Welcome to Lexie's Kitchen

A note to new readers: If you (or your loved one) has celiac disease or a life threatening food allergy, please be aware that on occasion I use ingredients manufactured in facilities that also process food(s) that may not be "safe" for you. I defer to you to examine labels and packaging to ensure that ingredients called for in my recipes are safe for you and are produced in safe manufacturing environments. 

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I am so glad you dropped by! This website is dedicated to my son who was the catalyst for change in the way our family eats.

It all began with an effort to restore his neurological and intestinal health through nutrition. Unfortunate as it is, it often takes a health crisis for us to take a good look at the way we live and eat. And so it was with us.

After two MRIs, allergy testing, numerous blood draws and genetic testing, he has not been given a diagnosis (and honestly, I am fine with that). Though I could not "fix" him per se, I could give his little body every advantage through diet. We studied up on the various autism diets, read parent testimonials and saw the possible benefits. Could such a diet help with his hypotonia and gross motor and speech delays? Blood tests showed an allergy to wheat and dairy anyway, so why not give it a try? And could eliminating hard to digest proteins and unhealthy foods from his diet cure him of his 18-month run (no pun intended) of and chronic "toddlers" diarrhea? The hope I felt was enough motivation to get me off the couch and springing into action! What I could do for my son was get into the kitchen and cook. I could cook food that would be easy on his gut and beneficial to his brain. And with the guidance of an allergist and two integrative doctors, that's what I began doing in the Fall of 2009.

Tending to (or harrassing?) the ducks. Kamuela, Hawaii 1974.Stepping back in time, I was fortunate to have been raised by parents who appreciated the value of whole food and clean living. Hanging out at health food stores and co-ops, and soaking up plenty of fresh air and sunshine were among my sweetest childhood memories. It wasn't until college that I realized that not everyone grew up the way I did. Through my 20's and 30's I'd say I ate like the average "health-conscious" American. But it wasn't until my 40th year that I realized how much of the "standard American diet" and its sugar-laden, preservative-loaded processed food had crept into the pantry. It was time to get back to my roots.

In 2009 our family had its wake-up call and we took action. I joined my son in his journey back to health by following the Anti-Candida Diet with him for three 4-month rounds. Our son's intestinal health began improving and I regained my energy and mental clarity. Following the ACD we, one-by-one, began reintroducing suspect foods to discover which irritated our boy's system. Today they are gluten, dairy, eggs, excess sugar/fruit, and preservatives (especially that nasty sodium nitrate). Armed with this knowledge I now provide him with foods that will help, not hinder, his journey to health. And healthier he has gotten! He is more alert, has more energy and his digestive system is in top shape. It's been an amazing journey—proof to me that our health hinges on our diet and gut health. As hard as it has been, I am so grateful for our son's health "crisis." It has been a blessing in disguise.

As so many bloggers have inspired me, I hope that this site will, in turn, encourage and inspire those with food allergies/intolerances, parents with children on the autistic spectrum and all others afflicted by diet-related digestive and neurological issues.

Here are posts specific to our son's progress:

Diving to the Depths in Search of Healing

Cheery Cherry Detox Smoothie & Updated on Miles

Thank you for your support. I am here for you, too!

Lexie

To contact me you can use the Contact Form on this site or
email me directly at lexieskitchen[at]gmail[dot]com.