A couple of weekends ago I wrote about my husband visiting a family friend who is practically homeless for the living conditions. I spoke with that family member's mother yesterday about the sadness of the situation. The family member has been living that way for many years, and she just doesn't know what to do.
I told her I was positive this person needs GAPS. If I remember correctly, this family member (let's call him Roger) was on antibiotics for acne in his teen years. It is nearly guaranteed that gut dysbiosis resulted at that time and Roger has never been the same since.
It is nearly impossible to persuade a rational person to try GAPS (oh, there is no way I could do GAPS!), let alone someone who isn't thinking rationally. Homeless people live on the sidewalk outside my job. It is sad to see them there, but what can be done? It makes a person feel helpless and at a loss to know what can be done.
It wouldn't do any good to institutionalize a homeless person, unless the institution was going to address their gut dysbiosis with diet. Baden wrote about the mental problems and homeless people in GAPS Guide.
If your gut isn't digesting properly, it really doesn't matter how healthy your diet. And it would be impossible to eat a GAPS diet while living on the street.
I wish I could do something, but what?
I've been unable to persuade my own husband to do GAPS. He is not willing to give up “normal” food. I'm telling you it's not really that bad once you get over feeling sad about not being able to eat pretend food.
Which I want to report is getting easier and easier all the time. The holidays are approaching and there will be lots of food to avoid and I feel stronger than ever in my conviction to stay firmly on GAPS.
A few days ago I actually made my son a loaf of bread in the breadmaker. That is a huge milestone! Fresh baked bread slathered with butter has always been one of my favorites, but I was able to make that loaf without any temptation whatsoever. Speaking of holidays and bread… my youngest son said he wants us to have a traditional holiday dinner at Thanksgiving. I told him that was fine, but he will need to cook it. He has done so in the past, so I don't doubt that he will be able to undertake the task. I just don't feel like cooking for six hours only to not be able to eat 95% of the food which we usually have for Thanksgiving.
I will; however, be looking for some good substitutes for my favorites. I'll be able to have the turkey, and I can make Faux-tatoes, I can make the drop biscuits with almond flour [affiliate link] from Elena's Pantry's cookbook.
Speaking of Elana's Pantry, here are some holiday-ish recipes I want to try (minor tweaks required for GAPS legality)
- Vegan Eggnog Sub honey [affiliate link] for agave and yacon syrups
- Pumpkin Custard Sub honey for agave and use eggs [affiliate link] instead of agar flakes
Some other recipes I want to try from GAPS bloggers:
- Pecan Glazed Butternut Squash Pudding from Grain Free Foodies – GAPS blogger, so GAPS legal!
- Thanksgiving Menu Ideas from Grain Free Foodies
- Peanut Butter Brownies from Grain Free Foodies
- Peanut Butter Pie from Grain Free Foodies
- Spiced Steamed Milk from Grain Free Foodies
- Pumpkin Pie Pudding from Kat's Food Blog
Seems I'm hungry for pumpkin [affiliate link]… those yummy carbs.
I am less than a week away from stepping on the scale again. My head has been messed up this month since I have been eating fruit and ate that whole carrot cake I have felt like I may not lose weight. And once again doing GAPS isn't about losing weight, but I find myself wanting to see weight loss as a gauge that I am doing the right thing and eating properly. I think as long as I continue to eat GAPS and not pig out, I should drop another 40 pounds. I'm 5'4″ and that would put me at 147 pounds.
As you can see I'm posting in the middle of the night. I was so tired last night. I took a detox bath (baking soda [affiliate link]) and sat there and soaked for over half an hour. Then I crawled into bed just after 7pm and slept until 10pm. Usually if I go to bed at 7pm I'm able to sleep through the night. Thankfully I don't have to get up early tomorrow morning.
I think I will go to bed now though.
How are you doing on your GAPS journey? Any exciting holiday type recipes you are planning to try over the holidays?
I am about to start experimenting with the veggie pulp from my daily juicing. I think I am going to try spicing it and dehydrating it into crackers by adding flax seed to it. Are sesame seeds legal? Anyway, I just found a source for chicken livers so I think I will attempt chicken liver pate and veggie crackers for the holidays. I think I will cook potted chicken using a guinea for the main dish, too. I am going to be checking the links to recipes you posted. Thanks, Kristy
I have so many similar feelings! People who are so obviously in need of a GAPS diet. Yet they wouldn’t be able to because of finances, living conditions… or they just won’t. I am so insanely lucky that I’ve been graced with a brain that loves to try miracle cures. Ha! And that I’m cynical enough to not believe in most of them. I’m doubly lucky to have found GAPS, and have the interest and resources to carry it out. It amazes me how rarely this can all come together for other people.
My partner and I are both doing GAPS. We were both remarking on how the less we eat the Standard American Diet, the less we want to. Unfortunately, the opposite can be true, too… just a few bites, and the cravings start. Kind of amazing.
I haven’t started thinking about the Holidays yet, but will definitely be looking to you for recipes!
Love reading your blog, Starlene!
Hi KC, I think sesame seeds are legal. On the gapsdiet.com site it says, “The best foods are eggs (if tolerated), fresh meats (not preserved), fish, shellfish, fresh vegetables and fruit, nuts and seeds, garlic and olive oil.” (Emphasis mine). So… I think sesame seeds are okay. Did you try out the veggie pulp for crackers yet?
Hi Churyl, lol, I’m with you not believing in most “miracle” cures. But GAPS is something different, that’s for sure. It is so great that your partner is with you doing GAPS, I wish my husband would, maybe one day. Thanks for your kind words, Churyl, and thank you for reading my blog!! I really appreciate it, and I’m glad that you check in on me. 🙂