Some of you may remember us mentioning that in 2016 we are going Autoimmune Paleo (AIP) in hopes of addressing possible underlying infertility issues.
Well, we’re nearly twelve weeks into the diet and wanted to share with y’all how it’s going.
Of course on the first day, we had a dinner guest, so it really put the pressure on. Making all new recipes to try out on guests? Not my typical style but it’s how the cookie crumbled.
That evening we served Bacon Wrapped Asparagus as an appetizer, Steak, Sweet Potato Fries, and Roasted Brussel Sprouts for dinner, and Apple Pie as dessert.
Yup, it was a very safe AIP meal to serve but I didn’t think serving our guest a hearty helping of Liver Pate, roasted turnips, and cauliflower rice was the right thing to do.
And yes, the pie was de-lish, topped off with coconut whipped cream For a grain-free, dairy-free, nut-free, everything-free pie, it hit the spot but let’s not act like it was the real deal since it wasn’t. Very close though!
Since that time, I have basically lived in my kitchen.
We can’t eat anything processed so every. single. meal. is made at home. I’ve undoubtedly cooked more in the last few months than in all our years of marriage…which wasn’t that hard to beat since I’ve never loved cooking. It’s growing on me though and becoming quite therapeutic.
I’ve found a few favorites that I basically make weekly. Chicken and Acorn Squash Soup, Carrot and Sweet Potato Chilli, Cherry Pie Bars, Carob Cupcakes, and Bacon are my go-to foods and for good reason.
It’s become obvious that I’m bacon-ing and sweet potato-ing my way through life while in fact I am actually supposed to be vegetable-ing instead. EEP! But this next month I am making a more concentrated effort to focus in on the veggies and get my 8-12 cups per day.
I haven’t noticed too many drastic changes yet which is slightly disappointing when other seem to have a night and day difference immediately. I’ve seen subtle changes in my energy levels and my 15-year-long constipation battle has completely resolved…which is a VERY welcome change. I got my hormones re-tested and they’re still trash…but I am holding out hope that as my body heals, those will respond in time.
Hats off to Jonathan, Mr. Supportive Husband of the Year for doing this diet with me although he has no reason to health-wise. He’s begun the re-introduction phase of the diet and is more or less back to a normal diet with no difficulty.
I on the other hand? One day I was brave and tried an egg…and ended up almost vomiting and passing out immediately after eating it. Then I had a raging headache for a day. So not ready to reintroduce eggs apparently. Another day I ate homemade popcorn and my thyroid was swollen and throbbing for 48 hours straight and I became an insomniac. No corn either I guess. AGH! I am coming to grips that this will take some time and as I heal, I will likely tolerate these foods I am reacting to but not right now.
The plan is to give it several more months and then see what my hormones and thyroid levels are doing and then I will likely begin reintroducing food once again.
Anyone else doing this diet? If so, send your fave recipes my direction! 🙂
12 Comments
We are doing the whole30 diet right now (which seems like a piece of gluten/dairy/everything free cake compared to AIP), and I totally understand what you mean about cooking all. the. time! Having leftovers from the night before is clutch for us. I’d share recipes but I don’t think they are AIP friendly. It’s amazing how this food can really heal though; I’ve noticed a change in just two and a half weeks of the diet in how I feel and my energy levels. I hope you experience all of that and more, Amanda!
So glad you are experiencing healing already! WOW! I am still waiting on that but slow and steady wins the race, right? 🙂
If you do get any recipes, please share. I am trying paleo/keto ….definitely harder than I originally thought.
I just wanted to say congratulations and encourage you to keep up the good work! From a fellow paleo mom who spends way longer in the kitchen than she’d like, the health benefits are worth it. The veggies get easier and you’ll find easy go-to staples that make planning faster. I like Danielle Walker’s cookbooks (probably not all AIP) and the Paleo Leap site for great recipes and all-around information. Keep it up! 🙂
Thanks for the tips on the Paleo recipe sites!
Yeah, eating paleo definitely takes a lot more effort! Those meals all sound so delicious! Keep fighting the good fight–results often show themselves more over time.
I sure hope my hormones heal in time!!
Congrats on trying Paleo! I highly recommend studying Melissa Joulwan’s batch cooking method and her hot plates. It will save you so much time in the kitchen. I wanted to post because like you, I didn’t experience total healing with a paleo diet, not even AIP (even though I do have autoimmune issues). Actually, paleo made my hormones WORSE when I first started because all of a sudden, I was eating dense, whole forms of carbs. If you haven’t yet explored how carbs affect your insulin and all your other hormones, I highly recommend “Why We Get Fat” by Gary Taubes. Best book that talks about insulin’s role in the body, and it looks like you’re eating lots of dense carbs these days! To be truthful, I eat almost no carbs and my hormones are finally settling down. Also, avoiding medium-high FODMAP foods has been a huge blessing 🙂 I hope this helps! God bless!
Oh Wow good to know all that information! Yea I have a sweet potato and plantain issue LOL. I will look into that book you mentioned. Unfortunately the blog you shared is not AIP, it’s Paleo and there are lots of differences. The hope is someday I can graduate to Paleo! 🙂
How did you take care of your little one and spend time in the kitchen? Tips, please! 🙂 We are fostering a baby and my cooking has gone down to zero. 🙁
Good question! I usually batch cook once a week on the weekends. Or if that cant happen, I meal prep during baby’s nap…so I get all my chopping, dicing, etc. out of the way. Then when Dad comes home I throw everything together in 20-30 minutes while he and baby play. I am sure with more kids that routine will evolve and change but it’s our reality for now and it’s what works!
How did this end up for you guys? I’m about 8 wks into AIP and have very slowly started reintroduction but I’m nervous about it….