Day 3 - God, Frankincense and Kidneys

It's so interesting to me how everyone has different physical reactions to detoxing.  For me and several others I've spoken to during a detox, there is an emotional aspect.  I become much more reflective and my thoughts naturally turn to relying on God for strength when my body is in a more vulnerable state.  Songs I hear on Joy FM like Matt Maher's "Lord, I Need You" and Plumb's "Need You Now" are especially of interest.

One symptom I always have during the first few days of a detox is that every toxin leaving my body seems to do so through the pores on my face.  I am having a breakout on otherwise non-problematic skin.  So, last night I decided enough was enough.  I used one of my favorite dōTERRA oils, Frankincense, which is great for skin upsets.  I mixed it with a little coconut oil and applied it to the troubled areas on my face.

Another symptom that I experience is an unusual awareness of my kidneys / adrenals.  I wouldn't describe it as pain, so much as a mild discomfort.  Hopefully proof that they are working hard to eliminate toxins.  Having been through this before, and knowing that it is common with others who detox, I'm not concerned.  It usually passes quickly as more toxins depart & as I stay well-hydrated.

Day 2 - GAPS is not for the faint of heart

I would strongly urge anyone going through the intro phases to limit your schedule.  Even though I am a veteran "detoxer" I still underestimated how tired I would be and still hosted an essential oil class last night and had a dental cleaning at 7:45 this morning.  That got me a grand total of about 5 hours of sleep, which is not enough during these initial days.  Although always gluten-free, I had not been staying clear of sugar, caffeine or other grains and starches.  It is intense to give all those things up at once, and our bodies are definitely feeling it (in the way of a spacy feeling, headache, tiredness and some nausea).

Day 1 of our GAPS adventure

Although I went to bed feeling totally prepared last night, this morning was still a whirlwind of activity.  Over the past few months, I have been studying for how to implement the GAPS plan, putting my own spin on how to do so in busy work lives.  I purchased two 32 oz thermoses to keep broth warm all throughout the day, eliminating the need to use microwaves.  But then there was the issue of the soup.  A couple of Amazon purchases later, and Jeff & I were the proud owners of our mini crock-pot warmers.  I had completely forgotten the ginger tea, so found myself grating quickly (but not too quickly...way too early in the process to lose a finger) to make my first batch of homemade ginger tea.  We finally got packed up and off to work.

I got a text from Jeff that his sauerkraut juice had leaked, so I guess I'll be finding alternative travel supplies for that going forward.  Also, in my attempt to make the broth stay hot all day, I apparently made it too hot to drink.  So, hopefully Jeff found a mug at work.  I had one for my tea which I was able to use for drinking the broth.

After this morning's little adventure, I'm sure things will be better tomorrow.  Although now I am  worried that we do not have enough broth stored up in the freezer.  I'm sure it will all work out though, and we have at least won this small battle...just starting the plan.  Some of it has to be figured out as we go along.

You might be wondering what this GAPS thing is all about and why I mentioned so many random foods that are not part of the typical American diet.  The main goals are no preservatives (everything homemade), no grains and no refined sugars.  I'll talk more in future posts about what brought us to try this plan, but for now let's leave it at food allergies and Crohn's disease.  I will also share my notes below on how to eat during Phase I of the Intro GAPS diet.  This is what Jeff & I will follow for the next little while until we are ready to move into Phase II. 

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Start the day with a cup of room temperature filtered water.

Warm (not hot) meat stock all day with meals and between meals. It is important to consume soft tissues, fat and marrow when possible.

Add probiotic food (homemade sauerkraut juice or yogurt) into every cup of stock.

Warm (not hot) homemade soup made with meat stock and onions, carrots, zucchini, squash, broccoli. No cabbage or celery.  Remove skin, seeds & fibrous parts. Cook the veggies well, so they are very soft. Then add 1-2 Tbsp chopped garlic, bring to boil, then turn heat off.  Eat with soft tissues, marrow & meat from the bones. Add probiotic food to every serving. Eat often as desired throughout the day.

When adding probiotic food start with 1-2 Tbsp per day for 1-5 days,  3-4 Tbsp for 1-5 days, and so on until adding a few tbsp to every cup of stock & bowl of soup.

Ginger tea (with a little raw honey if necessary).