FEB '08 GRAIN-FREE Traditional Diets Thread - Page 3

[LionTigerBear]

Originally Posted by Shazer

Another month of grain free!

How about a conversation starter . . . what do you tell people who consistently give you food?

I explain it the first couple of times and then I just smile and say thank you and take it and give it away after they've gone.

Unless they consistently tried to give stuff to my little ones, that would earn a BIG talking-to. But we haven't had that issue. We tell everyone that the boys have multiple allergies (really it's allergies plus intolerances, but allergies is easier for people to grasp) and people are usually really good about asking me first if the boys can have something. And when we go to birthday parties or to be with family, etc, we always say we'll bring our own food. It's just easier that way.

Originally Posted by crunchy_mama

So, I am wondering do you guys have any cheats? Right now I think I should for sure stay away from gluten and dairy. However, I am wondering about things like rice sometimes. After being off for a month I feel like it is more of a tolerance issue rather than an allergy.

Well, if you can't digest something, and you eat it anyway, it's going to lead to further health problems. Like a recurring candida problem or gut damage or that kind of thing.

Yes, I cheat, but my cheats lately have not been with grains, which I know I can't digest, but with coleslaw the other day (from a restaurant so made with yucky oils) and with some organic maple syrup one day. (: It was SO good.) That kind of thing.

Originally Posted by gilamama

Any suggestions? How bout a

No suggestions, just hugs. I know how hard it is to watch your child be in pain and be uncertain as to what to do to help them.

Originally Posted by New Mama

Does anyone else ever feel like, How come other people seem to be able to eat whatever they want without thinking about it? I mean, I'm sure it isn't this way. Maybe they have problems with their diet and health, too. But sometimes it feels this way.

YES!!! It's not fair. ( I know, I know . . . ) You know, as an adult I always fed my family what would generally be considered a very healthy diet. Didn't introduce grains too early for my son (waited a year), almost all organic, made lots of bone broth soups, ate only sprouted grain or sourdough breads, only nitrate-free meats, plenty of fats and protein and fresh fruits and vegetables, etc etc . . . but we cheated every once in a while, too-- if we went to someone's birthday party, we would have a little cake. Every once in a while we'd eat out and sometimes even get ice cream, or pizza-- every once in a long while. Now we can't do that at all anymore. I just miss being able to eat "healthy in moderation". Sigh.

And of course, my husband who can eat junk food all day and it barely seems to make a difference at all.

But speaking of DH, he just told me yesterday that he is going to try to eat more like my way! This means he's going to try to limit his grain consumption and eat more protein and less processed foods. Yay!!!!! I hope he is able to stick to it. I think him seeing the difference the diet is having on DS and my lives is showing him that what you eat really does have a big affect on you.

Suzuki-- I'm sorry it's so hard. Are you sure you're getting enough minerals? Why can't you have butter? We are VERY dairy intolerant here, and we tolerate butter just fine. Have you tried nut "bread"s? I know we can't really eat nuts, but maybe you can.

[gardenmommy]

Originally Posted by firefaery

On most of the baked good you'd never know they were grain free. The texture is much the same. I will say the pancakes taste a bit different, though. Muffins-you'd never know. At least the recipes from GFG!

The raw breads and muffins are different though.

Ok, well I think I know what cookbook I am going to buy next. Thanks!

[barose]

Originally Posted by New Mama

Does anyone else ever feel like, How come other people seem to be able to eat whatever they want without thinking about it? I mean, I'm sure it isn't this way. Maybe they have problems with their diet and health, too. But sometimes it feels this way.

I feel the same way, especially when I see thin flat belly, perfect skin women eating BREAD and I would blow up like a fricken balloon and break out if I did. I have to remember that sometimes, health issues come out later in life. I just so happen to be lucky (really!) to have known about some of my problems early on instead of waiting until my 40s when it’s harder to reverse some of the damage. Sometimes, the damage they are doing isn’t obvious right away.

[gardenmommy]

So, I have some tapioca sitting in my pantry. I know it is a starch, but what *is* tapioca, really? Is it a grain? From what does it come? A tapioca plant?

[bluets]

tapioca is from manioc/cassava root. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tapioca

if you're into using starch occasionally, here's a recipe for a flatbread a la chebe (http://www.chebe.com):

3 medium eggs
1 c. tapioca flour
1 tsp baking powder
2 tbsp butter/oil
2 Tbsp water

mix everything together until all lumps are gone.

pour batter into greased hot pan and cook until done. flip when finished (optional). makes 1 big pancake/flatbread.

variations:
(1) add 1 tsp dried herbs to make focaccia. load with pizza toppings and pop in the oven until toppings are sufficiently warm.

(2) add 1/4 c. fruit for pancake

(3) pour thinly in pan to make crackers

(4) use a small pan to make "pitas"

this flatbread was such a hit with my dh that i made it just a little too often one week and we both packed on a few pounds. eek. now i restrict it to once every other week.

[stilllearning85]

I am a lurker... HELLO!
I am not grain free.. yet... just reading all your amazing info! Very inspiring! I had a quick question about juicing your raw vegetables. I have a vitamixer... and would love to make some sort of raw vegi smoothie, but I tried once with kale and broccoli or something and it was DISGUSTING! Also, I am a bit worried about the goiteragens (sp?). Do you have any recipes for some palatable smoothies that have vegis and are yummy? Also, I can eat dairy if that helps!
Thanks!!!

Just a bit more info about me: I am not grain free mostly because I am feeding three grown men (husband, brother (who comes over for breakfast and dinner) and our housemate). It is WAY to hard to fill them up without the use of grains, and way too exepensive!! EEK! Also, they would DEFINITLEY protest if I cut them out~ So if they eat them, I do too... not as often but ARGH! they are just sooo addicting!

[carnelian]

suzukiaustin

I don't seem to have any major digestive issues beyond an obvious intolerance of beans and raw cabbage unless it's been fermented for more than 3 weeks. I suspect nuts as well tho I still eat them occasionally. I had a week of eating a small amount of almonds (soaked, sprouted and then dried) everyday over the hols for about a week. At first it seemed fine but then I developed a terrible mouth ulcer which I attributed to the consistent amount of almonds. This I think is the key, noticing and making a connection between the foods that go in and how the body responds and then refining that lens further and further. I'm impressed with how some of you have been able to reach this level. I would characterize my digestion as sensitive to a point but not too bad.

I do still eat some grains. Soaked rice once a week and a sprouted corn tortilla several times a week. My sweet tooth has diminished tremendously over the years but I, too, still crave a nice piece of white sourdough occasionally but because of even the small bit of research I've made into grains in the diet I don't follow thru. But this is only because of what I know not because of a reaction I'll have. I'm doing this mainly because of what I've learned which puts me in a different situation than some of you who are dealing with some significant and obvious digestive issues. I don't *feel* right when I eat a grain other than the ones listed above but the feeling is an emotional response not physical. Anyone else in the same boat?

Btw, for those wanting a grain free breakfast, coconut flour is a great sub and makes fabulous blueberry muffins. It's mildly sweet on its own so very little added sweetener is needed.

Stillearning85 we make a great green smoothie that's high on greens and very low on fruit and we add about 1/3 of a cup of EVCO to it. I'll post later with the specifics. I'm sure you'll get lots of good responses from the ladies here as well.

[Shazer]

Originally Posted by New Mama

Does anyone else ever feel like, How come other people seem to be able to eat whatever they want without thinking about it? I mean, I'm sure it isn't this way. Maybe they have problems with their diet and health, too. But sometimes it feels this way.

The worst for me is that I feel like an outsider whenever I'm around people. If we go over to someone's house for dinner, I have to pick through everything. If we go to a restaurant, I sound like Meg Ryan ordering from "When Harry Met Sally." And my husband has finally admitted that he needs to eat well and actually bought some organic ingredients from the grocery. But he loves pizza and ice cream and can't wait to share those with our daughter.

Anyway, all of us have figured out that we need to stay away from the Standard American Diet and this is a good thing. Obviously it sucks that each of us has health problems, but at least we know the solution. I think of all of those people, including lots of friends and family, who say "Oh I could never give up bread!" or "I'm addicted to sweets" and laugh off the matter like it is of no consequence. I know so many people who could help themselves if they took out the junk, but they turn instead to medicines to cure their problems or just live with chronic pain. I do feel blessed everyday that I know how to eat well. But it doesn't change the fact that I would love ice cream every once in a while, or a big bowl of popcorn.

[bluets]

Originally Posted by Shazer

But he loves pizza and ice cream and can't wait to share those with our daughter.

we made the Nourishing Traditions ice cream recipe with a few modifications:

3 egg yolks
2 cans of coconut milk (or 3 c. coconut milk)
3 Tbsp cocoa powder (or maybe it was 6?)
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
3 Tbsp honey (or maybe it was 6?)

i think the trick (which i've never done before) is to dump it all into a bowl, whiz with an emersion blender, then dump it into the ice cream maker. though if you're using something like the blendtec blender with the ice cream setting, that would be an unnecessary step.

super duper creamy yummy goodness.

[gilamama]

Originally Posted by bluets

we made the Nourishing Traditions ice cream recipe with a few modifications:

3 egg yolks
2 cans of coconut milk (or 3 c. coconut milk)
3 Tbsp cocoa powder (or maybe it was 6?)
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
3 Tbsp honey (or maybe it was 6?)

i think the trick (which i've never done before) is to dump it all into a bowl, whiz with an emersion blender, then dump it into the ice cream maker. though if you're using something like the blendtec blender with the ice cream setting, that would be an unnecessary step.

super duper creamy yummy goodness.

I've madethis too. I add 1 a cup of honey and 1/2 cupcocoa, i just mix and freeze. Divine.

but now we dont have cocoa b/c dd1 cant have it so i make it with vanilla.




Few pages back: but another sign of b vitamin deficiency is teeth grinding.

[Panserbjorne]

Originally Posted by gilamama

Few pages back: but another sign of b vitamin deficiency is teeth grinding.

There are MANY signs. Pale lips, depression, exhaustion, poor sleep, poor dream recall...the list goes on. The B spectrum is VERY important.

[LionTigerBear]

Originally Posted by gilamama

Few pages back: but another sign of b vitamin deficiency is teeth grinding.

Originally Posted by firefaery

There are MANY signs. Pale lips, depression, exhaustion, poor sleep, poor dream recall...the list goes on. The B spectrum is VERY important.

Wow, okay, DS has ALWAYS been a big teeth-grinder and I have a little bit of a problem with it, too, not so much as he does.

So, how can I be sure he's getting enough B-vitamins? Aren't they in the raw egg yolks? He eats plenty of those.

[Panserbjorne]

Different people will tell you different things. Yes, many of them are in egg yolk, raw milk etc. My issue is that if you are deficient seeking them out in dietary sources may not be the best approach. As with something like magnesium I definitely advocate that people supplement until they stabilize and then rely on food sources.

It may not be a popular view, but from experience if you are operating at a deficit *so* many things are off that you are better served by leveling the playing field. I would supplement for a finite period of time.

BTW-teeth grinding can also be a sign of parasites. It seems they are tied because a parasite can alter the absorption of many nutrients...including the B's. So, while both would be true you'd need to (in this instance) also deal the parasite issue so you *could* absorb them.

[bluets]

Originally Posted by gilamama

Few pages back: but another sign of b vitamin deficiency is teeth grinding.

teeth grinding is also a sign of magnesium deficiency.

though, if teeth grinding is coupled with constipation, it could indicate parasites (e.g., pin worms). oops... missed firefaery's response. homeopathic cina works well for this situation - though not for ds any more. i was told that catnip tea for a week also works but i couldn't get ds to consistently drink the pure catnip tea (too grassy for his taste buds) - gotta figure out a way to disguise it better.

[Panserbjorne]

Jennifer-have you tried using it as a base for a smoothie? You can cover it pretty darned well with fruit, almond butter and coconut oil.

[Panserbjorne]

Oh-and have you seen a homeopath? There are several remedies for parasites...maybe his picture changed.

[bluets]

Originally Posted by firefaery

Jennifer-have you tried using it as a base for a smoothie? You can cover it pretty darned well with fruit, almond butter and coconut oil.

of course he doesn't like smoothies. he's in a distinct food phase right now.

Oh-and have you seen a homeopath? There are several remedies for parasites...maybe his picture changed.

not for this particular matter. he's also potty learning for bowel movements and just doesn't like running to the potty to poop - he'd rather ask for a "paper diaper" so he can continue playing (he said as much). he also complains about back pain occasionally in the car seat, and past bodywork has shown funky stuff (even a muscle sprain) at L1-L3.....

so... it could be behavioral (preference for pooping at home, not daycare), parasite infection (remember - he's in daycare!), insufficient fluids (quite likely), magnesium deficiency (less likely though still possible) or structural (though there again, is it the bowels impacting the spine or vice versa coz they seem to be correlated).

but we digress

[bluets]

Originally Posted by firefaery

Jennifer-have you tried using it as a base for a smoothie? You can cover it pretty darned well with fruit, almond butter and coconut oil.

of course he doesn't like smoothies. he's in a distinct food phase right now.

Oh-and have you seen a homeopath? There are several remedies for parasites...maybe his picture changed.

not for this particular matter. he's also potty learning for bowel movements and just doesn't like running to the potty to poop - he'd rather ask for a "paper diaper" so he can continue playing (he said as much). he also complains about back pain occasionally in the car seat, and past bodywork has shown funky stuff (even a muscle sprain) at L1-L3.....

so... it could be behavioral (preference for pooping at home, not daycare), parasite infection (remember - he's in daycare!), insufficient fluids (quite likely), magnesium deficiency (less likely though still possible) or structural (though there again, is it the bowels impacting the spine or vice versa coz they seem to be correlated).

but we digress

[gardenmommy]

Where do you get coconut flour? What about almond flour? Are they terribly pricey? I would love to try some grain-free baked goods. I will have to look for those.

[bluets]

Originally Posted by gardenmommy

Where do you get coconut flour? What about almond flour? Are they terribly pricey? I would love to try some grain-free baked goods. I will have to look for those.

i ordered some last year from wilderness family naturals. it hadn't been available for a while so i ordered a lot (3 x 5lb ?). i'm working on bag #2 now. the thing with coconut flour is that you use more eggs (lots lots lots more eggs) than flour. for example, a normal loaf would use about 6-8 eggs and only 1/4 to 1/3 c. of flour.