I’m Erica Kerwien and I started this website to save and share recipes that taste good and help my family stay healthy.
Many of my recipes work well for gluten intolerance, Celiac disease, IBD, IBS, Diabetes, and for folks that just want to get and stay healthy with food. One of my sons was diagnosed with Crohn’s in 2005, and many of the recipes here have been used to help him heal.
You’ll find recipes using gluten-free choices like almond flour, coconut flour, buckwheat, quinoa, nut butters, veggies, fruits, and healthy oils and fats. I favor organic and locally grown food, and I avoid processed foods, which means I love natural sweeteners like honey and maple syrup, using a small amount of healthy fats, and eating lots of fresh veggies and fruit.
I believe that one of the key ingredients to restoring health and/or staying healthy is to find foods that make you feel good – all the time.
Besides food, laughing is an important part of feeding a healthy mind and body, so we try to laugh… a lot. And there’s other stuff that’s equally good for your mind and body (like sleep and exercise), but you get the idea.
I’m currently a writer and editor in the software industry, and have written about or worked on everything from the Macintosh to Windows Phone. While working to heal my son, I developed a passion for food, health, and wellness, so this site is my gift to you and especially to my son, who I wish to be fully healed one day, and live life to the fullest.
“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Questions? Leave a comment, or send me an email.
Thanks for stopping by!
>From the moment I saw the almond thyme cracker recipe, it became a mission to make it. The almond flour arrived from Honeyville yesterday p.m. and the next day (even right now) the crackers are cooling in a warm oven. Yummmm!
My husband bought some bulk grated oregano recently instead of a block of it, so this is what I used. They are still tasty. The rolling out part is what seemed to be a challenge. I placed the ball of dough in a plastic storage bag and it rolled out perfectly to fill the bag. Then I cut the bag all the way around with scissors and flipped it onto a cookie sheet with parchment paper. It cracked in a couple of places and I just pressed them together again. The crackers look beautiful and will be a great addition to my homemade soup. I will be making this one again, and again.
Thanks for sharing your recipes.
Janet
Janet, thanks so much for sharing your techniques!
I’m a bit lazy with this dough sometimes because it does take a bit of work to roll it into a thin sheet. Another option is to not even roll it, and instead place little balls of dough on a cookie sheet and flatten them out into the shape of crackers.
Hey there,
I came across your site and saw you do a lot of SCD recipes. My daughter has autism (hence lots of gut issues) and we are looking to transition to SCD. Are all of your recipes SCD friendly?
Btw, fantastic site. I love your pics too. Well done!
Hi Pattie. Not all the recipes are SCD-friendly, but almost all of them can be modified for SCD. To see the SCD recipes, go to the Archives and click on SCD Recipes, or click on SCD Recipes in the category cloud on the left column of this page.
Erica, your site is wonderful. Thanks for sharing all your recipes and tips.
Hi Erica,
You left a comment on our blog. Since we’re in the same part of the world – I’d be interested in chatting with you about your experiences. I’ve included my email address… please respond off-blog for privacy. Thanks!
Bryan
Scd4squirts.com
I would like to know if your recipes are low carb? Scones – could I substitute sugar free maple syrup for honey
Karen, I guess you could use any kind of sugar-substitute, but I can’t say that I’ve tried it. Let us know if you do try it.
Your website is amazing! Thanks so much for all the great recipes and beautiful pictures! I’m on a grain and dairy free diet.
Hi Erica,
I love your blog. Last night I made a version of your apple upside down cake. It was great. I’m the editor of the website, ASweetLife http://www.asweetlife.org, the source for the healthy diabetic. Would it be possible to talk to you privately? If so, please reply to apple.jess@gmail.com
Thank you,
Jessica
Erica,
Thank you so much for a wonderful website! As my family and I transition to a gluten- and sugar-free lifestyle, your recipes and comments (and photos!) have helped tremendously. Knowing we can still eat such yummy food has been a huge relief.
I was wondering whether it would be possible to ask you a few questions privately? I have Crohn’s disease, and there were just a few things I was curious about. I clicked on the “contact me” link above, and honestly I can’t figure out how to set up our e-mail account! So this is my “aol” account, and if you are able to write me with your address, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks so much for your time, and for setting up & maintaining this great blog!
Sarah (avonlea15@aol.com)
I love your site and recipes! I tried to post this on your marshmallow frosting recipe but it wouldn’t let me. Could you make the marshmallow filling into a marshmallow candy or filling like in a 3 musketeers bar? Perhaps by cooking or mixing longer? I really want to make a 3 musketeers but without the sugar and this looks like a good start. Any suggestions? Do you think it is even feasible?
Thanks Ari. Ok, this is total conjecture, but you might be able to dry the marshmallow filling in a dehydrator or the oven at a low temperature. Not sure about other techniques. Interesting idea though!
Hi-I started the scd diet about a month ago- I have ulcerated colitis. I have had it for almost 30 years. I came out of a long remission 2 years ago. This diet definitely helps but I cant get a straight answer from the forum-it seems most people go on the diet but give up. Does it really cure or only keep it under control How long has your son been on this diet? Do you know anyone who has been cured? Thank-you for sharing your hard work to perfect these recipes. I just found the site today and am anxious to try your recipes.
Cheryl – I just noticed that I never responded to you (I’m in the process of cleaning up all the posts up since my blog re-design).
My son felt better on SCD, but it wasn’t a complete success, and he lapsed out of frustration (plus a few emergency trips to the ER). It’s been a very long journey for us (but obviously not as long as yours!). I don’t know of anyone personally who has been “cured”, with or without a diet, however after watching my son, I’ve learned that you have to listen to your body. If the diet is not working, change it up. It’s not a guarantee – just one option. That’s my 2 cents, of course.
I adhere to the custom plan – do what works for you at that time. I bet you already know that though.
Best wishes,
Erica
many with Chron’s find recovery using a combination of SCD diet and Low Dose Natrexone –
http://www.lowdosenaltrexone.org/
you might want to look into it. many local pharmacies compound the LDN. There’s quite a few research papers on it now.
Thank you for this wonderful website. I was just diagnosed with Crohn’s about a month and half ago and have been trying the SCD diet. I am so used to eating whatever I liked that it’s been a difficult transition for me and just seeing these amazing recipes has brought excitement to my life. I love food and can’t wait to try these recipes. Thank you for your time in trying these and for your heart for sharing them with others like me who have no idea how to cook. It helps me to feel like I am not alone and can make it through this diagnosis.
Hi Sarah. It’s great that you found SCD so quickly. It took me 2 years to find out about it. Just be a bit creative and experimental. Hope you feel better soon!
Hi Erica!
We’ve selected you as our Foodista Food Blog of the Day for Thursday, March 25th! Your blog for Hardy French Green Lentil Soup will be featured on the Foodista homepage for 24 hours. This is a new feature that we recently launched and are thrilled to post your blog.
Since you are now a part of the Foodista Featured Blogger of The Day Community, we’ve created a special badge for you to display proudly on your blog sidebar.
I couldn’t find your email on your blog to send you the access code for the special badge, but I want to make sure you get it if you are interested. Please send me an email and I’ll send it right away.
We are really enjoying your blog and look forward to seeing your recipes, tips and techniques on Foodista! If you would not like to be recognized on Foodista please let me know and I will remove your blog from our queue.
Cheers,
Melissa
Hi Melissa! It would be great to be featured on Foodista. Thanks for the recognition!
BTW, you can find my email in the “contact me” link in this post.
I don’t know if your jewish or not, but i know that everyone out there that’s getting ready to start passover cooking would love to see some passover recipes. Do you think you will be cooking/posting any?
Hi Ann – a lot of the recipes I have already posted will work for Passover, but I’m never really sure what I’m going to post, sorry to say. Considering my current life schedule, I’m pretty happy that I post at least once a week! But thanks for the requests. Let me know if there’s something specific that you’re hoping to make.
I have been on the SCD for over three years and have never felt better. It’s been hard, but I’d rather be pain-free and on this diet than eating all that junk food I used to eat and feeling awful.
@Cheryl Golding: I don’t know if anyone ever answered your question about the SCD, but it is supposed to “heal,” not necessarily in the sense of being rid of the problem for good. It is meant to control symptoms and get you to a point where you can live symptom-free. Some doctors, after being on the diet for a while, may say that the disease seems to have disappeared, and that’s great! But you must always be careful with what you eat. You could still have a flare-up.
If anyone is interested, here is my SCD blog:
http://www.freetofeast.wordpress.com
I just started, so please spread the word! Link me to your blogs or subscribe!
Denise, thanks for sharing your experience!
Our youngest daughter was diagnosed with chronic aggressive Crohn’s almost four years ago…in few words, it has changed the way we live and eat, play and work and pushes us to keep up the search for the information that, bit by bit,helps to make her life and ours a little less crazy and more wonderful again.
She was first also diagnosed with Celiac’s …(just days before the discovery of the Chrohn’s) we immediately became a gluten free home. It has made a world of difference for all of us. Healthy way to eat no matter who you are…just found a new bread that we can enjoy…Udi’s, really good, good product.
I am so excited to have found your site and enjoy the wonderful recipes you share with your readers. Thank you so much.
Hi there, I loved stumbling upon your blog this morning – I’m reading from Melbourne in Australia. Thank you for your inspirational creations and photos – my daughters and I all have fructose malabsorbtion (which has been blamed as the source of my Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia). I can easily adapt what you have here to suit us. I discovered your blog trying to work out how to make Lactose-free yoghurt. Happy cooking!
Hi, I absolutely love your recipes, they are delicious and healthy! I wish there were more people like you! Do you happen to know of any other websites like yours? I know a lot of websites that follow the SCD diet, but truthfully the recipes don’t taste that great in my opinion. If you happen to know a website like yours with just healthy, yummy recipes, sugar free i guess, that would be great! thanks! i don’t know what i would do without your recipes!
Hi Ann. Thanks! I gave up trying to link to every blog I read and like. If you check out the Comfy Belly Facebook page, it has links to some favorite blogs, and some are SCD, or have recipes that you can convert to be SCD legal. Maybe others can add their faves.
Hi Erica,
I’ve been reading your blog for a few months now and wanted to let you know that you’ve inspired me to find joy while cooking SCD. So much so that I decided to share my recipes on my own website: http://www.flipcookbook.com.
I would love to hear what you think. Great work and I look forward to the next post!!
Hi Raj! Wow, I love your blog as well. The Mint Ginger Lemonade looks fantastic. Thanks so much for sharing your link. Have a good weekend!
Great blog! I really like your recipes and plan to try a few out. I am gluten and dairy free and finding other blogs with awesome recipes makes me excited to get in the kitchen and try out what others have tried. It makes me a better gluten/dairy free cook as well.
Hello Erica,
I jsut discovered your site not too long ago while looking for recipes to make with coconut flour or almond flour. The coconut flour waffles and pancakes look great. I am wondering if you have more recomendations for coconut flour. My son has epilepsy and is on a high fat low carb diet (Modified Atkins for Seizures)with medication to control his seizures. I have to be really really creative to make him the things that he likes. We have tried the pancakes and I was able to modify those for his diet (adding heavy whipping cream) also it appears that most of these are pretty low carb however have you had anyone that has use Splenda or some other sweetener on any of these as my son is unable to have sugar on this diet (I do use Maple flavored Agave syrup for pancakes)Thanks so much for this site. The next thing to try will be the “twinkies” I am always looking for little treats that he can have to make this diet easier for him! Also do you have cookie recipes that use coconut flour?
Hi Ashley. I haven’t tried cookies with coconut flour yet, but I do plan on experimenting more with coconut four. I haven’t read this book yet (on my to-do list), but it might have more ideas for you: http://www.amazon.com/Cooking-Coconut-Flour-Gluten-Free-Alternative/dp/0941599639/ref=sr_1_fkmr2_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1279990213&sr=1-1-fkmr2.
I’m sure there are readers using Splenda with the coconut flour recipes. You might want to leave a comment on one of those posts asking if someone has and how much they used.
For a Gluten intolerant person this blog is AMAZING! I am going to the supermarket tomorrow to buy almond flour and then there’s no way back.
I live in the UK – and never use baking soda – is it possible to use baking powder instead? FOr example for the Valencia Orange cake?
Cheers!
Hi Astrid – yes, you can use baking powder. I haven’t tried it with the Orange Cake, but it works with the pancakes and waffles.
We love your recipes and use them quite a bit. Do you have a good sugar cookie recipe for cut out cookies.
Hi Ann. Yes, I do have a cut-outs cookie dough recipe. I’ll have to dig it out of my holiday recipes and try to post it. It may be a bit though.
thank you for providing such a great resource to the growing number of us who have to look to changing our past diets to deal with current and future health issues. I hope others don’t have to wait for months or years to know that alternatives really are out there! thank you for providing such valuable insights to everyone
Thanks Adam. Wow – nice site you have there!
hi i have crohns and im on the scd diet im younger than thirteen and i love makeing gingerbread houses do you have any recipes?
Hi Elizabeth! thanks for your comments. I’m hoping to post a gingerbread cookie recipe soon, but you could probably get an idea of what it would be like, because it will be based on this recipe: http://comfybelly.com/2010/11/cut-out-cookies-using-almond-flour/
hi there! just stumbled across your site via a link, and I have to say…I’m enamored! We share many of the same food philosophies and I love cooking with natural “real” foods…(Although, at this time of the year, there is a bit of excess sugar goin’ on at my place:) bur most generally, we like to keep it pretty clean) Look forward to seeing more!
love,
cathy b. @ brightbakes
Hi Cathy – thanks for stopping by!
I am so excited to have found your site! I am diabetic and trying to eat better in order to avoid the crazy spikes. Anything with white flour is out for me. So I’ve been trying to use almond flour which works wonderfully, but have had so many flops with the conversions I was about to give it up in frustration. I can’t use the honey because it causes spikes, but plan to try some of your receipes and substitute the honey with Erythritol. If you (or your readers) have any suggestions or experiences on doing that, please let me know.
Hi Linda! I haven’t used Erythritol, but hopefully others can chime in.
Thanks Erica! The same substitution outcome would probably apply to other dry sugar substitutes, this is just the one that seems to work the best for me with my blood sugar levels (without unwanted side effects). I do hope to hear from anyone who has tried any of them. I tried Agave syrup, but just couldn’t get past the taste of it.
Hi Erica! I was introduced to ComfyBelly by a co-worker after she brought in your Orange Cranberry Muffins, which were absolutely delicious! They were definitely a special treat for me, having been recently diagnosed with Celiac Disease. After feeling totally overwhelmed by the need to overhaul my diet and lifestyle (and quite disturbed by how many gluten-free recipes included foods smoothered in cheese), I am so relieved to see your HEALTHY and SIMPLE recipes! They are so great for people who don’t have tons of time to cook but are health-conscious. Thank you so very much for making my life easier, healthier and happier!
Thanks Dana! It is overwhelming at first. And then it gets easier. Best wishes, Erica.
I am loving this Blog!!!! I have been trying to change my lifestyle to be healthier. I thank you for providing recipes for my guilty food that are better for me! I can’t wait to try some of your recipes!!!
Thanks!
Hi Erica,
I just found your website, and I’m so glad. I just recently started eating the primal diet and finding good substitutes for some stuff is hard. I like breads and cereals for breakfast, that’s been the biggest change. Eggs everyday gets boring. So being able to bake with my almond flour or ground flax is a plus.
Thanks for taking the time to write all these great recipes.
Thanks – btw, I love your website. Roxy is quite cute!
Love your recipes and the website. My household is complex — we’re a motley crew of dietary needs between the three of us [seriously, how can just 3 people be that complicated!?] representing the dietary restrictions of dairy allergies, gluten-intolerance, IBS, diabetes, and my husband’s rare metabolic disorder that requires a paleo-type diet. Let’s say that making three meals a day, never mind a dessert or two, requires some serious thinking. I also wanted to say that I love the community spirit here; it helps to know that there are other folks who are living with complex needs and who choose to come at the complexity with grace and creativity. Thanks for sharing.
Hi
I am just starting out on a starch free diet after being diagnosed with AS recently, and want to see if i can avoid medication. Having a slight panic at the moment, as my cupboard contains nothing but rice, pasta, potatoes and beans. Breakfast and Dinner is not too hard, but quick and tasty food that can be taken to work for lunch is my current challenge – I am already bored with boiled eggs and salad, and struggling to feel full (or maybe just missing my comfort food).
I am going shopping for coconut flour today, and really looking forward to trying some of these recipes!
Love this website!
Thanks – hope it helps!
Just stumbled onto your blog from Frugal Granola and just LOVE it! Although we’re not 100% GF, I enjoy GF baking, particularly my favorites are almond flour and coconut flour recipes! I hope we can be friends! I will definitely be point my GF friends to you. Blessings, Kelly @ The Nourishing Home
I really relate to you. My son has around 40 food intolerances/ allergies, mainly eggs, gluten and dairy. He and I also both have candida. I believe that candida is the new illness of the 21st century brought on by an overuse of anti-biotics. The candida compromises your health enormously and is the cause of intolerances. In an effort to heal both of us through food, my blog is also more and more about eating for our health and how we heal ourselves with food. Thank you for your amazing recipes which will go a long way to helping.
Thanks! Yes, yeast overgrowth is a huge issue.
Thanks so much for sharing these recipes! As a teenage girl with self-diagnosed IBS and Gluten Intolerance I can spend forever searching for recipes online and I am so glad to have found your website. My diet is so strict- Low fat, no grains, I can’t have starch or starchy foods (i.e. potatoes), sugar and artificial sugars bother me (I use honey typically or sweeten by using certain fruits and stuff), soy, and eating insoluble fibers without a lot of soluble fiber all bothers me. I try to avoid lactose as much as I can since it’s technically almost just as bad as starches. It’s really inspirational how people like you and your son can turn a bad thing good. I can really relate, but since I’m not an adult it’s hard to get support from others, my dad even told me it’s all in my head once (which it DEFINITELY isn’t). I’ve gained that “aquired” taste for natural un-processed foods and everything I make is natural and from scratch, I’ve felt so much better lately, just feeling normal is the best feeling in the world. My parents don’t want to spend a lot of money on my food/recipes and I haven’t gotten quite skilled enough with cooking au-natural to whip up my own creative recipes, so ideas for food from others is always great. Hope your son is doing good and happy holidays.
What a great note – thanks! So good to hear things are working for you
Thank you so much for this!! This has been a blessing to me and so many other people!!!
I was wondering at what age your son was diagnosed with Crohn’s? I am new to your blog and was diagnosed myself in 2005. It’s always interesting to hear other’s stories of their experiences with the disease, especially family members of those affected. I am excited to look more into your blog and some of the wonderful recipes I can already see worth trying!
With love,
Megan
Ah, you want to read this post to find out more: http://comfybelly.com/2011/11/vegetarian-and-chicken-dumplings-and-our-crohns-timeline/