I had been thinking about the GFCF diet lately, not only because that's how we eat, but because the Hubs and I are keenly aware of any changes with our son. When something feels "off", we ask questions like: Why is he doing that? Is he regressing? Did he eat something he wasn't supposed to? etc.
As I learned more about GAPS through reading, I started to cut grains out completely from our diet. This means no rice and quinoa. I downloaded a list of GAPS legal and illegal foods, and it says no potatoes, yams, beans other than navy, green, and lima. No starchy anything if we can help it, including no tapioca or any roots really.
Now that I'm learning about the science behind GAPS, I get it (well, I think I do). Some people say the GFCF diet didn't work for them. Many didn't stick to it strictly, which you REALLY need to do if you're going to do it. Many didn't give it enough time. And many, including us initially, replaced gluten foods with their processed non-gluten counterparts. Not good. Not HORRIBLE (though there is MUCH more processed GF food out there now than there was a year ago). When pondering the efficacy of eating GFCF, I think it should actually be the Gluten-Free Casein-Free Starch-Free Sugar-Free Soy-Free Real Foods Diet. Really, I'd first suggest the GAPS Diet far above anything else since it at least has dairy (though not at first, and its introduction could be delayed for anyone with severe sensitivity).
In our GFCF jouney, we're just about at the GFCFSF^3 point, and while it's doable, I'm not sure how much progress we're making as far as healing our son's gut. On to GAPS we go!
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Saturday, July 2, 2011
GAPS
Gut And Psychology Syndrome
I finally purchased Gut and Psychology Syndrome by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride. My son was officially diagnosed as high functioning autistic back in November 2010, but it didn't take a diagnosis to realize some things weren't exactly the way they should be. At the end of July 2010, we started the GFCF diet, which produced positive results. We reintroduced dairy which resulted in mood swings and tantrums. We've been GFCF since that reintroduction.
Mainly through my searches for GFCF recipes on the internet did I keep coming across something called the GAPS Diet. Earlier this year I learned about the Weston A. Price Foundation and Nourishing Traditions. After obtaining that book, I wanted to learn more about traditional foods. Turns out that quite a few traditional/real/whole food bloggers know about GAPS and its corresponding diet.
GAPS had helped so many with autoimmune disorders, such as eczema and allergies. The most noteworthy (to me) dilemma it has helped is autism. Whoa. Sounds a little too good to be true. What charlatan is professing to cure autism?? A neurologist. Who studied nutrition. Who has a son who was diagnosed as severely autistic. A son who no longer displays autistic behaviors and is considered "completely recovered." If my son responded to dietary changes (going GFCF), why couldn't we just try this?
I ordered the book last Friday along with the much-recommended-by-GAPS-Dieters GAPS Guide, and it's seriously like all the pieces of puzzle are falling into place. I'm a science junkie, not that biology was my thing (chemistry was), and this stuff makes SENSE. Our gut wall is lined with billions of beneficial bacteria. These bacteria are not only there to aid digestion, but play an integral part of our immune system. Too many changes in current food, medical practice, environment, etc. have compromised that wall of beneficial bacteria. If one too many things cause a breach in that line of defense, the gut wall can no longer contain the toxins that need to be contained within the digestive system. Those toxins leak out of the gut, enter the bloodstream, and end up in places they do not belong. As a result? The author suggests autism, ADD/ADHD, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, allergies, learning disabilities, and more. A connection between our guts and our psychology.
Reflecting on my own health, I didn't have skin issues when I was younger. But when I was in college and not eating so great, I developed eczema. Bummer. Before reading GAPS, I realized certain foods triggered my eczema. An allergic response that I didn't have before. I have never had persimmons until a few years ago. Yummy!! Last year I bought some, and found I am now allergic! Whaaa? These are autoimmune responses. I eat well now, but once the gut wall has been compromised, that doesn't matter until it's fixed.
And that's what the GAPS Diet is supposed to do. Restore the good bacteria wall. It's almost like a do-over. There is an intro diet with easily digested foods, such as bone broth. It is a heavily meat-based diet, but that meat needs to be pastured and preferably organic. There are no grains, and few, if any, starches. Dairy IS on the diet, but it must be cultured dairy. No plain milk, but instead there is yogurt, kefir, butter, certain aged cheeses, and ghee. Everything should be prepared at home as well, so there's a huge dedication factor to this diet. Oh, and the diet only needs to happen for 1.5 - 3 years, depending on the condition of the gut. After that, for some, gluten can be reintroduced, along with the starches! All in moderation though, which is always great advice. The style of eating post-GAPS is a traditional foods diet.
I've been slowly preparing for a while now, and we're looking to start at the end of this month. It's just a coincidence that that is exactly a year from when we began the GFCF diet. Maybe that's a good time for our family to implement dietary change!
gapsdiet.com
I finally purchased Gut and Psychology Syndrome by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride. My son was officially diagnosed as high functioning autistic back in November 2010, but it didn't take a diagnosis to realize some things weren't exactly the way they should be. At the end of July 2010, we started the GFCF diet, which produced positive results. We reintroduced dairy which resulted in mood swings and tantrums. We've been GFCF since that reintroduction.
Mainly through my searches for GFCF recipes on the internet did I keep coming across something called the GAPS Diet. Earlier this year I learned about the Weston A. Price Foundation and Nourishing Traditions. After obtaining that book, I wanted to learn more about traditional foods. Turns out that quite a few traditional/real/whole food bloggers know about GAPS and its corresponding diet.
GAPS had helped so many with autoimmune disorders, such as eczema and allergies. The most noteworthy (to me) dilemma it has helped is autism. Whoa. Sounds a little too good to be true. What charlatan is professing to cure autism?? A neurologist. Who studied nutrition. Who has a son who was diagnosed as severely autistic. A son who no longer displays autistic behaviors and is considered "completely recovered." If my son responded to dietary changes (going GFCF), why couldn't we just try this?
I ordered the book last Friday along with the much-recommended-by-GAPS-Dieters GAPS Guide, and it's seriously like all the pieces of puzzle are falling into place. I'm a science junkie, not that biology was my thing (chemistry was), and this stuff makes SENSE. Our gut wall is lined with billions of beneficial bacteria. These bacteria are not only there to aid digestion, but play an integral part of our immune system. Too many changes in current food, medical practice, environment, etc. have compromised that wall of beneficial bacteria. If one too many things cause a breach in that line of defense, the gut wall can no longer contain the toxins that need to be contained within the digestive system. Those toxins leak out of the gut, enter the bloodstream, and end up in places they do not belong. As a result? The author suggests autism, ADD/ADHD, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, allergies, learning disabilities, and more. A connection between our guts and our psychology.
Reflecting on my own health, I didn't have skin issues when I was younger. But when I was in college and not eating so great, I developed eczema. Bummer. Before reading GAPS, I realized certain foods triggered my eczema. An allergic response that I didn't have before. I have never had persimmons until a few years ago. Yummy!! Last year I bought some, and found I am now allergic! Whaaa? These are autoimmune responses. I eat well now, but once the gut wall has been compromised, that doesn't matter until it's fixed.
And that's what the GAPS Diet is supposed to do. Restore the good bacteria wall. It's almost like a do-over. There is an intro diet with easily digested foods, such as bone broth. It is a heavily meat-based diet, but that meat needs to be pastured and preferably organic. There are no grains, and few, if any, starches. Dairy IS on the diet, but it must be cultured dairy. No plain milk, but instead there is yogurt, kefir, butter, certain aged cheeses, and ghee. Everything should be prepared at home as well, so there's a huge dedication factor to this diet. Oh, and the diet only needs to happen for 1.5 - 3 years, depending on the condition of the gut. After that, for some, gluten can be reintroduced, along with the starches! All in moderation though, which is always great advice. The style of eating post-GAPS is a traditional foods diet.
I've been slowly preparing for a while now, and we're looking to start at the end of this month. It's just a coincidence that that is exactly a year from when we began the GFCF diet. Maybe that's a good time for our family to implement dietary change!
gapsdiet.com
Monday, June 27, 2011
Catching Up
I'm perpetually playing catch-up. Am I overextending myself? Am I secretly wasting time? I'm on the computer right now, but I have some other things going on in the meantime, so am I actually being efficient? Gah.
I may need to start doling out more responsibility around the house. I'll have to talk with the Hubs about what he can/will do, and see where that leaves me. I've ordered our GAPS Diet books, and we'll be embarking on quite the dietary journey soon enough. There will be NO processed foods whatsoever. For years. Not that we consume much, if any processed foods as it is, but in a pinch, it would be nice to know I have some sort of option available if I can't cook.
Today for lunch I made a coconut curry. Canned coconut milk is a no-no on GAPS. So I made my own coconut milk. No, we're not on GAPS yet, but I do like the idea of BPA-free, preservative-free coconut milk. But it takes time. I picked up a juicer, and frankly, freshly made orange juice and carrot juice taste really yummy, but that takes time too. I'll be culturing yogurt and kefir and fermenting a bunch of veggies as well. This just sounds like a complaining now (it's a slippery slope lol), but I'm trying to sort out what needs to be done, how I can fit it all in a day, and get all our other stuff done too.
Now that that's out of my system, I'm going to start sorting it out.
Still microwave free, by the way!
I may need to start doling out more responsibility around the house. I'll have to talk with the Hubs about what he can/will do, and see where that leaves me. I've ordered our GAPS Diet books, and we'll be embarking on quite the dietary journey soon enough. There will be NO processed foods whatsoever. For years. Not that we consume much, if any processed foods as it is, but in a pinch, it would be nice to know I have some sort of option available if I can't cook.
Today for lunch I made a coconut curry. Canned coconut milk is a no-no on GAPS. So I made my own coconut milk. No, we're not on GAPS yet, but I do like the idea of BPA-free, preservative-free coconut milk. But it takes time. I picked up a juicer, and frankly, freshly made orange juice and carrot juice taste really yummy, but that takes time too. I'll be culturing yogurt and kefir and fermenting a bunch of veggies as well. This just sounds like a complaining now (it's a slippery slope lol), but I'm trying to sort out what needs to be done, how I can fit it all in a day, and get all our other stuff done too.
Now that that's out of my system, I'm going to start sorting it out.
Still microwave free, by the way!
Friday, May 20, 2011
Losing the Lectures (L&L)
I'm taking a local Love & Logic class. I went in figuring I had a good idea of what to expect, and thankfully, my expectations were wrong. The class has given me much to think about and reconsider, and I'm loving it!
Not that I was big on lecturing, but it seems to make so much sense as a parent to tell your kid what s/he did wrong, why I'm upset, etc. I'm learning to let it go (for the most part). The day after learning this, my son had stepped on something accidentally and partially breaking it. He told me what he had done and seemed sorry about it. Instead of a "well, maybe you'll watch where you're going next time!" or "Be more careful!", I responded with a hug (Love & Logic is big on empathy). He already told me what he did. He expressed remorse. He already did what I thought was my job. I didn't need to rub salt in the wound. Of course, later, I stepped on the same object and completely destroyed it. I would have been pretty annoyed to be told "Watch where you're going!" "You need to be more careful!" Frankly, if someone told me that, the last thing I would want to do is be more careful and watch where I'm going! How strange.
Yesterday, my son was pouring himself a glass of juice. He spilled a little. "Uh oh. I spilled some juice, Mommy." "Oh." "I need to clean it up." "What will you use to clean it?" "I need a towel, please." Yeah, he gets it. :)
Image from http://cookinginheelstv.blogspot.com/
Not that I was big on lecturing, but it seems to make so much sense as a parent to tell your kid what s/he did wrong, why I'm upset, etc. I'm learning to let it go (for the most part). The day after learning this, my son had stepped on something accidentally and partially breaking it. He told me what he had done and seemed sorry about it. Instead of a "well, maybe you'll watch where you're going next time!" or "Be more careful!", I responded with a hug (Love & Logic is big on empathy). He already told me what he did. He expressed remorse. He already did what I thought was my job. I didn't need to rub salt in the wound. Of course, later, I stepped on the same object and completely destroyed it. I would have been pretty annoyed to be told "Watch where you're going!" "You need to be more careful!" Frankly, if someone told me that, the last thing I would want to do is be more careful and watch where I'm going! How strange.
Yesterday, my son was pouring himself a glass of juice. He spilled a little. "Uh oh. I spilled some juice, Mommy." "Oh." "I need to clean it up." "What will you use to clean it?" "I need a towel, please." Yeah, he gets it. :)
 | |
| No sense in lecturing! |
Friday, April 29, 2011
Slow Cooker! We're Back On!
I've had an on-again-off-again relationship with my slow cooker, but I think I'm finally ready to commit. I had previously borrowed a slow cooker from my folks, but it wasn't up to snuff (the lid didn't fit right). A store at the mall had one on sale, so I thought I'd once again, give slow cooking the ol' college try. Again. With receipt in a safe place for an easy return.
Well, the one I picked up has a temperature probe and a bunch of other settings. I LOVE this thing!!!! I had never done a roast before (The Hubs told me he doesn't care for them), but I did one earlier this week and it turned out perfect! Husband ended up eating most of it! The recipe stated to cook on low for 5.5 - 6 hours, but someone in the comments wrote that 5.5 hours would overcook it. I had a morning appointment (this was going to be our lunch), so I ended up putting the probe in the meat, set the temperature I wanted it to reach, when I returned home, it was done! 3 hours did the trick! 5.5 would have destroyed it.
At this point, I've lost track of the number of stocks I've made in it. I throw chicken carcasses in the crock, add veggies, add ACV, let it sit for an hour, then set it to low and let it go for 24 hours. Easy peasy!
Right now it's finishing up some brown rice. I started it on the stove top and the recipe said to cover it and put it on low for 1.5 - 3 hours, so I'm letting the slow cooker do it. This will be the second time I made this recipe like this; here's hoping the first time wasn't a fluke!
Oh, slow cooker... I'm so glad we're friends.
Well, the one I picked up has a temperature probe and a bunch of other settings. I LOVE this thing!!!! I had never done a roast before (The Hubs told me he doesn't care for them), but I did one earlier this week and it turned out perfect! Husband ended up eating most of it! The recipe stated to cook on low for 5.5 - 6 hours, but someone in the comments wrote that 5.5 hours would overcook it. I had a morning appointment (this was going to be our lunch), so I ended up putting the probe in the meat, set the temperature I wanted it to reach, when I returned home, it was done! 3 hours did the trick! 5.5 would have destroyed it.
At this point, I've lost track of the number of stocks I've made in it. I throw chicken carcasses in the crock, add veggies, add ACV, let it sit for an hour, then set it to low and let it go for 24 hours. Easy peasy!
Right now it's finishing up some brown rice. I started it on the stove top and the recipe said to cover it and put it on low for 1.5 - 3 hours, so I'm letting the slow cooker do it. This will be the second time I made this recipe like this; here's hoping the first time wasn't a fluke!
Oh, slow cooker... I'm so glad we're friends.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Microwave Update & GAPS Rambling
Well, not only have I not used my microwave since my last post, apparently I also have not used blogger! It's been surprisingly fast to reheat meals on the stovetop or toaster oven, and I'm not missing the "convenience" of microwaving at all. I do use the kitchen timer function on the microwave though. That's pretty handy.
Currently I'm trying to spring clean the kitchen cabinets, clearing space for our next big project: the GAPS Diet. I think our entire family will benefit, and as stringent as it is, Husband and I are both on board. I'm so glad he's up for this; it's challenging sometimes to balance everything and get the food out (though I'm becoming MUCH faster at butchering chickens!), and it will be a relief not to prepare separate meals for him.
More about GAPS here: http://www.gapsdiet.com/
It's not about weight-loss or quick fixes. It's about healing the gut. This will be a 1.5 - 2 year (YEAR!) commitment, depending on how it goes for each of us. I'm going to stagger the starting points for everyone because of the probability of experiencing a rough die-off period when candida starts to die in the gut. When this yeast dies, it becomes a toxin in the body. Oy.
Usually I'm a "there's no time like the present!" sort of person, but for this, I'm putting it off until the end of the school year. I hate to say it, but I need to use up these other ingredients I have!! If we're not going to be using them for YEARS, then I want it all out of the house. Most of the stuff I need to use are already open (like the garbanzo bean flour), but some of it will just go in the trash. In the meantime, we're gluten-free and casein-free (for the most part. Husband and I still eat cheese every once in a while) and we're eating more of a traditional foods diet.
Once the house and my brain are re-organized, I hope to journal our GAPS journey. No promises though!
Currently I'm trying to spring clean the kitchen cabinets, clearing space for our next big project: the GAPS Diet. I think our entire family will benefit, and as stringent as it is, Husband and I are both on board. I'm so glad he's up for this; it's challenging sometimes to balance everything and get the food out (though I'm becoming MUCH faster at butchering chickens!), and it will be a relief not to prepare separate meals for him.
More about GAPS here: http://www.gapsdiet.com/
It's not about weight-loss or quick fixes. It's about healing the gut. This will be a 1.5 - 2 year (YEAR!) commitment, depending on how it goes for each of us. I'm going to stagger the starting points for everyone because of the probability of experiencing a rough die-off period when candida starts to die in the gut. When this yeast dies, it becomes a toxin in the body. Oy.
Usually I'm a "there's no time like the present!" sort of person, but for this, I'm putting it off until the end of the school year. I hate to say it, but I need to use up these other ingredients I have!! If we're not going to be using them for YEARS, then I want it all out of the house. Most of the stuff I need to use are already open (like the garbanzo bean flour), but some of it will just go in the trash. In the meantime, we're gluten-free and casein-free (for the most part. Husband and I still eat cheese every once in a while) and we're eating more of a traditional foods diet.
Once the house and my brain are re-organized, I hope to journal our GAPS journey. No promises though!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Darn You, Microwave!!!
As I was reheating my son's lunch on the stove top (spaghetti), I finally told Husband about my personal microwave challenge. Honestly, I was feeling pretty good about it! Making changes, trying to be more natural, etc... And it's been easy too! I felt good once I got moving this morning. It must have been that hearty bowl of leftover quinoa chili I had for breakfast... that I... reheated in the microwave in my morning stupor. GAH! So, it's square one again. This time I have a note on the microwave.
In my defense, we're all still recovering from our son's sleep deprivation EEG prep. That's it. Yeah.
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