Crazy Symptoms

I feel like I have been dragging these last few days.  I run up a flight of stairs and I feel like my muscles are exhausted.  I heard this is part of detoxing.  On the other hand, I sleep like a baby.  However, I still need a nap because I am so drained by mid afternoon.  

Hannelora told me she is sleeping so much better too.  In fact, I think her acne is looking better.  The other kids seem to be about the same.  Bjorn is very whiny and teary.  I don't know what this is all about.

Preparing roast with onions/carrots/parsnips

Nobody complains with eggs and a kiefer berry smoothie for breakfast.

lunch:  sausage egg casserole/ peanut butter on a spoon/ veggies/ cutie

 some had leftover hotdogs/ peanut butter on a spoon/ veggies/ cutie

This is a hodge podge of leftovers.

I started cleaning out my pantry- it is pretty darn bare...

 

nuts/ nut butters

dried fruit/ applesauce and ... mustard

dried beans/ coconut milk/ more dried fruit/ dried sprouts

 dinner is ready

 Sunday's lunch"  chicken strips and a salad/ homemade ranch

 dinner/ leftover roast/green beans

/

 natey-cakes

I have been in the kitchen cooking and baking for this week and I still didn't get everything I wanted done.  I made banana bread, peanut butter cookies, protein bars, soaked beans for prep for white chili, made chicken broth, yogurt and a little bit of granola.  I also cooked bacon for our lunch- so Nathan has something for lunch.  We will be eating BLAT: bacon, lettuce, avacado and tomato.

Day 4, Friday

Last night, after ranting and raving, I ate dried mangos.  They were perfect!  I might have eaten a total of 3 mangos but it satisfied my sweet tooth.  

Breakfast casserole (cauliflower, cheese, egg, bell pepper, beef sausage)/Melon

I made the kids take one bite of yogurt, we are suppose to have some sort of probiotic/fermented food with every meal-this is tough.

Cozi had a tantrum for the second morning.  She is protesting.  She never did eat breakfast.  She said, "Mom, why do you have to make this so difficult?"  Poor thing, I get it, I don't want to do it either.  Don't let the smiling pictures fool you, they like taking pictures:)  Analise and Sebastian ended up hating the casserole.  So far Bjorn and Hannelora are my troopers.  Sebastian still has been getting angry and the fighting is still the same among the children.  Although, I can see the kids talking this through with each other and I can believe this will bring us closer as we go through this hard adjustment period. 

The computer switched my pictures around yet again.  For dinner we had hotdogs/brusselsprout slaw.  For dessert I made a yummy smoothie. MMMMM.....

 shredded brusselsprouts/toasted pecans/bacon and a dressing of olive oil, apple-cider vinegar, mustard

This will have to be my go-to lunch:  ants on a log/cuties and veggies+ an extra scoop of peanut butter.

Today, has been much better.  I had breakfast done the night before and lunch was a piece of cake.  I just wish I was more creative with easy meals.  I am going to have to do a bunch of cooking and baking for this coming week. 

This is Tough

 Day 2:                                        Berry Muffins/Green Smoothie                             

Veggie Chicken wraps

Orange Chicken/ Green Beans

 I had major sugar cravings.  So I ate an apple and a handful on nuts.  Unfortunately, it didn't do the trick.  At least I was pooped and went to be around 9:30.  I felt like I was in the kitchen all day...

 Day 3:                  This is actually lunch, I don't know how the pictures got switched.
                                                       Turkey Burgers/vegetables/cuties

Breakfast: Grain free Granola with homemade yogurt/melon

Tacos Salad-  ahhhhh...  was wonderfully enjoyed by everyone, especially me.

Day 3, I'm having thoughts of quitting.  Is it worth it?  I am tired of always thinking ahead for the next meal.  I can't seem to get anything else done and I haven't even started home school yet.  I know I will eventually find my tempo, but I miss my comfort food bad!  I would love to have the ease of making sandwiches.  I would love to eat tortilla chips or sink my teeth into chocolate.  I hope this goes away because I am wanting everything familiar back.  

The food isn't too bad, the kids have been on board fairly well, it is me.  Maybe this is withdrawals from eating no sugar but honey and fruit.  Bjorn has been very whiny and complaining about his tummy.  I think he is constipated.  I don't know how, he is eating tons of fruits and veg.   The kids seem to be hungry more and I am afraid I am not making enough.  Which is a stresser in itself.  I am going to have to make more plus spend more.  I am hoping it is just our bodies are learning to process proteins instead of so many carbs.  At least I can start over fresh tomorrow.  New mind, attitude and goals!

Our first 3 meals of the year

 Hmmm.... I can't flip the picture.  Breakfast we had pancakes/honey syrup/fruit

 Lunch:   develed egg (homemade mayonaise)/ sausage patties/ veggies

 Dinner- Pizza and salad

 Later, I found Bjorn finishing off the kale chips. 

Today was a little time consuming.  Not use to cooking 3 meals a day.  I had big thumbs up from Cozi though.  She didn't like the apple cider dressing for the salad.  I thought it was amazing with the apples, grapefruit and avacado.  Now I can see how we would go through all the eggs.  I cook with them for everything.  I should easily be upping my protein for sure. 

My biggest challenge is trying to figure out what to make ahead for Nathan's breakfast and lunch.  I finally have it done.  Not bad....  I have no sugar cravings, but I am assuming it is because I am still sick.  However, I think I will grab an apple and lay down on the couch.

Pictures of GAPS food for 2 weeks

 close up look some of the veggies- we are going to eat butter squash, nobodies fav.  

 I was hoping you could see the writing, but this lovely picture is cod.  GULP!  I am going to suck it up and try some fish.  

 Another bain of mine, the brussel sprout!  However, I tried it a new way for Christmas and it was delicious!  

This beauty is called celery root.  Never had it, but it is in a recipe.  Another new item we have never tried is the parsnip.  Boy these next two weeks are going to be interesting!

 This is all of it and I only spent an extra $100.  Not bad... At least until I get accustomed to prices.

Our meat side, minus the venison and chicken (already had in the freezer)

hotdogs (yes, we can have them as long as they are the right ones) bacon, ground turkey, roast and pork.  I think there is about 14 dozen eggs in the back ground. 

Unfortunately, I picked New Year's Eve Day to do my main shopping.  It took forever!  I have enough food for 3 meals a day/2 weeks.  Here are some examples:

Breakfast:  slow cooker baked apples/ eggs

Lunch:  Chicken and Kiwi salad over tomato slices

Dinner:  Roast/ green beans/ alond flour pumpkin muffins

Sweets/ Snacks:  muffins

Breakfast:  Savory Yogurt

Lunch:  Asian Lettuce wrap

Dinner:  Hot dogs/ brussel sprouts slaw

sweets snack:  Pear custard

List of everbodies issues and ailments

I am assuming I will keep changing my list as I remember more things.  My kids and husband were shocked I would put such personal stuff on my blog.  My husband is afraid that I or we will be labeled freaks (his words not mine:)  ), but whether we are or not, is not my concern.   My goal is the healing and bonding of my family.  I am not afraid of how I will be viewed.  The only one I answer to is Jesus and he has given me 6 precious people under my keeping to feed and take care of.  Also, I see it differently, everyone has issues and ailments and there is no point in hiding from it.  Many of you already know most of the junk I have delt with already and if I can help one person I will be happy.  Besides, this is the Wald Guinea Pig experiment and I would like to be as open and honest as possible so we can actually see the benefits (or not) of GAPS.

Nathan

• angers easily around the kids
• works non-stop
• doesn't handle noise
• doesn't like to be around crowds 
• peely skin on soles of feet

Amber

• poor immune system
• anxiety/depression- would like to get off medications this year if at all possible
• addictive personality: sugar, delt with an eating disorder for over 17 years
•  food allergies/leaky gut
• develops rash when I eat allergen foods
• right eye has been blurry more and more
• poor memory
• poor sleeper (wake up every few hours even with my natural sleeping pills)
• surprisingly, my athletic ability is great.  I am hoping to improve even more in this area
• tired, need a nap during the day 
• night sweats
• candida

Hannelora

• constipation issues since 2
• acne
• stomach aches
• perfectionist when it comes to her school
• headaches 
• may have discalculata  (difficulty in understanding math) 
• cavities

Cosette

• temper tantrums
• sucks thumb
• stomach aches after sugar
• doesn't like crowds
• may have ADD
• dyslexia
• possible candida

Sebastian

• angers very easily
• becomes violent when angered (such as throwing something he is playing with, yells, slams his door)
• disrespectful to parents
• dyslexia

Analise

• gets angry easily
• whines
• may have dyslexia (never tested but suspect)
• shy (A friend once told me that shyness is selfishness and I quite agree, I believe they are trying to control the situation.  I am trying to tell her when mommy and daddy are around you will talk to the person if spoken too.  I think shyness and introverted are 2 different things.  Thanks Brenda for sharing this with me!)
• possible candida

Bjorn

• Whines (I am sure I don't help with this either, but I am trying to be consistent with him, unfortunately, now it is just his habit)
• not fully potty trained at night
• I am hoping that his anger will subside as he sees better examples from his siblings.  He generally is a happy boy. 

GAPS Challenge for the Wald Family!

For the 2013 New Year, we are going on GAPS.  What exactly is GAPS?  It is clean eating.  I hate to call it a diet because it is not about losing weight, it is about eating healthy and healing our GI tract. My friend Stacey Samuelson first introduced it to us this summer when we went camping together in August.  I was highly impressed when they were eating eggs, bacon, sausage, lentils etc.  I knew my husband would be more open if there was meat in the meal.  I began dabbling a bit with some of the recipes.  I made some great waffles and even Nathan was impressed.  Basically, we will be eating as much organic as possible.  Lots of meat, broth, eggs, fats from animals, fermented foods to aid in digestion, fruit, veg., nuts, nut flours, dairy and honey.  Not too terrible:)  

 Over the last few years my health hasn't been the greatest.  I was sick for the entire 2010 year with a rip roaring sinus infection.  I took tons of antibiotics knowing how bad they were for me.  What was I to do?  Well I had my tonsils out and then I began seeing Dr. Beeson a naturapath afterwards.  I still kept getting sick and finally I had my food allergies tested and I saw that everything I was eating, my body was denying.  Nothing made sense, so I did stopped eating a lot of the allergy foods and didn't get sick as often.  I wouldn't except that my body couldn't eat gluten, major nuts, peanuts, some fruit etc. forever  Finally I began researching GAPS and realized this was the next best answer.  It was one thing to ignore my health issues but when it comes to my babies I was ready. I knew we needed a change, when I learned Cozi may have ADD.  I needed to put my actions where my mouth was.  I personally could never give her medication.  I knew intellectually we are what we eat and I was tired of denying my family better food just because it wasn't as convenient or more expensive.

I have been meeting with a GAPS group a couple times a month  since this fall.  I love the support and feed back from everyone.  I became inspired to blog our experiences as a family as we become healthier.  See what changes or no changes happen over the course of the next few weeks- months.  So in a sense, we are the Guinea Pigs for our friends and family.  Everyone will be able to come and check out my blog out of curiosity or support.  This will be an interesting new year for us as we dive into clean eating.