AIP Chicken Pot Pie

Planning meals has been one of my biggest concerns since deciding to follow the Autoimmune Paleo Elimination protocol. But, I knew that this was my best chance to let my gut heal and help my fantastic ProBio5 do its job, so I decided to do my best!

In the beginning, we kept it pretty simple with lean protein (mostly chicken, and pork, and occasionally adding ground beef as I learned recipes to season it), veggies (broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, pea pods, and cabbage), and healthy fats (avocado, olives, and coconut oil). After a while, I would use Google to find compliant recipes to replace some of the good ol' standard meals we used to eat before the transition. Lately, we seem to make the same things....stir fry (coconut aminos have become my best friend, and is a compliant replacement for soy sauce- which is also bad for thyroid function), chicken with sweet poatotes and green apples, mustard chicken, and of course the basics of chicken, a veggie and maybe a sweet potato.

So yesterday, I Googled a compliant recipe for Chicken Pot Pie....one of our favorites pre-AIP; and I dare say that I found an awesome replacement that is completely yummy....the hubby even approved! When I found this recipe, Paleo Chicken Pot Pie (AIP) by Gutsy By Nature, I was so excited because I had just gotten my order of Cassava flour and I could now try it out!

I have to say the recipe is simple, and it contains items we keep in the pantry on a regular basis; and now Cassava Flour will be a new staple in my AIP pantry! It's easy to work with and I've found another recipe for AIP Tortillas that I can't wait to try!! Although, I had a blonde moment and forgot to add the chicken to the veggie mixture before adding the crust on the top....woops! So, I had to take part of the crust off to put the chicken in and it ended up not looking very pretty, but it tasted yummy!

I Have Autoimmune Issues....Now What?

Honestly, when I got the diagnosis of Hashimoto's even though it was an AutoImmune disease that would never go away.....I was relieved! Relieved to have a reason for the way I had been feeling, and happy to have proved my Endocrinologist wrong!!! It wasn't depression {like I KNEW it WASN'T!} but she thought it was. I knew my body and KNEW it was thyroid related, and I am so very glad that I didn't let someone else define me into something I knew wasn't true! I have become an advocate for searching for a Doctor that will listen....search until you find that good fit, and appreciate them once you do!

My new doctor {I lovingly call her SupaDoc, because she is FANTASTIC! and listens to me} said I needed to go Gluten Free and highly recommended doing a Paleo dietary change. I'd been learning about Paleo already, because I was in the process of cutting out grains. So, now that I have this diagnosis and information from SupaDoc....what do I do? I went into automatic research mode. I had a book at home that I'd bought when looking into Paleo....Practical Paleo. It's fantastic! It breaks down the protocol into different recommendations for certain health conditions, and that is how I found out about the Autoimmune Protocol for Hashimoto's. Through that book, I learned what not to eat and more importantly- what I CAN eat! It was depressing at first, seeing all of my favorite foods on the DO NOT EAT list, but I let myself grieve for a moment about cutting out these foods for possibly the rest of my life and then moved on. After all, eating this way could get me back to feeling as I once had...so, I had to try it and give it my all.

Once I read Practical Paleo, I had a thirst for more information; so thank goodness for the Internet! There are so many fantastic resources online, and for FREE, that you can learn so much from, and get started without spending even a dime!! I searched different sites and recipe books. Read reviews and took the time to find good deals on recipe books that I knew I'd like and get the most bang for my buck, as I knew this change would be life-long. So, I focused on website searches. I Googled individual recipes, like AIP Taco Seasoning, AIP Stir Fry, and other staples in our menu because I knew the spices I used needed to change. Pre-packged food and seasoning packets were a thing of the past for our home.

This was my favorite explanation of  what an Autoimmune thyroid problem is, and what to do about it:

http://aiplifestyle.com/what-is-autoimmune-protocol-diet/

 These are a few of my favorite AIP Blogs:

Autoimmune-Paleo.com

AIPLifestyle.com

VibrantLifeArmyWife.com

TheCuriousCoconut.com

HowWeFlourish.com

ACleanPlate.com

TheTastyAlternative.com

If I could pass on one piece of advice to anyone beginning their journey with Hashimoto's, it's to keep trying! If you are struggling finding a Doctor who will listen and help you to be successful with your journey....KEEP LOOKING! They are out there! Utilize your social network and learn as much as you can. Take your journey into your own hands and focus on cleaning up your diet and cut out all of those inflammatory foods that are causing your body problems.

Because I promise you, when you find someone who acknowledges that your symptoms aren't all in your head...you'll feel like this, and the journey will be worth it!