Many of you know I decided to switch over to a vegan diet last year. According to the things I knew then it was the healthiest way to eat. Well in the past year soy, wheat, and beans replaced meat. Turns out I have food intolerances to soy, wheat, and some beans. How ironic I thought I was doing something good for my body and that was not the case at all! Tummy aches, serious bloating, acne, constipation, weight gain, and severe dry skin/eczema were the result. My body rejected the things I was putting into it.
So the research began. After talking to my sis-in-law I was pretty sure I was having delayed allergy reactions. That is when I went and got the IgA and IgG blood tests done. I got my results back and that was a start. Tyler's mom was quick to help, she got me a juicer and put me on a candida yeast cleanse to kick start my way to health. I am so grateful for her.
Then I read these books: Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon, The Truth About Beauty by Kat James, In Defense of Food by Michael Pollen, Breaking the Vicious Cycle by Elaine Gottschall, The Feel Good Cookbook by Jonell West Francis. I can't tell you how many hours I spent online researching and seeking out fact from fiction. What studies are flawed and which ones make sense. There is so much confusion in the world of nutrition! In fact, I am still researching!
I still have a long list on GoodReads of so many other books that I want/need to read.
While I think The China Study has a lot of good information I think it was missing something. The study on meat wasn't done on meat that was grass fed, free range, organic, and properly cooked. I have a feeling this kind of study would turn out different. Especially when sugar and processed food is taken out as well. Don't get me wrong I'm not gonna eat a 20 oz steak every night. I think it is very important to consume a lot of fruit and veggies each day but I now believe real meat and real fat should be included.
I make my own nut milk. I have noticed that many of them at the store are expensive and full of sugar (some have up to 15 grams!) Any of them that are labeled low fat have even more sugar! There are certain nut milks that I keep in my pantry when I am in a pinch. I really like Unsweetened tempt milk and one from Trader Joes that has a mix of quinoa, amaranth, and millet. On a side note anything that is labeled low fat will be high in sugar. It's better to get the full fat (good fat) and less sugar. This leaves you satisfied instead of craving more sugar.
avocado smoothie made with tempt milk
I have been going to Bill the Butcher to get quality meat for the past month. Their meat is different from what you will buy at any ol grocery store, just read their following statement.
"Bill the Butcher believes in supporting sustainable farming practices and working with local farmers and ranchers who raise beef, pork and poultry without hormones, steroids and genetically modified feed. We also feature open pastured organic and natural grass fed beef that has not been artificially and intentionally fattened on corn. This gentle and natural diet creates meat that is high in Omega 3 and 6 essential oils and is far healthier than traditional beef raised in a feedlot."
In September I will be taking an 8 month course through the Nutritional Therapy Association. They use Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon in their teachings so in a year I will have a lot more knowledge than I do now. I am constantly reading and doing research on my own when it comes to nutrition and I am excited to have some experienced experts give me some guidance.
It's always good to end with scripture references :)
D and C 49
18And whoso aforbiddeth to babstain from cmeats, that man should not eat the same, is not ordained of God;
19For, behold, the abeasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and that which cometh of the earth, is bordained for the use of man for food and for craiment, and that he might have in abundance.
8 comments:
Interesting post! You're right, there's SO much confusion in the world of nutrition. I like that you're taking the time to do the research to know why you eat the way you do.
I agree, so much confusion. But a lot of it is political. Government research/propaganda to help promote soy/corn/wheat farmers. I read everything on both sides of the argument and make my own decision. I too read the china study and thought that was the answer, but max is allergic to all nuts, seeds, and soy so it was hard to get enough protein. then i read lots of horrible things about soy. then i started reading about autism/inflammation and all of the scientists' whose blogs i read do NOT like the guy who wrote the china study and think his study is flawed and a recipe for chronic health problems. nourishing traditions seems very practical as it is based on traditional diets that people thrived on for thousands of years. another author you should add to your list is gary taubes. his books are called "why we get fat" and "good calories bad calories". so interesting.
Lately, I've been most interested in "back to basics" ideas... cows that graze, chickens that roam, eggs gathered by a kid down the road, grinding my own wheat, making our own dang cookies instead of buying cookies at the stores that have 50 unpronounceable ingredients... you know? I think the more simply we eat, the better.
Thanks Kari, I think it's important to stay in tune with our bodies and take the time to find out our personal needs are.
M thank you for all of your help, I wouldn't be to this point with out your help!
Courtney, that is pretty much what the traditional way of eating is. Straight from the source without all the processing! You are on the right path :)
Kathryn, I really enjoy reading your blog. I am pretty much ignorant when it comes to what I eat. I think that you are such an inspiration! Our bodies are a gift from our Heavenly Father and we should be careful of what we put into them. (Now if only I could apply that knowledge to my own life... )
We have Hungry Planet and What I Eat. They are very interesting. The pictures really tell the story in these books. Visually amazing.
Holly, you are an athlete, I know you enjoy taking care of your body. I doubt that you are only eating refined sugar, flour, and hydrogenated oils for each meal. Thanks for the support! Hope your family is enjoying the good ol South!
Wendy, I'll will have to check them both out! I briefly looked at them on amazon but I would love to get my hands on them, thanks for sharing that!
I decided a long time ago that the best health advice out there is the Word Of Wisdom. Glad you're eating meat again, welcome back! :)
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