Organic & Thrifty

Aaaah. After two weeks, I’m finally back online! There were a couple of snaffoos in the process of getting back online, but here we are.

Here’s a quick summary of what’s been on my mind:

My Daughter’s Health: We have been dealing with unexplained “tummy aches” after eating. The naturopath says it’s a yeast overgrowth (she has many other symptoms of this) and we’re working on repairing a leaky gut. She had lots of factors working against her since birth. Antibiotics were given in high doses right after birth (it’s a long story, but believe me, I was the mom who was NEVER going to consent to giving my child abiox!!!) which damaged her gut (but probably saved her from sepsis!)

Additionally, she had a kidney reflux condidtion which required her to take profilactic antibiotics every day for a year!!! This set the stage for yeast to dominate in her gut because all or most of the beneficial probiotics where killed and never able to recover from the daily use of abiox. Enter my ignorance about food at the time, and I was feeding my daughter grains and fruits (healthy, of course!) thinking I was doing her well. Don’t forget the canned formula devoid of enzymes. Thankfully, I only had to supplement the formula due to a low milk supply. I think the fact that I’ve nursed her for 3 and a half years has been a saving grace.

Thankfully, we had the gluten exit stage left recently, and now per the doctor’s directives, we are to also send cow milk products, all sugars (including fruit) and starches, on their merry way.

Well,herein lies my challenge. It’s hard enough to feed a preschooler gluten free. But grain free? So those great rice noodles are now a no-no? Fruit? Sigh!!!

Luckily, she has been SUCH a trooper as we’ve fazed out some of the food she loves. She was addicted to cheddar cheese,and thankfully she hasn’t asked for it. She’s happily transitioned to raw goat milk (to be like her brother) and we mix it with L-Glutamine, chromium, and probiotics. I think the goat milk does hurt her tummy a little, though, so we’ll see if that’s a problem!

And we haven’t gone cold turkey. We’ve reduced rice to about twice a week. When the cashier at TJ’s gave her a sucker for finding the monkey, I let her have 6 licks. She happily obliged and I didn’t hear about it again. I let her have bananas and peaches occaisionally….it’s hard.

What do you feed an already picky toddler when you can’t give her starches, sugar, cow protein, or grains?

That’s the million-dollar question, folks. I need ideas and inspiration, especially for brown bag meals. Any input would be much appreciated.

This week’s shaping up to be a busy one, so I’m going to rely on my meal plans to keep my head above water. Look for this week’s menu on Monday.

Also, I have a new Weight Loss Wednesday report to share, as well as an exciting Thrifty Thursday concept to share, if time allows!

It’s good to be back! I’ve got a lot of catching up to do!