We are starting a new phase of our journey. On Saturday we will officially be on the GAPS diet. You can see it here. We will be using this diet for the next 2 years.
It is very much like the SC diet that we did when I was pregnant with Connor. It has some variations that are a bit more difficult, but should prove to heal the kids and the grown up guts.
The introduction diet starts with homemade stock that I am making form ox tail for the beef stock and chicken feet for the chicken stock.
The purpose of the stock is to get the good beef and chicken fat and the healing properties that are in the bone marrow and connective tissues. The ox tail and chicken feet need to be organic so that the antibiotics and other things fed to "normal" animals is not transferred to those eating the stock.
I have also made sauerkraut for the first time. In the first weeks we will be using the fermented juices that contain probiotics.
One of the main purposes of the introduction diet is to get the body used to an over abundance of probiotics.
We are healing the gut with the broth and getting the gut flora in balance with the probiotic.
For week one our daily food intake will look like this:
Morning:
Wake up and drink 1 cup of filtered water and a dose of probiotic.
Around 10 am a cup of broth with a bit of probiotic liquid and meat chunks added.
for lunch will be soup made with fresh veggies, organic meat and stock. A bit of probiotic liquid will be added to each bowl.
Afternoon: Stock when hungry with probiotic and meat added
Dinner: Soup of fresh veggies, organic meat and probiotic liquid.
Snack: Stock with probiotic and meat.
The stock can be eaten any time during the day when you are hungry.
There are 6 stages to the introductory diet. I will be taking one stage per week.
We should be able to move through this fairly quickly since the kids are not as sick as some of the other children on the spectrum.
After week one we will slowly be adding in foods. Next week is fresh egg yolks, yum! :(
I hope to post each day the recipes that I used for that day so that in the end I will have some recipes to pass on to others who wish to use this diet to help their children with gut issues.
My hope in doing this diet is that we see some significant progress with the kids, we have not seen any big leaps for awhile, and that in the end I have made this diet workable for those that are facing the mountain of Autism.
The diagnosis of Autism in itself is a mountain. Add onto that all of the supplements and other treatments and a person can start to suffer a mental breakdown. I hope to make at least one of those steps as simple as possible by giving step by step instructions. If I can make this diet a no brainier, just follow the steps before you, then it will give caregivers of children with autism a bit of a mental break and maybe we can get more people using this method of treatment.
I am looking for soup ideas for this next week. They need to be broth based.
So far I have:
Beef veggie
Chicken Veggie
Tomato
Split Pea
Cilantro
Chicken Mushroom with spinach
French onion
Butternut squash
Cream of Mushroom (chicken based with yogurt used as the cream and probiotic added before eating)
I would appreciate any suggestions and recipes for other broth based soups. They need to contain no starches, just fresh organic ingredients.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Communication
It is very exciting that the kids are becoming much more verbal, but this also creates new challenges for us as parents.
Normally if Edy says something inappropriate I can speak with her and she understands that it was either not the right time to say it or not right to say at all.
With Addi it has been more difficult. She likes to repeat what she has heard. She is starting to come up with and express many of her own thoughts, but she is still very quick to repeat what she has heard.
The other day I was on a field trip with her and her kindergarten class. There is a little girl in her class named Abby. She is a bit on the heavy side. We were standing next to her and Addi proceeds to point and say "Abby is fat." I was horrified. I know Abby heard her. I also know that this was not an original thought of Addi's.
It is very sad for me to know that there are kids in her class that are saying things like this about another little girl. I want to teach Addi that this is not a kind statement and that it is not for us to judge and we should be kind and loving toward Abby, but she does not understand. All I can tell her is that we don't say that. That is about the extent of her understanding.
And so we enter a new and challenging time of parenting our Autistic and for that matter normal children.
Normally if Edy says something inappropriate I can speak with her and she understands that it was either not the right time to say it or not right to say at all.
With Addi it has been more difficult. She likes to repeat what she has heard. She is starting to come up with and express many of her own thoughts, but she is still very quick to repeat what she has heard.
The other day I was on a field trip with her and her kindergarten class. There is a little girl in her class named Abby. She is a bit on the heavy side. We were standing next to her and Addi proceeds to point and say "Abby is fat." I was horrified. I know Abby heard her. I also know that this was not an original thought of Addi's.
It is very sad for me to know that there are kids in her class that are saying things like this about another little girl. I want to teach Addi that this is not a kind statement and that it is not for us to judge and we should be kind and loving toward Abby, but she does not understand. All I can tell her is that we don't say that. That is about the extent of her understanding.
And so we enter a new and challenging time of parenting our Autistic and for that matter normal children.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Carpet
We purposefully did not replace our carpet when we moved into this house. With 3 kids under the age of 2 we decided that it would not be the best use of money. This left me free to relax if anything got spilled on it.
The boys would spit up continuously and it went everywhere. We have cleaned the carpets over and over and thankfully they have held up.
Our latest round with the carpet is with Addi. She does not think it necessary to go potty in the potty, but prefers to use the carpet because it is warmer than the potty seat. We are working to remedy this and it has gotten better, but I could not figure out if it was on purpose of if something was going terribly wrong in her head and/or body. This is not uncommon with children with Autism, so we needed to find out what was behind it to be able to deal with it.
We got a big clue one evening.
We had received a package from Darrin's brother Drew and his wife. In this package Drew had used a very colorful m&m fleece blanket as part of the packaging. Needles to say, it was the kid's favorite think in the package. Spencer was playing with it one night and spread it out very neatly on the floor and then looked at Darrin and said "Dad, look at my carpet." Addi had been standing at the side and looks at Spencer and asks "Can I pee on your carpet?"
We have taken disciplinary action with her from that point on. I think that this was a very clear indication that it was not something biological.
The boys would spit up continuously and it went everywhere. We have cleaned the carpets over and over and thankfully they have held up.
Our latest round with the carpet is with Addi. She does not think it necessary to go potty in the potty, but prefers to use the carpet because it is warmer than the potty seat. We are working to remedy this and it has gotten better, but I could not figure out if it was on purpose of if something was going terribly wrong in her head and/or body. This is not uncommon with children with Autism, so we needed to find out what was behind it to be able to deal with it.
We got a big clue one evening.
We had received a package from Darrin's brother Drew and his wife. In this package Drew had used a very colorful m&m fleece blanket as part of the packaging. Needles to say, it was the kid's favorite think in the package. Spencer was playing with it one night and spread it out very neatly on the floor and then looked at Darrin and said "Dad, look at my carpet." Addi had been standing at the side and looks at Spencer and asks "Can I pee on your carpet?"
We have taken disciplinary action with her from that point on. I think that this was a very clear indication that it was not something biological.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Mommy I pooed
Around our house "poo" is a big deal. It tells me many thing about the condition of my kids and how the treatments are affecting them. It is gross, but we need to check them to be able to see if we need to be changing anything.
Because of this my wonderful little kids have gotten in the habit of announcing when this has happened. I guess it does not help that we get really excited with them and say great job! (It is better than cleaning up a mess in the pants!)
So yesterday I took Edy and Spencer to Judo. As is true to form Spencer had to use the potty before he entered the gym.
I have tried to let him be more independent and let him go into the boys bathroom by himself. I waited for him, but he was taking a very long time, so I went to talk with my dad to see if there was anything he needed from Costco. A few minutes later Spencer comes into the gym walking a bit funny and saying "Mommy, I poo." I asked him if he needed help wiping and of course he did. I took him (against his objections) into the girls bathroom. I was not going to chance having a man walk into the boys bathroom while I was dealing with Spencer.
When I was done, he proceeded back towards the boys bathroom. I thought maybe he needed to flush and wash his hands, which is the way it goes at home.
I could see him walking into the bathroom toward the black stalls and then he turned and pointed and said "see, I poo." A sudden realization hit me. He had used the urinal! I almost could not make it back to the gym to get my dad, I was laughing too hard. The picture of him sitting on the urinal was almost too much. Also, I could not help what others would think had they walked into the bathroom at that moment and saw this little boy sitting there.
I also could not help thinking about the surprise of someone walking in and finding his gift sitting there. (we don't have little poos)
I finally got the words out to my dad and he went to check it out. Sure enough he had used the urinal. Dad proceeded to take care of it. His comment through the laughter was "you're kids need more fiber!" I then had my dad explain to Spencer what the urinal was for and that you poo in the potty not the white porcelain thing on the wall. Apparently we are lacking in the bathroom education.
We now have a great story that continually through this day will bring a really big smile to my face.
I realized today how laid back I have become. Before I would have cringed in embarrassment, now it is a source of laughter. What are you going to do? I know that this will not be the last time something like this happens. I am just glad that laughter is good like a medicine.
Because of this my wonderful little kids have gotten in the habit of announcing when this has happened. I guess it does not help that we get really excited with them and say great job! (It is better than cleaning up a mess in the pants!)
So yesterday I took Edy and Spencer to Judo. As is true to form Spencer had to use the potty before he entered the gym.
I have tried to let him be more independent and let him go into the boys bathroom by himself. I waited for him, but he was taking a very long time, so I went to talk with my dad to see if there was anything he needed from Costco. A few minutes later Spencer comes into the gym walking a bit funny and saying "Mommy, I poo." I asked him if he needed help wiping and of course he did. I took him (against his objections) into the girls bathroom. I was not going to chance having a man walk into the boys bathroom while I was dealing with Spencer.
When I was done, he proceeded back towards the boys bathroom. I thought maybe he needed to flush and wash his hands, which is the way it goes at home.
I could see him walking into the bathroom toward the black stalls and then he turned and pointed and said "see, I poo." A sudden realization hit me. He had used the urinal! I almost could not make it back to the gym to get my dad, I was laughing too hard. The picture of him sitting on the urinal was almost too much. Also, I could not help what others would think had they walked into the bathroom at that moment and saw this little boy sitting there.
I also could not help thinking about the surprise of someone walking in and finding his gift sitting there. (we don't have little poos)
I finally got the words out to my dad and he went to check it out. Sure enough he had used the urinal. Dad proceeded to take care of it. His comment through the laughter was "you're kids need more fiber!" I then had my dad explain to Spencer what the urinal was for and that you poo in the potty not the white porcelain thing on the wall. Apparently we are lacking in the bathroom education.
We now have a great story that continually through this day will bring a really big smile to my face.
I realized today how laid back I have become. Before I would have cringed in embarrassment, now it is a source of laughter. What are you going to do? I know that this will not be the last time something like this happens. I am just glad that laughter is good like a medicine.
Friday, December 25, 2009
We had a Christmas a few years ago that we compare every other Christmas to. On this particular Christmas the boys received a basketball hoop. It was not set up and they proceeded to scream (at the top of their lungs) until it got set up, which took a bit of time. Then they screamed because there was only one ball and both wanted to play. It used to be that while we were at Mom and Dad's house we would constantly be watching the children because there was so much for them to get into. Christmas would end with Darrin taking some of the children home early, very frustrated.
Today we arrived at Mom and Dad's around 10 am. We stayed (all of us) until 4pm. We did not have to consistently watch the children. It was the first Christmas in years that we returned home happy and content. We are truly rejoicing in the Lord's continued blessing today!
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Christmas and pretending
We put the Christmas tree up yesterday. I don't dare put any presents under it. They would all be opened. Right now the kids are taking their old toys and putting them in gift bags and pretending it is Christmas morning.
It is so much fun to listen to them play and imagine together.
It is so much fun to listen to them play and imagine together.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Times of Change
It has been awhile since I have posted. Every time I sat down to post in the past months something has happened. Today the phone rang, but I am determined to give an update.
A cold has been making its way through out family for the past 2 weeks. I have been very fortunate not to have picked up the illnesses the kids have had, but my body gave up on this one. We did not attend church on Sunday in order to spare the others in the congregation the sharing of my sneezing fits.
We have started a bean burrito tradition for Sunday afternoons. The kids don't eat bean burritos so they get cheesey tacos. I had made a full plate of tacos for the kids. They all sat down at the table to eat. As I was preparing the burritos for Darrin and myself I turned to see all of my children, including Connor in his highchair, sitting and contently eating at the table. That started the tears for the day. I was overwhelmed with emotion and such thankfulness to our Lord. My family was sitting around the dinner table together. It has taken much patience and work to get to this point and we are rejoicing this Thanksgiving season.
So many times in the past few years I have had to look very hard for a few small things to be thankful for....the moment of what we call zen, the eye contact from a child, the acknowledgement from a child that they were somewhat connecting to our world.
This year it seems as if our moments of zen are turning into mornings of zen or afternoons of zen. I am confident that some time soon we will have whole days.
I am able to turn the computers, video games and TV off for periods of time. The children are finding things to do that are "appropriate" play. It is peaceful in our home.
Many times this peace is interrupted, but for the most part it is peaceful and the chaos is becoming a thing of the past.
This year I am looking forward to the holidays. I have children who can understand the wonder and magic of this season. It is my favorite time of year. So many wonderful things have happened in my life during this time of year and so many wonderful and amazing things continue to happen.
My cup is overflowing. I am excited about the changes that are to come this year. The road that we are following on this journey has smoothed out (God sent his pothole crew) and we are excited about where it will take us next.
A cold has been making its way through out family for the past 2 weeks. I have been very fortunate not to have picked up the illnesses the kids have had, but my body gave up on this one. We did not attend church on Sunday in order to spare the others in the congregation the sharing of my sneezing fits.
We have started a bean burrito tradition for Sunday afternoons. The kids don't eat bean burritos so they get cheesey tacos. I had made a full plate of tacos for the kids. They all sat down at the table to eat. As I was preparing the burritos for Darrin and myself I turned to see all of my children, including Connor in his highchair, sitting and contently eating at the table. That started the tears for the day. I was overwhelmed with emotion and such thankfulness to our Lord. My family was sitting around the dinner table together. It has taken much patience and work to get to this point and we are rejoicing this Thanksgiving season.
So many times in the past few years I have had to look very hard for a few small things to be thankful for....the moment of what we call zen, the eye contact from a child, the acknowledgement from a child that they were somewhat connecting to our world.
This year it seems as if our moments of zen are turning into mornings of zen or afternoons of zen. I am confident that some time soon we will have whole days.
I am able to turn the computers, video games and TV off for periods of time. The children are finding things to do that are "appropriate" play. It is peaceful in our home.
Many times this peace is interrupted, but for the most part it is peaceful and the chaos is becoming a thing of the past.
This year I am looking forward to the holidays. I have children who can understand the wonder and magic of this season. It is my favorite time of year. So many wonderful things have happened in my life during this time of year and so many wonderful and amazing things continue to happen.
My cup is overflowing. I am excited about the changes that are to come this year. The road that we are following on this journey has smoothed out (God sent his pothole crew) and we are excited about where it will take us next.
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