What To Expect From This Blog

Since my diagnosis with Crohn’s Disease several years ago, I’ve tried the gluten-free/dairy-free diet, the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD), the almost-vegan-high-carb-low-fat diet, the eat-pretty-much-whatever-Martine-wants-except-dairy-because-that-one-really-hurts-coming-out diet, the 80/20 paleo diet, the strict paleo diet, the autoimmune paleo (AIP) diet, the AIP-with-occasional-eggs-and-nuts diet…

All of that trial and error is just part of a “process,” or as one dictionary defines that word, “a series of actions that lead to a particular result.” For all of us, that “particular result” is the very reason we engage with a given process in the first place.

And so while I’m learning to be patient as I continually strive for my “particular result,” which is feeling healthy and sound in body and mind, I keep educating myself and tweaking my choices as they pertain to food, exercise, and managing stress.

Before I get to a quick summary of what’s working for me — disclaimer! — I must mention that while I’m an advocate for using lifestyle and food to manage autoimmune symptoms (because doing so has brought amazing and positive changes in my own life), I am “obvi” (to quote from the beloved Shoshi) not a doctor. I always listen carefully and respectfully to and work closely with my team of medical professionals, as should anyone with a serious autoimmune condition.

Okay, so back to the “process.” Here’s a brief, truncated list of what is working remarkably well for me:

• I’m devoted to eating anti-inflammatory foods that I know will not feed or exacerbate dis-ease and inflammation.
• I maintain a regular practice of yoga and meditation.
• I’ve scaled back on my secular work (teaching post-secondary English and Communications) because I find too many hours in the classroom stressful, and, for now, I enjoy expanding my freelance writing and editing work.
• I most often use the “Paleo Autoimmune Protocol” (AIP) and “Specific Carbohydrate Diet” as a framework but will occasionally eat nuts/seeds and eggs (never nightshades – ouchity ouch!).
• Once in a while, I’ll also have an ounce or two of alcohol at social/celebratory occasions, not because I’m a killjoy, but because alcohol really isn’t all that nice to me as it works its way through my digestive tract.
• I take a biologic (anti-TNF) to treat specific symptoms related to the type of Crohn’s I have, which is fistulising and perianal. Since going grain-free and dairy-free, however, any increase in Crohn’s symptoms amounts to a mere blip in my life rather than a full-on crisis of a flare-up. Huzzah!

What does this mean for my blog?

• My focus is on nutrient-dense food.
• You can consistently expect recipes for grain-free, dairy-free, legume-free, nightshade-free, and refined sugar-free dishes.
• From time to time, you’ll also find recipes that use eggs and nuts/seeds.
• I always share recipes that are tried and tested on my family and friends and that contain high levels of yum.
• Occasionally, I’ll ruminate on other aspects of using lifestyle balance and food as medicine; I’ll chat about how these adjustments impact me, especially as a person living with an autoimmune disease.

So there you have it! Thanks again for stopping by, and I hope we can keep on keepin’ on in this “process” together.