Eileen

Angie’s Healing Story (Celiac, Endometriosis & Lichen Sclerosus)

Angie has celiac disease, endometriosis and an autoimmune skin condition. During the 15 years it took for her to be fully diagnosed, she endured numerous hospital visits, extreme pain and psychiatric symptoms that made her consider checking herself into a mental hospital. The gut-brain connection is real. The Paleo Autoimmune Protocol not only restored her physical health, but her mental health as well. She shares her journey with us today.

15 Tips for a Healthy Holiday Season on the AIP

The holidays are meant to be about beautiful things: celebration, love, family, fellowship. But they come wrapped in a package that includes stress, pressure and a tradition of foods we can no longer eat. So, how does a paleo autoimmune warrior not only survive, but thrive and enjoy the season? I share my best advice in this post.

Simple Marinated Chicken Hearts | Phoenix Helix

Organ Love: Simple Marinated Chicken Hearts (Paleo, AIP, GAPS, Wahls, Whole30)

I know organ meat is good for me, so I make sure I eat some every week. Chicken hearts, for example, are filled with B vitamins that support deep sleep, steady energy levels, stress resilience, brain health, and autoimmune health. But that doesn’t mean I always find organ meats tasty. The first time I had chicken hearts, they were decidedly chewy (and not in a pleasant way). I started experimenting with recipes and finally came up with one that’s easy and delicious. This is so good, I could eat it every week. My non-paleo husband loves this recipe, too.

Charles’ Healing Story (Ankylosing Spondylitis)

Today’s post is another inspiring success story. Charles has ankylosing spondylitis, an autoimmune condition that affects the spine. At its worst, Charles lived a life of constant, debilitating pain, where pain medication had no effect. His disease also caused a dangerous heart condition. After 2 weeks on a no-starch version of the paleo diet, his pain reduced to a 0-1. Two years later, he continues to maintain the diet, and his heart condition has healed.

Apple Cinnamon Gummy Candies

Apple Cinnamon Gummy Candies (Paleo, AIP, GAPS)

Autoimmune Recipe of the Week! It’s a healthy treat for adults and kids alike. Children love them because they have that gummy bounce. Parents love them because they’re made with natural ingredients and only take minutes to make. Plus, they’re delicious, which pleases one and all.

Mackerel or Salmon in Magic Sauce | Phoenix Helix

Mackerel (or Salmon) in Magic Sauce (Paleo, AIP, GAPS, Wahls)

Although I grew up on Cape Cod, I never liked seafood, and I was quite content to live without it until I developed rheumatoid arthritis. Fish are rich in anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids, and they’re highly recommended on a healing diet. So, that meant it was time to expand my tastes and give fish another chance. This recipe is perfect. The sauce removes any “fishy” flavor without being too strong a flavor itself. My husband (who loves seafood) loved this recipe, too. That’s a win!

Does Healthy Sustainable Seafood Exist?

It’s easy to get lost, navigating the waters of healthy, sustainable seafood. Between overfishing, pollution, toxicity concerns, and food fraud, I almost stopped eating fish altogether. But they are rich in omega 3 fatty acids, which are essential to our health. So, I spent hours researching the question, “Does Healthy Sustainable Seafood Exist?” The answer is “Yes” but it can be hard to find. Check out this blog post to learn everything you need to know about this important part of our diet.

My Experience with the Paleo Autoimmune Protocol

I started with the GAPS diet in the summer of 2012 and when I plateaued in my healing, I added the Paleo Autoimmune Protocol in January 2013. In this post, I share how these 2 diets contributed to my autoimmune health and compare my results between the two. I also honestly speak of the emotional rollercoaster of following an elimination/reintroduction protocol: the challenge of living with restrictions, the grief of failed food reintroductions, the joy of successful ones, and the wonder and gratitude of being able to communicate with my body so clearly.

Chicken Liver Fried “Rice” | Phoenix Helix

Organ Love: Chicken Liver Fried “Rice” (Paleo, AIP, GAPS, Wahls, Whole30)

Organ meats are highly recommended on a healing diet, but the idea can intimidate a lot of people. If that’s you, today’s your lucky day. Chicken livers are the perfect organ meat for beginners. They’re mild tasting, require almost no prep and cook quickly. You don’t even need a recipe really, but I’ve provided a delicious one for you anyway. It combines the liver with plenty of vegetables, so the taste is even milder.

Crockpot Caramelized Onions

Crockpot Caramelized Onions (Paleo, AIP, GAPS, Wahls, Whole30)

If you’ve ever made caramelized onions the traditional way, you know they take almost an hour in a skillet over low heat, stirring occasionally. While this is an opportunity for cooking meditation, it can be challenging for the impatient among us! That’s where this recipe is a godsend. Just pop the onions in your slow cooker in the evening and walk away. In the morning, your house will smell amazing and you’ll have enough caramelized onions to store and use at a moment’s notice.

Russ’ Healing Story (Takayasu’s Arteritis)

Today, we have another inspiring success story. Russ Crandall has a rare autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in his arteries. He had a stroke at age 24 and open heart surgery at age 26. Medication moderated his symptoms, but It wasn’t until he discovered the Paleo Diet at age 29, that his health started to improve.

Chocolate: Friend or Foe?

What’s the deal with this delicious, mythical and controversial food? Is it a magic elixir, a heinous junk food, or somewhere in between? I spent hours of research, clarifying its pros, cons, and where it fits on a healing diet. In this post, I share everything you ever wanted to know about chocolate.

The Most Nutrient-Dense Fruits & Vegetables

Want to know which onion has 120 times more antioxidants than the rest? Which fruit has 10 times more nutrition than most vegetables? Which vegetables lose half their nutrition within 2 days of picking and how to slow that process down? Or how to make sure you are getting the medicinal benefit of garlic when you eat it? Here are 20 tips to make your next grocery shopping trip the most nutritious yet.

Kombucha Berry Popsicles | Phoenix Helix

Kombucha Berry Popsicles (Paleo, AIP, GAPS, Wahls)

Bring a burst of winter to a hot summer day, with a nutritious and delicious homemade popsicle. Kombucha provides healing probiotics and beneficial acids. The berries are packed with antioxidants. Added bonus? They’re easy to make and taste sooooo good. Happy summer, everyone!

Grilled Sweetbreads with Balsamic Glaze | Phoenix Helix

Organ Love: Grilled Sweetbreads with Balsamic Glaze (Paleo, AIP, GAPS)

Are you ready to expand your grilling repertoire? Organ meats are some of the most nutrient-dense foods we can eat, which is why they’re highly recommended on a healing diet. Have you heard of sweetbreads and wondered what they are? Although images of banana bread and brioche come to mind, we’re actually talking about the pancreas and thymus. I know that sounds weird! Compared to liver though, they’re a sweet meat, and the Old English word for meat was brǣd, hence “sweetbreads”. Often served in gourmet restaurants, they’re actually easy to prepare at home. Let me show you how.

Flavor Burgers 3 Ways | Phoenix Helix

Flavor Burgers 3 Ways (Paleo, AIP, GAPS, Wahls, Whole30)

Learn how to make burgers so full of flavor, they don’t need condiments or a bun! You can eat them for any meal – breakfast, lunch or dinner, and they also make a great snack. That said, I understand some of you might still want condiments, so this blog post also contains links to AIP-friendly ketchup, mustard, and more. 

Paleo AIP Road Trip

I took three road trips during my first year on a healing diet, traveling 2000 miles round-trip for each of them. I stayed on my diet without cheats. This article shows you how.

Nightshade-Free Survival Guide

Ah, nightshades – a flavorful and sometimes spicy little plant family that can cause a lot of pain and inflammation for people with nightshade sensitivity. In this post, I list the most common nightshades, explain how they can be harmful, share the symptoms of nightshade sensitivity, and offer my tips to get along without them.

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