If we will take the time to explore our habits and our diets, we don’t need expensive testing… we can test ourselves.
Baking soda test for low stomach acid:
1. Mix 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda in 4-6 ounces of cold water first thing in the morning before eating or drinking anything.
2. Drink the baking soda solution.
3. Time how long it takes you to belch. Time up to five minutes.
In theory, if your stomach is producing adequate amounts of stomach acid you’ll likely belch within two to three minutes.
Early and repeated belching may be due to excessive stomach acid (but don’t confuse these burps with small little burps from swallowing air when drinking the solution).
Any belching after 3 minutes indicates a low acid level. If you have not belched within five minutes stop timing! (You might want to read this article about Low Stomach Acid).
Pulse test for Food Allergies
To do the pulse test for food allergies, you can compare your pulse 30 minutes before eating an offending food and 10 minutes after…did your pulse go up? If so you might be allergic to that offending food.
Elimination Diet
If you really want to know what is causing your problems, I suggest people try this modified Elimination Diet…there are very extensive and complicated ones you’ll get from a medical doc or an allergist, but just try this one for 2 weeks, and see how you feel.
If you “feel” like you are doing better without meat, then add it back for a couple of nights and see how well you sleep.
If you think you might be gluten intolerant, then try living without wheat, barley, rye, oats, and corn, unless gluten free, for 3 weeks. If your digestive problems clear up, the sad news is that you should avoid gluten.
Use the following program for 1-3 weeks; just repeat the same cycle each week until you can properly eliminate offending food groups. If necessary use mono meals (eat only one food for each meal) to check digestive ability. This Elimination Diet includes eating detoxing broth and I have included two recipes at the end of this post.
Days 1 and 2: Eliminate meat, eggs, dairy, wheat, alcohol, caffeine, chocolate, and sugar. Eat only organic vegan foods in any arrangement, preparation, and amount, using cooking oils (extra virgin olive, sesame, and coconut oils) and seasonings (herbs).
Day 3: In addition, eliminate grains, nuts, beans, and legumes. Eat only fruits and vegetables in any combination, amount, and preparation, using the oils and spices as needed.
Day 4: Avoid eating any solid food. Drink plenty of water, broth, juice and tea. Eat only detoxing broth.
Day 5: Same as Day 3
Days 6 and 7: Same as days 1 and 2.
Repeat if necessary.
Here are two recipes for Detoxing Broth:
Recipe for Detoxing Broth
Fill a large soup kettle with 3-4 quarts of filtered water. Add more as needed.
1 large chopped onion
3-5 small bunches of chopped greens (kale, parsley, cilantro, chard, broccoli, mustards, etc.)
2 stalks of sliced celery
½ head of chopped cabbage
2 peeled and chopped carrots
2 stalks of peeled burdock, daikon or turnip roots (Can’t find burdock/daikon? Use more turnips, radish or rudabega)
1 cup of squash, chopped into cubes (any variety)
More chopped root vegetables of your choice – turnip, parsnip, rutabagas, sweet potatoes)
2 cups fresh or dried medicinal mushrooms if available (maitake, shitake, enoki, etc.) No white button or portabella mushrooms.
Sprinkle with mineral salt (Himalayan or Real Salt)
Add seaweed to taste – nori, dulse, kelp, or kombu – if you like seaweed.
Strain after making. Blend the vegetables and add back to soup.
Here is an alternate Puree Recipe for Elimination Diet and for Cleansing:
Recipe for Wellness Puree
Greens
2- Large Bunches Organic Asparagus
1- Large Bunch Organic Baby Kale
1- Large Bunch Organic Baby Spinach
1- Large Bunch Organic Parsley
1- Bunch Organic Broccoli Sprouts
4- Small Organic Zucchini Squash
1- Bunch Organic Basil
1- Bag Organic Carrots
Alliums
2- Full Bulbs Organic Garlic
1- Large Organic Red Onion
1- Large Organic Leek
Legumes
1- Lrg Can /dried and cooked Organic Pre-Cooked White Beans
1- Lrg Can/ dried and cooked Organic Pre-Cooked Garbanzo Beans
Herbs and Spices (Season to Taste)
Pink Salt
Freshly Ground Pepper
Turmeric
2-Lrg bunches Organic Watercress or other green
1-Lrg bunch Arugula
In a large soup pot fill bottom to cover with 3 inches of filtered water. Add 2 tsp Salt.
Cover and bring to boil. Once water is boiling turn temp to low.
Add all coarsely chopped greens. Allow to stay in covered pot on low heat to preserve nutrient profile until all greens are blanched and soft. Add all cleaned and coarsely chopped Alliums. Allow to cook until blanched. If water is getting low add more. Add pre-Cooked Legumes. Allow to simmer/cook in covered pot for about 45 minutes or until soft.
Once fully cooked, add Watercress and Arugula to blender or use Immersion blender in large soup pot, along with cooked contents and puree entire contents with either immersion blender or regular blender. Once fully and completely pureed, return entire contents to soup pot. Add 1/3-cup olive oil and seasoning to taste. Add water to achieve desired consistency.
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Betty Sue is not giving medical advice so seek the advice of your healthcare professional, especially if you are pregnant.
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