Gluten free or gluten full?

Recipe down below!

So I might have a problem with digesting gluten based foods. I get incredibly bloated, gassy and uncomfortable and these are just a few of my food related issues.
But I'm finally getting my test today.

Gluten allergy (celiac disease) runs in my family, sadly. My uncle has it and several of my family members have problems digesting certain types of granes. At first I thought my bowel movements were just incredibly restless. I'd make plenty of noise when the evening came around the corner and my body had to work my gluten based diet through my system. This all started to get worse when I hit 20. It started with just a simple rumble and some bloating. Then it gradually got worse.
A painfully bloated belly, rumblings throughout the day, feeling sick and tired, stomach ache and acid, mood swings, being easily irritated and never enough energy to get me through the day.
I never used to have these problems so I was wondering what the hell was wrong with me! I went to the doctors with all my complaints - several times, starting at age 16 - but nothing ever came out of that. It was just puberty or sleeping badly, or maybe even irritatible bowel syndrome. Nothing to worry about really.

So here I am, trying to rule out another option of 'what is cooking with Anouk'. I wholeheartedly hope that I don't have celiac disease!

On to the test. I had been eating gluten free for a while when I went to the doctor. She told me that in order for the test to work I had to eat gluten for at least a month so my small intestine could get irritated. Then they would take out a small piece of that to examine whether or not it had been affected by the gluten. If so, I have celiac disease.
If not, I have nothing to worry about apart from the fact that I really can't handle granes and then would not know why.

I will find out next Friday.

Right now I'm still in bed after waking up 2 hours ago. I'm not allowed to eat. And as breakfast is my favorite meal of the day I am bummed out to say the least. This also means I have to skip my cup of joe. That bums me out even more. And there is a new episode of Once Upon a Time waiting for me to enjoy it, but I can't without food. Or won't. Ugh.

So to get mentally satisfied in my hunger for good food I share with pride - my new soup recipe! I call it: 'Fall in a cup'.

Fall in a cup
- carrot zucchini soup - vegetarian, lactose free, gluten free

For about 2 liters of soup one needs:

• 1 medium sized zucchini
• 4 large carrots
• 1,5 liter of vegetable broth (I made mine with organic instant powder - about one bouillon cube)
• A small onion, chopped
• Dried ginger powder or bit of freshly chopped ginger root
• Cardamom to taste
• 125 ml of oat cream
• Extra virgin olive oil (or for the die hard health freaks - red palm oil)

Step one is always to prep your veggies and such. So start chopping! I always forget this very important step so I'm always trying to not let things burn while chopping.. very unnecessary.

1. Put the oil in the pan (about a tsp) and toss in the onions. Bake until the onions get a glazed look.
2. In with the broth! I prepped it in a bowl by just adding 1,5 liters of bowling water to my bouillon powder.
3. Add the carrots and the zucchini
4. Add the spices
5. Let your soup cook on a low heat for a good 20 minutes
6. Toss the whole lot in a blender or get your hand held blender and blend it in the pot. 
7. When you get a smooth consistency add in the oat cream and blend again until it's fully mixed.
8. Eat! 

I might be editing this recipe anytime soon, I feel like I forgot something important. But for now, I hope you enjoyed this post! 

Love,
Anouk

P.S. for the Dutchies among us, me and my sister have website about food. We like to cook, bake and create and now also like to share out knowledge of food! Currently under construction, but we'll soon be sharing the ins and outs of a simple and healthy diet. Why should you eat certain types of vegetables in the winter, what are the health benefits from a carrot, how do you feed your body proper foods that help it do it's job - things like that. Very brief info, more will be coming soon!

Liefs,
de Mutsen (kookmutsen.com)