain relief - beets!

 Beets taste good too.  And are filling and full of important vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, such as fiber Vitamin C and magnesium.

According to some authorities, beets - along with apples and ginger - promote formation of good bile acids.  Raw shredded beets on a salad or as a stand alone snack are a great way to take advantage of this gallbladder superfood.

Gallbladder diet.  Yummy beets are not only tasty but provide emergency relief for gallbladder pain.

And beets are rich in a compound called betaine.  Betaine has been shown to stimulate bile production in the liver and promote gallbladder health.

Moreover, beets also contain lutein.  Lutein may protect against macular degeneration in addition to supporting the liver and gallbladder.

I like my beets raw and pickled.  Cooking does remove some of the important compounds from beet root so shredding and eating beets raw is best with respect to obtaining optimal health benefits from the vegetable.

Gallbladder diet.  Pickled beets and beet juice may provide excellent support for the gallbladder and liver.

Beet benefits are also available in supplement form from most health food stores.

Finally, when you hurt from gallbladder pain, drink a cup of beet juice says the 'Real Body Cleansing' website.

Add beets to your diet.

You will be keeping your gallbladder and liver happy!

Cheers!  Kevin  #gallbladderlife

Gallbladder diet. Tuna Balls So Gallbladder Friendly, Filling and Flavorful.

In all honesty the food choices for a gallbladder friendly meal are limited compared to a normal diet.

Gallbladder diet.  Beautiful, scrumptious tuna balls, tasty and gallbladder friendly.

For what our gallbladder diets lack in diversity though we more than make up for with respect to creativity and interesting preparations.

Tuna balls will fill you up.  I mean they are super hearty in a tasty way.

Of course I try and avoid sugars for we all know sugar promotes inflammation and inflammation in our bodies is one of the last things we want with an irritated gallbladder.  Regardless, I like ketchup with my tuna balls.

Best to buy ketchup with real sugar rather than insulin spiking high fructose corn sweetners though.

So here is my recipe for...

Gallbladder Friendly Tuna Balls

Ingredients:

• Two cans of tuna (with very, very low or no fat!)
• 1 tablespoon celery seed
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• salt and pepper to taste
• two stems of organic celery, finely chopped
• one large onion, finely diced
• 1 cup Panco bread crumbs (no fat variety)
• 1/2 cup egg whites (egg whites contain no fat and no cholesterol!)
• dash turmeric

Preheat oven to 350F.

Dice two celery stalks.

Finely chop a large onion, trying Not to let your eyes water and water and water....  

Gallbladder diet.  Finely chop a large onion.  Onions are an important part of a gallbladder diet.

In a mixing bowl combine all ingredients and stir well with a fork.

Bake for 30 minutes or until golden.

Gallbladder diet.  Bake tuna balls at 350 F.  Baking beats frying any day for gallbladder friendly meals.

Serve with honey mustard, cocktail sauce or ketchup.

Store leftover tuna balls in the refrigerator for fabulous snacks the next day.

Cheers!  Kevin  #Gallbladderlife

Gallbladder diet. Yummy, Hearty No-Fat Cholesterol Removing Black Bean Burgers

Of course I've given up and said goodbye to beefy hamburgers on my gallbladder diet.

Gallbladder diet.  Yummy, gallbladder friendly but tasty, juicy and hearty black bean burger

But I still remember just how delicious those Five Guys double bacon burgers taste!

My pescetarian diet keeps me full and satisfied, but even so - I still would like to chow down on a fat, juicy and tasty burger occasionally.

Enter the no-fat, cholesterol removing black bean burger friendly for any gall bladder diet.

It is no secret that beans help with gallstone issues and support a healthy gallbladder.

There are plenty of studies and websites showing how the fiber in beans actually binds cholesterol in the digestive tract and swiftly swishes the waxy compound down the dark annals of digestive corridors.

Here is my recipe for the juiciest, tastiest gallbladder friendly black bean burger packed full of protein and complex carbs.

No-Fat Black Bean Burger

• 1 can organic cooked black beans of the equivalent (1 cup) cooked at home black beans
• 1 large red onion, diced
• 1 stalk celery, diced
• 1 roasted red pepper, diced ( chipotles work nicely too)
• dash garlic powder
• dash cumin
• dash turmeric
• salt to taste
• pepper to taste
• sprig fresh parsley
• sprig fresh mint
• sprig fresh sage
• 1/3 cup egg whites
• 1/2 cup Panco bread crumbs (no fat)

Drain half the liquid from the black bean can.

Gallbladder diet.  Drain half liquid off can of black beans (or cook your own)

Peel and dice one large red onion.

Gallbladder diet.  Dice one large red onion

Chop garden fresh parsley, sage and mint.

Gallbladder diet.  Chop garden fresh parsley, sage and mint

Mix all ingredients in a mixing bowl.  Transfer to a food processor or blender and chop for a few seconds until the mixture forms a thick consistency.  

Gallbladder diet.  Mix all ingredients in a mixing bowl.

Add bread crumbs to thicken or a spoonful of water to thin.

Gallbladder diet.  I keep no-fat Panco Bread Crumbs in the pantry for gallbladder diet cooking

Remove blended mixture and form the black bean burger patties, placing them on a cooking sheet (Parchment paper works great but I was out tonight).

Bake at 350F for twenty minutes, remove the tray and flip the burgers and bake for another twenty minutes or until golden brown and firm.

Serve hot with your favorite no-fat sauces or atop a fresh spinach salad.

Your gallbladder will be happy and your tummy full!

Cheers!  Kevin  #gallbladderlife

Gallbladder life. Gallbladder Friendly Snacks On The Go!

We embarked on a road trip this weekend.

Gallbladder friendly treats are a necessity carryon for road trips.

Gallbladder diet.  Gallbladder friendly snacks like tuna are full of protein and contain no fat.

Road trips can be difficult on my gallbladder life primarily because of change in routine, and the fact I am away from all the gallbladder friendly food in my refrigerator.

This weekend was no different.  I soon ran out or just became tired of my non-refrigerated packed  up gallbladder friendly fresh and dried fruit, seaweed and water.

After the third gasoline station stop I purchased a pack of SourPatch Kids Soft & Chewy candy, and a box of fat-free Fig Newtons.  I also began raiding the cinnamon Altoids tin.

Gallbladder diet.  Fat free Fig Newtons were gallbladder friendly but did spike my insulin response!

My body was seeking fuel.  Normally I'd eat a healthy and gallbladder friendly spinach salad loaded with chopped fresh or water sautéed vegetables.  A meal of leafy greens, roots, berries and fish would provide complex carbohydrates, protein and nutrients that slowed my insulin response rather than spiking it.

But I had no salad fixings.  I just had sugary items.  And I gave in and ate them, downing a whole pack of fat-free Fig Newtons while driving.

Gallbladder diet.  I always look for 'no fat' snacks.  But look at the Fig Newton calories - 900 per box!

My excuse was 'driving is stressful therefore I should comfort my cravings'.  Ha.  Big mistake.

Of course I felt absolutely great for a minute or two afterwards but within five minutes the sugar low hit.

I felt worse after the sugary junk food than I'd felt before when I was starving.

On the second day in an attempt to avoid the sugary crash damage we made a stop at the local grocer, Publix.

Finding gallbladder friendly food is sometimes a challenge even in the most well stocked of food stores.

I did come across two types of pre-packaged tuna, marinated with both lemon pepper and basil with lemon.

Gallbladder diet. Gallbladder friendly tuna makes a perfect road trip snack.

So a bag full of easy tear open, delicious tuna left the store with me.

For the rest of the day my hunger was satiated with solid protein, no-fat protein.

Gallbladder diet.  Each pack contains 13 grams protein, only 1 gram sugar and just 60 calories!

No more blood sugar spikes and bye-bye hunger and hello happy gallbladder.

Tuna is very filling.  Each tear open pack contains only 1 gram of sugar, 60 calories but packs a whopping 13 grams protein!

Gallbladder life is a challenge.

But we can always find an answer to life's challenges with a little creativity.

So next time you make a road trip, consider packing a bag full of cooked, marinated tuna.

Not my preferred 'whole, non-processed food' type, but much better for my body and my gallbladder than SourPatch Kids.

Cheers!  Kevin  #Gallbladderlife

Gallbladder diet. Oatmeal, Black Cherries, No Fat Yogurt and Wild Blueberries, The Heartiest Breakfast

After an hour of gentle yoga in the early morning my muscles are screaming for nourishment.

Gallbladder diet. Oatmeal, Black Cherries, No Fat Yogurt and Wild Blueberries, The Heartiest Breakfast

Pre-gallbladder attack era I would have been scrambling four eggs and frying a half pack of bacon, not to mention the toast, butter and jelly.

That era seems so long ago now.  But back then any mention of oatmeal or yogurt for breakfast and I would have smirked.

Today oatmeal and yogurt are some of my gallbladder friendly staples, packed with flavor and nutrients.

One half cup of non-fat yogurt contains approximately 12-15 grams of protein while the same amount of oatmeal contains approximately 6-9 grams protein and lots of fiber.

After a bowl of oatmeal, black cherries, blueberries and nonfat yogurt I am very satisfied.

So tasty too.

Oatmeal, Black Cherries, No Fat Yogurt and Wild Blueberries

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup nonfat yogurt
• 1/2 cup oatmeal 
• 1/2 cup wild organic blueberries
• 1/2 cup black cherries frozen
• a big appetite

Scoop out one half cup nonfat yogurt into your favorite breakfast bowl.

Gallbladder diet. Start with one half cup nonfat yogurt.

In a separate cup measure out one half cup oatmeal and add billing water, let sit until the water is adsorbed into the oats.

Gallbladder diet.  Add in one half cup organic wild blueberries.

Add the oatmeal to your breakfast bowl and yogurt.

Gallbladder diet.  Then add oatmeal and black cherries.

Add 1/2 cup organic wild blueberries and 1/2 cup frozen black cherries.

Enjoy the heartiest breakfast!

Cheers!  Kevin   #gallbladderlife

Gallbladder diet. Acai and Apple Cider Vinegar, Papaya and Smoked Salmon Heartiness

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) was one of the first gallbladder attack and gallstone cures I read about.

Gallbladder diet.  I mix ACV with water or Acai juice with a 1:8 or 2:8 ratio.

First I doubted, waiting six months before adding ACV to my diet.

You see, I am a skeptic, especially with respect to 'home remedies'.

Now I am a believer in ACV, not only for the capabilities of ACV to potentially emulsify or dissolve and help remove gallbladder sludge, but also for the healthy positive effect of slowing insulin spikes after eating.

I drink my ACV twice daily, once in the morning and once in evening.

Gallbladder diet.  ACV drinks are slightly acidic, so be sure to brush your teeth afterwards.

Most ACV centered websites recommend one or two ounces of a non-filtered organic ACV, one filled with the probiotic rich particulate 'mother' mixed into a drink.

Gallbladder diet.  Apple Cider Vinegar is a must have for any gallbladder diet.  Always choose organic.

Acai juice is one of my favorite mixers.  Water does just fine too.  Blend the ACV to water or mixer juice at a 1:8 or 2:8 ACV:water ratio.

Sometimes I'll stir in a tablespoon of ACV into my morning ginger tea while participating in  stretching and yoga exercises.

ACV will be my go to relief drink also, along with plenty of water if ever I have another gallstone attack.

Papaya and Smoked Salmon Lunch.

There is something healthy sounding about an all orange-pinkish lunch.

Gallbladder diet.  Papaya and smoked salmon make a hearty, scrumptious meal.

Cold, sweet papaya and thin sliced smoke salmon go great together, creating a sweet and salty taste sensation that is irresistible to my taste buds.

I cut the papaya the night before and chill in the refrigerator for the next day.

As a side note, papayas are full of seeds.  It is fun to toss the seeds into the garden bed after cutting the papaya and watch them sprout.  Papaya trees usually produce massive amounts of fruit each year. If you live in a colder climate, try growing them indoors.

Gallbladder diet.  Sprouting papaya seeds

Gallbladder diet.  Papaya tree outside our patio.

Papayas are also an excellent source of Vitamins A, B's, and C, as well as fiber and folate according to many health sources.

Costco is my favorite place to purchase smoked salmon.

Gallbladder diet.  Gallbladder friendly smoked salmon should contain zero nitrites!

Always look for smoked salmon with the lowest total fat content.  Salmon contains a good amount of omega 3 fatty acids and will help you maintain the proper good to bad cholesterol/lipid ratio.

Just as important as the total fat content is finding smoked salmon with no added sodium nitrites.  Nitrites have been shown through research to possible cause or encourage some types of cancers.  The Costco brand I purchase contains no nitrites according to the label.

Gallbladder diets can be hearty and delicious!

There are so many non-processed fresh foods low in fat and rich in nutrients that you can combine to create a new and exciting, gallbladder friendly meal each day!

Cheers!  Kevin   #gallbladder life

Gallbladder diet. Wild Coho Salmon Beet and Baby Organic Spinach Salad. Keep gallbladder-friendly baked wild fish in the refrigerator!

Until the day I found I could eat wild caught fish my post-gallbladder attack diet consisted primarily of vegetables and fruits.

Gallbladder diet. Wild Coho Salmon Beet and Baby Organic Spinach Salad, so gallbladder-friendly!

Unfortunately my cholesterol fell to unhealthy levels with my last blood test showing a Total Cholesterol level of only 75 mg/l.

But today my blood lipid levels are correcting due to the daily small to medium amounts of baked or steamed wild caught fish in my diet.

Alarmingly, there are several studies indicating very low cholesterol levels may damage the brain, arteries or even cause aggressive behaviors such as ramming cars on a bridge and the like.  Even the National Institute of Health has linked lower cholesterol levels with violent behavior.

Honestly I've seldom if not never have really felt violent or aggressive towards anyone.  But regardless, eating fish adds protein and omega 3 fatty acids to my daily nutritional intake.

Gallbladder diet.  Store baked fish in the refrigerator for easy meal preparation.

Baking or steaming the fish ahead of time and then storing in the refrigerator makes for ease in preparing a fast yet delicious meal.

My favorite way to prepare the fish is to bake at 350F (175C) on parchment paper within a baking sheet for ten to twenty minutes depending on how 'well-done' you prefer your fish.

After the fish is laid out on the parchment paper I add powdered garlic, ginger, black pepper and salt; sometimes drizzling honey across the filets.

Allow to cool after baking then place the fish in a sealed glass container in the refrigerator for use in salads, snacks, chowders or as a main entree on the dinner table.

One of my favorite salads is wild coho salmon beet and baby organic spinach salad.

Wild Coho Salmon Beet and Baby Organic Spinach Salad

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup baked salmon (pulled apart) per salad
• two whole pickled beets per salad (sliced)
• several handfuls of baby organic spinach per salad
• 1/4 sweet onion (diced) per salad
• one sweet red bell pepper
• one dozen small portobellos 
• honey mustard
• salt and pepper to taste
  

  

  Gallbladder diet.  First spread a thick layer of fresh spinach across the plate. 

Spread a thick layer of washed, fresh baby organic spinach across each dinner plate.

In a sauce pan steam-sauté a dozen sliced small portobello mushrooms and one chopped red bell pepper until tender.

Gallbladder diet.  Steaming veggies beats oil frying any day for gallbladder friendly foods.

Slice pickled beets and add on top of the baby spinach.  Reserve 1/2 cup beet juice for salad dressing.

Add handful of pulled wild coho salmon from the refrigerator to the top of each salad.

Gallbladder diet.  Add beets, peppers, mushrooms and onions to top of spinach layer.

Sprinkle 1/4 diced onion to the top of each salad.

Drizzle the salad with a light coat of honey mustard.

Place sautéd mushrooms and peppers atop the salmon.

Pour 3 or 4 tablespoons of the reserved pickled beet juice across the salad top.

Gallbladder diet.  Use pickled beet juice as part of a delicious salad dressing combo.

You and your gallbladder will appreciate the subtle and stimulating flavors of this exotically delicious salad (your family will too!).

Having the fish prepared and ready to use makes for a quick yet luxurious and quite satisfying meal.

Happy gallbladder eating!  Kevin.  #gallbladderlife

Gallbladder diet, Crunchy Crispy Onion Rings so Gallbladder Friendly!

Oh how I'd missed onion rings since those horrible 2015 gallbladder attacks.

Gallbladder diet.  Crunchy crispy baked onion rings so gallbladder friendly and tasty too!

Before the attacks, given the choice I'd choose onion rings over french fries anyway anytime.

I love all types of onion rings; warm, golden and crispy or juicy, lip smacking moist onion rings.  I've even been known to pick the crunchy onion rings off the top of a green bean casserole!

So when my gallbladder went awry with spasms and inflammation one of the foods I missed most over the past year has been...you guessed it... onion rings.

But now I am a happy camper once more.  I've got this awesome, easy and delicious recipe for some of the best onion rings you have ever tasted.  And they are gallbladder friendly!

Not only are these onion rings gallbladder friendly, but they are healthy too - delivering a good bit of protein with the egg whites ingredient.

Greasy onion rings are never as good cold as they are hot but these baked onions rings are, in my opinion, just as tasty cold as they are fresh out of the oven.

Golden Crunchy Crispy Baked Onion Rings

I purchased my onions from Costco in a five pound sack.  The Vanillas were huge and so sweet, firm bodied and perfect for ring stock.

Gallbladder diet.  Costco's large Vadalia onions make scrumptious onion rings.

Ingredients:

• three very large, from onions
• 1/4 cup all purpose flour (optional)
• 2 cups panco no-fat Asian bread crumbs
• salt to taste
• black pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon dried garlic powder 
• 1/2 cup egg whites

Preheat the oven to 380F (190C).

Rinse and peel the three large onions, slice into sections approximately finger width thick; separate and place on a plate.

Gallbladder diet.  I like to slice onions about finger thick for gallbladder friendly onion rings.

In a small bowl mix the panco bread crumbs, salt, pepper and garlic powder.  Taste a little to make sure the salt content is to the level you desire.

Gallbladder diet.  These Panko Bread crumbs contain zero fat.

Place flour in a separate bowl for dusting the raw onions prior to battering.  

Gallbladder diet.  Mix bread crumbs, salt, pepper and garlic powder in a separate bowl.

Pour egg whites into another bowl.

Gallbladder diet.  Costco egg whites are full of protein with zero fat and zero cholesterol.

Set baking rack on a large cookie sheet.

Gallbladder diet.  Place baking rack on large cookie sheet for onion rings.

Lightly dip/dust each onion in the flour.  Dip flour covered onion in the egg whites and then sprinkle/dust with the panco-salt-pepper-garlic powder mix while holding the onion over a paper towel to collect the excess/ fall off.  Note:  I've tried dipping the egg white covered onion directly into the panco mix but this process moistens the panco mix quickly rendering it too moist to adhere to the onion ring properly.  You could also lay the egg white covered rings on a plate and coat them with the panco breading mix.

Gallbladder diet.  Battered onion rings ready for the oven.

Place all battered covered onion rings on the baking sheet.

Gallbladder diet.  Gallbladder friendly onion rings ready to bake.

Bake until golden brown and crunchy.  Watch closely.  When they are cooked they are ready to remove.  Do not let the bread crumbs burn.  I usually set the timer for twenty minutes.

Gallbladder diet.  Gallbladder friendly yummy onion rings.

First tray I made I couldn't stop eating these awesome onion rings.  Your family will love them.

See!  Gallbladder diets can be awesome too!  These onion rings are full of protein from the egg whites (no fat and no cholesterol).

Cheers!  Kevin  #gallbladderlife