Page 68 - Fall2020

All Thumbs Book Reviews

The Complete Cooking Techniques ishing soups and gradually adding foods like
for the GAPS Diet egg yolks, ghee, avocado, nut-flour pancakes
By Monica Corrado and baked goods, and some raw vegetables
Selene River Press and fruits. Though choices are limited, there is
plenty to eat. However Corrado cautions that it
When it comes to healing and food, if any- can take anywhere from a few weeks to a full
body can make a daunting, challenging situation year to complete this phase, depending on the
a whole lot easier, it’s Monica Corrado. In this severity of symptoms.
lengthy eleven-part book, she has combined Section 4 details the full GAPS diet, which
information from her previous books with up-to- could last a couple of years. This is highly
date information about the Gut and Psychology individual; some people do so well that they
Syndrome (GAPS) and the stages of healing. continue eating this way for life. In full GAPS,
Corrado begins with a clear explanation of one may add a few legumes and various nour-
GAPS and why so many people are facing such ishing foods, although the majority of legumes,
confusing and frightening symptoms. The first all grains, starchy and fibrous vegetables and
three sections cover the symptoms, diseases and processed oils are off-limits. Cultured dairy,
malnutrition associated with a damaged small properly prepared nuts and seeds, raw honey,
intestine. The message is clear: “Heal the small satisfying fats and stocks along with a large
intestine, heal the symptoms.” To accomplish variety of vegetables and meats are all allowed.
this, you must follow the steps outlined, realiz- Section 5 focuses on the transition diet,
ing that healing takes time and occurs in stages. which again can take time to integrate fully.
Steps include removing offending foods, starv- It is important to listen to our bodies and
ing pathogenic bacteria, “healing and sealing” symptoms—they are our guide. One makes the
the gut and rebuilding the microbiome. This is transition gradually, adding small amounts of
The message accomplished with deeply nourishing, easily di- properly prepared grains and starchy vegetables,
is clear: “Heal gested and assimilated, anti-inflammatory foods. always monitoring symptoms. The successful
Corrado carefully outlines the introductory introduction of these foods without symptoms,
the small and full GAPS phases as well as a post-GAPS means you have officially made the transition.
intestine, transition phase. With few exceptions, the intro- While diet is the most significant compo-
heal the ductory phase is critical for healing and sealing nent of the GAPS protocol, Sections 6 and 7
the gut lining. Corrado lays the introductory diet cover healing with probiotics, essential fatty
symptoms.” out in six stages, beginning with stocks and nour- acids and enzymes. Here Corrado also teaches

Beyond Labels, Continued from page 63. historically normal food.”
There is a ton of discussion to help people not In a sea of books about the food system,
be duped by labels and the rest of the labyrinth what sets this one apart is how very practical
of lies that make up the modern food system it seeks to be. What do you want your food,
and its often misleading marketing and claims. your health and your world to look like? What
All of this flows naturally, and it is hoped will changes are you making so that daily life be-
have a gentle impact on readers who are trying gins to match that vision? The book seems well
to make progress. The authors also mention Sally positioned to furnish not just information but
Fallon Morell, with Salatin speaking about how also motivation and direction to those wanting
he loves her term “the diet dictocrats” because to move toward real, traditional, local, nutrient-
it “captures marvelously the elitist, tyranni- dense foods. Two thumbs up.
cal persona of experts who dare to impugn Review by John Moody
66 Wise Traditions FALL 2020