This Is How I Stay Regular - Tmi Warning :)

[notmeanymore 629]

Ever since Ive been sleeved which is just shy of a year now Ive had issues with being constipated. Ive pretty much had to take a stool softener every day for the past year just to get stuff moving along. But I FINALLY found something that works for me and works darn good I might add.

I bought a dehydrator! chips, sweet potato chips and kale chips. Im telling what, the apple chips are so friggin delicious (I spray the lightly with coconut oil that I got at Whole Foods and then toss them every so lightly in a cinnamon/sugar mix, mostly cinnamon and super light on the sugar). We love them so much that we have to keep a stash on hand at all times because my hubby is a sugar addict and I crave crunchy things. Its so easy to get 1 or 2 apples in me a day and by the next day Im walking on sunshine cause bathroom time is productive, successful and downright action packed lol.

So ever since Ive been dehydrating fruits and kale chips, no more stool softeners. Ive not been this regular since before surgery. I feel like a friggin genius for finally figuring this out lol. It even works better then my nutriblasts in the morning.

[Melting in Az 22]

I just saw the apple chips on pinterest. Going to have to try it. Only 2 months out but taking colace daily (when I remember) just to have some sort of regularness going. Would rather have the apple chips.

[notmeanymore 629]

I just wish I had figured this out sooner lol. But better late than never right? We actually fight over the last of our apple chips so we have to make sure there are enough on hand. Plus you can crumble them up into oatmeal or granola if you like. We just eat them right out of the dehydrator. They are really easy to make. Just make sure you have a good mandoline. We use the second thinnest setting, its just the right thickness.

Good luck with your apples. Let me know if you have any questions on how to do it.

[Seela 1,187]

Please post pictures. .. how thick are they, what kind of apples do you use? Can I eat this 6 weeks out? I want to poo too!

[Jenny12 361]

I'm just jealous Colace actually works for you guys! Haha

[notmeanymore 629]

I will take pictures tonight when I get home if there are any left otherwise Ill have to make more and will take photos tomorrow.

I use a mandolin http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/OXO-Good-Grips-reg-V-Blade-Mandoline-Slicer/1014640630?Keyword=mandoline this one to be exact (again, used a 20% off coupon). I put it on the second thinnest size. Not the thinnest but the next one up from there and Ive found it to be the perfect size. For sweet potato chips I use the thinnest setting though otherwise they come out as hard as steel lol.

I use granny smith apples but you can use any apples, I just prefer the granny smith. I also make apple pears (sometimes called asian pears) and also regular pears. With pears Ive found that I dont need any coconut oil or cinnamon because they already taste like carmel. Once I chew them for a couple of seconds it tastes carmelly So yummy. You can do banana chips with honey on them sprinkled with cinnamon or ground flax seed for extra Fiber. There are so many things you can dehydrate that I was not aware of. Oh and we make pineapple rings too. We just buy them in the can as long as they are not in the sweeted Syrup. Just drain them from the jar and put in the dehydrator, presto, its like pineapple taffy.

Im not sure if you can eat them at 6 weeks. Once you are allowed to eat solids you should be fine as there arent any little pieces like popcorn. I would just ask your doc just to be safe though. But they are a delicious little miracle for me and my bathroom time

[Seela 1,187]

Thank you so much! I already have a dehydrator... I can start making them now even if I can't eat them yet... my kids will love it!

[notmeanymore 629]

As promised, here are pics of our apple chips. The ones in the dehydrator picture are done. When I put them in there they touch but dont overlap and as you can see, they shrink up pretty good. I can usually fill the dehydrator using 3 small/medium apples or 2 large ones. I set the temp around 130-135 and leave in for around 11 hours. The will crisp up even more once they are out of the dehydrator.

[Seela 1,187]

As promised, here are pics of our apple chips. The ones in the dehydrator picture are done. When I put them in there they touch but dont overlap and as you can see, they shrink up pretty good. I can usually fill the dehydrator using 3 small/medium apples or 2 large ones. I set the temp around 130-135 and leave in for around 11 hours. The will crisp up even more once they are out of the dehydrator.

Thank you so much! You are awesome!

[notmeanymore 629]

Ive also dehydrated red bell pepper slices. First you coat them lightly in maple Syrup and dehydrate them the same way you would do apples. They are AMAZING! I can fit probably 4 red bell peppers in my dehydrator and they will be gone so fast itll make your head spin. They are so good and good for you! My life revolves around Fiber lol when Im not obessessing about Protein of course.

[Numenow 32]

Thanks so much for this information...This will be great to do after my 4 months is over...

Christal

[mistysj 1,939]

Sounds great but be careful as dehydrated fruit still has as many calories as fresh but you can fit a lot more. Same thing with raisins, prunes, etc.

[notmeanymore 629]

Great point but for me personally, I have trouble getting in enough calories even though I get in my Proteins for the day so the calories in my case are fine (especially because they involve fiber) but may not be for others. If I cant get some kind of nutrition benefit from something I put in my mouth, I typically dont eat it. Protein, Fiber, Vitamins, Calcium, etc.

Sounds great but be careful as dehydrated fruit still has as many calories as fresh but you can fit a lot more. Same thing with raisins, prunes, etc.

[Sab964 10]

Thanks so much for this great idea bunnyK! I went and ordered one from kohls today can't wait as I always forget to take my colace and have issues this will be much more nutritious and fun.

[notmeanymore 629]

No problem, Im excited that you ordered one. Youll have to let me know how your nature treats turn out. If you have any questions just ask, I might be able to help. I havent quite mastered Jerky yet but Im working on it.