Meet The Wonderful Moderators of The Paleo Mom Community

[TamarE]

Meet our wonderful moderators! These are generous people that are volunteering their time to help answer member questions.

[salixisme]

I am Charlotte. I live in Calgary, Alberta in Canada, but I am a British expat (now Canadian citizen). I have a serious dairy allergy and am also gluten intolerant, and have been dairy and gluten free for years. Paleo for a couple of years and AIP since January 1st this year.

 I have been diagnosed with chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia and adrenal fatigue and cold urticaria, I also suffer from loads of allergies and eczema.  I also have PTSD and an anxiety disorder that involves cars (that is the result of a brutal car accident, not dietary related).

I am a mother of 4 daughters aged between 9 years old and 15 years old, and have been married for the past 21 years to the same wonderful guy. All of my family are paleo, but I am the only one who is AIP.  My husband has grand-mal epilepsy, and uses a ketogenic diet to help with that, and most of my girls are gluten intolerant to various degrees.

I work 3-4 days a week as a massage therapist (I also practice cupping), but in a "previous life" (ie back in the UK) I worked at a UK university teaching Animal Nutrition to the first year undergrads. I have a degree in nutrition and physiology and a PhD in nutritional biochemistry. I have also published several animal nutrition papers and co-wrote an animal nutrition textbook.

All this means that I have a passion for nutrition, and health in general, both animal and human.

We have a dog and a cat, both of whom are raw-fed (100% in the case of the cat, 50/50 with a biologically appropriate kibble in the case of the dog.

I run a paleo/AIP blog as well. Other than this, in my free-time (what free-time?), I enjoy cooking, reading (mostly sci-fi and fantasy), watching movies, and I am an obsessive knitter.

[maren]

Hi, I’m Maren (33) from Germany. I turned to AIP after I read Dr. Kharrazian’s books on Hashimoto’s and have been on the protocol since October 1, 2013. My symptoms started very early (around age 15) and went undiagnosed for a couple of years. Ever since, I have been interested in adjusting my way of eating/living to my health issues and tried various diets (vegetarian, vegan, raw, acid-base, special food combinations) – without much success. I was all the more surprised about the sudden, overwhelming effect AIP had on my overall condition. For the first time in many years, my body is no longer acting like a rebellious kid that I constantly seem to misunderstand. My antibodies are low and what I would call “back to normal” and I have been feeling really good (flare-free) for about 3-4 weeks now, meaning about 5 months into the diet. I feel honored to be part of this strong and supportive community and hope to help spread the word about AIP in Europe and specifically in Germany with my AIP blog, www.autoimmunpaleo.wordpress.com.
Apart from all that I have various hobbies – I’m into art, photography and music, am learning self-defense and Hindi, and love travelling and food – and work fulltime as an editor/translator for a German publisher.

[EJ]

Hi, I'm Erin. I live in Boulder, CO.

I was diagnosed with my relatively rare autoimmune condition (muscle weakness & skin issues) about 4 years ago, but it took 3 years to find Paleo. I started by reading Robb Wolf's The Paleo Solution and doing a 30-day Paleo challenge, which made me feel so good that I've never looked back. I knew I wanted to try AIP, but didn't have enough control over my schedule to do so. So I started by kicking nightshades out of my diet. Then eggs. Once life stabilized a bit, I started full-on AIP in January.

I'm honestly not sure what the results have been so far. But I'm resolved to stick with it and tweak my diet and other lifestyle factors as I can to see how healthy I can get.

[Erin]

Hi all! I'm Erin {Erin "Journey" on Facebook}. I hail from the Pacific Northwest, or Northwet as some like to call it. I started out on this path over a year ago, initially to help ease my psoriasis {after having my son, psoriasis went on a rampage}, but it has become much greater than that. Along the way, I've fine-tuned my diet and tapped that thirst for seeking knowledge as far as autoimmunity is concerned. Not just for me, but for my kids.

For labels' sake; I started out eating primal {or lacto-paleo}, then I cut out dairy per my ND's suggestion, and it wasn't long before I dove fully into the Autoimmune Protocol elimination. What I eat can be summarized simply by real foods that work FOR me not against me.

I've learned so much since I started this journey {and received two additional diagnoses: psoriatic arthritis and raynaud's} and I am truly grateful for the passion and encouragement that surrounds this community. It is relieving and exciting to see improvements in not only myself, but others!

Autoimmunity nutshell story aside; I love to cook, laugh, and blog.

[localkaty]

Hi, I'm Kathryn. I'm a San Diego native transplanted to Atlanta, unsuccessfully coping with the grievous lack of ocean.

I was a veg*n for most of my life, hoping to stave off the autoimmunity that runs (sprints!) through my family. Obviously I failed; my first AI diagnosis (Hashimoto's) was at 13. Eventually I found the Weston A Price foundation and started working small amounts of well-sourced meat back into my diet. I found paleo while searching recipes for beef heart, and it seemed like a natural transition - I'd already noticed that grains and legumes were pretty much the only foods I couldn't source locally. When I experimented with reintroducing wheat after a couple months of paleo (bad idea), my reaction was so severe that my doctor suggested a gluten challenge to test for celiac (worse idea). The gluten challenge ended with a long series of diagnostic surgeries, scans, and biopsies; my body was attacking my esophagus, stomach, small intestine, gallbladder, pancreas, and salivary glands, and my doctors couldn't figure out why. I did a GAPS-style intro back to paleo and never looked back.

I'm really passionate about local and sustainable food (and everything else). I buy beets and kale compulsively, drink too much tea, and read everything I can get my hands on. I'm terrible at introductions.

[robinf]

Hi! My name is Robin. I am a Minnesota native now happy to live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.

I have several autoimmune (or related) conditions including gluten intolerance, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, psoriasis (now in remission), Stage I HS (also in remission), Lofgren’s syndrome (mild sarcoidosis), and RA.

I tried Paleo first, by doing a Whole 30 (plus some) in September 2012. Shortly thereafter, I started reading about the Autoimmune Protocol and over the following month I made a transition to AIP. I’ve successfully reintroduced a few foods and eliminated or greatly reduced consumption of others.

My current challenges are around emotional eating, and finding the carb and starch “sweet spot” where I’ll feel my best. My goals are to manage my AI symptoms so that I have the energy and mobility to do those things that are important to me.

Though I’m not a farmer or skilled gardener, I am interested in sustainable food systems and how they intersect with health.

I love to spend time outdoors. I enjoy reading for pleasure and do beading and needlework projects as I’m able. I’m a novice knitter. I play sax and have a lot of fun on the street as part of an adult marching band.

[jillh]

Hi All,

 My name is Jill and I live in Ogden, Utah. I am married and have a wonderful 10 y/o stepson who has been with us full time since he was 2. I work from home as a Programmer for a Healthcare Software company.

I have a pretty extensive health history but, I will try to be brief!

I was in a car accident, when I was 13 and, was injured by the lap belt. I ended up with extensive lacerations to my lower intestines. They had to remove a section of my colon and repaired everything else. I had a colostomy for 3 months while everything healed up and then they were able to reverse it.

When I was 20, I ended up coming down with an intense illness which included a high fever and extreme fatigue. My blood work came back with a high rheumatoid factor so they diagnosed me with Rheumatoid Arthritis, started me on methotrexate and sent me on my way. I took that for several months but, all that seemed to do is make me more tired so I ended up stopping the medication. My rheumatoid factor was tested again, a few years later and, it was back to normal, so my Rheumatologist said that I had Fibromyalgia instead.

Fast forward about 13 years and, after a flight to the east coast, for a close uncle's funeral, all of my joints started to swell and I could barely get out of bed. My blood work came back positive for Epstein-Barr and, surprise, a high rheumatoid factor. I was referred to a Rheumatologist (I had long since stopped going to one since I had moved from Massachusetts, to San Diego, to Utah and never bothered to get a new one).

After monitoring my factor for a few months, with no change (I no longer had noticeable swelling), I had a bone scan done which showed damage to pretty much every joint in my body. My Rheumatologist said that it would be a normal scan for an 80 y/o woman with osteoarthritis, I was 35!

Also, around this time I was trying to get pregnant (still am). My husband had a vasectomy reversal when we decided to try to conceive. After two years of trying, we found out the problem was probably me. I was diagnosed with endometriosis after a laparoscopic surgery. I started internet researching about what I could do, after about 10 IUI's you start to feel a little helpless!

I started eating organic, went on weight watchers to lose those extra 15 lbs and, tried a mountain of herbs.  I wanted to stay off medications for my RA while trying to conceive so, when I started to get tingling and sensation changes in my hands and feet, I knew I had to do something more. After googling "diet and autoimmune disease" I found the Paleo Mom website and everything made so much sense! I downloaded all of the old Paleo Veiw Podcasts and listened to them all in about a week.

So, to be brief , I started a Paleo diet (nightshade and NSAID free) in September 2013. I started doing the full AI Protocol in March.

[Melissa]

Hi! I’m Melissa. I live in suburban Philadelphia, PA, with my husband, 2 teenage sons and 2 Paleo cats. I discovered Paleo 3 ½ years ago when researching methods for avoiding metabolic syndrome. I have slowly and carefully lost over 50 pounds. Despite celebrating a “big” birthday, my metabolism has remained strong. I strength train twice a week, walk 10 – 20 miles a week and try to fit in a yoga class or 2.

In early 2013 I developed psoriasis around my eyes and on my palms. An unsuccessful year of covering my eyelids in heavy-duty steroids led me to investigate the cause of this inflammation.

I dived into AIP head first per The Paleo Approach. After 6 weeks, I’m doing great! My diet is clean. I am exercising appropriately and sleeping like a baby. I also took a wonderful meditation class. I am convinced that this mindful practice has been a key contributor to my improvements.

The Autoimmune Protocol is hard – but manageable. I am discovering new foods and am experimenting with all sorts of delicious recipes. I am making my own bone broth! Some have already become family favorites!

[GinaD]

Hello there, my name is Gina, and I am a wife and mother of a 22 month-old girl.  We live in Phoenix, AZ, and are in the midst of deciding whether our family will grow any larger or not !  We all went Paleo at the beginning of the year--I can't believe it took that long.  I have had digestive problems my entire life, and eczema for years, but because I have never been diagnosed with any allergies or autoimmune diseases, I think I assumed it was just the way I am.  Since making the changes to my diet, I feel so much better that I am excited to share any knowledge that I have gained through research and peer communication in order to help others feel this good.  After hearing many other people's stories, I am planning to go get tested for allergies as it seems that I may have symptoms that are in common with some of the other people here.  I'm not crazy about going to the doctor, but it would be worth it to figure out if some of my digestive issues, skin problems, and the beginnings of joint pains (or is that just age?  I hope 37 is too young for that...) could be dealt with.
I have an undergraduate degree in Human Nutrition from Arizona State University, and thought that I would continue on the path to a career in Naturopathic Medicine, but feel that nutrition is my passion instead.  I am a part-time nutrition consultant in Phoenix,  and my husband (a former chef) and I are just starting a nutrition/ personalized meal service in our area.  I love to hike, eat good food, and spend time with my family.  My full-time job (other than being a mom), is a bartender/hourly manager at a restaurant called True Food Kitchen.  It is part-owned and by Dr. Andrew Weil, and the concept is based upon his Anti-Inflammatory Diet.  It is not a gluten-free restaurant, but features gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options, and follows the EWG's "Dirty Dozen" list when stocking the restaurant's produce.  Local farms are used for most of the fruits and vegetables, and all of the meats and seafood are either sustainably farmed/ wild, all-natural or grass-fed when possible.  It isn't perfect in all areas, but I am proud to say that our ability to accommodate many, many people's special dietary needs makes a large impact in their daily lives.  Over the almost six years that I have worked there, I have made many connections with wonderful people, and hope to continue to do so for a while yet.  I have been in the restaurant business my whole life, since I started working at the age of 15 until today--22 years later.  I have a passion for human interaction, and enjoy the different atmosphere that each day's new set of people brings!  
Among many other Paleo followers with nutrition backgrounds, I now know that the education I received in school is not what I would consider the ideal human diet.  It feels great to finally be eating in a way that makes sense, with ties to our genetics, rather than some fad diet that will pass in a few years.  
I look forward to learning from you all as well as contributing some information from my experiences as well!

[MindyK]

Hi everyone!  I'm Mindy and I'm a single woman living in Greeley, CO.  I was a relatively healthy child until I was diagnosed with Mononucleosis at age 18.  The Mononucleosis ravaged my immune system and left me constantly fatigued.  When I was 20 I had my first migraine.  The headaches gradually increased until I had a tension headache 24 hours a day and migraines up to 7 days a week.  I went to doctor after doctor looking for help but, in spite of all their tests and medications, the pain and fatigue wouldn't go away. 

When the doctors weren't able to help I started researching alternative treatments and nutrition.  I was a junk food vegetarian all of my life so I tried veganism and then raw veganism, but the diets weren't helpful.  I was only 32 but I had a constant headache and I was always tired.  Then my knees and elbows started aching.  When things started to deteriorate even more I got really scared.  I'd been able to manage constantly being tired and in pain but I knew that I couldn't lose all the activities that I loved like hiking and riding my motorcycle, too.   Eventually I found my way to a naturopath and she recommended that I be tested for food sensitivities.  That's when I received the good news and the bad news.  The good news, food sensitivities were a major cause of my joint pain.  The bad news, I was sensitive to over 47 foods including gluten, dairy, corn, soy, potatoes, eggs, cane sugar, coconut, and olives. 

Cutting out the foods I was sensitive to greatly improved my joint pain but it didn't help any of my other symptoms so I continued searching for answers.  My functional medical doctor tested my thyroid and thyroid antibodies levels and diagnosed me with Hashimoto's.  Luckily, the dietician at the practice started me on the Gaps Diet to address my gut permeability which eventually led me to Paleo.  Sadly, thyroid medication didn't help my symptoms and actually triggered my anxiety.  My joints were still aching in spite of practicing Paleo and removing the foods I was sensitive to so I continued looking for answers.  I finally found AIP and in January I decided to do the Autoimmune Protocol full time.  My joints no longer ache and the bladder inflammation and incontinence (I believe it was the beginning of Interstitial Cystitis) that I have experienced off and on for the last year has greatly improved.  I'm still on a search for answers for the headaches and migraines but I'm so glad that I found AIP because I believe that it is a big piece of my health puzzle. 

I work as a counselor for at-risk children and their families but my passion is helping others improve their health.  I  have combined my knowledge of mental health with my passion for nutrition and I am working to become a full time health coach.  In my health coaching practice I focus on helping others overcome their mental barriers and learn new health practices so they can permanently improve their health.   My other passions are rollerblading, kayaking, salsa dancing, and practicing photography.

[Christina]

Hi everyone! I'm Christina. I share autoimmune-protocol recipes at acleanplate.com and have been working as one of Sarah's assistants since 2013. I got my "start" in the Paleo community as a moderator for Hashimoto's 411, a patient support group on Facebook that emphasizes the importance of diet and lifestyle. It was there I first heard about the autoimmune protocol, and the rest is history. Sarah's work saved my life, and it is my pleasure and privilege to be able to network with and support other autoimmune patients professionally.

[TamarE]

Hi, I'm Tamar. I've been working with Sarah since summer of 2013. I was diagnosed with Crohn's in 2001, spent many years on Pentasa. Now I'm on Humira and Lialda. I am Paleo/AIP-ish. I really believe in the power of peer to peer support, and I'm so happy to be here!

[Claire]

Hi everyone!

I'm Claire, I'm 24, and I live in the US. I've been working as Sarah's Administrative Assistant for about a month now. I'm really excited to be working with this community because Sarah's books, blog and podcast have made such an impact on my life. I initially found Paleo after I had a health crash last year, and it completely changed my life. Since then, I've been able to use it to address underlying hypothyroidism and other hormonal imbalances. I'm currently in the reintroduction stage of AIP after about 3 months on a strict protocol I used to treat some gut issues.

Happy to be here and happy to help!