Full circle

Full circle. This has been a long journey for our family, spanning generations.  We have been plagued by leaky guts. Little did I know that the desserts that I came up with as a 5 year old in my mother's kitchen would one day be a part of healing our guts. That was 1980. I had no idea I was making Paleo treats.  I was so proud of my little morsels of goodness. Coconut flakes, maybe a little carob powder, a few nuts and seeds. I don't remember exactly what I made, but it was delicious and I was so proud of myself. Now, my 4 year old daughter creates Paleo recipes for dessert. It blows my mind. I am in awe. A complete full circle for me.

And yet, there is a bigger generational full circle. I remember being in my Grandma Katie's kitchen when I was about 10. She was hurled over in pain. Her belly hurt. She was in pain. And this happened quite frequently, maybe even daily. I knew that pain. I was used to the pain of gas and bloating too. It was as if that was just part of life and that was just what our family has to deal with through the generations. 

And then my daughter, Estella, started having the same pains when she was 3. Her belly hurt so bad she would wake in the night. During the day, the bladder filled with warm water and her tea would help to ease her tummy. It got so bad that one day during preschool she was sent to the nurse because her belly hurt so badly that she couldn't stand.  She now tells me," Mama, I don't mind shots at the doctor. But when my belly used to hurt it was like having a shot everyday, all the time."  I bet that is exactly how my grandma felt as she would be bent over the kitchen sink in her agony. 

The massive shift for us in our house came just a few months after Estella had that bad day in preschool. She had a blood draw and was found to have a sensitivity/mild allergy to corn and tomatoes. We were already diary free and mostly grain free. But the lovely grain, called corn, is in everything. It wasn't until we took all grains out and made everything from scratch that her pain went away. 

My grandma enjoyed  making all the typical American desserts, breads, treats. Made from scratch and with love. Eggs, white flour, and sugar.  My mom wanted better health so she would cook homemade bread with whole wheat flour and eggs. Even though it was more nutritious, I was in just as much pain as my grandma. For years, I dealt with constipation and bloating. 

Finally, with the birth of Estella, Katie's great-granddaughter, we are finally finding some resolution to this gut pain that has been in our family for generations. It time for healing. Time to take out all the foods that prevent our bodies from healing. Time to end the pain. 

Estella is now thriving in a way that is profound. She is not inhibited. Her spirit is clear and free to soar because her body doesn't hurt. It is a blessing and an honor to be a part of this healing. 

Photo taken in 1980 at my parents farm with Grandma Katie in background.