Some people on GAPS have serious health issues, and they must be diligent to stay on GAPS as strictly as they possibly can, or they end up feeling sick and making delays in the healing process for their body. I'm sure it's even more difficult for parents with young children. I attempted to keep my children off white flour and white sugar for many years when they were little so I know how difficult it can be. Even an innocent trip to the grocery store with all those candy bars and goodies right there in the checkout lane can wreak some major havoc.

As you know, if you've been reading my blog, I've had success with GAPS and eating “normal” food. I sometimes feel like I am cheating simply because I'm not eating only organic, grass fed beef, etc. But we just can't afford it, and I've seen some good healing so I try not to stay focused on that.

I find myself thinking I'm not really doing GAPS to the utmost restrictions, but you would think I was drinking only water to hear the lamentations of my coworkers on how they could never, ever do GAPS. It's funny for me to think of how much more restrictive I could get.

So as a result of my not having to restrict my food to organic only, I have not found it to be too difficult to stay on GAPS when at a get together. I think the fact that I do not eat dairy products (except for butter, I do eat plenty of butter) makes it harder than it might be.

One vital key to success is planning ahead and making the choice to bring your own party food, if at all possible. Of course, it also helps when the people around you are supportive of your choice. I don't go to a lot of parties and my family rarely has get togethers. I spend more time with my coworkers than anyone else in my family (meaning birth family i.e. my mother or siblings). Thankfully everyone at my job is supportive and proud of the work I've done with GAPS (albeit not supportive enough to read the book or try the diet).

We have a celebration going on at work this coming week, and the lady putting the party together is ordering an ice cream cake. As soon as I heard that I started trying to figure out what almond flour [affiliate link] baked good I wanted to make to bring, and I also decided I'd make my cashew nut ice cream and bring my Donvier ice cream maker.

I told my boss, and she actually asked if I would consider making enough for two others who are diabetic. I was surprised by that, but told her of course I would be happy to share. I told her I had already planned to make one dozen cupcakes and one quart of ice cream.

I have an idea of what I'm going to use for the cupcake frosting, this recipe here: Best and (Easiest) Peanut Butter Frosting. I'm really dying to make the chocolate cake cupcakes but of course cocoa powder [affiliate link] is not GAPS legal. I think the chocolate almond flour cupcakes and peanut butter [affiliate link] frosting would be a nice substitute for Reese's peanut butter cups. One of my all time favorite candies.

The peanut butter frosting sounded so delicious that I had to make some… I just added teaspoons and dabs of each ingredient and it was so yummy. I am still fitting in my clothes well, but I started wondering near the end of the month if I'm going to see any weight loss.

Do you find it difficult to attend get togethers or celebrations and stay on a restrictive diet?