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This has to be a quick update because it is already 7:47pm and I am already late for getting my detox bath.

Speaking of detox baths… last night I decided to go straight to bed. The weirdest thing happened, I felt very itchy once I got into bed. Itchy like allergic-type itching. For example, we used to own fancy rats. We only owned boys and well, they were pretty musky smelling, and sometimes they would pee on us. If they did that on my arm, I would break out in these tiny little bumps. When I do hoof trims on our bucks, I almost always end up with the itching tiny little bumps. Anyway, that is what the itching felt like when I got into bed, foregoing my detox bath. Just weird is all.

My husband thinks he has narrowed down one thing that really makes him pay in the bathroom. Peppers. Even mild and sweet bell peppers. I asked him if he thought maybe the four white flour tortillas he had with his hamburger burros might have been the cause, along with or instead of the peppers. He feels sure it is the peppers. So we will need to do some additional testing, and watching out for the next time he consumes grains.

I had broth this morning. Mid morning I had a coconut pumpkin [affiliate link] smoothie, and only drank half of it. The rest is in the fridge. I also had a navel orange. Lunch was a pile of veggies: cauliflower, red bell pepper, half an eggplant, and a zucchini. Sauteed then steamed in a cast iron skillet with butter. I only ate half of what I’d prepared, saving the rest for lunch on Tuesday. Dinner was grilled pork chips, grilled eggplant and faux-tatoes. Hubby mentioned aloud that the faux-tatoes were fake mashed potatoes and I admonished him to not continue or elaborate! ES thinks they are mashed potatoes and he loves them!

I love them, too! I steamed two small heads of cauliflower and once they were nice and tender, drained them for a few minutes, then put them back in the pan with some butter and hit them with the stick blender. They came out so nice and fluffy – just a tiny bit watery, but sooooo delicious! I remember one time a coworker (a young man who was newly married to his Internet sweetheart) telling me about faux-tatoes. That was back when I was firmly entrenched in the idea that I would never, ever, ever, ever, EVER restrict my diet for the rest of my life. I wouldn’t even give a second thought.

However, when ES’s weight kept rising, I knew we HAD to do something. One of the things I did was reluctantly explore faux-tatoes. At first I made them with cream cheese, and sometimes I would go half and half real potatoes and cauliflower. But since starting GAPS and trying to avoid all dairy (except butter!), it’s only cauliflower and butter. And they are so close to tasting like real potatoes. I was in the kitchen cooking, and dropped some butter into the hot faux-tatoes with a tiny bit of sea salt [affiliate link] and was nibbling and they were so fantastically delicious.

After I hushed my hubby, who was a prince in response to my chiding, he tasted the faux-tatoes and agreed that they actually did taste very much like real mashed potatoes and told me the “other times” I made them they didn’t taste this good.

Well. I think they are fabulous and if you haven’t tried them, I urge you to try them soon.

I have a memory of mashed potatoes from when I was about six years old. My mother had to work as my father abandoned my pregnant mother, my 2.5 year old sister and 5 year old me. Anyway, one night my mom was late to pick us up. The babysitter already had dinner prepared and was setting the table. I was sooooo hungry. There was this huge mound of mashed potatoes within reach of my little hands. So I dug into the huge mound with one of my fingers and got a very big delicious bite of mashed potatoes. I don’t remember anything else, but I think I probably got into trouble for sticking my finger into their food. This same babysitter would give her daughter hot chicken noodle soup (Campbell’s canned) for lunch every day, while my sisters and I ate our peanut butter [affiliate link] and jelly. Campbell’s Chicken Noodle soup was a favorite of mine for many years. Actually though in the last couple of years, the quality has gone way down, so I had stopped having it.

Of course my own homemade broth is MUCH, MUCH better. I would like to try making dumplings to go with chicken soup.

Oh, one more tiny thing. I think I overate on dinner. Or something didn’t agree with me. I feel bloated.

Oh dear, now it’s after 8pm. Good night!

Last night, same thing with the slight wheezing. Enough to be bothersome, I used my Albuterol again. I don’t seem to have any trouble breathing until I go to bed. Maybe I need to change my pillow or something. I have heard that pillows can get dust mites or something that causes allergies, and my pillow is over four years old. We don’t have hot water running to our washing machine, but maybe washing it and then drying it in the dryer would help.

Let’s see… today I tried some pumpkin [affiliate link] pancakes, I had planned to do a review today, but I never got around to it. That was breakfast. My Younger Son picked some oranges for me from our pastor’s house, they are so delicious and SWEET. I ate two of them today. I can’t remember what I had for lunch, it wasn’t that long ago! I have had a really busy weekend with year end tax-type things to get done so hubby made dinner. One of his favorites: hamburger burros (with white flour tortillas). At least he didn’t have cream cheese or sour cream which really wreaks havoc on his digestive system. I steamed myself some of the wonderful vegetables that my dear husband bought. I had cauliflower, zucchini and half of a red bell pepper. I just plunked the burro mixture on top and plopped in some butter, mixed it up and it was delicious!

So here is some good progress to report: this weekend is the first weekend in I don’t know how long that I have not had to take a nap! I just haven’t felt tired. This is wonderful. I take this as a very positive sign that my body is doing its miraculous work of healing.

When I first began GAPS, I mentioned that one of our cats was ill. As it turns out, he had somehow gotten a sore on his chest which ended up getting very infected. He has been an indoor cat all his life, but he had recently found a way off the outdoor screened porch. I have seen sores on cats like this before, and they will heal. We decided not to put him through the trauma of taking him to a vet, and you know what? His body healed. It is just amazing. The skin sealed up and the hair is growing back. It was a wonderful demonstration of the power of healing that our heavenly Father instilled into our bodies.

I am sure a great deal of my healing is coming from my being able to sleep.

The young mother I mentioned last night got a lot of great and varied responses on the list. I hope all is well tonight.

I realized that I was probably being triggered because one of my sisters has gone through that sort of horrible battle where the husband wants to have the children go from natural living to mainstream. Insisting on vaccinations when he was in agreement just a few years earlier, challenging the foods, when he was all for it not too long ago. Just frightening.

And it makes me very grateful that my husband is willing to go along with making these changes. He now buys me pretty red bell peppers, instead of candy bars. 🙂   I told him this evening I wished he would take the time to read the books, for he really needs more understanding.

I also mentioned GAPS to one of my sisters by phone today. Our father has deteriorated very much and she doesn’t think he has much longer to live. He is barely 67 years old. I am quite certain the bulk of his problems could be cured by GAPS. But I am not in a position to help him. Unfortunately, speaking to him stresses me out too much, so I cannot do it. I can only pray for him.

And now I must go to bed.

Last night my wheezing got to be a bit disturbing, trying to sleep. It was barely there, and only at the end of my full breathout, but enough to bother me so that I got up and took two puffs of Albuterol. At least Albuterol is not a corticosteroid.

Breakfast was 3 scrambled eggs [affiliate link], with bell pepper and onion. We are pretty much out of fresh vegetables. Hubby had to go into town, so I asked him to stop by a Sprouts and see if he can find any good deals there.

Update: 4:44pm. For lunch I had leftover green beans, about 2 cups with some freshly pressed garlic and plenty of butter. The cupboards are kind of bare today. I usually eat fresh steamed vegetables on my days off, but there is nothing in the fridge. So I waited too long to eat and got cranky.

I have lots of work to do this weekend with my husband’s business, I have to prepare some W2s and 1099s. I talked with an accountant this morning, I am pleased with our discussion and I am so relieved to have someone to whom I can ask questions.

I made a to do list, and have been working steadily at it. I am out of baking soda [affiliate link] and need to wash my hair! I tidied up the kitchen, swept and mopped the kitchen floor, straightened up a little in the living room and vacuumed. I also straightened up an area that has been cluttering out into the middle of the living room so I’m pleased that I got that done.

Now I have to think about something for dinner! Dh and YS are working together today, usually they stop for a late lunch so maybe they won’t need a meal. But that leaves ES and myself. I have to go out and milk but I think I’ll jump in the shower first.

More later.

7:36pm. Dinner is chicken breast pounded until it is the same uh… flatness? So it will cook uniformly… then I cut it into chicken nugget sized pieces, dip in scrambled egg, then dip into almond flour [affiliate link] which is seasoned with pepper and sea salt [affiliate link]. Brown on each side, then place on a pan to bake in the oven another 20 minutes or so, until done.

We’re also having Pioneer Woman’s Butternut Squash Puree (minus any sweetener).

I also cut up a head of romaine lettuce and dh brought home cucumbers and tomatoes so I could put together a salad. I made my Avocado Mayo Dressing again. I just love making that stuff! I’ve had it not emulsify a couple of times and it is such a disappointment. But when it emulsifies, it is like magic!

I am feeling triggered and sad tonight. A father wants his children to eat “normal” food against the mother’s wishes. It makes me sad. I hope the situation resolves favorably and I pray for the young mother and children.

Well, it’s 9pm. I didn’t have to take a nap again today. That means I’m tired and want to get my detox bath and crawl into bed.

Until tomorrow,

Starlene