Healing the Gut Tribe: October - Page 7

[crunchy_mama]

Jane, Thanks for the poop link! That was helpful, I had tried to tell the ND that I thought his stringy poops a few weeks ago was yeast related and she blew it off, HA I was right. Still don't know how to intrepret the current poop. this am it was that pretty yellow again...

You know I am trying to see the positive in this as well. Finally this weekend it clicked for me that DUH the purpose of eating is to sustain our bodies, that is pretty important. I guess I always knew this, but we really do not make that connection often enough. I am excited to read Price's book, althouhg I am wondering what other food I love will I no longer be able to eat!!

I hated to read about your lil' guy! I do hope you guys get things figured out. I was wondering is there anyway you guys could do baths everyday, or would that bother the eczema too much? We do soaks once a day, really I was just doing them for my hemmorhoids, but he won't let me bathe alone. I don't lather him up but every few days or so, or if he has dirt on him. Just thought if it is making things better why not? Although, I am sure you have thought of that.... Your little guy does sound adorable! I can sure understand being frustrated, which really just makes me mad at myself. You have to take it easy on yourself as well!

Well, my oven has 20w max posted on the bulb, so I put my light in there with the thermometer, and am seeing how it is doing. It was a shy past 110 last time I checked, so a 45 w might be best for the long run. I have told dh that he has to eat some yogurt!

[JaneS]

Originally Posted by Pookietooth

Jane, where do you get high vitamin butter, and how do you know it's high in vitamins? Is that a local thing that only someone in your region would be able to do?

I belong to a raw dairy co-op. We share drives to several organic dairies in Western MA and southern NH and have several distribution points throughout the eastern part of the state. It's pasture based, so butter from cows eating fresh growing grass in the spring and fall is high in vitamins. You can see it b/c the butter is so yellow it's practically orange. I get several lbs. at a time and freeze it.

Also you can order here, it's shipped frozen:
http://www.organicpastures.com/

Or butter oil here: http://www.radiantlifecatalog.com/pr.../ct/1/pid/1050

Raw milk sources near you here:
http://www.realmilk.org
http://www.eatwild.com/products/index.html

[JaneS]

Originally Posted by Pookietooth

As far as fat free, well, I think that's the opposite of Mercola's take on it, isn't it?

Yep.
http://www.mercola.com/2001/mar/31/butter.htm

This makes me crazy, I wish all the nutritional "experts" could agree for goodness sakes.

[JaneS]

Originally Posted by crunchy_mama

Jane, Thanks for the poop link! That was helpful, I had tried to tell the ND that I thought his stringy poops a few weeks ago was yeast related and she blew it off, HA I was right. Still don't know how to intrepret the current poop. this am it was that pretty yellow again...

You know I am trying to see the positive in this as well. Finally this weekend it clicked for me that DUH the purpose of eating is to sustain our bodies, that is pretty important. I guess I always knew this, but we really do not make that connection often enough. I am excited to read Price's book, althouhg I am wondering what other food I love will I no longer be able to eat!!

I hated to read about your lil' guy! I do hope you guys get things figured out. I was wondering is there anyway you guys could do baths everyday, or would that bother the eczema too much? ... I can sure understand being frustrated, which really just makes me mad at myself. You have to take it easy on yourself as well!

Well, my oven has 20w max posted on the bulb, so I put my light in there with the thermometer, and am seeing how it is doing. It was a shy past 110 last time I checked, so a 45 w might be best for the long run. I have told dh that he has to eat some yogurt!

Re: poop
That's what we see too, a good one, a bad one... and it's hard to tie specifically to foods. I think yellow and soft in a BF babe is what you want right?

Re: foods you like
Well that's what's good about NT is that you can find yummy new foods that are way better for you!

Re: my guy
Thank you for the sympathy
I was thinking that same thing... bathing everyday. I'm going to investigate die off a little more. Baths don't seem to bother his skin anymore. His skin is pretty good now, only the tops of his ankles that are rough.

Re: taking it easy on myself
Thank you again. You are absolutely right and I think I've been pretty gentle with myself considering. It's just been such a long road, over 2 years now struggling with all of these issues and both DH and I are just so, so tired. Then when I found out that the source of all this was me, it was, and still is, pretty hard to deal with.

Also it's hard to know what the best step is. I don't want to do anything to pull metals out until his gut is better. Which might not get better until the metals are out. But then again, it could all be just a gut problem that is causing him to no be able to detox properly in the first place, so once the gut's fixed, he could just detox on his own without any extraordinary intervention except excellent nutrition. (Hey, you're not the only one that rambles here!) :LOL

So therefore I'm plunging into the yogurt this week and going to try to do everything to help die off. (, I forgot our batch was done 1.5 hrs ago, oh well, no biggie... )

Possibly more baths and also activated charcoal before bed.

[crunchy_mama]

good luck to you Jane, I hope you guys get things figured out! It is so very frustrating, I am sure everyone thinks I am crazy. I keep thinking that I should just keep my mouth shut to everyone as far as what we are doing, as it changes so much, even I am barely keeping up.

It is hard also because as moms we blame ourself for everything. Well, I ate dairy while I was preggo. I wasn't aggressive enough when I thought there was a problem before. But, we do the best we can with what we have at the time.

This just makes me even madder at the moms, like pretty well everyone I know that just ff and give there baby whatever crappy food they are eating, because they ate whatever and are just "fine." Someitmes I think really spitfully and hope that they see the ramifications of this, I know that is terrible. However, it doesn't matter though if the ff baby has a zillion ear infections or what have you it will always be blamed on something else.

Then it seems that it shows everyone else that bf'ing really doesn't matter because of Luke's "issues." Of course imo a whole lot of people just ignore things, like it doesn't matter.

So, another one of my rambles.... just to say we are all just bumbling along trying to figure things out. You know at least we are aware and are trying, and damn we are trying hard.

I am very emotional, I think perhaps a "real" period is coming. Perhaps, that partially explains my mood!

our update:
yesterday and today thus far poops looking good(that pretty yellow color with a nice smell)! Finally, yesterday I was able to feed myself well all day, yipee~~ I am figuring this out kind of.... I think I will buy some ground turkey and make some sausage for breakfast, as I am craving some "normal type food. My weight is back up +5 lbs, so I am only down 5 total- so at 118 and I am 5 3.5, so not too bad- I really don't need to lose anymore though.

we have our yogurt in the oven, it took a bit longer than I thought to prepare, but was pretty easy! I hope it turns out, I have a 50 wt bulb, maintaining a temp of about 108, I tested it all night and it seems to be holding steady. I just made 1 qt in case I screw it up.

we slept pretty well last night, we all went to bed at 8:30! So, I am feeling much more rested!

still waiting on the book to come in....

[artisticat]

Hey tribe. I am anxiously waiting for BTVC from the library and really wish it would come soon.

Me and 10 mo old dd are battling thrush yet again. I can't stand this!! makes me just want to run to the doctors and ask for the drugs. But i am resisting and trying the GV and GSE and vinegar and acidophilos and all that.

But my question is this. So apparentely I have yeast issues. Okay major issues. I recall before I got pregnant a lot of vaginal bacterial infections, but haven't had one since.(knock on wood). And I am so addicted to sugar still (but now is no where compared to before I was preggo with the years on Mt. Dew and candy). Well lately the sugar attacks have been raging. I am constantly hungry. And what do I find myself eating. Yup chips and candy bars and craving pop but none in the house, and eating the heck out of my icecream (at least it's homemade right?). I just don't understand why I am having all these issues lately.

Today i wanted to lock myself in a room and hide from the kids (my dd and my cousins dd). I was a horrible meanie all day long. Even to the cats.

I really don't want to live this way anymore. But the sugar is everywhere.

So, how do I correct this yeast issue. Does SCD fix that?

[crunchy_mama]

Yes, it is! You will be giving up the "white death". The yeast are thriving on it, so you crave it, creating the "vicious cycle." I am going through it now. I have been the worst mommy in the world, I have been a tyrant. It is supposed to be getting better, and it is, but it is taking time. I haven't received my book yet, so am waiting here as well...

[JaneS]

Originally Posted by artisticat

Hey tribe. I am anxiously waiting for BTVC from the library and really wish it would come soon.

Me and 10 mo old dd are battling thrush yet again. I can't stand this!! makes me just want to run to the doctors and ask for the drugs. But i am resisting and trying the GV and GSE and vinegar and acidophilos and all that.

But my question is this. So apparentely I have yeast issues. Okay major issues. I recall before I got pregnant a lot of vaginal bacterial infections, but haven't had one since.(knock on wood). And I am so addicted to sugar still (but now is no where compared to before I was preggo with the years on Mt. Dew and candy). Well lately the sugar attacks have been raging. I am constantly hungry. And what do I find myself eating. Yup chips and candy bars and craving pop but none in the house, and eating the heck out of my icecream (at least it's homemade right?). I just don't understand why I am having all these issues lately.

Today i wanted to lock myself in a room and hide from the kids (my dd and my cousins dd). I was a horrible meanie all day long. Even to the cats.

I really don't want to live this way anymore. But the sugar is everywhere.

So, how do I correct this yeast issue. Does SCD fix that?

BTDT!!! I had a lot of thrush issues too.

Yes, just try the SCD and see if it will work for you. It is based on sound science and I can tell you from my experience it really does work. I couldn't believe that eating honey really doesn't give me digestive distress. And fruits are okay too. It was the grains, potatoes, rice, corn and sugar that was doing me in and now that I've found the SCD explanation it makes perfect sense.

Maybe you want to try the Intro Diet for a few days while you are waiting?
There's enough info. online to cobble together SCD legal food. But the book is great for really convincing you that the science is sound. And the reasoning behind it is essential to enable you to commit to doing it.
http://www.breakingtheviciouscycle.i...ntro_diet2.htm

The cheesecake is plenty sweet to satisfy cravings. Yes it takes more work cooking everything, but you CAN have sweet treats on this diet without feeding the gut bugs (cake, cookies, pancakes, etc) especially once you do the Intro Diet and start changing the flora with the yogurt. www.scdrecipe.com

The homemade yogurt is a billion times more powerful than any probiotic capsule you can buy in a store.

Here is the explanation of the diet and how it works to change your intestinal flora:
http://www.breakingtheviciouscycle.i..._the_diet2.htm
http://www.pecanbread.com/scdscience.html

[Pookietooth]

I have kind of a weird question. I have an existing naturopath and also a homeopath that I've been seeing -- the homeopath actually all long distance for the past couple of years. The thing is, I haven't mentioned the SCD diet to either of them, yet, even though we've been on it for almost two weeks now and I just spoke to both of them this week. It's partly because I am afraid I couldn't defend it to them, and partially because I'm a little embarassed to bring up anything myself like a diet, because I don't want to challenge their authority. Have any of you run into this? I feel so silly for keep in a secret from them. It's like I'm afraid I would either have to give them up or the diet. Can you tell I have issues with confrontation?

Also, the homeopath says that ds's major tooth decay (he lost his top front four teeth at two, and already has another cavity at 2 1/2) is caused by malnutrition and that vitamins would overload his kidneys due to his young age, and that I should see a nutritionist. I can just see a nutritionist taking a look at his SCD diet and saying "he's not eating grains -- what a crime!" and reporting me to CPS or something. After all, he doesn't have Crohn's or colitis, or eczema, just sensory integration issues and food allergies.

[Einley]

Originally Posted by JaneS

Genevieve, let us know if you have any questions

Thank you. I'm absorbing every bit of info from you gals that I possibly can. It is nice (but I guess not really) to read posts from other mamas that I can so relate to. There has been something off digestive-wise with my son since the day he was born (he is now four). This is not something the doctors have told me- this is something I know. He went through a battery of tests (allergy, upper gi, lower gi) that did not turn up anything (well allergies were that he is allergic to egg, dairy, peanut, corn and possibly wheat). So now he is four and he still has diarrhea. I cannot find the help I need here locally and I don't know where to look. He is going to a chiro, and I am giving him probiotics, enymes and I tried to do a liver cleansing. I feel helpless and so sorry for my son. I am going to keep reading and learning more from all of you!

[crunchy_mama]

pookietooth, I am nervous as well to bring up SCD, to anyone. We had a first visit to the ND a week or so ago and she pretty much recommended to stay away from all carbs and all sugar, I brought up SCD and she said it wouldn't be good because you need to stay away from all carbs, so I don't think she knew about it. So, I am debating even going back to her, as I can order my own supplements just fine. However, for me it was just nice to have an actual dr. confirm my suspiciousions and not blow me off. So, I have no advice on what to do, as I am not sure myself. I am not sure I would bother for the dietician, she is saying he has problems with malnutrition, and he cannot handle vitamins, so what's wrong with getting stuff the old fashioned way through food? I guess that's what they want you to see the dietician for? Yeah, there is no way I would bring this up to a regular dietician. I think I woudl just keep studying on nutrition myself, try to get him the nutrients he needs etc. I would think the issue with not getting the nutrients he needs is probably due to malapsorption from leaky gut? That's probably already the answer you have came up with, so it won't matter what they suggest until you fix the gut.

genevieve, I am right there with you it is so hard, watching them and not knowing what to do. My son's digestion is off as well, I can tell you exactly what he eats by looking at his diaper! However, I know from dh and my medical history; extensive antibiotic use, bc for me, both formula fed- that our guts are not great and lil' man undoubtedly inherited that. So, we are going down this path hoping that we figure things out along the way!

our update;
well, my yogurt was done last night! I had to force myself to stop eating it, it was so yummy! I added a little bit of honey, but it hardly needed it! I am looking into the cheesecake recipe, now I wish I would have made more! Oh, and lil' man woke up in the best mood ever, I am crossing my fingers it was the yogurt! Dh said he would try it if I add some strawberries and chocolate- I know that is half-way defeating the purpose, but it is a start!

I had another crappy day, was sooooo tired and grumpy. I was reading in my book, Fats that Kill, Fats that Heal about that being symptoms of coming off the allergenic or troublesome foods, I didn't know about the being tired. I am have been so tired all week even though I am going to bed early. Hoping I move through this part soon...

[JaneS]

Jennifer,

I totally understand... my relationship with my ND has ended b/c I just didn't feel like she took our case seriously enough. Or knew enough to help us. Maybe the things she normally tries helps others, but we seem to be a special case.

Check out this post from the Sept thread with links to email an ND information about SCD if you want.
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...0&postcount=13

I think reading the scientific reasoning behind the diet will appeal to them more. It is hard to explain. I mean I've read the book about 80 times and still struggle with putting it into a cohesive, short description for others!

[JaneS]

The Healing Power of Bone Broths

I'd like to challenge everyone reading to make some homemade stock this week: fish, chicken, lamb or beef.

Not only does it contain much needed minerals (calcium, magnesium, potassium) in easily absorbed electrolyte form, but also the secret ingredient so good for healing the gut: gelatin.

Quoting from "Nourishing Traditions":

Hydrophilic colloids attract digestive juices for rapid and effective digestion....The same property by which gelatin attracts water to form desserts, like Jello, allows it to attract digestive juices to the surface of cooked food particles.

The public is generally unaware of the large amount of research on the beneficial effects of gelatin taken with food. Gelatin acts first and foremost as an aid to digestion and has been used successfully in the treatment of many intestinal disorders, including hyperacidity, colitis and Crohn's disease... anemia...diabetes, muscular dystrophy and even cancer.

Other important ingredients that go into broth are the components of cartilage, (Jane note: anyone hear of the arthritis cure of taking glucosimine and chondroitin supplements? they are abundant in cartilage.) which recently have been used with remarkable results in the treatment of cancer and bone disorders, and of collagen, used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other ailments.

Jewish penicillin... modern research has confirmed that broth helps prevent and mitigate infectious diseases.

The test of whether your stock contains liberal amounts of gelatin is carried out by chilling the broth. It should thicken even to the point of jelling completely. If your broth is still runny, you may add a little powdered gelatin to thicken it. Bear in mind, however, that some people have reactions to commercially prepared gelatin, which will contain small amounts of free glutamic acid, similar to MSG.

...remedying infant diarrhea...

Chicken soup has a natural ingredient which feeds, repairs and calms the mucous lining in the small intestine. This inner lining is the beginning and ending of the nervous system. It is easily pulled away from the intestine through too many laxatives...food additives...parasites. [It] heals the nerves, improves digestion, reduces allergies, relaxes and gives strength.

Have I convinced you?

BTVC doesn't go into much detail about stock and gelatin, but it is not a coincidence that the SCD Intro Diet includes homemade chicken soup and gelatin.

NT recommends this gelatin:
http://www.radiantlifecatalog.com/pr.../ct/4/pid/1054
I forget the reasons for using it over Knox Gelatine, but I know there were good ones.

My general procedure follows. I usually make in a stainless steel stockpot but a crockpot can also be used. It is not expensive. A pack of 4 chicken legs at Whole Foods (aka Whole Paycheck) is $3.25. I made incredible lamb stock last week from $5.50 in grassfed lamb shanks.

HOW TO MAKE:

If you are using beef bones, NT recommends roasting in oven first until browned.
Soak bones or chicken legs and vegetables desired (onions, carrots) with 2T vinegar per qt. of water for one hour before heating (chelates more minerals out).
Bring to low boil.
Skim froth.
Keep at barely a simmer for 6-24 hours.
Strain and refrigerate.
Remove fat.

After straining, you can reduce it for an hour or so at a lively boil to make a more concentrated stock. Then freeze in ice cube trays. Pop out and transfer to a freezer container. The concentrated stock or what the French term demi-glace, is really delicious. I usually do this and then serve DS shredded chicken, lamb or beef in their respective concentrated stock, he won't eat soup.

$29... pffft! Make it at home!
http://ww2.williams-sonoma.com/cat/p...2Fhme&flash=on

[JaneS]

Did I scare everyone off yesterday? :LOL

[kamesennin]

LOL! I'm still here....

We eat homemade chicken soup all the time!

[Jessviola]

trying to post, but max is fascinated with the keyboard and loves to 'help'

[JaneS]

Liane!

Awwww Jessica, those new pics of Max are absolutely heartbreakingly cute... Those eyes!!!!

[PGTlatte]

Originally Posted by JaneS

The Healing Power of Stock

Quoting from "Nourishing Traditions":

The part you had about cartilage - I have a friend who is very into NT - this must be why she recommends buying whole organic free-range chickens with the feet still attached - she told me "feet make great stock" - LOL !

Too bad Evan is allergic to chicken and beef, and I don't like lamb or fish. What about turkey broth ? Is that healing too ?

Linda

[JaneS]

YES! Feet are supposed to be great and are given special mention in NT.

I don't see why turkey stock wouldn't be great, just didn't think of that... I've never done turkey for some reason.

Lamb stock is soooo good, extremely rich and yummy if you boil it down. Maybe it's b/c I'm part Irish and it's one of my traditional foods why I love it so much.

[crunchy_mama]

still here! I have a bunch of stock in my freezer, turkey, beef, and chicken. We will definitley be eating more now that it is cooler and also it is so easy and I didn't realize it was so healthy. Thanks for the info Jane, very interesting! I guess that is why my soup was not moving (other than a jiggle) the other day!