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Making Sense Out of Health and Beauty

After the Colonoscopy

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My colonoscopy is complete and you know what, it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. The prep wasn’t even as bad as I had expected. I think what helped me have a prep that wasn’t miserable was that I started a clean liquid diet about 15-18 hours before the prep actually started. Plus it helped that everyone was saying how terrible it would be…of course they were telling this to a person who is no stranger to using the bathroom often and ASAP situations.

So my colonoscopy was a Monday morning. I was in and out by lunch time.
“The results?” you ask…  he didn’t see any sign of crohn’s. Once again, he said it seems to be just severe IBS. There isn’t a medicine that can ‘cure’ it. There isn’t much of anything to do other than diet and some meds that MIGHT relieve some symptoms. I have my next appointment with him in 3 months. That’s all. Then I was on my way to lunch.
My husband and I went to a local restaurant for lunch. I felt so good having been cleaned out that I wasn’t even that hungry. Even though I wanted more black and white results, what I did get from it was the feeling of being cleaned out. It made me not want to put more crap into my colon or my body. It felt so good! So good that I thought it wouldn’t be bad to have another one from time to time just to get cleansed! Is that weird? If you had a colonoscopy before did you feel better after? Or am I the only weird one?
Two days after the colonoscopy I went to my holistic dr. I was in the room for about 2 minutes all I had told her so far was that my results were negative for crohn’s and it was still probably just severe IBS. You know what she said? She looked right at me and said ‘even though you wanted a more definite answer, it doesn’t change the severity of you symptoms.’ Ahhh, it was as if she read my mind! It made me feel so much better.
Some drs call IBS leaky gut and there are even a few other names for it. It doesn’t matter what it’s labeled as though. My symptoms are still the same and my ‘prescription’ is still the same. I am to follow the GAPS diet, starting with the into first, spending 5-7 days on each stage. I am to be having 3 cups of meat/bone broth a day, work my way up to 2 probiotics a day (a specific kind, not just any OTC probiotic) and work my way up to multiple servings of homemade fermented foods a day.
I had started and restarted the GAPs intro 2 times already but this time was going to be different! I had to do this!
I decided that it was more than just physical. I had to be right mentally too. I needed to make this the least stressful transition that I could. I needed to get a new Bible study to follow just for something fresh. I needed to be totally prepared. I also needed to plan out each stage and how I want to add what. I spent one whole day preparing.
So here is what I did specifically:
-reviewed (ordered what I didn’t already have) Gut and Psychology Syndrome, Recover with GAPS, The Heal Your Gut Cookbook and GAPS guide
-ordered Bio-Kult for my OTC probiotic
-made 2 batches of broth and poured it into mason jars (3 cups in each) and froze all but 3 days worth
-found a source for my natural fermented foods (started with sauerkraut, juices only)
-made Ghee and purchased duck fat
-boiled my meat and veggies (with my broth prep)
-purchased some bottled water and a purifier for my kitchen sink
-purchased Women of the Word study to help me spiritual
Alrighty, I’ve been doing this for over 2 weeks and I FEEL AMAZING!!! I can’t believe how fantastic I feel. I haven’t felt this good in over a year. Maybe more like two years. I don’t try to sneak in naps. I don’t have the afternoon slumps. I haven’t rushed to the bathroom. Instead, I am full of energy. I have been working out again at 4:30am. A few days ago I cleaned my house….every little nook and cranny! The baseboards, the lights, the fans, everything!
The GAPS diet has completely changed how I feel physically and mentally! I am so blessed to have found my holistic dr and the GAPS diet.
I put a bundle of herbs and garlic in a the water while I cook the meat to make the broth.

I put a bundle of herbs and garlic in a the water while I cook the meat to make the broth.

 

I boil my chicken for 3 hours to make my broth.

I boil my chicken for 3 hours to make my broth.

 

I pour the finished broth in mason jars and let cool on the counter.

I pour the finished broth in mason jars and let cool on the counter.

 

I let the chicken cool and then remove it from the bone.

I let the chicken cool and then remove it from the bone.

 

Of course, I save the wishbone for the kids!

Of course, I save the wishbone for the kids!

 

After the broth has cooled, I freeze the mason jars. I leave the lid loose until the broth is completely frozen, then tighten.

After the broth has cooled, I freeze the mason jars. I leave the lid loose until the broth is completely frozen, then tighten.

 

A GAPS Meal: butternut squash pancakes, topped with honey and peanut butter and a soft boiled egg

A GAPS Meal:
butternut squash pancakes, topped with honey and peanut butter and a soft boiled egg

 

A GAPS Meal: chicken with avocado, mashed cauliflower and hot broth.

A GAPS Meal:
chicken with avocado, mashed cauliflower and hot broth

 

A GAPS Meal: chicken, mashed cauliflower, boiled carrots, soft boiled egg

A GAPS Meal:
chicken, mashed cauliflower, boiled carrots, soft boiled egg

Comments

    • You just might like it!! I add extra sea salt after I pour it into my mug. It has replaced my hot tea and coffee for the morning.

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  1. […] She also switch me from carb cycling to no carbs except for the meal right before I lift. I actually like this meal plan better. I never feel good on too many carbs, I know you wouldn’t know that from my desire to eat chocolate out of my kids nasty hands but it’s true. Carbs from grains make me feel yuck. Well, you can read more about that HERE.  […]