Giving Up Grains

My Collin

 Collin is our 8 year old who was diagnosed with autism at the age of 20 months. I have learned and constantly learn so much from this child. Much of which involves food as Collin has been on a gluten free, casein free diet since he was 2 years old. 

The diet brought about many positive things like SLEEP and focus and a happier boy and family all together. In Novemeber 2009 I attended a Robb Wolf Paleolithic Solution seminar  which lead me to the decision that our entire family needed to eat gluten free. As a side note I had another child who was 3 now who had been a REALLY tough baby due to not sleeping and a lot of throwing up and fussiness. Ryan could not tolerate milk and I eventually took him off gluten as well. Anyway, our whole family ate gluten free for a year. After that year passed I know there was still something not right with our son's diet. Collin had been off dairy, off soy and off gluten for years at this point but his belly was distended and his bathroom trips were not regular or normal! I asked my husband if he wanted to attend Robb's seminar as he was coming back to Atlanta agin. He said yes and he went to Robb's Seminar in October of 2010 and came home with Robb's new book "The PaleolithicSolution:The Original Human Diet". He had also had a short conversation with Robb about Collin and Robb stated that we needed to get Collin off the other grains.

So here I was once again about to take a huge chunk of Collin's diet away. No gluten free pretzels, gluten free toast, gluten free crackers, gluten free ice cream cones. No more popcorn, gluten free cupcakes or potato chips. But we did it and it was fine. KID ARE REALLY ADAPTIVE. So many people say to me "I could never do what you do because my kids would never agree." Well they do. It was really only about three day of suggesting other options at any request for crackers, chips,popcorn ect. So now our entire family eats a grain free diet. I spend a lot of time in the kitchen trying to" paleofy" recipes or dream up new snacks for the kids which is why I started this blog. We have all seen posative results in eating a grain free or Paleo-ish diet and Collin looks and feels better and better. I hope these recipes and information help others who think they can't do it. Your really can, and nothing makes me more happy than when we are in the market and my just turned 5 year old says "Mom, I need a healthy snack. Can I get some beef jerky and a bowl of cut up fruit?" True story!!!

Collin is still autistic but the changes in his focus and behavior have been major all due to proper food choice. I am very happy that our family has chosen to eat for a longer healthier life.

Successful Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving was delicious. We ate a totally grain free, gluten free,dairy free meal. Since we decided to start eating this way a couple of weeks ago I wanted to really be successful at it by even doing it at THANKSGIVING! My husband and my mother were totally on board so I made up the menu listed in the post below. My  favorite things were the cranberry nut bread (Ryan,age 3, loved this bread), the chocolate pie( thanks to Elan's Pantry website) and the sweet potato apple bake which was kind if made up.Our menu was incredibly different from years past at our home or at relatives. We were used to having stuffing, rolls with butter, mac and cheese, desserts galore!!!! This was a big step for us to change one of the biggest meals of the year to a Paleo type dinner. I wanted to do this diet 100% so I knew if we could do it on Thanksgiving and everyone be happy, we could continue to do this in every situation. Gluten Free and Dairy Free Cranberry Nut Bread ½ cup coconut flour 1 teaspoon celtic sea salt 1 teaspoon baking soda 5 eggs ½ cup grapeseed oil ½ cup agave nectar 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1 cup cranberries, frozen ½ cup walnuts, chopped

1. In a medium bowl combine coconut flour, salt and baking soda
2. In a large bowl blend eggs, grapeseed oil, agave and vanilla
3. Blend dry ingredients into wet, then fold in cranberries and walnuts
4. Pour batter into (2) greased 6.5 X 4 inch loaf pans
5. Bake at 350° for 35 minutes
6. Cool and serve

Chocolate Cream Pie Link!!! http://www.elanaspantry.com/chocolate-cream-pie/print/

 

For the sweet potato apple bake I just peeled and cut up about 6 SMALL sweet potatoes, 2 crisp apples and put them in a glass baking dish with a lid. I sprinkled on some cinnamon,grape-seed oil and chopped pecans on top(about two handfuls). I then drizzled on maple syrup and baked for about 35 minutes at a 350 degree oven. Yum!!!!