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If you have ever read the blog Agriculture Society and appreciated what you found there, I hope you will enjoy this brand new site.
I am a follower of Yeshua, mother, wife, vocalist and the author and owner of Agriculture Society. I founded that site in 2006 to share with others what I was learning about natural alternatives in health.
Over a decade later, I still have that same desire. I have founded this site as a way to share my knowledge and experience of teaching GAPS and healing foods workshops to those reading online.
In 2005 a health crisis forced me to take a long, hard look at what I was putting in my body. I began to remove processed foods from our kitchen, and the rest is history. I started understanding the importance of organics, sustainability, and knowing how my food is produced. Raw milk and grassfed meats became staples in our kitchen.
In 2009 I discovered the traditional foods community and started preparing bone broths, sauerkraut, yogurt and kefir from raw milk, and others.
In 2011, I began the GAPS Diet developed by Dr. Natasha Campbell McBride, following it as closely as possible for almost 2 years. My results on GAPS enabled me to start to overcome chronic health issues including panic, anxiety and insomnia which controlled my life for over 20 years.
Although I have not observed a wide range of discussions about those who have resolved panic and insomnia issues with GAPS, I believe this is a remarkable discovery and hopeful solution for those who suffer from these chronic conditions.
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America:
“…anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older (18% of U.S. population). Anxiety disorders cost the U.S. more than $42 billion a year, almost one-third of the country’s $148 billion total mental health bill, according to ‘The Economic Burden of Anxiety Disorders’, a study commissioned by ADAA (The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry,60(7), July 1999).”
A report from Medco shows the use of medications used to treat psychological and behavioral disorders increased 22 percent between 2001 and 2010:
“…more than one‐in‐five adults was on at least one of these medications in 2010. Women are far more likely to take a drug to treat a mental health condition than men, with more than a quarter of the adult female population on these drugs in 2010 as compared to 15 percent of men.”
From Sleep Education:
Among adults in the U.S.:
• 30 to 35% have brief symptoms of insomnia.
• 15 to 20% have a short-term insomnia disorder, which lasts less than three months.
• 10% have a chronic insomnia disorder, which occurs at least three times per week for at least three months.
I would guess those numbers are probably higher due to the fact that not all incidences are reported. I never wanted to become reliant on medication for anxiety, but at least a few times before I resolved my issues with food, I became desperate and took drugs. What I learned is that those drugs didn’t solve the actual cause of the problem. In fact, things only became worse while taking those medications.
In Gut and Psychology Syndrome, Dr. Natasha Campbell McBride discusses how damage to the gut from poor diet and lifestyle habits greatly contribute to issues like hyperactivity, ADD/ADHD, depression, learning disorders and fine motor skill degeneration, and even schizophrenia. Based on those observations, it’s not a stretch to say GAPS or a similar healing protocol could also help resolve panic, anxiety, and sleep disorders.
I have taught workshops, organized events and presentations, prepared supporting literature for those events, shared educational information with those in need in various capacities including providing educational sessions/coaching, and produced online content.
I believe the GAPS Diet can be an effective healing protocol, but acknowledge that it is not a one-size-fits-all diet. There are other effective protocols for healing and recovery from chronic health issues. Above all, my goal is to share about beneficial ways to heal the gut or digestive tract with real food and other natural methods, whether by GAPS or other means. Health begins in the digestive tract, and the condition of our digestive health affects every aspect of our health.
In 2004 or 2005, I had been researching for some years and came across the research of Dr. Weston A. Price, DDS, which examines the impact traditional diets have on our health and well-being. I am an advocate for sustainable food, farming, and nutrient-dense diets.
I appreciate the work of the Price-Pottenger Nutrition Foundation, founded to preserve and promote the work of Dr. Weston A. Price, DDS and Dr. Frances M. Pottenger, Jr., MD. This non-profit educational foundation shares the the work of both of these individuals and their studies into the benefits of traditional diets. Although not everything you will read here represents the philosophy of this organization, the dietary principles and research have been and continue to be a significant influence in my life.
By nature I am inquisitive and a researcher, and I’m particularly intrigued by the cause and effect of what allows something to occur. This is especially true when it comes to health, and I’ve dedicated this site to uncovering and discussing ways we can regain our wellness if we have lost our footing as a result of following recommendations from health authorities and organizations we have trusted for decades.
From observation, personal experience, and research, I’ve come to believe health begins in the digestive tract. I want to focus on what I consider to be one of the most important aspects of wellness. As I have in the past, I will also publish about sustainable farming, food politics, recipes, and most anything related to Traditional Wellness Wisdom.
Thank you for joining me here. I look forward to sharing information and ideas as I embark on the next chapter of my health education journey!
Yours in health,
– Raine Saunders
Photo credit, Mika Belle, Belle Arts
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