Hearty Irish Lamb Stew {AIP, GAPS, SCD, Paleo}

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Happy New Year everyone! How was your 2016? Did you make a resolution or two for 2017? January is the perfect month to do a reset so that's what I shall be doing. I've known for some time that sweets do not sit well with me and I have made a special effort to avoid them over the last few months with great success. Of course I enjoyed a festive treat or two but, though modest by most peoples' standards, they have left me feeling down and a little foggy. I am convinced that over consumption of sugar is the reason most people tend to love Christmas, yet often dread New Year when our adrenals have taken a hammering. I know that incorporating the sweeter things into my life is widening a slippery slope I don't wish to travel down, so I intend to keep away from them as much as possible. In any case, this month's hearty stew keeps me happier and far more satiated than a slice of cake could.

If you wish to reset, or are just beginning your elimination diet and finding it tough, take note of these facts -

• it takes 3-4 weeks for cravings to subside, longer if you give in to them along the way
• if you are feeling hungry immediately or soon after eating, that's an indicator that your meal didn't contain enough healthy fat
• when cravings strike, reach for a protein and fat rich snack, rather than carbs. Remember that fat is satiating, whilst carbs are not. If you have a piece of fruit or something sweeter, you're on a fast track to slippery slopesville. Snacks that do it for me include :
  • half an avocado with a spoonful of duck fat and a sprinkle of truffle salt
  • healthy spoonful of liver paté (without the fruit). I deliberately have this to hand so I can take a spoonful as and when necessary
  • spoonful of wild salmon and leek paté with a raw crunchy veggie such as celery or daikon
  • having a stash of my mini chicken and ginger meatloaves in the freezer is a pretty wise decision for snack attacks or eating on the go
  • try a decent spoonful of pork rillettes. I buy mine from my local deli but if you're after a recipe, Jo Frankham has one on her site
• consider Angie's SAD to AIP in SIX. Her six week online course has helped well over a thousand people get started on their road to recovery through improved diet and lifestyle
• Michelle's brand new 30-Day Gut Healing Guide has meal plans, shopping lists and a load of information about healing through the AIP, Paleo and GAPS (including low FODMAP modifications).

hearty irish lamb stew
(serves 6-8)

This really is a substantial beauty that I intend to feast on throughout the rest of the winter and, what can I say, ohmagosh you really need need need this stew in your life too! One word to the wise though, do not overlook the browning process at the start. Yes, browning meat can be a little tedious but you win serious rewards in the taste department when you do so. But I think you already know that?!

Anyway, now I've whet your appetite you'd better head on over to Autoimmune Wellness for the recipe!