I have a confession to make.
I’m not religious; I can’t go and make a confession in private so I’ll make mine public.
I ate three milk chocolate truffles last night. Yes, that is three, not two as I posted on Facebook as my ‘Honesty Tourette’s’ kicked in. I had one more…
And yes, chocolate and milk and sugar are all ‘banned’ on the GAPS and SCD diets and do I care??!!
NO!
For four months I have been following the strictest most difficult diet I have ever encountered (OK, I’ve never done a diet before…but hey! It is tough!!). I have had days of feeling great, days of wondering why I’m bothering and everything in between.
In general I know my health is heading in the right direction, but I have been trying so many things in addition to the diet that it is hard to know what is working and what isn’t.
I have been visiting Dr Sharma, an integrated health practitioner who has been giving me homeopathy, herbal treatments and vitamin/mineral supplements; I had a wonderful session of reflexology with a fabulous lady called Felicity Bevell (if you happen to be in London I cannot recommend her enough…she is amazing!), I have been trialling Symprove (a relatively new water-based probiotic on the market), I have been spending time practicing mindfulness and NLP, and of course, I have been eating a very natural diet of eggs, meat, fish and vegetables with plenty of homemade stock and grass-fed gelatin.
However, my tummy is still unhappy!
When I saw Dr Sharma last week he was delighted! He explained that homeopathically, symptoms have to get worse before they get better and the fact that I had skipped a period, was still constipated, my skin had flared up and I had a very swollen tummy were signs that my body was reacting to his treatments. I came away feeling more positive but still questions remain about what the cause of my problems are.
I have therefore decided on the very big step of paying to get some tests carried out to find out once and for all if I have a leaky gut and whether I am harbouring any ‘unfriendly’ bacteria or other organisms that may be causing my long-term problems.
When I say a big step, it is a big step because of the cost! These tests are not cheap, but I feel that they are worth pursuing even if only to rule out some potential causes. Perhaps they will get me one step closer to understanding the beast that I am attempting to fight! It may not provide any clues but at the moment I feel I am wandering around in a big dark cave desperately trying to find some light.
I need some strength to carry on with this diet. I’m sick of soup, I’m sick of stock, I’m sick of cooked vegetables…but my tummy tells me it isn’t ready to move forward and introduce raw vegetables, I’m sick of meat…You get the picture!
For the last week I have been allowing myself one small piece of very dark chocolate…just enough to make me feel better whilst not deviating from the diet too far! And my tummy seems as happy/unhappy with that as all the other food I put in it, whilst it makes me very happy!
As for the milk chocolate truffles…well, I am being tested to discover whether bacteria and ‘nasties’ are lurking in my gut so I figured they might need a little food to help them grow and show up (since I have supposedly been ‘starving’ them by being on the SCD/GAPS diet)!! That’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it!
Over all I am really proud of myself for having the staying power and strength to do this diet. If I have a few slips along the way it just shows that I’m not perfect (in case anyone was under the illusion that I was)!
And in case anyone else needs a little not-too-naughty chocolate fix then give these little babies a go. They are inspired by some of the delicious raw chocolates that I tried at the Allergy Show at the weekend (no I shouldn’t have tried them since even raw chocolates are not allowed on GAPS/SCD). The recipe only makes a small amount (to avoid too much temptation), so if you want to make a ‘proper’ amount, I suggest multiplying the ingredients by 4!
So now that the ‘bugs’ are fed and the testing is underway I shall be back on the ‘straight and narrow’, feeling a little happier that I have indulged my chocolate desire!!
As always, if you make this recipe please let me see your photos by posting them on your favourite social media site and tagging me #freefromfairy! It’ll make my day!
Raw Chocolate Truffles
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp almond butter I make my own using activated nuts
- 3 dried dates
- 3 dried prunes
- 1 tbsp raw cacao powder
Method
- Place the dates and prunes in a bowl and cover with boiling water
- Leave to soak for around 15 minutes, or longer if you have the time
- Drain the dates and prunes and add them along with the other ingredients into a mini food processor/chopper. If you wanted to you could quadruple the recipe and use a food processor or blender for this step
- Blend until everything is combined and sticky
- Either place the mixture into a small dish and press down or remove small pieces, roll in your hands and place on a tray (it is easier to do this if you cool it in the fridge for 15 mins or so)
- Refrigerate until you want to eat them
I shared this with:
mummy tries says
Oh hon you really are doing so well. Although confusing, it sounds like things are progressing so fingers crossed! I’m really keen to hear how the tests go. Please keep me posted xxx
Vicki Montague says
I will keep you posted! Thanks for your support xx
Charlotte says
You are doing SO well. But I really hope the testing gives you some answers. The diet really is no fun at all. These look amazing. I’m going to make them today!
Vicki Montague says
Did you make them??! Hope you liked them…I had to give mine away to stop me eating another batch!
Nicola Young says
It really is so restrictive and I take my hat off to you for doing it. I know what it feels like to be on a quest to feel well and it sometimes seems as though it will never happen. I think a little treat is just what you need sometimes, but looking at the ingredients, it’s not exactly sinful is it? I know that for GAPS it may be, but really, I’m looking at those ingredients and thinking of all the positives – fibre, protein, antioxidants, essential nutrients….
Vicki Montague says
You are lovely Nicola! Yes, a little treat is certainly needed every now and again!!
Kyra @ Vie De La Vegan says
Good luck with the testing, Vicki! And I love this recipe for a mini amount of truffles – just enough to have a taste but not to over-indulge – so perfect 🙂
Vicki Montague says
Ah thanks Kyra! It is certainly safer to make small amounts of things like this 😉
International Elf Service says
These look so delicious and I seriously can’t understand how you only ate 3!! We’ve also gone through various testing: IgG, naturopathic, herbs and an amazing nutritionist….I wonder if it’s worth you considering removing eggs if you haven’t tried already -eggs, particularly egg white is really provocative for many people. Our youngest needs to avoid strange things like salmon & trout and chicken too! It’s so hard and I take my hat off to you for doing the GAPS diet – it’s not made for the uncommitted is it??
Vicki Montague says
It really is so tough! I have thought about removing eggs but that leaves so little that I can eat and I can’t bear the thought of not having eggs for breakfast either! It may well happen though!!
Kate - glutenfreealchemist says
These have t be the healthiest truffles ever! Stop hitting yourself for a little deviation…… It’s so minor, and in the grand scheme of things it really isn’t going to make that much difference surely? I can’t believe you don’t deviate more often. I would never be able to stick to the diet as well as you. You’re doing brilliantly!
Good luck with the tests. Hopefully they will help to clarify a little bit more and help decide what next?! xx
Vicki Montague says
Ah thanks Kate! I have to say I am deviating more and more since not seeing any tangible benefits to my tummy. I am trying to stick with it at least so I can see if the medicines that the dr has given me are making a difference…if I change my diet too it will be very tricky to tell!
Vikki Cook says
I’m so sorry you’re still having so much bother with your stomach. I know how unpleasant it can be but hopefully these tests will shed some light on what’s going on and you’ll be able to move forwards. With the homeopathy, I have heard that symptoms can worsen before they get better, but also remember that it isn’t for everyone. I do believe it can work (despite everything my friends tell me, I know two people who had their M.E cured – one being my sister – and am starting it soon myself for my M.E) but I also think there are circumstances where it doesn’t work as well as we’d like, or where our body chemistry or the problem at hand just isn’t suited to it. That said, I hope you start to see an improvement soon. It would be wonderful if you could feel healthy again.
The truffles look delicious and I’m now ordering prunes with our shopping this week! Question – can you use cocoa powder instead of raw cacao? I can’t afford the good stuff, lol!
Vicki Montague says
Hi Vikki. Good luck with the homeopathy. I hope it does the trick like it sounds like it did for your sister. My tummy is very unhappy and I am very fed up with it!! Anyway, yes of course use cocoa! I know what you mean about cacao but it is supposed to be so much better for you…who knows if it really is! Just taste it to see how much cocoa you need to add…you may need more as I think cacao is supposed to be stronger tasting. Let me know what you think!