A Heart Hearty (and Gallbladder Friendly) Dinner

Steamed asparagus and baba ganoush for dinner last night.

Foods for gallbladder and aorta health - steamed asparagus and baba ganoush

And the yummy, healthy meal filled me up.

Asparagus provide just enough 'chewy' texture (but not to chewy) to satisfy my primordial urge of, yep you guessed it, 'chewing'.

On the opposite end of the texture spectrum baba ganoush though packs a flavor punch, one filled with umami and other exotic flavors.

Asparagus has been shown to promote gallbladder health and is recommended by many health sources as a gallbladder friendly food.

Asparagus also acts as a diuretic, relieving edema and providing much needed antioxidants supporting both the heart and digestive system.

So next time you need a heart hearty meal, try steamed asparagus and baba ganoush!

Gallbladder and Cardiovascular Diet - Vegan Feasts Can Be Hearty

My gallbladder and torn aorta pretty much demand that I eat a vegan diet.  Sometimes I do supplement the veggies with herring or sardines but for the most part I eat veggies.

Gallbladder diet & Aorta Diet.  Vegan dinners can be filling feasts!

Back when I first was presented with the fact that I'd no longer be able to consume cheese, butter meats, chips and processed foods I went through a 'grieving' phase.

I first thought going vegan meant going hungry.  I feared going vegan meant practical starvation but I was so wrong.

Today the vegan meals we fix are literal feasts.

The dinner featured here totally satisfied my immense appetite.  We had Basmati rice, fresh sauerkraut, cooks beets, sweet potatoes, white potatoes, cashews, walnuts, a cabbage & garden greens salad, chopped apples and chick pea veggie burgers.  Totally scrumptious, filling and amazing.

Best of all my gallbladder stayed happy and my torn aorta was content not to be hit with inflammatory processed foods ingredients.

Gallbladder life and aorta life don't have to be second place to the SAD diet.

In fact, whole and slow foods are not only healthy but will keep you coming back for more!

Symptom Free Sixteen Months No Gallbladder Surgery!

Its been sixteen months since my last gallbladder attack that almost put me in the hospital.

Gallbladder diet. Cabbage Boats with Split Pea Soup and Capers. Good for digestive and cardiovascular health.

My diet has changed from meat and dairy to vegan and fish sometimes.

Last ultrasound showed greatly reduced stone amount and no sludge.

So I'm continuing on with what works diet-wise for my gallbladder and pancreas.  Like reduced to no sugar, no dairy or heavy fats, no junk food, etc...  Like read all ingredient labels and better yet buy real food that does not have any added ingredients.   Think fresh from the farmers market.

Here is today's heart and gallbladder recipes:

Split Pea Soup - OK I know split pea soup does not sound glamorous but in reality it is hearty, filling, tasty and for me gallbladder and aorta friendly.

Gall bladder diet. Split Pea Soup in Crockpot. Good for digestive and cardiovascular health.

I soak my split peas in water overnight then cook them in a crock pot with a large onion the next day. Usually by early afternoon I can have a marvelous bowl of yummy, good for me food.

I season my split pea soup with a large soup spoon full of nutritional yeast and also tamari.

Yep, it looks like, well brownish sludge but I'd bet this simple soup would satisfy anyone's hunger.  And it tastes damn good!

Gallbladder diet.  Nutritional yeast makes a good condiment, adds flavor and depth to any food.

One of the other dishes I make with split pea soup is my cabbage boat.  Cabbage boat is tasty served either hot or cold.

First step in preparing cabbage boats is to roast a cabbage sliced in half in the oven until well cooked.

Gallbladder diet. Cabbage Boats - start with roasted cabbage layers. Good for digestive and cardiovascular health.

I baste with unrefined coconut oil occasionally while the cabbage is cooking.  My preference  is to let the cabbage cook till almost slightly 'crispy' but still pliable.

Once cooked I separate the cabbage layers and place on a tray with the 'bowl' side up, like a boat.

Gallbladder diet.  Kind of like a stuffed potato but its a cabbage boat! Add cooked split peas, nutritional yeast and tamari.

Fill the cabbage boat half way up with split pea soup, add nutritional yeast and tamari, and (if you can tolerate nuts or seeds) chopped walnuts, sunflower seeds, almonds or walnut (especially good toasted).

Add pepper and garlic powder or smoky paprika.

Yum!

Gallbladder diets can be hearty, healthy and good for your cardiovascular system too!

P.S. I use only unrefined, expeller pressed coconut oils or avocado oil.

Gallbladder diet.  Use only unrefined, cold pressed coconut oil.

And rather than use soy sauce I prefer tamari.

Gallbladder diet.  I prefer tamari over soy sauce.

Sleepless Gallbladder Fun

Short post today as we are off to the Fakahatchee Strand in the Everglades.

Gallbladder & Aorta Diet.  Roasted veggies make for healthy eating!

Many nights I find myself wide awake when the moon is high, somewhere between midnight and five in the morning.  Conversely as the sun rises I am ready to fall back asleep.

So this morning early I chopped up some fresh organic vegetables, coated them with a very light spray of coconut oil and placed in the oven to roast away.

Sure does make the house mornings smell good - kind of like an olfactory alarm clock.

My entire body is thriving on healthy, roasted vegetables.  My cardiovascular system and gallbladder are as happy as ever.

A year ago I'd never have used coconut oil.  But as my gallbladder and pancreas inflammation decreased from the lower fat, lower sugar and primarily vegan diet, I have been able to bring back a little healthy fat into my diet without those below the rib painful bouts.

So next time you are lying bed wide awake - think of those fresh organic vegetables in the pantry or refrigerator and consider warming that oven!

Veggie Roast - Healthy for Heart & Digestion #Gallbladder #Aorta

Wednesday's healthy meal is a colorful veggie roast.

Healing Gallbladder & Aorta. Fresh veggies hand picked and washed

The farmers market provides an awesome opportunity to gather vegetables and fruits for the upcoming week.

I am always amazed with the brilliant colors mother nature chooses for food art found on the tree, vine and in the noisy marketplace.

My gallbladder and aorta both benefit from all the phytochemical abundant in fresh food.

Healing Gallbladder & Aorta. Chopped, diced and ready for the pan.

My spirit rejoices too in the pleasures of slow foods; the selecting, the washing, the preparation, the cooking and of course then the devouring.

This veggie roast is simple yet hearty, easy to make but delicious.

First, select your veggies.  Second, slice, dice or chop.  Third place the veggies on a very lightly oiled tray or in a glass baking dish (I use coconut oil but avocado and EVOO works well too!)

Healing Gallbladder & Aorta.  Veggie roast in the oven!

Finally, bake about 350F for forty five minutes or so until the veggies are just right.  I like mine a little caramelized so sometimes I may bake about 400F.

Healing Gallbladder & Aorta. Yum Yum Sizzling yum.

Your healthy veggie bake will satisfy any level of hunger, provide you with important nutrients and fiber and keep your gallbladder and cardiovascular system healthy and happy.

Adjust veggies as necessary to accommodate individual tolerances.

Cabbage and Bean Soup - Hey Don't Knock Soups!

Today I've a big pot of soup simmering on the stovetop.

Gallbladder diet.  Black bean, cabbage, and vegetable soup!

Delicious aroma fills our condominium from the kitchen up the stairs into the bedrooms!

And I'm enjoying a bowl just now.

Though we make soups often todays is cabbage and black bean, with garlic, banana peppers, onions, poblano peppers, rosemary, thyme and more - like one of my favorite seasonings - smoked paprika!!

Gallbladder diet.  Add your favorite spices to soups!

Certainly some people cannot tolerate beans with a touchy gallbladder.  Over time though as inflammation subsides beans may be slipped into the diet occasionally.

Today I eat beans on a regular basis, mostly in soups.

The beauty of soups is that us gallbladder challenged folk can easily and quickly adjust ingredients to match our finicky gallbladder.  Can't tolerate beans?  Then try mushrooms or carrots or greens - you get the picture.

Soups are so healthy and not only for our gallbladders but for our cardiovascular system and entire body!

Soups are an excellent way to provide protein, minerals, vitamins and beneficial phytochemical to our families.

And they smell wonderful!

So consider a gallbladder friendly soup soon!

Its been over a year & Gallbladder Diet is Working

My last and worst gallbladder attack occurred October 2015.

Over a year has passed and I've witnessed some amazing changes on the Gallbladder Diet.

First my gallbladder pain is gone.  No more out-of-breathness, no dizziness, no stabbing pain, no fatigue, no upset digestion.

Best of all I do not go hungry.

And I have weaned myself off Ursodiol.

On top of all those great happenings, I've lost over one hundred pounds. (Yes I know rapid weight loss is bad for gallstones).

But I eat all I want.  Just good food of course.

My weight has stabled and my muscle is building.

I feel great.

Without surgery.  You see one of the reasons I needed to avoid surgery was that I have an artificial heart valve and already have endured a really bad case of endocarditis.  So no surgery means reduced risk of heart infection.

I'll be writing much more about the Gallbladder Diet over the coming weeks.

Stay tuned!  You can heal your gallbladder too!

My ultrasounds show marked improvement!

Kevin

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 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 Diet. Gallbladder Friendly Watermelon Makes Cardiovascular, Gallbladder and Liver Healthy Snack.

Keeping a watermelon in your refrigerator provides both gallbladder and cardiovascular super support.

Gallbladder diet.  Gallbladder friendly watermelon makes for an excellent breakfast, mid-day snack or evening dessert!

Sometimes the simple foods and snacks are the ones we often overlook.

Watermelon has been shown to provide tremendous support for the gallbladder!  Some websites purport watermelon rind can actually assist in dissolving gallstones.

Watermelon is reported to contain significant amounts of potassium and acts as a diuretic, cleansing toxins and sludge buildup from your body.

Of course watermelon contains no significant amounts of fats or oils, something that my post-gallbladder attack body demands of the foods I ingest.

Additionally, the Florida State University has conducted research showing watermelon actually lowers blood pressure.

Lower blood pressure is important for gallbladder health because hypertension can lead to a significant decrease in blood flow to the liver and gallbladder, injuring these two organs.  An injured gallbladder is an unhappy gallbladder.  Ugh.

Finally, watermelon is tasty, especially if one is chilled in the refrigerator, sweet and ripe, ready for eating.

Yet many times I used to walk right past melons in the market, ignoring these healthy fruits, heading instead to the chip aisle.  Not anymore.  My gallbladder diet includes frequent watermelon purchases.

I keep them iced and ready for a refreshing breakfast, mid day snack or suppertime dessert.

Consider adding super healthy for your heart and gallbladder watermelon to your weekly gallbladder friendly diet.

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. 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