Some of the recipes that were received well by the husband and kids were spinach meatballs, strawberry almond cheesecake breakfast ice cream, coconut ice cream, pumpkin smoothies, butternut squash fries, and salmon nuggets (different from puffs).
Some of the recipes got mixed reviews: the babies loved the pumpkin pecan bars, the apple almond cake, and carrot raisin buckwheat muffins, while the boys would not even touch it.
As I learn about the GAPS diet, I cannot decide whether I want to do the intro or not. I've read that some people have done fine without it and because our issues are not severe, I am wondering if it would be ok to skip it. I've been practicing and trying out different recipes to prepare, but we have not gone full out GAPS.
I've learned quickly that I have to limit my nut consumption to just nut butter and not very much of it; I have already gained a few pounds. Eating nuts in their original form gives me huge cravings. I cannot get enough of them which is a good indication that I should not even have one. The crispy nuts that have been soaked and dehydrated are phenomenal, *sigh* oh well. I am increasing the kids fruits and vegetables a lot. It's tempting just to make regular muffins, cakes and cookies replacing flour with almond meal, but part of the GAPS diet is to get large amounts of plants into their little bodies.
We have had ear infections and colds which was kind of dissapointing, but I think it will take awhile of eating healthy before I see improvements in their immune systems. The great thing about the ear infections this time is that the twins were due for their 15 month appointments and I thought they just had colds. More bang for my buck since we pay out the nose for health insurance, I only had two copays (one a piece) and one 20% bill for the doctor's visit.
I have introduced a strong probiotic and cod liver oil to the kids over the past two weeks. I put it in applesauce and they don't seem to mind. It is a pain to give it to them in the mornings because everyone wakes up at different times, and, well, I am preparing 5 spoonfuls. JD has been a little backed up (TMI?) so he is getting a small dose of Natural Calm. It's magnesium that is supposed to be easily absorbed. I mix it with a little apple juice and he gulps it down. I can't be sure, but I think Holden is detoxing. He has been really grumpy and has not been himself which are signs of detox. I hope it doesn't last long.
Halloween and all the following holidays will be setbacks, unfortunately. If it were left up to me, they would eat healthy throughout, but I am not the only one involved in the nutrition choices of my kids. There will have to be a compromise and hopefully that will be ok on their little systems.
Progress in a nutshell (there I go with the nuts again!): slow, but coming along. Introducing more healthy stuff and phasing out the junk.
