GAPS Diet Healing Stories- Debbie at The Sour Path is the Sweetest

Debbie is someone I have met through some of the online GAPS diet groups. She is also another health blogger and we connected very quickly. She has a wonderful health blog at The Sour Path is the Sweetest and posts these amazing recipes that she comes up with as she moves along on her healing journey. I encourage you to read this  very inspiring interview as Debbie struggled with some serious emotional issues that are not there anymore. Then go over and take a look at some of the recipes and articles at her site. I will highlight a few of my favorites at the end of the interview. (Update, Debbie is no longer living after a battle with cancer and her blog is no longer accessible.)

She choose this image of a frog as her identifying photo. Maybe it is because after all this hard work this frog is finally able to relax and enjoy some of life.

1. How long have you been on the GAPS diet?
Almost 3 years. I started in October 2010.

2. What was going on that made you decide to pursue the diet?
I had severe depression, anxiety, and a diagnosis of Bipolar disorder with mixed states. For some reason, all medicines and most supplements made me feel worse because I’m weirdly sensitive. I also was freezing! My body temp would drop to 94 degrees sometimes. (It may have been Adrenal fatigue?)

3. Did you start with Full GAPS or Intro first? How long have you been on each?
I definitely started with Full GAPS. I knew I would be starving without starches. I ate a lot of coconut flour muffins!

About a month later (November, 2010), I started intro.

4. What kind of progress or healing have you seen?
My mental symptoms are at least 90% better. I smile and laugh. I go on vacation. We change things around the house sometimes :). I clean and put things away. I can drive and get on the freeway. Things that most people take for granted are a huge blessing to me! I’m so grateful!

5. What other strategies have you implemented along with GAPS? Why?
I did the “Leptin Reset”, from a guy named Jack Kruse. You eat a huge protein and fat breakfast, space out your mealtimes, and stop eating before 7:30 at night. It works on your hypothalamus to correct “upside down” cortisol levels. It helped a lot.

6. Are you off the GAPs diet?
No. I really like eating like this.

7. Are there areas where you have not seen healing so far?
I still have some anxiety and I still have a hard time with change. But I definitely have improved.

8. What has been the hardest thing about following the GAPS diet?
Having to cook absolutely everything that I put in my mouth. That was really hard to adjust to. That’s why most of the recipes on my blog are really easy :).

Traveling, restaurants, and family gatherings are also tricky. But after almost 3 years I’ve gotten used to it.

9. What has been the best thing about following the GAPS diet?

I love the food. I’m not addicted to food anymore, but I enjoy it. But of course the best thing is that I have a life now! I’m thankful that I get to be a better wife and mom.

10. Do you have any advice for a person considering going on the GAPS diet?

Join GAPS groups on Facebook and read blogs. Maybe consult a Certified GAPS practitioner if you need help with digestion. (I just found out in my NTP classes that I needed more digestive support than I was getting.)

11.. Is there any you would like to add to the above comments?
Thanks for getting the word out about the awesome GAPS diet, Jennifer. I appreciate you :).