A Silver Lining

I saw my doctor this week. My body has begun doing rotten, weird, mean things to me again... and just at the very moment I'd started stepping out and joining in, and facing some long-held fears, insecurities and anxieties. I won't go into particulars here, but I have been ordered by my doctor to get back on strict AIP (Auto-Immune Protocol) for the foreseeable future. If you don't know what that is, it is an extremely restrictive diet and lifestyle overhaul.

This is the very first time I've actually had a doctor tell me to go on a diet. I've put myself on AIP multiple times to try and stave off pharmaceuticals, and for the most part, it's worked well for me. The first time, I lasted about 18 months. The last time I tried it, it took a scant six weeks to burn out. However, the whole reason we hired this doc. was because we knew he would try to get to the root issues. We wanted someone that wouldn't automatically reach for the prescription pad and put me on something that might help one issue, but cause more problems somewhere else.

So here's the deal. I hate the grocery store and I hate to cook. There are SO many things I'd much rather be doing. I like to sit down somewhere, have a meal brought out to me, and let someone else do the dishes (and the shopping). My creativity ends when I step over the threshold into a kitchen. I mean, one of my all-time favorite things is just whipping through CFA for a large order of waffle fries and a Dr. Pepper. Dr. Pepper is amazing all on its own, but pour it over that amazing ice they have at CFA... and then the whole postlude of eating the DP-flavored ice is just soooo... okay... oops...sorry. 

I digress. 

Unfortunately, it is extremely difficult to stay true to AIP and eat out. I sat at our kitchen table a couple nights ago and just stared at the depression-inducing pages full of "foods to avoid". Then I got up and made myself some AIP tortillas. The depression started to subside at about the fifth tortilla. Any bread-like substance has the potential to make me happy, and those AIP tortillas are surprisingly good... especially with honey slathered all over them. That wasn't really on the diet though. 

So, while trying to "count it all joy" and praying for a silver lining (while munching tortillas... a kind of a silver lining all in themselves), this is what was laid on my heart. Maybe there's someone out there that needs to do this too, but just can't get beyond that very long "foods to avoid" list.

Can I offer support to someone in the same boat, but trying this out for the very first time? If yes... let me know! I would love to help. Here are some thoughts to consider...


I've never really had a huge weight problem, although, from my late 30s on, my weight has definitely begun to fluctuate. I can tell you that, over the last five or six years, it has become obvious to me when my body is fighting me because I get to a place where I can't wear most of my clothing, especially for my lower half. This isn't a scientific explanation by any means, but inflammation tends to trap fluid in your body, and that translates to weight gain. When the inflammation begins to decrease, a body stands to lose weight and clothing sizes rapidly. I managed to lose around 28 pounds in six weeks a few years ago on AIP, and I didn't have time to exercise much at all aside from walking the neighborhood with my kiddos.

The food you can eat is really good, it's just time-consuming to prepare. Your kids and husband will love most of it, and have no idea that they're eating really healthy food. I spent all morning limping through Wal-Mart, Aldi, Shop and Save and Natural Mercantile, and I've spent most of the afternoon roasting four pans of vegetables, making two kinds of soup, washing salad greens, cutting carrot sticks and making (You guessed it!) AIP tortillas. The good news is, all I will have to do during the week is pull soup from the freezer, or throw some meat on the grill. And I promise you won't have to do that every weekend.

I don't go to Whole Foods, Wegman's or Trader Joe's. Wegman's just overwhelms me (Don't get me started on Costco.). I love Whole Foods and Trader Joe's, but unless I absolutely have to, I don't travel east of Leesburg in this area, and frankly, we just don't have the kind of money you have to blow at those locations. It is absolutely amazing what you can find at Aldi and Wal Mart. Jason often stops at Co Co's International Food Market on his way home from work if I need something that I can't find around here (Japanese Sweet Potatoes!). And Co Co's is inexpensive too. While we're not always getting pastured meat, we're all still eating WAY better doing this.  If you're not overwhelmed by Wegman's or Costco, all the better!

Side note: You don't have to eat liver. I tried it the last go 'round. Unless you just like the stuff, don't even put yourself through that. WARNING: There are multiple recipes where they include liver and try to "hide" it by combining it with other meat. I guess I've just got really good taste buds or something because that taste just can't be hidden! You're dealing with enough already! There's a shortcut for that too.

Please let me know if I can help you. It actually does something for both of us. It makes me accountable and keeps me on the ball, and it helps you feel better and avoid many of the pitfalls you'd experience trying to go it alone like I did in the beginning. 

Here are a few resources I use if you're interested...

The Autoimmune Wellness Handbook  - The first half of this book delves into lifestyle changes for folks who have, or suspect they may be struggling with autoimmune disease or inflammation.

The Autoimmune Paleo Cookbook -  This was the first book I bought after diagnosis years ago, and it's still the first book I pick up when I realize I have to make a change to feel better. It is simple, helpful and full of great lists and recipes. The only issue I have with this book is that practically everything contains coconut in some shape or form. While many people with AI issues can tolerate coconut very well, some of us can only handle a little. There are lots of ways to get around it now that avocado oil is so readily available. I could hardly believe my eyes, but yesterday, I found it at Aldi!

Simple French Paleo - Beautiful. Sophie put so much effort into this book... right down to the gorgeous font... I start to feel better just thumbing through it. The photographs are stunning and the food is fantastic. Prior to the book's publication, I spent a lot of time on her blog, A Squirrel in the Kitchen. The blog is well-organized and very helpful.