When life got too much for me recently, I went on a five-day meditation retreat. This was my first trip of this length since starting GAPS. It was a residential program, with all meals provided. Medical diets could be accommodated.
I pondered how to make GAPS as simple as possible for the staff. A friend designated me a “control freak” for insisting I stay on 100% GAPS for the duration. However, I was aware that I was going into the program with significant stress and also that the intention of the program was to “open” the participants, such that challenging emotional, psychological and physical transitions are par for the course. It was critical that I be completely capable of parenting my son upon my return, and I wasn’t willing to take any chances by messing around with my biochemistry through food while intentionally shifting other aspects of myself.
Ultimately, I proposed they serve me vegetables plus 85 grams of ‘organic cheddar made from raw milk’at every meal. I also said I could have some nuts and all fruits. For five days I ate cheese and fruit for breakfast, cheese and a huge green salad for lunch and supper, and fruit for snacks. A couple of times I also had access to a few tablespoons of nuts. I drank water, herbal tea and hot water with lemon.
Despite the grueling nature of the retreat, I was in excellent health before, during and after. Upon my return, I guzzled kefir to catch up on my probiotics.
Now that I saw how easy it was for them to accommodate this much, next time I would request a bit of ferment -probably sauerkraut or homemade yogurt- at each meal also.
Next GAPS adventure? Camping!
Thanks, Baden, for that story. Forgive me for asking what feels like a stupid question: why couldn’t you have had meat as part of the diet as well? Why not also say “X grams of grass fed beef,” or equivalent, at each meal? Sorry…am I betraying that I’m a GAPS beginner?
Hi Chris,
That’s a totally reasonable question. I forgot to mention that the retreat kitchen was (ovo-lacto) vegetarian. I was originally going to pack cans of salmon and a can opener into my room, but realized this would be horrible for my roommate (a stranger), so I came up with the cheese plan
Best,
Baden
Our family recently traveled cross country. We stayed in a couple of hotels and then with family. We brought our crock pot with us and I plugged it in at night in the hotel room with meat and veggies and water, s & p. We awoke each morning to a delicious smell (wonder what other hotel guests thought!) and a delicious soup that served us brkfst and lnch. I have also traveled with a yogurt maker in the past for extended stays and it worked great too.
I am curious to know about the camping as we plan to do that this summer.
Ann