Shen’s Kitchen

Where did last year go? The end of the year is crazy for everyone and I didn’t manage to post my menus.  I was traveling a lot between Thanksgiving and New Years, so my menus were pretty scattered as it was.

This year is bringing some changes! I’ll be merging this blog with my health blog. Food is integral to health and this way I’ll be able to keep everything in one place. Links will forward, never fear!

January is traditionally a time of starting over, making new goals and forging ahead.  I’ve decided to make January even more complicated by following  GAPS intro for the month. I’m the only one in the family doing so; I’m keeping the rest of the family on a PALEO program.  Intro is too limited for the activity level of the kids, and especially while they are in school, they won’t be able to eat as often as you do when you’re going through a GAPS intro. Logistically it would be even crazier than our schedule already is.

So how DO you do a GAPS intro when no one else in the family is? With some basic planning!

For those that just want this weeks menu – here you go!

Now, the logistics for mom, since I’m following a GAPS intro?  Well, Stage 1 of intro is all about ease of digestion. Foods are all boiled, lots of stock (lots and lots of stock!) is consumed and the body will start to gently detoxify.  You eat these easily digestible foods often, because your body will digest things very quickly.

For Stage One Intro (through Friday) where my family may get roasted or grilled meats, I’ll be poaching/boiling my foods as per protocol.  It won’t be much extra work for me, because it’s all about planning.   Veggies can all be GAPS legal. Their veggies can be steamed or roasted, and I’ll but my share into my soup stock and boil them until they are soft.

Saturday and Sunday (the start of Stage Two) – well, the casserole is something everyone can eat, so that problem solves itself. My kids are old enough that they can make their own lunches, so I’ll keep my soups for lunch and allow them separate foods.  Sunday will be the tricky day though. My son has a hockey tournament a few hours away and will be gone for the day – though home for dinner.  If I go with him, I’ll have to plan ahead and bring plenty of soup with me.

One place where I am breaking GAPS protocol: I’m keeping my supplements! I take them for a reason, my thyroid, my adrenals, my hormones are all off balance, my supplements are recommended by my naturopath for a reason. GAPS is thoroughly capable of resetting the systems of the body, and in fact is well known for it.  I’m thinking that the extra support the supplements are giving me will help support the process more thoroughly.  The first time I did GAPS intro last May  I eliminated all supplements I was taking at the time and did not see significant changes; so this time, I’m choosing to keep my supplements in.

Really, Halloween on a Monday?  I know Halloween falls on a work/school night 5 times out of 7 but Monday?  I call Trick!   With that poor calendering, I opted for a simple menu tonight, working in birthday, hockey, and the fact that the first winter cold of the season has settled into the household. Crock Pots, lots of leftovers and easy meal plans for the busy week ahead.

Another week, another menu!   Indian summer  messes with me. My internal clock says it’s time for cool weather and savory foods, the skies above think it’s still time for margaritas and cool crisp salads.  I’ve got a mix of things going, since it is still awesome grilling weather.

My daughter absolutely LOVES the coconut soup.  It’s fantastic as a vegetarian dish. Protein people will enjoy it with some fish, chicken or even bacon added in.  GAPS folks will probably need to find some additional fat for the dish, as I was hungry about 3 hours later. I can’t eat cheese yet, so I’ll have to figure out what to add to make it last longer.

For the Thai chicken curry,  I roast all the veggies separately, grill the chicken, and make the sauce without the corn starch. It thickens enough with coconut milk. This way folks can add their desired amount of sauce to the dish and everyone comes away happy.

Last week, in a misguided fit over my children being lame, I didn’t make a dinner menu.  There is nothing like being equally stupid to make you pull your big girl pants back on. Dinner was frequently late because nothing was defrosted, or even purchased!  Lunches were a mess because I didn’t have food cooked for the kids. We even ran out of peanut butter. Seriously.  Have you ever seen a teenage boy who can not find something to eat?!  They get really cranky.

Learn from this!

Not planning your food for the week is a complete disaster.

This week is not as crazy as I know some weeks will be.  It’s pretty mellow all in all.   I made my son’s week and grilled a tri-tip roast for lunches the next few days. Seiously, have you ever priced the difference between the per pound cost of deli lunch meat versus just buying a raw hunk of meat and cooking it yourself?  Plus I know there are no nasty chemicals sprayed on his food now. It’s a better choice all around

Since I know you’re tapping your toes waiting for the menu, here you go!

It’s a crazy time of year, as we ramp back up into school, sports, activities and the last camping trips as Autumn takes hold.   My brain and body are telling me it’s time for stews, casseroles and warm savory dishes designed to keep back the cold  and uplift us in the fading light.

My weather forecast is telling me it is going to be 90° all week.  Warm savory casseroles sound less appealing.  I really want them,  I just don’t want to heat my kitchen and body up with them. In the end, we’ll still enjoy this fine grilling weather as well as use the crockpot for some of the warm and savory. Life is all about balance and compromise right?

All these recipes can be modified for GAPS, except maybe the Maple Pork. Even pure maple syrup shouldn’t be used while following GAPS.