Update

We're halfway through another week of the special diet (see Feb 7th, 2008) and Seth is actually beginning to show some small improvement. The core body areas that were really inflamed in the beginning are now just somewhat red and peeling, without the pain, swelling, and bumpiness. The inflammation moved outward to his arms and legs, but even today, some of that started to lessen. Overall, things are much improved. Seth even went to the gym today because he can move around without fear of tearing something!
We're still figuring out how to feel satisfied on this rather bland and limited diet. One of our everyday favorite snacks is homemade flax crackers and guacamole. This is a fiber-filled, omega-3-packed, delicious appetizer that everyone should try.

Flax Crackers

2 cups ground flax seed
3 tablespoons sesame seed
1 clove garlic
small amount of chopped onion
sea salt
stevia
water

Set the oven to 375 degrees. In a bowl, combine flax, sesame seed, a pinch of stevia powder, and sea salt to taste. Add water, small amounts at a time until the mixture will form a ball. Using a garlic press (I love my Pampered Chef one!), press the garlic and then the onion into the bowl providing flavor from the tiny pieces and the juice it produces. Use a fork to mix the onion and garlic into the "dough".
Place a sheet of parchment paper or a silicone mat on a baking sheet. Place your flax dough on that and then cover with a second sheet of parchment paper. Use a rolling pin or your hand to flatten the flax as thin as possible (about 1/8 inch). Remove the top sheet of parchment and tidy up the edges with a pizza cutter. Then use it to make a grid in the flax for easy cracker shapes once they're cooked. Bake for 12-17 minutes or until lightly browned and crisp.

Guacamole

3 ripe avocados
1/4 of a lemon
1/4 of a lime
small amount of cut onion
2 garlic cloves
sea salt
mixed pepper corns

Remove skins, seeds and then mash the avocados in a bowl. Squeeze lime and lemon juice by hand into the bowl taking care not to add any seeds. Press the onion and garlic cloves in the garlic press and add. Mix in sea salt and fresh ground pepper corns to taste. Chill for 30 minutes for maximum flavor!