I wrote this a couple of months ago right after visiting my Mother who lives over 800 miles from us for 2 weeks. I drove each way, spending one night in a hotel, with my 2 GAPS kids (aged 12 & 10) and my adult daughters (not on GAPS). I realized today that if I wait until the grammar, etc. is just right I will never post. Go ahead and ask if something just doesn't make sense.
Overall, things went very well. My planning included 2 coolers, one for using while traveling, the other for the stop in the hotel room. We packed cooked roast, cooked vegetables, cooked and frozen sausage patties, sauerkraut, pickles, yogurt, pumpkin seeds, nut butter pancakes and for the trip up - vegetable soup, frozen. My mother had called asking how I made my broth and prepared some in advance so I didn’t need to pack more broth, though there would have been room for a at least a quart if it had been necessary. My daughters also packed some snack food for themselves and myself - primarily foods the boys never really liked before GAPS (yogurt cups, tortilla wraps). We brought along a crock pot, electric skillet and hot pot. I only used the crock pot, though, as the boys were quite happy eating the meat and veggies cold and didn’t want to wait.
I discovered that with a quality cooler and ice pack, freezing the soup not only wasn’t necessary, it was a liability. It took forever to thaw the soup so I was very glad I had packed lots of meat and veggies, since they got the soup for breakfast instead of supper! As I type this up, it occurs to me I could have thawed/heated the soup more quickly in the electric skillet, but at the time, tired from driving my brain just didn’t go there. I went through a drive thru for the girls and I (the first time the boys have been in the car when someone did that in a year!) since we were running late. I ordered a fruit salad (apple slices and grapes w/ yogurt) and they got fruit (a treat for them) while the girls had the yogurt so they didn’t mind us having things they couldn’t.
We stayed at a hotel with a refrigerator so everything would stay cold without having to get a lot of ice. I don’t like ice in coolers because the bag always seems to leak and there is water everywhere. Since the girls and I are not doing GAPS we also chose a hotel with free breakfast. We took turns going to the lobby for our breakfasts (a bit heavy on carbs for me, but the girls were thrilled with stuff we do not have in our house). I had parked near the back entrance, so the boys ate in the hotel room and were never near the lobby.
While we were traveling the boys got their soup/broth morning and evening instead of through the day. They probably got a bit less than usual, but overall I was very happy with our travel. As they have gotten older they need fewer stops for running around so we mostly just ate in the car and kept going. I was very glad to have meals waiting when I arrived. I am blessed with family who are willing to help out and ask how to prepare meals. For our trip home Robert called to get instructions for cooking a roast in the crock pot since he knew we would all be tired.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Traveling on GAPS
I have been asked about traveling on GAPS so I will try to write down some of the things I’ve learned. The first thing is not about travel, but cooking. Always cook more than you need for the current meal.
The second is having a very loose definition of travel. If we are planning to be away from our home for more than 45 minutes I bring food.
I try to organize appointments so I am leaving right after a meal so I only need snacks. If we’ll be away from home long enough that a meal will be missed I try for lunch - as that is often leftovers anyway so I don’t need to prepare things, just pack them in the cooler.
For a short trip (under 3 hours) a small amount of cooked meat and veggies is usually sufficient. The boys are at a stage where they just want food, temperature is not important. Therefore we tend to put everything into the cooler and just have it cold. If the trip unexpectedly lengthens, they can split a Lara Bar (an occasional treat) or they can have small amounts of fresh fruit. In real emergencies any restaurant (even fast food ones) will give you a plain burger patty on lettuce. /The food has probably been treated in ways that are illegal, but since my boys aren’t overly sensitive they don’t suffer obvious setbacks. I have only had to take advantage of restaurant food once, though, since I started planning for delays.
If the trip is 3 hours or longer I bring more meat & veggies, and add in pickles, nut butter pancakes, and cucumber slices and pancakes. Only during intro did I bring soup in a thermos. Trying to eat soup in the car was kind of difficult, plus then there were bowls and spoons to deal with. I much prefer finger foods on the road. Extra foods are a little fruit or nuts and/or part of a Lara Bar. I plan for mini meals on the road every hour and a half to two hours. Longer trips just mean bigger coolers, or sometimes 2 small ones.
Being away from home tends to be tiring for me, so I make sure there is soup warming in the crock pot or oven so they can have some as soon as we get home. Unless someone else is cooking the next meal I also try to make sure that is in the crock pot or completely prepped and only needs sticking into the oven.
The second is having a very loose definition of travel. If we are planning to be away from our home for more than 45 minutes I bring food.
I try to organize appointments so I am leaving right after a meal so I only need snacks. If we’ll be away from home long enough that a meal will be missed I try for lunch - as that is often leftovers anyway so I don’t need to prepare things, just pack them in the cooler.
For a short trip (under 3 hours) a small amount of cooked meat and veggies is usually sufficient. The boys are at a stage where they just want food, temperature is not important. Therefore we tend to put everything into the cooler and just have it cold. If the trip unexpectedly lengthens, they can split a Lara Bar (an occasional treat) or they can have small amounts of fresh fruit. In real emergencies any restaurant (even fast food ones) will give you a plain burger patty on lettuce. /The food has probably been treated in ways that are illegal, but since my boys aren’t overly sensitive they don’t suffer obvious setbacks. I have only had to take advantage of restaurant food once, though, since I started planning for delays.
If the trip is 3 hours or longer I bring more meat & veggies, and add in pickles, nut butter pancakes, and cucumber slices and pancakes. Only during intro did I bring soup in a thermos. Trying to eat soup in the car was kind of difficult, plus then there were bowls and spoons to deal with. I much prefer finger foods on the road. Extra foods are a little fruit or nuts and/or part of a Lara Bar. I plan for mini meals on the road every hour and a half to two hours. Longer trips just mean bigger coolers, or sometimes 2 small ones.
Being away from home tends to be tiring for me, so I make sure there is soup warming in the crock pot or oven so they can have some as soon as we get home. Unless someone else is cooking the next meal I also try to make sure that is in the crock pot or completely prepped and only needs sticking into the oven.
Update
A lot has been going on since I last posted. I remember I started to update once, then accidentally deleted everything I had typed. I decided it just wasn't time yet to post.
The boys are doing well. At about the 9 month mark on GAPS we had evidence of dead parisites in their BMs. Immediately we had weight gain for both boys, but especially Justin. He is now hovering right around 60 pounds, though with fall I am beginning to suspect a possible recurrance. I am planning on upping coconut oil, garlic and pumpkin seeds which is what worked last time.
We are now eating some butter and goat's milk yogurt. They don't like the yogurt all that well, mostly they have it in soup. We've added lettuce to the cucumber for raw veggies, Daniel is chewing better as his teeth move, but still has a ways to go. I need to add more leafy veggies to their diet and I also want to add in kefir and beet kvass. I still struggle with adding new things - I am hoping to get myself on GAPS to help with this issue.
Our neurodevelopmentalist is very happy with their progress. Even inconsistent program due to extra cooking has had good results as they are so much better able to focus.
The boys are doing well. At about the 9 month mark on GAPS we had evidence of dead parisites in their BMs. Immediately we had weight gain for both boys, but especially Justin. He is now hovering right around 60 pounds, though with fall I am beginning to suspect a possible recurrance. I am planning on upping coconut oil, garlic and pumpkin seeds which is what worked last time.
We are now eating some butter and goat's milk yogurt. They don't like the yogurt all that well, mostly they have it in soup. We've added lettuce to the cucumber for raw veggies, Daniel is chewing better as his teeth move, but still has a ways to go. I need to add more leafy veggies to their diet and I also want to add in kefir and beet kvass. I still struggle with adding new things - I am hoping to get myself on GAPS to help with this issue.
Our neurodevelopmentalist is very happy with their progress. Even inconsistent program due to extra cooking has had good results as they are so much better able to focus.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Week 9
It has been a good week for the boys. D has been calmer and more accepting of things he doesn't like. J gained weight this week, hurrah! He continues to speak more and read more. Both boys BMs have generally been good, D being loose only after sneaking raw vegetables. I think I will skip raw vegetables for awhile and go straight to cooked fruit. I think the problem is with his bite and being unable to chew well. Another idea is to shred any vegetables I want to feed him raw. Something to think about. . .
I still need to get out the juicer. No real excuse.
Probiotic: D - 3 per day; J - 2 1/2 per day. We are moving towards therapeutic dose (D-5 or maybe 6; J-4)
The boys are eating: beef, chicken, pork, lamb, avocado, carrots, celery, cauliflower, broccoli, onions, peppers, acorn squash, butternut squash, zucchini, peas, green beans, brussel sprouts, yellow squash, tomato, eggs (raw yolks , soft-boiled, or scrambled), almond butter, walnut butter, garlic, rosemary, basil, marjoram, sage, thyme, oregano, parsley, bay leaf (small amounts of the herbs in soups or casseroles), ghee, olive oil, coconut oil, sauerkraut, dill pickles.
I still need to get out the juicer. No real excuse.
Probiotic: D - 3 per day; J - 2 1/2 per day. We are moving towards therapeutic dose (D-5 or maybe 6; J-4)
The boys are eating: beef, chicken, pork, lamb, avocado, carrots, celery, cauliflower, broccoli, onions, peppers, acorn squash, butternut squash, zucchini, peas, green beans, brussel sprouts, yellow squash, tomato, eggs (raw yolks , soft-boiled, or scrambled), almond butter, walnut butter, garlic, rosemary, basil, marjoram, sage, thyme, oregano, parsley, bay leaf (small amounts of the herbs in soups or casseroles), ghee, olive oil, coconut oil, sauerkraut, dill pickles.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Week 8
Once again I'm late with a weekly status post. Since my brother's death I've often just been plodding along. I've been able to keep going with their diet, but adding new things (juicing, cod liver oil) has been a bit beyond me. I did start adding finely chopped celery to their soups, they are tolerating it well. We also began cooking their pancakes in coconut oil (partly because we are nearly out of ghee!) and that has also been well tolerated. I am limiting the number of pancakes, though.
Probiotic: D - 2 1/2 per day; J - 2 per day.
J's weight is holding. I'm hoping for a gain this week. Now that he is speaking more, he is also asking for seconds when he's still hungry so we don't have to guess.
D's OCD has been a little less the last couple of days. He still doesn't want J getting out books or toys, but doesn't completely lose control when we let J play or read anyway.
Probiotic: D - 2 1/2 per day; J - 2 per day.
J's weight is holding. I'm hoping for a gain this week. Now that he is speaking more, he is also asking for seconds when he's still hungry so we don't have to guess.
D's OCD has been a little less the last couple of days. He still doesn't want J getting out books or toys, but doesn't completely lose control when we let J play or read anyway.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Day 55
It has been a busy week. I've also suffered from a migraine, so have spent much less time on the computer than usual.
D has become more accepting of his appliance this week - or Dad's threats were effective. He is still challenged with wanting everything in its place, making it difficult for J to read or play. I suspect the days when his OCD is worst are from die-off, but we've been pushing through for the most part.
J is reading much better - and wanting to do more of it (in spite of D!). He has also been writing notes on his magna-doodle. As we are understanding more of what he says, he is responding by speaking even more. He still does not answer questions well, however, and needs more modeling.
I meant to get out the juicer earlier this week, but put it off. Since Robert has the day off tomorrow, that might be a good day.
I've also been putting off cod liver oil. It is sitting in the refrigerator, mocking me. Hopefully we'll be able to start this week.
D has become more accepting of his appliance this week - or Dad's threats were effective. He is still challenged with wanting everything in its place, making it difficult for J to read or play. I suspect the days when his OCD is worst are from die-off, but we've been pushing through for the most part.
J is reading much better - and wanting to do more of it (in spite of D!). He has also been writing notes on his magna-doodle. As we are understanding more of what he says, he is responding by speaking even more. He still does not answer questions well, however, and needs more modeling.
I meant to get out the juicer earlier this week, but put it off. Since Robert has the day off tomorrow, that might be a good day.
I've also been putting off cod liver oil. It is sitting in the refrigerator, mocking me. Hopefully we'll be able to start this week.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Week 7
With everything happening in our lives - my travel, one daughter back to community college, school starting for the boys I hardly know what we're doing in regards to the boys' diet and program!
We've increased Biokult: D - 2 1/4 per day; J 1 3/4 per day. Having both boys on biokult with their doses slightly different can be a little confusing, but on the other hand - it adds to 4 per day! We're just over halfway to our therapeutic dose.
I made more bone broth yesterday, and I am cooking up chicken legs today and will end up with some broth. I won't need to cook broth for at least a week.
Looking back over their diet the last few days - it's time to make pancakes. Pancakes always seem labor intensive to me - so I avoid them. J could use the extra calories, though. For dinner one night I did more of a stir fry with the veggies. Robert and I were very tired of boiled. The boys seemed to handle it okay, but I don't think I'll be cooking them that way very often.
Daniel is having more challenges with his appliance. I'm pretty sure his teeth/mouth get sore since we were just in for an adjustment. He often brings us the appliances, though, which is a great improvement over what he used to do with them! He also seems to be removing them without bending them so badly - I guess he's getting more skilled.
The boys are eating: beef, chicken, pork, lamb, avocado, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, onions, peppers, acorn squash, butternut squash, zucchini, peas, green beans, brussel sprouts, yellow squash, tomato, eggs (raw yolks , soft-boiled, or scrambled), almond butter, garlic, rosemary, basil, marjoram, sage, thyme, oregano, parsley, bay leaf (small amounts of the herbs in soups or casseroles), ghee, olive oil, sauerkraut, dill pickles.
We still haven't started cod liver oil - I need to stop putting it off. The next step in the diet is juicing! Sometime in the next couple of days they each get 1/3 cup of carrot juice. Hopefully they won't turn orange from too much carrot!
We've increased Biokult: D - 2 1/4 per day; J 1 3/4 per day. Having both boys on biokult with their doses slightly different can be a little confusing, but on the other hand - it adds to 4 per day! We're just over halfway to our therapeutic dose.
I made more bone broth yesterday, and I am cooking up chicken legs today and will end up with some broth. I won't need to cook broth for at least a week.
Looking back over their diet the last few days - it's time to make pancakes. Pancakes always seem labor intensive to me - so I avoid them. J could use the extra calories, though. For dinner one night I did more of a stir fry with the veggies. Robert and I were very tired of boiled. The boys seemed to handle it okay, but I don't think I'll be cooking them that way very often.
Daniel is having more challenges with his appliance. I'm pretty sure his teeth/mouth get sore since we were just in for an adjustment. He often brings us the appliances, though, which is a great improvement over what he used to do with them! He also seems to be removing them without bending them so badly - I guess he's getting more skilled.
The boys are eating: beef, chicken, pork, lamb, avocado, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, onions, peppers, acorn squash, butternut squash, zucchini, peas, green beans, brussel sprouts, yellow squash, tomato, eggs (raw yolks , soft-boiled, or scrambled), almond butter, garlic, rosemary, basil, marjoram, sage, thyme, oregano, parsley, bay leaf (small amounts of the herbs in soups or casseroles), ghee, olive oil, sauerkraut, dill pickles.
We still haven't started cod liver oil - I need to stop putting it off. The next step in the diet is juicing! Sometime in the next couple of days they each get 1/3 cup of carrot juice. Hopefully they won't turn orange from too much carrot!
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