Why GAPS Diet

I started this post thinking it would be a general post on the GAPS Diet including links to my favorite (so far) recipes and websites and a general overview.  However as I started writing I realized that I needed to break this up into a few posts.  So I'm starting at the beginning, as it should be...

Ever since having children I have struggled to keep my psoriasis under control.  Before children I just had very mild spots on my elbows - after children I have been increasingly covered on my arms, legs, chest, and patches on my face.

Elbows on Day 39

In addition to not feeling confident wearing short sleeves, shorts, skirts, etc it is really itchy and uncomfortable.  In the past I have tried topical creams, phototherapy, and anything else my dermatologist recommended - short of drugs.  The problem was none of them cleared it up completely, and I wasn't really comfortable with the options, both for myself and also my babies since I have also been breastfeeding during this period.

Legs on Day 39

Although Western Medicine doesn't readily recognize that many illnesses can be healed through diet, I have always believed that diet has to have a huge influence on one's overall health (you are what you eat after all), and that many of us have a problem digesting the foods in a typical North American diet (namely sugar and wheat).

So on that note, on April 17th I went to visit my Naturopath at Sage Clinic who I had seen when I was pregnant with William.  I anticipated what she was going to say, so I had been mentally preparing myself for a radical diet change.  And, not to disappoint, she recommended that I go on the GAPS Diet.

GAPS stands for Gut and Psychology Syndrome, and is essentially a sugar-free, grain-free, limited dairy diet that is related to Specific Carbohydrate Diet, helping to heal various gut disorders, among other ailments.  A number of individuals have also had success with it healing eczema and psoriasis.

Coincidentially (or maybe not as is often the case), I had been following Rachel Wolf's blog Clean for a while, and had read a number of her posts about being on the GAPS Diet.  So I left the naturopath's office and went home that night to begin researching, and then jumped in and started it 3 days later (I don't recommend that... planning truly is key to this... live and learn).

I meant to take before pictures, and here I am 40 days in and just getting around to it. 

In the next couple of GAPS related posts I will talk about how the first 40 days has gone, and include info on my diet/meal planning and some links to my favorite resources.

Music to her ears...

I was at Canadian Tire getting a few things on Saturday with all 3 littles.  Davin says "Mom, listen to that music!"  I didn't hear anything aside from the typical low music played in stores.  A few minutes later:

Davin: "Do you hear that?"

Me: "Hear what?"

Davin: "The way the cart bumps over the lines on the floor, it sounds like a drumbeat.  And do you hear your shoes?"

Me: "Oh, I didn't realize I was scuffing my feet.  I should stop that."

Davin: "No mommy, your shoes sound like cymbals.  Here the drums and cymbals together? It sounds like music!"

I dearly hope she can always hear the music in the mundane.

(I) May Catch Up!

We finally have Spring in Vancouver!


Not related to post, but so stinkin' cute!
Taken over Easter in his outfit from Nana

 How has it been almost 2 months since I last posted?!? I have had lots of things to post about, but sadly can't get my act together enough to take any pictures.  There were:

- Easter packages to nieces and nephews which included little felt chicks and beeswax candles along with a homemade card.

- Board books for birthday gifts to Charlie and Anya

- a lunch bag and cosmetic case for a sister's birthday

- another Milo vest (this one for Davin - hopefully I will actually get a picture of this one!)

We've had a busy Spring with LOTS going on including:

- planting our first vegetable garden. We've started small, just going with tomatoes, peas, carrots, sunflowers, adn a few herbs. I'm so excited to see how it goes.

- I started on the GAPS diet, which truly deserves a post of its own. So much to learn, so much time in the kitchen trying to get organized, so much more meal planning until we get into a bit of a groove.

- William is 8 months old (what?1? how did that happen?). He is a happy easygoing little guy who we all adore. Cutting some teeth and trying really hard to talk and walk when he is not eating everything under the sun - look out world!

- The other night Davin staged an impromtu photo shoot and then wanted to send the pictures to grandparents and friends wishing them a Happy Mother's Day, which we did:

The girls are stuck to each other like glue these days, playing together all day, for the most part pretty peacefully.  I hope their close relationship continues as they get older, it is so sweet to see.

Hopefully now that I've actually posted something it will spur me on to become somewhat consistent again... no promises!