There's one thing that I don't talk about much on my blog and that's my daughter and her health issues. For several reasons, which I'm sure if you thought hard enough about it, you could figure out, I haven't discussed her food issues. It's one of those things that I wish I could blog about more because I believe many of you out there have either experienced this, or have kids that have, but I'm not willing to ask your advice at the expense of airing my daughters issues to the world. So, this is the first time I've mentioned this, but I think we're finally moving towards some answers and so I'm willing to discuss what we're doing to help instead of just discussing her struggles.
Story has found comfort in food since the day she arrived home. Literally the day. She spent her first 5 days in the hospital, and I truly believe that she experienced so much trauma in the first week of her life here in America. New people, new home, new EVERYTHING, and on top of that she was in the hospital being picked and prodded at for her first week. Not the best start.
We have suspected there to be medical problems and psychological problems related to food, but it wasn't until this past year that things became out of control and just not making any sense one bit. The medical community tells us that there's nothing wrong with her, but we clearly see that there is something wrong. We know what we feed her, we know what she eats, and we see that it just doesn't add up to how her body is changing.
A few months ago a friend introduced me to a doctor that was changing her life. I slowly began to listen and to find more friends that were also becoming better for the first time ever after he began treating them. I decided to give it a try for Story, an after two visits I truly think we are on the road to answers and healing for her. That brings me so much joy and happiness. This is not her fault, she's doing nothing wrong, and so I'm hopeful that this doctor can help us get her healthy.
She now has a regiment of supplements that she's taking each day, and we will begin a paleo diet for her this Monday. What this means is that actually the Ivey family will begin a paleo diet this Monday. That means all of us. I'm excited and anxious about this all in one. This isn't a diet I'm doing for 6 weeks to try and shed a few holiday pounds, but this is something that will hopefully help my daughter be on her way to a healthier body and life.
So, December 1st not only begins the month we celebrate the birth of Jesus for us, but it's the month we change the food in our home. On some levels this won't be too extreme, but on others I'm going to struggle quite a bit I just know it. For example, breakfast on school days is going to be hard. I admit we are quick to hand out bagels, waffles, cereal and yogurt, and as of Monday none of those will work. School lunches will be easier, but still they will take more thought. No more snack bars, no more chips, crackers, pretzels, cheese sticks, yogurt sticks …. LOTS more veggies. That's what I'm noticing will be the most change.
So, friends if you have any great paleo foods for me to try please send them my way. Especially if you have kids my age and you pack their lunches every day. That's where I need some encouragement and ideas.
I know we can do it, and we are all in this for Story.
Here are some ideas:
Lunchboxes: http://nomnompaleo.com/post/59118514268/paleo-lunchbox-roundup
I love this cookbook from Against All Grain http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/162860042X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=162860042X&linkCode=as2&tag=againstallgrain-20 . I am terrible in the kitchen, but this cookbook has helped me find my groove in so many ways!
I love this website too that has really helped me, here is the breakfast section: http://paleomg.com/category/breakfast/
We don’t eat Paleo as strictly anymore, but we saw so many positive effects on our health with this diet coupled with our supplements and essential oils. I’d love to get back to eating Paleo…
I’ll be praying for you all as you adjust, it can be hard but when it’s for the health of your baby girl, I’m sure that gives you extra motivation! <3
Have you seen this blog? Looks like some great paleo lunch ideas!
http://www.ourpaleolife.com/2013/03/kids-paleo-lunches/
I am glad you are finding answers! And actually there are a ton of great paleo waffle recipes out there that you can make in big batches & freeze. My mom just made some from The Paleo Mom with plantains and they were delicious. I have been Paleo for a few years now but I’ve yet to really tackle transitioning my family. Maybe you will inspire me!
Look into Nom Nom Paleo: Food for Humans blog & cookbook! Literally every single recipe is to die for. It’s a great cookbook when you have time to slow down & cook something other than a plain meat & veggie meal. I believe she has the best advice as far as breakfast & lunch for young kids because she has two herself that made the transition with her. So she has lots of experience with catering to children! She is the only person I look to for Paleo, but I know Danielle Walker “Meals Made Simple” author is also very good. She also has one young child. Hope this helps!!
I struggle to keep all the carbs and calorie-filled (junkie) snacks out of our children’s lives — mostly for ease (healthy food takes more time prep) & lack of wanting to fight against it with them. I’d love it if you can pass on any ideas you’re getting: whether it be on school lunches, snack ideas or family meals. I’m guessing veggies are going to be my biggest hurdle — I don’t just love all veggies and I struggle to cook them well!!!
Keep it simple as you jump into this. I found it overwhelming to try 1,000 new recipes. Eggs for breakfast, salads/soups for lunch and meat/veggies for supper is a pretty simple schedule that has worked for us before.
A couple friends who are on the paleo diet post meal plans periodically at http://vevahealth.com/
They don’t have kids (the blog owner has a baby) but there might be some good tips there!
Hi, Jamie! After being diagnosed with Celiac disease three years ago, I still suspected some additional food issues, so I went to a Paleo-friendly diet. I’m a mom of three, so food has to be good for me, relatively easy to prep, and delicious for my people. Read, read, read your labels. The fewer the ingredients the better, and the ingredients should be food you recognize. My go to website is Elana’s Pantry. Elana has two boys, so she’s cooking for her family and her kids’ friends. Her dishes have short ingredient lists, and her cookbook, Paleo Cooking from Elana’s Pantry, provides photos. I would imagine that you can find great almond flour, coconut sugar, etc in Austin, but she also lists websites that carry these items just in case. Paleo eating is certainly an adventure, but I can say for me that it has made a huge difference in my energy level, attitude, and overall well-being. Praying for y’all as you take this big step!
Thank you so much!
Hi Jamie!
You should also check out everyday paleo: http://everydaypaleo.com/
I have all of her cookbooks and she has three kids, so I know her recipes are likely kid approved! I have not made anything that was not tasty! Best of luck to all of you on your new journey of health. I hope that your sweet girl (and the rest of your family) find some joy and promise in changing up your nutrition!
In our journey we’ve loved the Well Fed cookbooks. (http://www.amazon.com/Well-Fed-Paleo-Recipes-People/dp/0989487504/ref=pd_sim_b_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=08DA3AVXH4JEVF2FEZ3K)
She does a great job of helping you set up your “Paleo kitchen” which was a huge help for a newbie like me. All if her recipes are delicious and so far that has been my go to for all our meals. We could eat her “sunrise scramble” everyday! My biggest advice is to stock your spice cabinets. Recipes can seem long, but when you have your spices ready to go you can whip out delicious meals everyone (paleo or not) will love. Blessings as y’all start this journey!
Thanks for recommending us Allison! And Jamie, you can definitely do it…it sounds like you have a great motivator and you have so many resources listed in these comments too! We do post weekly meal plans and recipes (some Paleo) so hopefully you can get some good recipes from our blog too. Let me know if we can do anything else to help!
Hi Jamie and Jami! I am also a celiac that can’t do dairy. My daughter is a celiac that can’t have nuts of any kind. We are all about modified diets. I’ll admit that I’ve been way too scared to go straight Paleo so I would love to know what you both think of it. There are still some lingering issues and I feel certain that Paleo would help but all I can think is “I already gave up gluten and dairy! Now I have to give up more?” (Insert whining here.)
Is there hope for those of us just rebellious enough to stay unwell in order to keep certain (junk) foods around?
Hey Jamie! I am super interested in the doctor you guys are meeting with. We are on a whole other medical journey with our little guys and have been in S Austin for a year now. Feel free to e-mail it to me if you aren’t comfortable posting online. I would love to hear more about it.