Today I’m going to spotlight two books. One is Divine Dinners and the second is Broth, Eilxir of Life.
First up, Lydia Joy Shatney’s Divine Dinners. There are 75 recipes in this book and they are all gluten-free. 37 of the 75 are GAPS legal as written. Dozens more are easily adaptable to GAPS by leaving out or substituting ingredients, for example, Balsamic Vinegar is not GAPS legal and several recipes call for it. You can substitute 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon honey [affiliate link] to substitute Balsamic Vinegar and then you’ll have several more GAPS legal recipes.
Lydia includes a nice variety of recipes in this e-book and I found myself checking off the ones I wanted to try soon. Here are a few that caught my eye: Roasted Squash and Apple Soup, Citrus Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing, Marinated Mushroom Sauce, Sweet Dill and Mustard Sauce and Skewered Lamb Meatballs.
Lydia blogs at Divine Health from the Inside Out and is single mama to four growing boys!
Next I want to talk to you about Patty Lacoss-Arnold’s Broth Elixir of Life. In Patty’s e-book she gives us detailed information on the importance of broth in our diet. It is such a healing and nourishing food and one thing that jumped out at me as I read Patty’s e-book which I had never really considered before – she mentions that collagen in broth can be good for wrinkles! We’ve always made good old fashioned stock for soup, long before we ever started GAPS or learned about traditional foods. Years back we made stock out of leftover chicken bones and carcasses because it was frugal and a way to stretch food.
Broth: Elixir of Life is a comprehensive discussion of all aspects of bone broth. Broth is a substance that is ubiquitous to all human cultures. It is found in remote rural villages and 5 star restaurants in crowded cities. It contains nutrition in an easily assimilated liquid form that is necessary for human health and vitality. Broth is a fundamental part of an economical real foods diet. It stretches the budget by reducing, but not eliminating, the need for meats, while simultaneously increasing health. Forget an apple a day for good health, how about a cup of broth a day!
Broth: Elixir of Life is sure to have ideas for those both new to broth making and for those who have been making it for years. This book also dedicates a chapter to how to get more broth into reluctant children (and adults). It includes a variety of methods for broth making that are sure to fit any lifestyle. The wide variety of flavor possibilities is explored while making the basics of cooking broth simple to understand and adapt to your own situation.
Patty blogs at Loving Our Guts.
GAPS DIET JOURNEY is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to AMAZON.COM. GAPS DIET JOURNEY is an affiliate for several companies and may be compensated through advertising and marketing channels. Therefore, this post may contain affiliate links.
Several weeks ago, Pat Robinson and Amanda Rose invited me to participate in their Extreme Health Library Sale. I had recently finished my e-book Baking with Coconut Flour [affiliate link] and was glad for the opportunity to partner in this bundle, The Art of Healing.
I wanted to let you know right off the bat that there are two e-books in this bundle that were in the Toadally Primal bundle, Wardeh Harmon’s Lacto-Fermentation and Tracy McCullough’s Ultimate Secrets to Acne Freedom. But the other 51 products are completely different and many of them are brand new and just recently launched (like my Baking with Coconut Flour).
53 AMAZING digital products for just $39.97 (a $835 value!)
What is the Art of Healing Extreme Health Library bundle?
16 products over 95 pages long, (valued at $375.76)
9 products over $25 each, (valued at $326.98)
5 Videos (+ demo videos), over 4.5 hours (valued at $121.89)
2 Audio products, 120 minutes total
13 Safe Detox Resources
11 Holistic Health Guides
10 Optimizing Nutrition Resources
10 Herbal Remedies and Recipes
9 Ferments & Gluten-free ‘How To’
Sale Price of only $39.97 – that’s a 95% savings
On sale for 10 days – February 25th to March 7th
Important notes
The sale ends on Thursday, March 7th at 11:59 PM PST.
Here is a list of items that are included in the bundle – I’ve highlighted a few that are of particular interest to me and may be to you as well:
Rebuild from Depression: A Nutrient Guide by Amanda Rose, Ph.D. and Annell Mavrantonis, M.D.
Adrenal Fatigue Solutions by Pat Robinson
Aging: Cumulative Knowledge from Peer Review Studies by Sayer Ji
Infertility: Cumulative Knowledge from Peer Review Studies by Sayer Ji
A Fibromyalgia Recovery Story: Eating Outside The Box by Christy Pooschke
Cancer Isn’t a Death Sentence by Marcia Schaefer, D.C.
Ultimate Secrets to Acne Freedom by Tracy McCullough
Holistic Approaches in the Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus by Todd Caldecott, Dip. Cl.H., RH(AHG)
Understanding The Right-Brained Child by Cindy Gaddis
Practical Herbs by Henriette Kress.
Introduction to Tree Medicines by Darcey Blue French
Herbal Remedies for Children During the Cold and Flu Season by Rosalee de la Forêt
Mother’s Little Herbal Helper And Home Remedies by Natalie Vickery
Of Thorn and Petal: The Remedy in the Rose by Kiva Rose
Listen to the Ancient Mother Wisdom by Kimberly Crail
Numen: The Healing Power of Plants A Resource Guide
Natural Beauty Recipes by Katie (Wellness Mama)
Wildly Natural Skin Care Oils by Michelle Czolba.Salves Made Simple by Jennifer Saleem
Common Sense Health: Detox, Diet and Physical Activities by Laurie Neverman
Detoxifying Your Home – Inside and Out by Dawn Lorenz
Stress Relief for Parents by Genevieve Simperingham
Introduction to Energy Healing by Tracy Liebmann
Whispers from The Universe: 30 EFT Scripts for Feeling Great by Deborah Donndelinger
100 Days of Real Food Challenge by Lisa Leake
The Savvy Shopper’s Guide to Sustainable Food by Raine Saunders
The Whole Foods Revelation by France Morissette
Off The Shelf by Kris Bordessa
The Everything Beans Book by Katie Kimball
Eat More Leafy Greens by Cynthia Lair
Broth: Elixir Of Life by Patricia Lacoss-Arnold
The New Health Paradigm by Anthony Gucciardi
Lacto-Fermentation by Wardee Harmon
Simply Sourdough by Melissa Naasko
A Healthy Soda by Donna Schwenk
7 Habits of a Gluten-Free Warrior by Peter Osborne
Baking With Coconut Flour by Starlene Stewart
Traditional Soup Workshop with Whole Grain Gluten-Free Muffin Cookbook Bonus by Kimi Harris
Family-Friendly Allergen-Free Menu Planner by KerryAnn Foster
Quinoa Fit by Wendy Polisi
Divine Dinners: Gluten-Free, Nourishing, Family-Friendly Meals by Lydia Joy Shatney
Nourishing Our Children
Essential Elements of Whole Health by Amy Love, NTP, CGP, CILC
Thrifty Food Plan Experience by Millie Copper
Spring Cleansing – The Local Way by Jennifer Steinbachs, ND
Introduction to Flower Essences by Amy Hendrickson
Homeopathy for Childhood Illnesses by Miranda Castro
Practical Guide to Children’s Health (Excerpt) by Kate Tietje
The Five Flavors of Food by Lisa Mase
Car Seats: The Deadliest Parenting Decision by Guggie Daly
Introduction to MTHFR, Ben Lynch N.D.,
MTHFR Blueprint
Livewello, a downloadable app to organize your health information
A MTHFR Manifesto by the Probiotic Police and Natural Peacekeepers
All of these could be yours for just $0.75 per item! ($39.97 total)
Plus, when you purchase your bundle using my link, I am offering a bonus e-book: Everyone Loves Pudding. Please forward your receipt as proof of purchase to bonus@gapsdietjourney.com
GAPS DIET JOURNEY is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to AMAZON.COM. GAPS DIET JOURNEY is an affiliate for several companies and may be compensated through advertising and marketing channels. Therefore, this post may contain affiliate links.
Shirley at Gluten Free Easily has a big giveaway going on right now until Wednesday February 27th at midnight. She is giving away 9 books in all and one of those is a copy of Beyond Grain & Dairy. She does a mini-review on each book. Enter for a chance to win one of them.
GAPS DIET JOURNEY is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to AMAZON.COM. GAPS DIET JOURNEY is an affiliate for several companies and may be compensated through advertising and marketing channels. Therefore, this post may contain affiliate links.
GAPS DIET JOURNEY is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to AMAZON.COM. GAPS DIET JOURNEY is an affiliate for several companies and may be compensated through advertising and marketing channels. Therefore, this post may contain affiliate links.
This recipe is my Happy Valentine’s Day post to you. 🙂 Since today is a day that I work, I am going to prepare my Valentine’s Day meal tomorrow. I thought you would enjoy this recipe. I had my Premier Taste Testers try it yesterday and everyone who tried it loved it and thought it was smooth and silky and rich. This is definitely a recipe that will serve a good number of people, at least 16.
Soak the cashews in filtered water 4-6 hours. Drain.
Melt Baker’s chocolate and coconut oil over a double boiler until melted. Allow to cool to room temperature.
Place cashews in the blender. Add coconut milk, vanilla, salt, honey and cocoa powder. Depending on the power of your blender you may need to do 2-3 batches. Blend until completely smooth.
While blender is running and mixture is swirling, drizzle the melted Baker’s chocolate and coconut oil in and blend until thoroughly mixed. The mixture will become even smoother with the addition of the coconut oil and Baker’s chocolate.
Pour into prepared chocolate pie shell.
Refrigerate several hours until firm. Overnight is best, if possible.
This pie freezes well and is even good frozen solid.
Serves 16
For what it’s worth, I use an Oster Beehive blender (this is my Amazon affiliate link) which I bought from Costco for under $60. The model I bought is no longer available, but this one from Amazon is the same in power – 600 watts – and has the all metal drive. I would like to have a Vitamix one day, but for now this blender is working very well for me.
Are you looking for more egg-free, dairy-free, grain-free, gluten-free, soy-free, corn-free honey sweetened puddings?
Check out my e-book Everyone Loves Pudding for more recipes like Creamy Pumpkin [affiliate link] Pudding, Chocolate Orange Mousse, Black Cherry Vanilla, Cool Minty Pudding, Smooth Lemon Pudding and more!
*If you have never ordered from Tropical Traditions before and order by clicking on any of my Tropical Traditions links, you will receive Tropical Traditions book Virgin Coconut Oil, How It Has Changed People’s Lives and How it Can Change Yours! and I will receive a discount coupon for referring you. Thank you for thinking of me!
**Tropical Traditions currently does not carry Rapunzel brand, they are now carrying Equal Exchange Chocolates brand. The link will take you to the current brand carried by Tropical Traditions.
This pie is silky and smooth with a rich deep chocolate flavor.
Ingredients
2 cups raw cashews, soaked
1 can coconut milk (13-1/2 ounces)
½ teaspoon salt
6 Tablespoons cocoa powder
2 teaspoons vanilla
½ cup honey
½ cup coconut oil, expeller pressed
3 ounces Baker’s chocolate
Cacao nibs, optional (as garnish)
9-1/2″ Chocolate Pie Crust Ingredients
1-1/2 cups blanched almond flour
3 Tablespoons cocoa powder
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ cup coconut oil, solid
2 Tablespoons honey
ice water
Instructions
Soak the cashews in filtered water 4-6 hours. Drain.
Melt Baker’s chocolate and coconut oil over a double boiler until melted. Allow to cool to room temperature.
Place cashews in the blender. Add coconut milk, vanilla, salt, honey and cocoa powder. Depending on the power of your blender you may need to do 2-3 batches. Blend until completely smooth.
While blender is running and mixture is swirling, drizzle the melted Baker’s chocolate and coconut oil in and blend until thoroughly mixed.
Pour into prepared chocolate pie shell.
Refrigerate several hours until firm. Overnight is best, if possible.
This pie freezes well and is even good frozen solid.
Pie Crust Instructions:
Whisk almond flour, cocoa powder and salt in one bowl until mixed thoroughly.
Whip solid coconut oil and honey together.
Mix coconut and honey into the dry ingredients using a fork or pastry blender until mixture looks crumbly.
Add 2 teaspoons of ice water gently lifting the dry ingredients and folding over until slightly moistened. The mixture should look crumbly.
Take about ½ of the mixture and pat into the bottom of the pie shell.
Drop handfuls along the edges and press up into the sides.
GAPS DIET JOURNEY is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to AMAZON.COM. GAPS DIET JOURNEY is an affiliate for several companies and may be compensated through advertising and marketing channels. Therefore, this post may contain affiliate links.
The two fillings on the bottom left and the three on the top left will be replaced before too long.
I’m finally beginning the process of getting my amalgam fillings removed. I’ve finally saved enough money to get started and I called the dentist that I will be going to and made the appointment for January 30th. I was planning to get my cracked amalgam replaced, plus the one next to it. But then my good friend Patty from Loving Our Guts contacted me and told me she had just finished reading It’s All in Your Head: The Link Between Mercury Amalgams and Illness by Dr. Hal Huggins. She told me his advice was to try to have all amalgams removed within 21 days, if at all possible, and that I should not cross the midline. In other words, have the fillings removed from one side first, then the other side in a subsequent appointment.
At first I freaked out a little bit, because this work is expensive. It doesn’t help when I see that the cost at my traditional dentist through my employer covered insurance plan would cost me about 20% of the amount I’m paying to my biological dentist. But then I decided I was going to go for it, and I called the dentist’s office to see if I could schedule to have all the fillings removed on the left side. That was fine as long as I could come in about an hour earlier in the day. I explained to them that historically I have trouble numbing and it often takes longer than for most people so we decided I would come in another half hour earlier.
I had ordered It’s All In Your Head at Patty’s suggestion and read that there are tests you should complete prior to having any work done. One of the most important tests is the materials sensitivity testing. I called my biological dentist to find out if he knows about this testing, and he was able to refer me to a laboratory. At this point it became clear if I wanted to get this testing done I would need to reschedule.
I learned that this test can be ordered by an individual, or by one’s dentist. It costs $275 which includes a hard copy 50 page report sent to the dentist, and an electronic copy will be emailed directly to my inbox. Overnight shipping through FedEx costs an additional $50, so the total I will be paying for this testing is $325. This is less than 1/10th of the cost of the dental work, and my husband and I decided it would be best for me to make sure that the money we are investing in having my fillings replaced is at least being spent for the replacement material which is least likely to cause a reaction from my body. I understand that our body reacts to anything foreign, it’s just that some things are tolerated while others can cause a problem.
Then I kind of lost steam. That first weekend after I’d made the decision was a very stressful one for me. Just because I was feeling scared about the dental work, because there is no telling what will happen once the dentist begins to remove and replace my fillings. The estimate I was given strictly covers removal and replacement. I know that the teeth being worked on having some deep fillings, and could be close to the root. So I may end having to get some teeth removed altogether, because I will not have a root canal. The thought of having teeth removed is pretty scary to me and I don’t really want to think about it too much.
In order to have the testing done I need to have blood drawn. I have to fast at least 8 hours, preferably 10, and I have to send the blood samples by FedEx once drawn.
Tomorrow is the day I will have my blood drawn, if all goes as planned. It takes two weeks to get back the results so I should call the dentist’s office tomorrow and set my appointment.
Many mixed feelings. In the book It’s All in Your Head, Dr. Huggins said that some people’s temperatures rose to normal after having the mercury removed. I looked at the Meridian Tooth Chart and every single one of my teeth that has mercury in it is related to thyroid.
Maybe one more piece of my puzzle. In beginning GAPS, I looked back to the years when my health changed, which I pinpoint as the time I began to gain weight. This was after the birth of my children. I thought my chemistry changed after giving birth. Then when I learned about gut dysbiosis I thought it must have been the four courses of antibiotics I took the year prior to conceiving my first son.
But now I’m realizing there was one more component. In the months prior to conceiving Matthew I also had dental work done. I do not know exactly the number, but I am pretty sure my first amalgams were in two teeth on the upper left side of my mouth when I was around the age of 16. At that time I had a cavity in between two molars, the size of a peppercorn. The dentist told me at that time that I had a lot of new cavities. My diet had changed in the previous year since I was living with a foster family who ate many processed foods. I was never able to get those teeth taken care of, until I was 22 years old. At that time, I probably had between 7 and 9 amalgams placed in my mouth.
So… it’s no wonder my chemistry changed… antibiotics, birth control pill, mercury fillings.
I apologize for not posting much of late. I am going to try to post more, especially since I want to chronicle this process of having my amalgams replaced. I am really hoping this will be an important step in my health journey, and I’m excited and scared all at the same time to be embarking on it.
For now, tomorrow is the first step. Getting my blood drawn to find out if I have any sensitivity to the dental materials.
Have you gone through this process of having your amalgams removed? Do you feel your health has improved as a result of having the mercury removed?
GAPS DIET JOURNEY is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to AMAZON.COM. GAPS DIET JOURNEY is an affiliate for several companies and may be compensated through advertising and marketing channels. Therefore, this post may contain affiliate links.
