Eileen

Can Skipping Sleep Cause an Autoimmune Flare?

Can Skipping Sleep Cause an Autoimmune Flare?

How many of us try to squeeze extra time out of the day, by staying up late or getting up early? We sacrifice sleep, because in our modern culture, we don’t value it. We consider it unproductive time, but we’re wrong. When it comes to reversing autoimmune disease, sleep is as important to our health as diet, and it might be the key (or the obstacle) to remission. Research also shows that we can’t “catch up” on sleep over the weekend. It feels like we can, because we’re less tired after a couple of good nights’ sleep, but on a cellular level we haven’t recovered. In today’s post, I share the research along with tips for how to sleep well and long.

Episode 09: Functional Medicine with Anne Angelone

This episode of the Phoenix Helix podcast answers the question, “What is Functional Medicine?” Our guest is Anne Angelone, acupuncturist, herbalist and functional medicine practitioner. She talks about what health obstacles can interfere with autoimmune healing, which tests are most helpful, and which interventions she recommends. Anne also has autoimmune disease herself (ankylosing spondylitis and uveitis), and shares her healing story with us today.

photo collage of featured recipes

50 Paleo AIP Slow Cooker Recipes

When you follow an anti-inflammatory diet, that often means a lot of home cooking, and that can take a whole lot of time! I’m all for making things easier, and that’s what slow cookers do. Just throw the ingredients into a crockpot in the morning, and by dinnertime your house smells amazing and it’s ready to serve! It’s the next best thing to having a person chef. 

Episode 08: Getting Help – Health and Nutrition Coaching

Maximizing autoimmune health through diet and lifestyle is hard work. The rewards are absolutely worth it, but sometimes a little extra help can make it a whole lot easier. When do we ask for that help? What services do we need? In this podcast episode I interview a health coach and a nutrition coach. They both have autoimmune disease themselves and have dedicated their careers to helping people live their healthiest lives. We clarify the difference between the services they offer, and which clients benefit the most from their coaching.

Episode 07: The Wahls Protocol with Dr. Terry Wahls

This episode of the Phoenix Helix podcast is an in-depth interview with Dr. Terry Wahls, a doctor with multiple sclerosis, who went from a wheelchair to a bicycle through the power of a nutrient-dense paleo diet, called the Wahls Protocol. Today, we talk about her protocol in detail, advice for beginners, common mistakes people make, transitioning from vegetarianism, do a guided meditation, and get an update on her clinical trials. It’s a power-packed interview!

Episode 06: Paleo Holiday Survival Guide

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and Hanukkah and Christmas follow quickly on its heels. For many of us, the holidays are the toughest season to manage in terms of stress, and staying on a healing diet. Between the parties and the pressure, it’s easy to get off track. The problem with autoimmune disease is that going off-track can lead to a flare that can ruin your holiday season. We’re here to help! This episode of the Phoenix Helix podcast is all about navigating the holidays flare-free.

Paleo AIP Low-FODMAP Meal Plan Review

If you have autoimmune disease and have been diagnosed with SIBO, your doctor may prescribe this diet temporarily. It can feel overwhelmingly restrictive, but this meal plan can help! It has over 70 recipes and was created by Anne Angelone. She’s a functional medicine practitioner with over 20 years professional experience. She also has autoimmune disease and has walked this path herself.

Episode 05: Fermented Foods with Sarah Ramsden

Fermented foods are highly recommended on a healing diet. In this podcast, I’m joined by holistic nutritionist and fermentation expert, Sarah Ramsden. We talk about why fermented foods are so beneficial to people with autoimmune disease, how they compare to bottled probiotics, what to look for when buying them from the store, recipes to get you started fermenting at home, and the reasons some people have negative reactions.

Spices on the AIP

The trickiest category on the Paleo Autoimmune Protocol is Spices. Which are allowed and which aren’t? Today, I clear up the confusion and also give some AIP-friendly tips for adding a wide variety of flavor to your recipes. Eating AIP should never be bland!

Episode 04: Practical Tips for Getting Started on the Paleo AIP

In this episode of the Phoenix Helix podcast, I’m joined by Mickey Trescott and Christina Feindel. All three of us have been living the paleo lifestyle for many years, and we’ve each improved our autoimmune health with the help of the autoimmune protocol (AIP). We share our best advice for getting started on a healing diet, how to set yourself up for success, what resources are available to help, and how to stick with the protocol when temptation hits.

Are You Eating Enough Food to Heal Your Body?

When I first discovered the connection between food intolerance and rheumatoid arthritis pain, I went through a period of being afraid every time I sat down to eat. Finding the paleo diet was a gift, because it gave me a template of safe foods to enjoy. When I hit a healing plateau, I turned to the autoimmune protocol and learned that dairy and nightshades were inflammation triggers for me. Some people find they need to restrict further to feel their best, reducing their intake of FODMAPs or oxalates, for example. Are you seeing the pattern? In our journeys to heal, the first thing we do is eliminate foods that are the problem. The question is, are we also focusing on the foods that are the solution?

Episode 03: The Paleo Autoimmune Protocol with Dr. Sarah Ballantyne

New to the Paleo Autoimmune Protocol? This podcast is for you! Dr. Sarah Ballantyne (aka The Paleo Mom) shares her personal healing story, gives an overview of the AIP, and takes a big picture look at the scientific basis for how it works to reduce autoimmune symptoms. The AIP can be hard, so it’s really helpful to understand the reasoning behind it. Get ready to geek out on some science!

Angela’s Healing Story (Sjogren’s Syndrome)

By the time Angela was diagnosed with Sjogren’s syndrome, she was so disabled, she could no longer care for her children. Now, after 3 years on a ketogenic paleo diet, her symptoms are 85% gone, and she’s been able to reclaim her life. She shares the details of her healing journey with us today.

Episode 02: Paleo 101 with Liz Wolfe

Are you new to paleo, or do you know someone who would like to learn more? In this episode of the Phoenix Helix podcast, we cover Paleo 101. We talk about the foods we eat, the foods we avoid, and why. We also bust some myths, like, “Aren’t meat and saturated fat bad for you?” and “I thought vegetarianism was the healthiest diet.” If you’re new to this lifestyle, you probably have these questions yourself. If you’ve been eating this way for a while, you have undoubtedly heard these questions from family and friends. I’m joined by paleo expert, Liz Wolfe, to bust the myths and help everyone understand why paleo is a healthy way to live and eat. As always, I’ll be filtering all of this information through the lens of autoimmunity.

Episode 1 of the Phoenix Helix Podcast: Healing Stories

Let’s take it back to my very first podcast episode. The Phoenix Helix Podcast is dedicated 100% to autoimmune healing. I decided to kick off Episode 1 with personal healing stories. 4 guests and I talk about our rock bottom with autoimmune disease, how far we’ve come, and what diet and lifestyle choices made the biggest difference in our health.

Paleo AIP Meal Plan Review

Let’s face it – the paleo autoimmune protocol is hard. The first time you see the list of restricted foods, it’s common to ask, “What on earth can I eat?” We know we need a new menu plan, but figuring it out can feel overwhelming, especially if brain fog is one of our autoimmune symptoms. Christina Feindel has just come to our rescue. She’s created a 4 week meal plan that incorporates the recommended healing foods alongside delicious comfort food. She uses simple recipes, time-saving techniques, and she even provides weekly grocery lists. Today, I give you a detailed review of the plan and a chance to win a free copy.

Sweet and Sour Red Cabbage

Sweet and Sour Red Cabbage (Paleo, AIP, GAPS)

One of the complaints you often hear about the AIP is that it can be an expensive. There are no coupons for organic broccoli, and the “buy 1 get 1 free” sales at the grocery store feature junk food, not wildcaught salmon. Still, there are some foods that are incredibly good for you, while also being easy on the wallet. Cabbage is one of those foods, and this is my favorite way to prepare it. P.S. I never liked cabbage until I tried this recipe.

Airplane Travel on the Paleo Autoimmune Protocol

One of the most common questions I get is how to travel on a healing diet. My family is spread across the country, so travel is an automatic part of my lifestyle. In this article, I share my tips for air travel: everything from what I pack, to how I shop, to how I navigate my diet among non-paleo family members. Fear can sometimes keep us at home in our own kitchens, but there’s a big world out there. We don’t want to miss out!

Paleo Approach Cookbook Review & Sample Recipe: Paleo AIP BBQ Sauce

People have been waiting for this cookbook for almost two years, and I’m happy to tell you it was worth the wait. Over 200 autoimmune-friendly recipes, 6 weeks of meal plans, detailed food lists and more. Today, I offer a detailed review of the cookbook, a sample recipe for barbecue sauce (which I have tested myself – yum!), and a chance to win your very own copy 11 days before it’s available in stores.

5 Ways to Reverse Autoimmunity That Have Nothing To Do With Food

When we follow the Paleo Autoimmune Protocol, food is foremost in our mind. We avoid the foods that exacerbate autoimmune disease and eat the foods that help us heal. The right food is essential, but healing is about more than just food. Lifestyle affects autoimmunity just as strongly. Here are 5 ways to tap your body’s full healing potential.

Strict AIP Isn’t Meant To Last Forever – What Personalized AIP Looks Like.

A lot of the paleo autoimmune bloggers, myself included, offer our blogs as resources for people going through the elimination phase of the AIP. That’s the hardest menu to navigate, especially when you first make the switch. A lot of your standard meals are no longer an option, and it helps to have guidance on the foods you can eat. A side effect, though, is that many people think we still eat strict AIP. It’s not true. None of us do. So this article is designed to show you what life on the AIP looks like long-term. Dr. Sarah Ballantyne and other AIP leaders share their reintro journeys. I also share tips on how to personalize the AIP for you

photo collage of featured recipes

50 Fantastic Paleo AIP Recipes for Summertime

Summer…what a wonderful season: cookouts and picnics, water fights and firefly strolls, basking in the sun, cooling off in the shade, overflowing gardens and the siren call of ice cream. This recipe roundup gives you 50 ways to celebrate, from grilled entrees and side dishes, to delicious salads, and frozen treats!

Melted Zucchini and Onions | Phoenix Helix

Melted Zucchini and Onions (Paleo, AIP, GAPS, Wahls, Whole30)

You know how overcooking veggies makes them bland and tasteless? There’s an exception to every rule. Sometimes, cooking them low and slow concentrates their flavor in a way that simply transforms them. That’s how I feel about this recipe. It’s easy to prepare, and luscious in flavor (the best kind of recipe.)

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