Hey Lizz
I feel your pain, anguish, and frustration. Depression probably affects most of us here in one form or another. And I know there are a lot of people on here who swear that changing your diet is the answer; although I hope it is and that it works for them, but I am more pessimistic at such a simplistic solution, and sometimes expensive one. And although a diet is important, and in no way am I suggestion to forego a proper diet, there is something hallow in that definiteness of that solution. I suspect it’s because I still have the emotional frustration left over at the end of the day because of that diet. These diets force me to eat food, and drink drinks, along with my medications, that I despise and detest; even if it is healthy for me. Where is the soul healing in all of that? So not to be such a drudge, I will pass on to you what I think has worked for me and my sanity.

I had a friend who grew bonsai trees and he suggested that I do the same, thinking it might help with my depression. And as you know, UC and all its lovely complications are entirely out of our control and leaves us at the mercy of our disorder. What bonsai trees did for me was give back that control that was taken from me. I now have power to control and shape nature. I am the master of that environment and its end results, even if it is in a small form. It has become a very calming influence to my soul to work on my trees. Some people would call it harmony, or a connection with nature, or some Zen-like hippie thing, whatever you want to call it, that’s not the point. The point is, is that this “hobby” has allowed me to step back from my already complicated life and disease and give me a chance at self therapy by forcing me to slow down; to be calm in an already hectic society, and to unwind my mind of the days, and nights, frustrations. I am able to find a small form of sanctuary from my disease, because growing a bonsai tree, like UC, is a slow progress that has more failures than successes, but it’s the success that I cherish and search for, because that’s all I have. And unlike many other diversions, there is no end result, or finality in it. Its outcome is uncertain, and unknown; it is a continual work in progress as is UC/Crohns. But this time I play an integral part of its evolutionary development and growth. And it is moments like these that I find tranquility, serenity, self introspection, and personal council in my life (so I guess it is a Zen thing).

I am not suggestion for you to go and get started with bonsai trees. I am saying that we need to find something that we can use as a diversion from our already complicated lives for just a few minutes a day: A release from our frustrations and anguishes of our disease, even if it is short lived. A place we can escape too; a place to find serenity. I would suspect that is why there are so many of us here on this board; because it give us a form of solace, relief, consolation, support, and release from our disease, even if it is temporary. I guess you would call it soul healing. Hooray for Zen.

Hi guys! Thanks again for all the nice replies We're such a bunch of sweethearts on this site, aren't we?
LuckyOne...Okay, I'm gonna give the rice milk a go. Surely I can find one I like! I am gonna try to eat more oatmeal in the morning instead of cereal (is oatmeal glutten free?) though I will certainly cave and have a bowl from time to time. It's like dessert to me! hehe. I have been trying to eat more lean protein(the only kind I ever eat anyway) and more veggies. I don't dislike red meat, but my guts do, so I gave up on it about a year ago. I eat tons of fruit, but kinda have a hard time determining how veggies affect me. Sometimes things like broccoli don't phase me, sometimes they ruin my weekend! I am really going to look into this diet though. I have already made drastic improvements. First off, I understand your icecream addiction! I stopped that one a few months ago. The thing is, when you really eliminate this stuff from your diet, you don't miss it as much as you think you do. It's just habitual and a lifestyle change.
Derek, I think your bonsai tree hobby is amazing! As I mentioned in that first post, I am addicted to yoga. It helps me as much as my meds do. I have gone twice this week and I feel noticeably better. It's just rough when I am too tired to go or do anything else really but lie around. It just seems there is a constant up and down aspect to my health, and that's the frustrating part. It's so easy to forget how crappy you feel sometimes when you have a great day! Cause I just take those great days and run with them! Through all this I have realized that I just have to stay on this extremely strict pattern with sleep, food, yoga, everything really! I think a lot of my recent problems were due to so much holiday travel. My boyfriend and I live about 12 hours away so we both travel to see eachother a lot! The holidays were insane and we are now shopping for engagement rings (yay!) so I made two major trips in the time span of a month, and I quite frankly just don't think I'm able to do that very much. So, as much as I love travel and adventure personally, I think I'm going to have to limit myself a bit for my own good..which...kinda sucks, but it's all just a big balancing act, I guess.
Again, I really really appreciate all the great people on this site! I hope we are all able to find this balance in our life, but I'm so glad we all have ppl. to talk to!
Best to you all.

Is oatmeal gluten-free? My understanding, and everything I’ve read about it, is no, it’s not gluten-free. However, it is also my understanding that, unless you are extremely sensitive to gluten, it is unlikely to cause you problems. The last couple of times I ate it, it did cause undesired after effects (similar to undesirable next day effects from the “quality” Black Label beer that I used to drink a few years ago). I do suspect, in my case, that maybe the blueberries I topped it with helped instigate the problem. Prior to that, the oatmeal never caused me problems, and was a valuable ally since it helped to slow things down. I can eat blueberries and routinely put them in my breakfast smoothie, but who knows, maybe it was the combination. It was also at a time I was largely in a transitional dietary stage. Now, it doesn’t matter to me because of the starch factor. However, if it doesn’t cause you troubles, or you don’t want to give it up, don’t.

Also, if you don’t like the rice milk, don’t drink it. Nobody’s saying that you need to give up cow’s milk if that is your preference. Maybe you’ll try that goat milk previously recommended and find that it is most desirable. Again, with the cereal, eat what you want to eat. This is where the food journal is likely to come in handy. You may eliminate some foods which you currently consume and like, and you may find it makes such a small difference, that it’s not worth giving up. Or perhaps it makes no difference at all. There’s also the issue of balance. My former diet was so, in retrospect, unbalanced (e.g. wheat intensive, no red meat, very few fruits/veggies) that it’s not surprising that I have benefited from dietary modifications. This low-starch thing is not the most balanced diet either, but is a huge improvement over my former diet, and is a continual work in progress.

Derek has me personally curious about this bonsai hobby. The VP at my former company practices this hobby. He also worked late, oft ate cereal for dinner (big Lucky Charms fan), drank lots of coffee, and drank a significant amount of diet soda. I know he had some kind of partial surgical removal of either his large or small intestine, but other than that, he was fine. No J-Pouch or anything. Perhaps this bonsai stuff really helps to balance everything out. Hope you and your bf (sounding soon to be fiancé) close that distance gap soon. Travel can be stressful and draining. It’d be another potential stress factor that you could eliminate.

Finally, I’m happy to share my dietary experiences/adventures or try to answer any questions about my habits. However, to spare the rest of the J-Pouch public (although they have the option to ignore my posts), I will answer any direct dietary questions via PM.

Liz, try the Rice Dream original flavor. I still had problems with it so I don't drink anything any more. But it was the better tasting one.

Hi, guys! The plan with the bf is to close the distance gap in the summer...so not TOO far off
I may just stick with my lactose free moo milk and just try to cut down on my cereal addiction. I had some organic oatmeal this morning and my tummy was super happy! I may have to make that a regular breakfast...
Shelby, do you drink any kind of milk at all? Just curious

Just about the only time I "drink" a milk product is my half/half with coffee (obviously very limited amount). Other than that I don't drink anything. I do cook with it and use cheese but of course I do not eat a lot. I will eat cottage cheese w/ bacteria and yogurt on occasion.
I wish I could drink it, but I've had a problem with dairy ever since I was young... just about the time my "problems" all began. I guess what I find odd is that I still have a problem with soy and rice. I have not tried almond milk yet, although I have a container sitting in my cabinet. I guess I lost the desire to try.

What oatmeal did you eat? Unless I eat bacon, eggs, etc., breakfast is always a tough meal for me.

Breakfast is a tough meal! Oh, I will have to look up the brand when I get home. I want to say Arrowhead Mills, but that's not it. I got it at Whole Foods...it has like 4 ingredients in it...Maple flavor, I think...Seems to work a lot better than Quaker! (Sorry, Mr. Quaker man). Can you eat pork, Shelby?

Yep, I eat pork. I eat all of your typical meats, including fish (but I'm picky)
Do you not eat it? I know the Maker's Diet says no pork but I still eat it.

Nope, I do not eat pork or beef and I rarely eat shellfish and when I do it's like a bite...Just doesn't digest well with me. Last time I had a burger, I thought I was going to die! The oatmeal is Erewhon Organic Instant Oatmeal, Maple Spice. Pretty good! Lowest sugar I could find...

Hi Liz,

Have you tried buckwheat puffs? Gluten free and delicious!

I eat spelt sour dough bread, which isn't gluten free, but it doesn't affect me the way normal (wheat) bread does.

Like LuckyOne, I drink fresh veggie and fruit juices and they give me great relief when my butt's inflamed. Carrots, lettuce, cucumber and watermelon are great juiced and shouldn't give your j-pouch any problems.

Oooo..buckwheat puffs, I love those. I have not been able to find those in a long time! Liz, if you find those, grab em all. Good stuff!

Hey there,
I got a juicer for Christmas and love it! It helps taking more fruit and veggies without the butt burn effect.
Liz - I get the Organic Pop Tarts at Costco(they just opened one in Louisville last year) and I eat those a lot for breakfast. I have 2 immodium, 1 Cultrelle probiotic and Organic Pop Tarts in the A.M. and I have little butt burn for most of the morning.
hope this helps you overcome the cereal "blues"
David

Liz, another milk alternative is almond milk. I use Almond Breeze and really enjoy it. It does have calcium in it per your calcium concern.

Here's a link if you are interested: http://www.bluediamond.com/retail/breeze/index.cfm

-Nicole

I bought the Pacific brand of almond milk, maybe I should give it a whirl.
I'll have to look for buckwheat puffs too!

Well, just another noticeable day today...I got a ton of sleep last night, felt great this morning, had a relaxing morning, went to the grocery store, met a friend for lunch and shopping and I am EXHAUSTED! Like...really...shakey and weak, am probably going to go to bed at 8pm. ha. I mean, we really didn't do anything to warrant exhaustion like this. *Sigh* Can't wait for my Humira shot Tue!
Does anyone else get this tired from, really, not much exertion?