Re: Encouragement is legal

[Guest guest]

Mel, I totally agree!Just being able to do this diet, is a great effort without being slapped with.. "THAT'S NOT LEGAL!!....... stuff all the time.I don't know why they use the term, but I'm thinking it's so people realize how serious they have to be about their food choices. This is not a diet for the "well I'll sorta try to follow it" and when it doesn't work, they wonder why.I got email from my "making sandwich bread" video because I sprayed about 1/100th of an ounce of cooking spray on the pan. Come on........I can't believe that such a minute amount of something is going to make someone go into a huge flare. That's just my opinion.We are very strict about the diet, but even i have my limits.. LOLSome people take comfort in having something rigid to follow and admonish others, but that is not my

goal. My goal is to just help people make things they can eat.. and don't stress out over it......... that's not a good life either.I hope you check out my videos and tell me what you think.. cus I"m no cook at all.. but noone else was doing any, so I just jumped in.!Kay-lynnif you search youtube for scd sandwich bread you'll see the 4 videos I have done so far.Thank you for your input... it really is needed for people to stay "balanced".When you row another person across the river, you get there yourself..- Fortune cookieSubject: Encouragement is legalTo: BTVC-SCD Date: Sunday, September 7, 2008, 12:12 AM

As a psychologist who has succeeded with this diet for 7 years and has

a very difficult time getting others who need it to try it, I REALLY

wish we didn't use "legal/illegal" terminology. I realize that there

are some people who regain a sense of control by following every rule,

but many frankly rebel against the "illegal" notion. I think

"guidelines" are much better. In other words, telling people that most

prepared foods have hidden ingredients that may cause a flare is

better than saying, "Nearly everything is illegal." I also wish more

energy on this group was devoted to encouraging people to persevere

instead of trying to find hidden illegals. Before I get flamed, I

understand very well that eating hidden ingredients can make or break

the success of this diet, but I believe lack of encouragement can,

too. For example, when I first started SCD I was having such a hard

time not having some foods I really loved. Some of the people on the

email loop I was on at the time responded by saying that the foods I

loved were gross and that the SCD alternatives were better. Thank God

I was motivated to stick with the diet or that would have ended it for

me. The truth is we are all free to eat anything we want to eat! Some

food choices will benefit our health and others won't. Encouragement,

however, will always benefit our health. Thanks and I do wish everyone

who is embarking on this SCD journey the best of health.

Mel

[Guest guest]

>

> As a psychologist who has succeeded with this diet for 7 years and has

> a very difficult time getting others who need it to try it, I REALLY

> wish we didn't use " legal/illegal " terminology. I realize that there

> are some people who regain a sense of control by following every rule,

> but many frankly rebel against the " illegal " notion. I think

> " guidelines " are much better. In other words, telling people that most

> prepared foods have hidden ingredients that may cause a flare is

> better than saying, " Nearly everything is illegal. " I also wish more

> energy on this group was devoted to encouraging people to persevere

> instead of trying to find hidden illegals. Before I get flamed,

Why be afraid we'll flame you?

I hated the legal/illegal language when I first started, and used

different language initially to express myself. But by now I don't think

twice about it.

I also hated the expression " drip your yogurt " because it's ungrammatical.

(Drip doesn't take a direct object.)

But I got adjusted to both of them. <vbg>

Though I think guidelines is too soft in the circumstances - for example, the

pecanbread food intro list is a guideline, but this diet is more

rule oriented than the term guidelines expresses.

Mara

[Guest guest]

I'm brand new here. We are not even beginners yet. But what strikes me is that when the words are legal/illegal it takes the person out of relationship to their body. I am of the belief that each person is different, that each person will respond differently to the foods and perhaps the MOST important thing is to be paying attention to what my body is telling me about foods to determine what she likes and what works for her.

Personally, the legal/illegal is a huge turn off for me. I'm glad you spoke up.Gail

As a psychologist who has succeeded with this diet for 7 years and has

a very difficult time getting others who need it to try it, I REALLY

wish we didn't use " legal/illegal " terminology. I realize that there

are some people who regain a sense of control by following every rule,

but many frankly rebel against the " illegal " notion. I think

" guidelines " are much better. In other words, telling people that most

prepared foods have hidden ingredients that may cause a flare is

better than saying, " Nearly everything is illegal. " I also wish more

energy on this group was devoted to encouraging people to persevere

instead of trying to find hidden illegals. Before I get flamed, I

understand very well that eating hidden ingredients can make or break

the success of this diet, but I believe lack of encouragement can,

too. For example, when I first started SCD I was having such a hard

time not having some foods I really loved. Some of the people on the

email loop I was on at the time responded by saying that the foods I

loved were gross and that the SCD alternatives were better. Thank God

I was motivated to stick with the diet or that would have ended it for

me. The truth is we are all free to eat anything we want to eat! Some

food choices will benefit our health and others won't. Encouragement,

however, will always benefit our health. Thanks and I do wish everyone

who is embarking on this SCD journey the best of health.

Mel

------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Hi Mel,

This is a very interesting topic. The idea of how these words

psychologically impact us etc..

I too thought it was kind of ridiculous the legal/illegal terminology-

with that said Mara made an excellent point in demonstrating why the

word " guidelines " would be insufficient. It is quite harsh though and

can throw people into that " anti-authoritarian " loop.

I think there is a lot of encouragement in the SCD community and

online boards. I just think it depends who answers you as everything

is highly individual. I also think there is a constant need to

moderate so that newbies will not make many unnecessary mistakes

(which is what I constantly did and continue to do and if I didn't

have that " uhh uhh- I don't think so " I wouldn't be feeling better)

after all this is an SCD list teaching us how to implement the SCD

properly.

I think the stern rules are in place because many people need to be

beyond %100 fanatical as things like a drop of cooking spray can make

someone like me sick and set me back. Now, I acknowledge this diet is

not easy or for the weak hearted. Or healthy people implementing it

for a loved one may not understand the concept of consequence and so

on..

Recently there was an interesting topic of discussion on PecanBread.

Should there be a membership fee and a few designated people that

would deem certain ready made stuff legal? Through constant check-ups

of manufacturing and getting letter heads etc. Now, I myself wouldn't

buy these food items because every single time I have tried anything

that was remotely convenient and even legal caused me damage. I do

understand the need for a family of 6 or people that are years into

the diet that are able to tolerate many things.. I understand that

some people want to adhere to the SCD long term but can choose to be

less stern.. It would be nice to figure out a way for it to be easier

for those people as well. But, I think many of us enter this SCD

world because we are very ill so the fanaticism is warranted in that

respect.

It's just how do you fit all of us; newbies, old-timers, IBD'ers,

ASD'ers, GAPS people, People who are on the diet a while but have very

slow progress (add any category you want) and make general rules that

apply to all of us in this online world??

I think Marilyn does an awesome job balancing this and keeping all of

us on track...

Jodi

SCD 11 months

Crohn's/Colitis

>

> As a psychologist who has succeeded with this diet for 7 years and has

> a very difficult time getting others who need it to try it, I REALLY

> wish we didn't use " legal/illegal " terminology. I realize that there

> are some people who regain a sense of control by following every rule,

> but many frankly rebel against the " illegal " notion. I think

> " guidelines " are much better. In other words, telling people that most

> prepared foods have hidden ingredients that may cause a flare is

> better than saying, " Nearly everything is illegal. " I also wish more

> energy on this group was devoted to encouraging people to persevere

> instead of trying to find hidden illegals. Before I get flamed, I

> understand very well that eating hidden ingredients can make or break

> the success of this diet, but I believe lack of encouragement can,

> too. For example, when I first started SCD I was having such a hard

> time not having some foods I really loved. Some of the people on the

> email loop I was on at the time responded by saying that the foods I

> loved were gross and that the SCD alternatives were better. Thank God

> I was motivated to stick with the diet or that would have ended it for

> me. The truth is we are all free to eat anything we want to eat! Some

> food choices will benefit our health and others won't. Encouragement,

> however, will always benefit our health. Thanks and I do wish everyone

> who is embarking on this SCD journey the best of health.

>

> Mel

>

[Guest guest]

There are many people, myself included, that are terribly sick when

they come to SCD. They need to be very cautious and careful in

order for this diet to work and get their life back. I remember

when I started, I was so excited to fine at Whole Foods a product

called Lemonaise...a lemon mayo. The jar said on the front lable,

NO CARBOHYDRATES and the ingredient list said the same...wow!, I

thought I had found the motherload! I posted a question about it

and Marilyn wrote back with a kind but terse... " make it homemade,

make it homemade, make it homemade! " (or something close to that)I

felt like someone had just sucked the wind out of my sails. It was a

hard time for me as it is with everyone who starts this journey and

I felt overwhelmed thinking of trying to make everything homemade.

(A little side bar here....wouldn't it be wonderful if we had

connections or started our own SCD canning company? We could make

all the stuff that needs to be made and make life SO much easier for

those who want to start this diet but can't because of all the work.)

Surviving this diet is a mental decision. Again, when I first

started I remember going through the grocery store isles and as I

walked I kept saying to myself, " I can't have that...and ...I can't

have this....nope,can't have this, " and on and on it went until I

had myself in tears! I felt so lost and deprived, like I had stepped

into another world and I had no idea how to traverse this new

territory. So far this diet had been working for me and I knew it

was the answer. I had a life again, no more being confined to my

house or being afraid that I wouldn't find a bathroom in time should

I venture out and so, I stood in that grocery store with tears

streaming down my face and I said to myself, " Sue, stop it! Your

going to drive yourself mad. Turn this negitive attitude into a

positive one or your not going to make it! That very moment my life

changed for the better and I made that mental decision to stay

positive and only look for the good.

Now, with that said, the " good " is positive. By saying that

something is illegal is a " good " thing is a hard concept for some

and I understand that it makes some want to run the other way, but

it really is good for us and helps us understand the serious nature

of our illness. It is a daily reminder, a guidline to follow for

success, a boundary not to be crossed if you want your health back.

And so, I gladly accept the so-called limitations to the

word " Illegal " ...it is a small price to pay for my life.

Now, If the word illegal really bothers you, turn it into a positive

and say, " This is a healing food or this is not a healing food "

Remember the quote in BTVC by Dr. Gee, " We must never forget that

what a patient takes beyond his power to digest does harm. "

Now one more little thought about this. To Kay-Lynn: Thank you for

the videos and I wish you all the best, but please if you are going

to represent SCD, make it legal. I agree with your emailer about

the cooking spray...it is illegal. You may want to use it in your

personal life, but to represent SCD you need to be 100% legal. That

would also include the yogurt video of which Donna (cookingwoman)has

already written about, I believe in the SCD recipe site.

Thanks for reading my first novel....

Legal and loving it!

Sue

>

> Subject: Encouragement is legal

> To: BTVC-SCD

> Date: Sunday, September 7, 2008, 12:12 AM

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> As a psychologist who has succeeded with this diet for

7 years and has

>

> a very difficult time getting others who need it to try it, I

REALLY

>

> wish we didn't use " legal/illegal " terminology. I realize that

there

>

> are some people who regain a sense of control by following every

rule,

>

> but many frankly rebel against the " illegal " notion. I think

>

> " guidelines " are much better. In other words, telling people that

most

>

> prepared foods have hidden ingredients that may cause a flare is

>

> better than saying, " Nearly everything is illegal. " I also wish

more

>

> energy on this group was devoted to encouraging people to

persevere

>

> instead of trying to find hidden illegals. Before I get flamed, I

>

> understand very well that eating hidden ingredients can make or

break

>

> the success of this diet, but I believe lack of encouragement

can,

>

> too. For example, when I first started SCD I was having such a

hard

>

> time not having some foods I really loved. Some of the people on

the

>

> email loop I was on at the time responded by saying that the foods

I

>

> loved were gross and that the SCD alternatives were better. Thank

God

>

> I was motivated to stick with the diet or that would have ended it

for

>

> me. The truth is we are all free to eat anything we want to eat!

Some

>

> food choices will benefit our health and others won't.

Encouragement,

>

> however, will always benefit our health. Thanks and I do wish

everyone

>

> who is embarking on this SCD journey the best of health.

>

>

>

> Mel

>

[Guest guest]

Encouragement, however, will always benefit our health. Thanks and I do wish everyone who is embarking on this SCD journey the best of health.

Hi Mel,

I think we do try to encourage those on SCD. However, this list is basically for beginners who need clear guidelines in order to heal. As far as the legal/illegal question that is the way Elaine Gottschall designed SCD and I found it very helpful - black and white as opposed to shades of gray which can be confusing. Since SCD is copyrighted I don't think anyone can change it at will.

Take care,

PatPsssst...Have you heard the news? There's a new fashion blog, plus the latest fall trends and hair styles at StyleList.com.

[Guest guest]

I find this group very encouraging and without it, there is no way in hell I would have stayed on SCD. What I love about the diet is there is no gray area between what is approved or not. And, if it's not approved, I don't eat it. Though, I am a stickler for rules and structure but don't want to be bound (think South Beach Diet) so SCD fits perfectly with my personality type.

Minute amounts of cooking spray, margarine and Worcestershire sauce send my guts into a frenzy. I would have never negatively commented your video... I would have just used something I know I can tolerate. There is another long time SCDer ( I think), that uses decaf coffee. Even though it's illegal, he has found he tolerates it. Because of the continued sensitivity of my guts, I try to stay away from everything illegal. I realize though, as I heal more, I will be able to tolerate some illegals. I'm hoping after I'm "cured", I will be able to add some starches back like potatoes and rice though I doubt I ever add gluten or lactose back to my diet at all because I am SO SENSITIVE to them.

Misty Kimble

Louisiana

CD - 2/07 - no meds

SCD - 8 months

I got email from my "making sandwich bread" video because I sprayed about 1/100th of an ounce of cooking spray on the pan. Come on........I can't believe that such a minute amount of something is going to make someone go into a huge flare. That's just my opinion.

[Guest guest]

I really liked this post, Gail. It really resonated with my take on it, which I had been unable to put into words. In the GAPS program, of which SCD is the diet, the lists are called "recommended" and "not recommended". That works well for me. Still can't explain why, but something like what you said...As a writer I'm definitely big on semantics and as a recovering religious zealot, I feel suffocated by strict words and edified by directional arrows. The GAPS wording makes me feel like I am always making a positive choice for my body, rather than trying to stay within the bounds.For some of us, these details make such a difference, don't they? This said, my fantastic love for Elaine and all she did for all of us gives me endless room for her vocabulary

:)Baden...what strikes me is that when the words are legal/illegal it takes the person out of relationship to their body. I am of the belief that each person is different, that each person will respond differently to the foods and perhaps the MOST important thing is to be paying attention to what my body is telling me about foods to determine what she likes and what works for her. _

[Guest guest]

Thank-you Baden. I'd say we are pre-beginners here but I have done a lot of personal growing around being in realtionship with my body I am glad you could relate.Gail

I really liked this post, Gail. It really resonated with my take on it, which I had been unable to put into words. In the GAPS program, of which SCD is the diet, the lists are called " recommended " and " not recommended " . That works well for me. Still can't explain why, but something like what you said...

As a writer I'm definitely big on semantics and as a recovering religious zealot, I feel suffocated by strict words and edified by directional arrows. The GAPS wording makes me feel like I am always making a positive choice for my body, rather than trying to stay within the bounds.

For some of us, these details make such a difference, don't they? This said, my fantastic love for Elaine and all she did for all of us gives me endless room for her vocabulary

:)Baden

....what strikes me is that when the words are legal/illegal it takes the person out of relationship to their body. I am of the belief that each person is different, that each person will respond differently to the foods and perhaps the MOST important thing is to be paying attention to what my body is telling me about foods to determine what she likes and what works for her.

_

[Guest guest]

When you row another person across the river, you get there yourself..- Fortune cookie

I really liked this post, Gail. It really resonated with my take on it, which I had been unable to put into words. In the GAPS program, of which SCD is the diet, the lists are called "recommended" and "not recommended". That works well for me. Still can't explain why, but something like what you said...

As a writer I'm definitely big on semantics and as a recovering religious zealot, I feel suffocated by strict words and edified by directional arrows. The GAPS wording makes me feel like I am always making a positive choice for my body, rather than trying to stay within the bounds.

For some of us, these details make such a difference, don't they? This said, my fantastic love for Elaine and all she did for all of us gives me endless room for her vocabulary

:)Baden

....what strikes me is that when the words are legal/illegal it takes the person out of relationship to their body. I am of the belief that each person is different, that each person will respond differently to the foods and perhaps the MOST important thing is to be paying attention to what my body is telling me about foods to determine what she likes and what works for her.

_

[Guest guest]

This has been an interesting thread.

I've created a spreadsheet and simply used the label " Yes " and " No "

foods. It helps me when I talk with my family and friends about my

new way of eating. I am certain that if I use the labels " legal " and

illegal " foods, they'll start wondering what kind of weird thing I'm

into now ... :-D

There are foods that my body says yes to, and sometimes my body says

no no no no no !!! Listening to my body is the important part. Even

though I've only been eating the SCD way for a month, my body's

messages are pretty clear and strong these days.

Thanks for bringing up the topic.

Hannah

At 06:48 PM 9/8/2008, you wrote:

>Thank-you Baden. I'd say we are pre-beginners here but I have done a

>lot of personal growing around being in realtionship with my body I

>am glad you could relate.

>

>Gail

[Guest guest]

This has been an interesting thread, and speaks to the incredibly

difficult psychology involved with following the diet, apart from the

logistical difficulties!

When I started, I, too, was taken aback at the language -

legal/illegal, allowed/forbidden, etc. But one thing to keep in mind

is that Elaine developed the diet protocol based on her research and

introduction by the Drs. Haas. The foundation of SCD began half a

century ago, if not longer. So, aside from Elaine's goal of trying to

emphasize the absolute necessity of fanatical adherence, the language

used is probably more a function of the point in time when SCD began

(and the people involved - doctors!).

In reading the book and trying to learn the diet, I, as many others

experienced, had a lot of trouble understanding exactly how the diet

should be introduced. There are a lot of pages dedicated to explaining

the science, but (in my opinion) not nearly enough pages to explain

the " why " of starting the intro, the reasons behind keeping your food

sources " clean " at the microscopic level, the necessity of following

the diet so incredibly strictly at the beginning, when and why

you " might " be able to introduce additional foods and what reactions

you might experience, etc.

It truly is a process of finding the right resources on the web (like

this group and Pecanbread), and even then, finding the right

information on those sites. In spite of the information available,

folks like Marilyn, Mara, and the PB moderators, end up answering the

same questions time and again.

I think the book could have been written much better, with much better

information about actually being on the diet - but unfortunately,

that's not going to happen with Elaine's passing.

So - I think we have to count our blessings that we have found this

diet, that it has helped improve our lives and health, and do our best

to take the things we may not like so much with a grain of salt (of

course, make sure it's " legal " salt - ha ha). Sort of like a good

friend that uses statements or language you might not like - you just

ignore that part and enjoy the good part of your relationship. :-)

Kathy

UC since 12/05

SCD since 7/07

med-free since 7/08

[Guest guest]

Hannah, I really like the yes/no concept. I am struggling to help my mom start this diet as she is and has always been a rebel at heart! LOL I am trying not to crush her spirit by saying things aren't "legal." She says things like, "I'm not going without powdered milk in my coffee." UGH. I have to be so careful to emphasize the reason for the fanaticism while acknowledging that she can choose what and what not to eat. If I don't acknowledge that, she will be sure to fail. I am so hopeful that she will benefit immediately. She has MS and I am convinced it is diet-related. If she DOES benefit like I believe she will, I am going to be telling anyone who will listen that we have got to stop proclaiming the earth flat with respect to diet and health.Thank you to everyone for the respectful replies to my thoughts on encouragement and the language we use.MelThis has been an interesting thread.I've created a spreadsheet and simply used the label "Yes" and "No" foods. It helps me when I talk with my family and friends about my new way of eating. I am certain that if I use the labels "legal" and illegal" foods, they'll start wondering what kind of weird thing I'm into now ... :-DThere are foods that my body says yes to, and sometimes my body says no no no no no !!! Listening to my body is the important part. Even though I've only been eating the SCD way for a month, my body's messages are pretty clear and strong these days.Thanks for bringing up the topic.HannahAt 06:48 PM 9/8/2008, you wrote:>Thank-you Baden. I'd say we are pre-beginners here but I have done a >lot of personal growing around being in realtionship with my body I >am glad you could relate.>>Gail