Day 12 of The 21-Day Sugar Detox & Paleo Smothered Cabbage Recipe

Today, I’d like to talk to you a little about treating autoimmune disease with a gluten free or paleo diet.  In case you don’t know already, I have four diagnosed autoimmune diseases or disorders, one of which is lupus.  Some days, I feel like treating my symptoms, is an exercise in futility.  But, I will not give up.

What I’m trying to say is, if you are doing everything you can with diet, yet are still experiencing symptoms, don’t get discouraged.  Despite eating paleo strictly, I still do experience some flareups and symptoms.  Sometimes, you can do everything right, and still have an occurrence.  That’s the thing about these darn autoimmune diseases, they can’t be cured.  However, your symptoms can be lessened.

The paleo diet has completely healed my stomach ulcers and leaky gut.  I no longer suffer from gas and bloating.  I no longer am afraid to eat foods that will cause a mad dash to the bathroom ( unless I get cross-contaminated).  I have more energy and quality of life.  I have not had to visit my doctors or hospital since I started eating paleo.  Those are huge accomplishments!

I simply don’t want to be one of those people that says the paleo diet, (or any other diet for that matter) will cure you of all that ails you.  That would be dishonest.  These autoimmune diseases are incurable.  Flareups can occur at any time, for any reason.  The best we can do is make the best changes to our diets and lifestyle to keep us comfortable.  That is why I believe in the paleo diet.  It made me comfortable.

What did I eat on day 12 of The 21-Day Sugar Detox?

This morning, I defrosted some leftover Shrimp Jambalaya I had frozen previously.  For lunch, I ate that, with a fried egg on top.  It was delicious!  I could put a fried egg on just about anything, and enjoy it.

As you can probably tell by my recent recipes, I’ve been feeling a little homesick.  That reached an all time high this morning when I woke up to a snow storm…in mid-May!  I wanted a dinner that was good, Cajun comfort food.  To me, that’s smothered cabbage.  Then, I wanted something to eat with it.  The first thing I thought of was meatballs.  So, that’s what I made, Smothered Cabbage with Italian Sausage & Mushroom Meatballs.

The recipe for Smothered Cabbage is below.  I will post the Italian Sausage & Mushroom Meatballs tomorrow.

Smothered Cabbage

1/3 pound Bacon Ends or Salt Pork

½ Red Onion, sliced

1 head Cabbage, chopped

1 cup Chicken Broth

Salt & Pepper, to taste

Heat bacon ends or salt pork in heavy bottomed large pot.  When you have about a tablespoon of bacon grease in bottom of pot, add red onions.  Cook until onions are slightly browned.  Pour in chicken broth, stir, and lower heat.  Add cabbage.  Cover with lid and cook until cabbage is wilted, about 20 minutes.  Once cabbage is wilted, uncover pot and add salt & pepper.  Raise heat and stir cabbage well.  Continue to cook, stirring often, until cabbage is a nice golden brown color.  Remove from heat.  Makes about 6 servings.

I hope you enjoy the recipe.  Don’t forget to enter for the Mikey’s Muffins GIVEAWAY.  Just leave a COMMENT in this post, and you’re entered. You only have a couple of days left! Get COMMENTING!

Question of the day: What is preventing you from going paleo? COMMENT your answers.

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