This week I visited a doctor.
Nothing much unusual about that, except that this one gave me an hour of his time and cost rather a lot of money!
But, as you will know if you have been following my blog for the past few months, I have been trying to get on top of ongoing health issues, including IBS and candida…and felt like I could do with a little bit of support.
Don’t get me wrong, the NHS is a wonderful thing but having visited numerous GP’s over the years I felt there was nothing more that they could do to help me in my quest to feel better. Not that I feel unwell, I might add…more that I have the distinct feeling that I could feel a lot MORE well!
Anyway, last month I was lucky enough to have been invited to the opening of a new clinic in Exeter where Dr Sharma practices from 2 days a week. Dr Sharma specialises in integrated health whereby conventional medicine is combined with complementary medicine in order to treat typically difficult diagnoses like IBS, allergy and chronic fatigue.
Having read A LOT about gut problems, food intolerances etc etc I had concluded that I was suffering from leaky gut…a little recognised condition whereby a damaged gut allows larger molecules than normal to pass through the intestine and into the blood stream, triggering an immune response.
What Dr Sharma actually told me was that he felt my problems stemmed from a hormone imbalance caused by something called adrenal fatigue whereby the adrenal glands have basically had enough of constantly dealing with stress (be that psychological, physical or emotional).
I have to add here that I don’t feel stressed! My body, however, has set up a pattern of responding to stress that I am not consciously aware of…leading to many of my hormone-related problems. Dr Sharma explained it all beautifully but I cannot start to explain it to anyone else!
The way to deal with it? Well, to continue with my diet (which has already really helped to eliminate many of my hormone-related symptoms and relieve my bloating) and try some homeopathy and herbal remedies.
All I can say is that I really hope for some success because I really don’t want to have to be on the GAPS diet for my whole life! Not that it is that bad, but I do so want some chocolate!!!
However, on the plus side the diet is incredibly healthy. I already ate loads of vegetables and freshly prepared foods but now I eat half a tonne of vegetables and laying off the sugar has to be a good thing too (I used to eat a lot!)! And just to prove that it isn’t all bad I thought I would share my recipe for pancakes that I devised for breakfast whilst on stage 3 of the GAPS intro diet. If you are on a low sugar, low carb or paleo diet then these would be fab for you too, and they are so easy to make.
If you want a nut free version then leave the nut butter out. I did until this week and they were still lovely. I make my own almond nut butter by activating my nuts (soaking them in lightly salted water for 24 hours, then drying them in a very low oven for about 8 – 12 hours) then whizzing them in the blender or food processor. You can of course buy it too! Activated nuts, however, are much easier to digest than those that haven’t gone though this process…
Finally, if you have it, then serve these with some 24 hour fermented cream. Oh my it is divine…and if you fancy the recipe then let me know in the comments below and I will share it. Being fermented for 24 hours it has very little lactose left in it so can be eaten by those who are lactose intolerant. It is also chock full of those lovely beneficial bacteria that I keep banging on about!
Finally, let me know what you think and if you make some please do post a picture on your favourite social media site and be sure to tag me…or use #freefromfairy! It makes my day knowing that someone is using my recipes!
Oh, and there will be no post from me tomorrow I’m afraid…hence this early one today. I am off to BlogCamp, a blogging conference organised by Tots and Foodies 100…hopefully I will come back even more inspired to continue sharing my freefrom journey! Have a happy and relaxing weekend!

Grain-free Pancakes
Ingredients
- 2 medium free range eggs
- 2 tbsp butternut squash puree
- 1/2 tbsp coconut oil melted
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp honey optional
- 1 tbsp nut butter activated nuts are best if you have a sensitive tummy - optional
- 1/4 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 1/4 tsp cider vinegar
Method
- Place all the ingredients in a small blender or food processor and blend until smooth
- Spoon tablespoonfuls of the mixture into a pre-heated frying pan over a medium heat
- Wait until the top looks like it is setting then flip them over (about 1-2 minutes)
- Repeat on the other side until golden
Tasty Tuesdays being hosted by Le Coin De Mel
Mummy Tries says
Hmmmmm bet those pancakes are super tasty, I have some roasted butternut in the fridge so might make these tomorrow. Thanks fot the insight into activated nuts too, I always wondered what that meant! I have a bowl of almonds soaking to make your almond butter (hubs fave) I’ll let you know how I get on. Have a brilliant time at BlogCamp xxx
Vicki Montague says
Thanks Renee…I will let you know what I learn! Glad to have helped re activated nuts…I certainly tolerate them much better than unactivated plus they are really lovely and crunchy! Please do let me know how you get on. One thing I didn’t say is that I often add salt to the nut butter…it brings the flavour out!
Vicky says
They look amazing Vicki! Homeopathy works well for me but it isn’t SCD legal so my son hasn’t ever tried it for his condition. I would agree about the adrenal fatigue, it is a great possibility, I know someone recovering from this. Great pictures by the way, I’ve still not come to terms with my camera yet, even after a couple of years, I’m just not technically minded I guess!
Vicki Montague says
Ah thanks Vicky! I know that what I am taking isn’t ‘allowed’ on SCD or GAPS but I figure I have to give it a go since the diet itself isn’t giving me the results I had hoped for. It is really tough but I figure I have to try anything…and I really hope it all works!
Vicky says
I hope it works for you too! I’ve been really ill with flu since I came back from Canada and ended up pulling a tendon in my hip – just by coughing – which meant I haven’t been able to walk 🙁 So I emailed my homeopath and he sent me Bryonia which I took for 2 days and the results were amazing!! We all use homeopathy and have a great homeopath who is also a GP (now retired) and registered acupuncturist. Good luck x
Vicki Montague says
Oh that gives me hope!!!! Thank you!
Rebecca U says
Wow I’d never thought to use butternut squash before – sounds yum #vevivos
Vicki Montague says
Hi Rebecca, because it is a sweet vegetable it is perfect in sweet or semi sweet things!
Mel says
They really look delicious, lovely. You are definitely a developmental chef (is that the name we were talking about earlier?).
Can we have the recipe for the fermented cream, please?
Emma Chanagasubbay says
I love making pancakes for the family and will be trying this out soon #freefromfridays
Kate - glutenfreealchemist says
Well done you! That’s a very clever recipe and it looks and sounds fantastic….
So pleased you have sought some alternative help. I am amazed at your willpower to stick with GAPS and all other dietary attempts to sort out your problems. I would have given up I am sure, without access to chocolate! Let’s hope the homeopathy and herbal additions make the difference you need. x
Verily Victoria Vocalises says
These sound divine – I am popping out later for some ingredients so will pick up what I need for these. Would love that fermented cream recipe too please! Thanks for linking to #PoCoLo x
Vicki Montague says
Let me know what you think! I will blog the cream recipe ASAP…just had a sneaky spoonful. Oh my gosh!
Wheelie Good Meals says
Great recipe, I’ve shared on facebook #PoCoLo
Vicki Montague says
Thank you so much!!