And that was my reasoning today. But it wasn't because I couldn't get enough to eat, just because I couldn't get enough to control my stress. I've never had a problem with stress until I had to become an adult. :D From middle school through pre-pregnancy marriage I could handle anything thrown my way. I felt like super woman, getting 4 hours of sleep on school nights because I was too focused to stop working. If I got 4 hours of sleep now I would't be able to stand!
The week has been a little more overwhelming than most. Or maybe everything was pent up for so long I reached my capacity to handle it. After a sanity/family-time hiatus from school, James went back this week. I know it is important for him and good to get back on a routine, but it take 3 hours to get everyone ready and out the door every morning (or 2.5 if the only things I do for myself are shower and eat breakfast). The little one is teething which makes for some very unpleasant sleeping and difficult feeding sessions. I have got to find an amber necklace for her soon, her bracelet just isn't doing enough. I have to find another way to handle my stress besides eating. Honestly, I think that is the hardest part of maintaining the AIP protocol, not having the insane "give me everything in the grocery store to shove in my face NOW" look that the brunette in the picture has. I did a lot of brainstorming for comfort food that won't tip the scales and turn my intestines into a broken garbage disposal so I hope to have some new recipes coming your way (or maybe more importantly, my way) soon!
The week has been a little more overwhelming than most. Or maybe everything was pent up for so long I reached my capacity to handle it. After a sanity/family-time hiatus from school, James went back this week. I know it is important for him and good to get back on a routine, but it take 3 hours to get everyone ready and out the door every morning (or 2.5 if the only things I do for myself are shower and eat breakfast). The little one is teething which makes for some very unpleasant sleeping and difficult feeding sessions. I have got to find an amber necklace for her soon, her bracelet just isn't doing enough. I have to find another way to handle my stress besides eating. Honestly, I think that is the hardest part of maintaining the AIP protocol, not having the insane "give me everything in the grocery store to shove in my face NOW" look that the brunette in the picture has. I did a lot of brainstorming for comfort food that won't tip the scales and turn my intestines into a broken garbage disposal so I hope to have some new recipes coming your way (or maybe more importantly, my way) soon!
I've been thinking about apple cider vinegar a lot lately. Probably because I've had several conversations about it this week. That is bound to happen when I throw back a shot of liquid that looks like apple juice, but makes me shudder right before each meal. I've used ACV off and on for a year and a half now. Right now I am back "on". I have problems with low levels of stomach acid which means my food doesn't digest well enough to be absorbed and used by my body. This is especially true with protein. We realized something was wrong when I noticed bruises all over my legs and couldn't remember a cause for them. These weren't the normal mommy bruises, the "I smashed my leg putting my kid in the car seat" bruises. When I brought it up with my nutritionist she understood the problem and said that I should start using the ACV undiluted (I usually diluted it in water) to give my body the extra kick it needed. There is a noticeable difference in my energy and resilience now that my body has this simple digestive aid. I hope I won't have to add another digestive aid on top of the ACV; we'll see how it goes.
So, what does ACV do for you? As I've found, taken right before meals, it enhances the acidity of the stomach to aid in the digestion of food. It also helps ease heartburn which is usually caused by a lack (NOT an overabundance) of digestive enzymes in the stomach. Most physicians (even Web MD and Dr Oz :D) recognize multiple other benefits of ACV even if they emphasize these benefits are unproven. This website has a good list of 12 benefits of ingesting ACV. My favorite effect of ACV is the warming sensation I get in my stomach. When I eat a diet full of protein, vegetables, and fats I often don't feel "full" the same way I did on my starch-heavy diet, but while on a starch-heavy diet I feel full, but not nutritionally satisfied (my body craves the nutrients it misses). The ACV counteracts this frustrating effect so my stomach doesn't feel empty even after a full meal. My shins are happy, too, now that my body can handle and use the protein I digest and my legs aren't covered in black spots. Well, I still have the mommy bruises. :D
If you are looking for good-quality ACV, check out Bragg's brand (I've only found the bulk size pictured above once at Wegmans. It was amazing.). You can find it in most stores now. Any other ACV lovers out there?
So, what does ACV do for you? As I've found, taken right before meals, it enhances the acidity of the stomach to aid in the digestion of food. It also helps ease heartburn which is usually caused by a lack (NOT an overabundance) of digestive enzymes in the stomach. Most physicians (even Web MD and Dr Oz :D) recognize multiple other benefits of ACV even if they emphasize these benefits are unproven. This website has a good list of 12 benefits of ingesting ACV. My favorite effect of ACV is the warming sensation I get in my stomach. When I eat a diet full of protein, vegetables, and fats I often don't feel "full" the same way I did on my starch-heavy diet, but while on a starch-heavy diet I feel full, but not nutritionally satisfied (my body craves the nutrients it misses). The ACV counteracts this frustrating effect so my stomach doesn't feel empty even after a full meal. My shins are happy, too, now that my body can handle and use the protein I digest and my legs aren't covered in black spots. Well, I still have the mommy bruises. :D
If you are looking for good-quality ACV, check out Bragg's brand (I've only found the bulk size pictured above once at Wegmans. It was amazing.). You can find it in most stores now. Any other ACV lovers out there?
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