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aipcookingwithsue.com
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Welcome to aipcookingwithsue.com, my very own AIP food passion project.
Please feel free to take a look at a few of my recent creations, with more to follow.
I hope aipcookingwithsue.com will inspire you to achieve healing through food.
My journey to AIP
When my children were very young, I started suffering from initial symptoms of fatigue, not really understanding what this was. I honestly felt that most people must feel this exhausted after having children, experiencing sleepless nights and managing a busy life. I simply survived each week, picking up every bug that came my way, keeping my head just above water with my low energy, fatigue, pain, poor sleep and concentration.
After a few years with periods of struggle and higher levels of fatigue, I hit a low point and was diagnosed with a condition suspected of being autoimmune in nature - Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. To be told at that point that there was no medication was so disheartening and I literally had no idea how to manage it. Since then, I have gradually tried to manage my symptoms, by cutting back on so many aspects of my life that I was really just existing. Despite this, the sleep problems, fatigue, pain and brain fog continued, then a period of stress resulted in a Chronic Fatigue crash which returned with a vengeance.
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My journey to the Autoimmune Protocol or AIP was a call that changes were imperative, in my lifestyle, mental and physical health. I had not recognised or listened to the warning signs for so long, instead convincing myself that I was doing ok. I started the process of trying to rest, heal and manage the extreme fatigue and pain. I asked the universe for help and I was introduced to my wonderful health coach, Claire (clairesmedleyhealthcoaching.com). I honestly felt like her AIP nutrition and lifestyle program was written specifically for me, helping me to find my way to a healthy mind and body.
What is AIP?
The Autoimmune Protocol is a science-based elimination and reintroduction diet and lifestyle protocol which focuses on repairing gut health and relieving other symptoms experienced by people with autoimmune disorders, by removing potentially problematic ingredients from their diet to heal their gut. It is an extension of the paleo diet (also known as “Autoimmune Paleo”, “The Paleo Approach”, or “AIP”).
AIP is a way of eating that aims to reduce and relieve common symptoms of autoimmune disorders such as inflammation, pain and fatigue, whilst regulating the immune system. A healthy immune system is designed to produce antibodies that attack foreign or harmful cells in your body. However, in people with autoimmune disorders, the immune system tends to produce antibodies that, rather than fight infections, continue to attack healthy cells and tissues. In susceptible individuals with autoimmune disorders, damage to the gut barrier can lead to increased intestinal permeability, also known as “leaky gut,” which may trigger the development and ongoing symptoms of certain autoimmune diseases. Certain foods are known to stimulate the immune system or harm the digestive tract, which can increase the gut’s permeability and trigger an autoimmune response.
The AIP diet involves flooding the body with nutrient-rich foods, whilst eliminating those believed to increase the gut’s permeability for several weeks. As well as the foods that are temporarily removed from the diet, all processed foods containing added sugar and additives are also removed. During this time any effects on health that are being experienced are carefully noted and whilst the body is being flooded with whole foods that are rich in vitamins and other nutrients and kind to the gut, which gives the body a chance to reduce the inflammation and repair. Once steady benefits have been experienced a slow reintroduction of the eliminated foods can take place, taking careful note of any reactions. At this stage an increase in symptoms can indicate exclusion of the particular food for a longer period of time and sometimes long term. The reintroduction phase is different for everyone and after monitoring closely, a unique list of foods can be established that can be tolerated and enjoyed again.
My love of food
I have always loved food, (both cooking and eating!) I grew up in the UK with parents that were from the wonderful island of Trinidad and my love of food came from the flavour-filled creations that my parents cooked in our kitchen at home.
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Food has always formed such a huge part of my life. Growing up, flavoursome food was always at the centre of all of our family gatherings and being totally honest, at first, the thought of the AIP elimination phase really concerned me. These worries quickly disappeared as the elimination phase made me feel so much healthier, sleep better and even dream again! The extreme fatigue and brain fog improved and the daily pain I had been living with reduced.
During the elimination phase I found that my thoughts and dreams were consumed with food and so many tasty AIP recipes I wanted to create and eat. I used the AIP elimination friendly spice ingredients with such care and was amazed by how just using a few ingredients could create such wonderful flavours. I began creating, cooking and photographing my creations and that is how Claire asked me to join her in co-writing our amazing cookbook.
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My love of food and flavour and passion for cooking is what brought me to start aipcookingwithsue.com.
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The Cookbook
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I feel inspired to use my creativity and passion to help others suffering from debilitating chronic illnesses and by collaborating on this cookbook really has allowed me to do just this.
I can honestly say that eating AIP is so tasty, satisfying, exciting and liberating and our book will provide you with the approach and fundamentals of the AIP diet and so many delicious dishes that will leave you feeling truly satisfied.
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We have carefully selected recipes that we enjoy making and eating and we have poured our love into each of them. I genuinely hope this sneak peek of our cookbook in my blog photos sparks your interest enough to try some of the mouth-watering recipes we have created.
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To see a little of what I’ve been up to, feel free to browse my site, learn about my love of food and explore what excites and interests you.
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