Building Blocks

For the sake of those—especially college students!—wanting to compare their situations with what I'm up against and what I have going for me in my personal switch to GAPS, here's a basic outline of the resources at my disposal.

• Two jobs (roughly 15-20 hours a week). My student development office was willing to provide me a credit for food when I scaled back my meal plan with a doctor's note—until they looked at my aid and determined I was receiving too much to get a credit. But students, seriously, work this option and you may get the funds to make the change. Or get a job—you can do it!
• Off-campus apartment with a kitchenette. This is a blessing. To be honest though, I cooked quite a bit living in the dorms as well. It just meant getting a first-floor room close to the lounge, a mini-frig, and kitchen supplies that lived in a tub in my room.
• Grocery store in walking distance. They have no meat, but they supply my organic (when I can afford it) dairy and produce if it's off season for…
• Farmer's Market. Hooray! My community has a seasonal Farmer's Market ten minutes away. Tons of local produce—I take local over organic for fresh nutrients—and also a couple meat providers. Thank God.
• Organic meat farm. A half hour drive away, but hopefully manageable to stock up every couple weeks til Farmer's Market. My first appointment is tomorrow.
• Crock pot. My roommates gifted me a mid-range one for Christmas, but I've seen them at the right stores for $15-$20. I would not be on Intro without it.
• Supportive roommates. As I mentioned a couple posts ago, my health in general was a constant, low-lying stress in my last apartment. I now have roommates who are equal parts "doesn't bother me" and "don't care". It's something I would take for granted had I not just switched into it, but for right now I'm thanking my lucky stars.

These resources did not come together overnight. They've taken quite a bit of internet research and networking. I still haven't found a raw dairy provider, which is disappointing—haven't given up yet though! I so encourage anyone considering Intro to make sure they have a similar support system in place; or at least enough for the first couple stages, as you can continue researching before moving to later stages.

Take a minute to think about your key health and nutrition resources. Share them below! Be grateful for them! Don't take them for granted! :)