Some people have trouble with eliminating regularly. Part of the reason is that you may have lost some of the nerve communication with your gut and the peristaltic movements (contractions in the bowel) are not initiated or are weak. There are medications and supplements available to help with this problem. Before trying them, I suggest you try drinking a lot more water every day - up to 80-90 ounces. For people with bladder control issues this sounds daunting. But whenever you are home or have access to rest rooms when you are out and about, it is a very real assist in aiding bowel movements. In addition, try eating a lot more greens every day- at least 6 servings of green leafy vegetables. You can juice or blend them if eating them overwhelms you, but the dark green leafy vegetables also cleanse the liver and the kidneys in addition to creating better elimination processes. Consider food as your medicine and it becomes part of your lifestyle, not a chore. This is also a good idea for those who have recurring bladder infections.
For those of you who do not have this problem and can eat rice and a little bit of sweetener for special occasions, I offer this simple rice pudding recipe.
around 2+-3 cups of leftover cooked rice ( I used short grain brown rice)
1 15 oz. can of light (low saturated fat) organic coconut milk (or 1/2 coconut milk, 1/2 nut or rice milk)
sweetener of choice to taste (agave nectar, xylitol, stevia, coconut palm syrup)
Place leftover rice into a saucepan and add coconut milk. Simmer on medium low heat for around 15 minutes. Stir to keep the rice from sticking. Add a little bit of sweetener at a time until you find it just sweet enough. (see below for more flavor ideas)
The mixture will still be runny. It will thicken up into a pudding texture as it sits in the fridge to cool for at least 4 hours.
optional additions to add while simmering:
1 teaspoon of vanilla, coconut or other flavoring extract
1/4 cup dessicated coconut (I have a low fat kind in my heath food store)
1 teaspoon cinnamon: or other spices (using only 1/4 teaspoon) of ginger, allspice, nutmeg , mace, cardamon, cloves, etc.
1 grated apple
1/8 cup of dried raisins, cranberries, crystallized ginger, etc.
4 tablespoons of carob powder, 4 tablespoons of cocoa powder (you will need to add a lot more sweetener) for a chocolate pudding