Our Whole30 & GAPS Diet Reset…

Here we are, the 9th of February 2015, getting ready to embark on yet another health mission. Four years ago, we went from fast food junkies living the SAD (Standard American Diet) to farm fresh real food lovers. Today, we attempt going from over-stressed, under-slept small business owners to balanced, whole, well maintained food entrepreneurs.

Two years ago, we launched the Natural Contents Kitchen as a way to connect our local community to delicious, nutritious, clean food by supporting a regional food system rooted in organic practice. Prior to the launch of NCK, our health had come a long way, we were slimming down and feeling really good in our new chem-free skin.

Fast forward to present day…we have gained 30 pounds between the two of us and we swear our hair is turning gray by the second. Owning a small business is no easy task and has taken its toll on our well-being. Two years of 16 to 20 hour days, managing the farmers’ markets while juggling the kids has simply played its toll. That being said, we’re ready to take control and bring the much needed balance into our life. The key to that balance is our health and mental well-being.

Over the years, we have learned so much regarding nutrition and how food ultimately aids or ails the body. While we have continued to follow our clean-organic lifestyle, we’ve let other things go. We’ve been so busy that sleep, exercise and proper eating habits (like throwing food in our mouths while running around or eating muffins as a meal) have become a luxury not achieved often enough. Pair standing on your legs 12-18 hours, days in a row, every single week plus 85+ hour work weeks and you essentially have a recipe to diminish ones health.

While we will continue to stand on our legs, day after day, week after week, we are happy to say we’re getting the business to a more manageable and efficient work schedule. One that will still be crazy ass busy, but will allow us to take care of us. After all, how can we have a business rooted in healthy eating and not be our most healthful selves?

Recently, upon visiting Lorriane Spinard of Shohola Chiropractic (and applied kinesiology), Jen showed signs of gall bladder distress and I showed signs of thyroid and adrenal issues. Not terribly surprising to either one of us; I was also told I needed to increase my intake of animal protein.

Jen has been researching the GAPS diet for a span of time now given her history of digestion and neurological issues. Always wanting to take the leap and follow the stages, yet challenged by our crazy schedule and lack of time to take care of ourselves.

I’ve been researching the paleo diet for some time as well. Always unsure of whether or not I believed that folks should be on a meat eating mission of consuming gobs of bacon, pork chops and burgers (as some do). After further reading and consuming more animal protein for the past two weeks (at the request of Lorraine), I can honestly say I’m feeling better. I’m not craving sweets nearly as much; I feel more satiated; I have more energy (but sleeping more); and overall I feel a bit better than before.

Recently, I’ve been learning more about the Whole30. So far, so good. I find myself in agreement with most of the principals and feel as though we might benefit from following their guidelines for 30 days. Since we already eat clean and source the highest quality food, the few minor changes that we need to make should be do-able.

In the end, we’re hoping to achieve feeling better and feeling fit. Through healing our guts, tending to our ailments, resting to recuperate, yoga for mental clarity and body-weight exercises to build muscle, we’re confident that a 30 day reset is exactly what we need. A combination of Whole30 and the GAPS diet seem like a good place to start.

Join along, follow our journey and watch our progress. We’ll be posting updates, recipes, resources, commentary and more. Who knows…maybe you’ll feel inspired to take hold and take care of your health and well-being.

– D