Hey everyone! I’m back. I took a bit of a break to spend time with Steven, so I didn’t get around to making blog posts.
We hadn’t seen each other for eight months, so I was pretty excited. We got to make a few trips to Denver, and we got to stay at the YMCA for a couple nights. It was beautiful, and we had tons of fun! I’m so thankful for the new health and the ability to travel a little bit again.
We saw so many of these in the few days that we were in the mountains!
Waiting for dinner time and watching Friends.
I didn’t really change anything food-wise while he was here, but I did try out a couple new snacks. I didn’t want to risk feeling gross while he was visiting, so I ate lots of safe foods. I have been able to start eating strawberries, honeydew, cantaloupe, pineapple, coconut, and spaghetti squash, though!
So far, it has been one month on AIP. I have gained over 12 pounds, and I have experienced a huge reduction in symptoms! The nausea is gone, and I haven’t skipped a meal in weeks. I have a ton more energy, and I am able to do so much more! I am starting to get bored with my food, though, so I am considering reintroducing some things.
While on AIP, I have also had to follow a low fodmap diet for IBS, which eliminates some fruits and vegetables. I think I may try reintroducing those things first before reintroducing some of the non-AIP foods. I haven’t decided yet!
Anyway… I thought I would share the two snacks that I have come to love! They are both gluten-free, vegan, and AIP compliant.
The first is plantain chips! I was so happy to find these at Natural Grocers. I can eat an entire bag in one sitting, and I know it’s not the healthiest. But I let myself do it because I need the extra weight! Ha.
The other snack is sweet potato chips. Most brands use a vegetable or seed oil to make the chips, but Jackson’s Honest uses coconut oil! The coconut oil makes these chips completely AIP compliant, which is amazing. I could eat these all day.
Overall, it hasn’t been too difficult to stick to AIP, but I think that is mostly due to hardly eating anything to begin with. Transitioning to AIP actually added more foods to my diet than it took away, so it wasn’t too bad for me. I am feeling so much better that I’m pretty hesitant to add in any of the non-AIP foods. I’m going to give myself a month or so more before I add anything back!
I am also planning to test out some probiotics soon, and I hope to add in a few supplements (Calcium, Magnesium, and Vitamin D) as well.
Here are a few unrelated updates:
- I got a job writing for a freelance blogging site, sold four articles so far, and got a raise! I really didn’t expect much going into it, but it is fun and gives me something to do. It doesn’t pay much, but it gives me a little spending money here and there.
- I have applied for a few jobs around town, and I really am hoping to be chosen for one. I’m not sure how I will feel working, but I really want to try!
- I finalized my schedule for the fall, and I will be taking courses in English, Psychology, Science, and Nutrition. I’m REALLY excited for the variety, and I can’t wait for the nutrition course. I’m trying to use this semester to solidify my plan for the rest of my schooling, so I hope to find something that I really enjoy. I have been considering English or Nutrition as a back up plan if I feel like returning to music is not the best idea for me health wise.
I will keep you all posted, and I hope to start making some more interesting foods here soon! I’ve been working on a few new recipes with the expanded diet, so stay tuned. 🙂
Gluten Free Freshman 