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Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Yarn Along

Joining in with Ginny over at Small Things for this week's Yarn Along.

As usual, I have several things on the needles, and several books on the go: one fiction, one non-fiction.

On the needles are some nifty legwarmers, a gift for my friend over at Wabi Sabi Wanderings. They're made with Tahki's "Donegal Tweed". You may recognize the yarn; I bought 11 skeins of it to make a sweater for myself, and instead use it for all kinds of small things (like baby sweaters, hats, and legwarmers). The other ball of yarn is Fame Trend's "Party", which will hopefully enjoy its new incarnation as rainbow socks before winter is out (I finished my Noro Kureyon socks and have worn them daily ever since. They are officially my favourite socks ever). If you're a knitter intimidated by the idea of making socks, please find someone who can help you with the tricky bits. There is really nothing like them! If you are a local friend and want to learn, you know who to call...

My sweet friend Rachel sent me Haruki Murakami's The Wind Up Bird Chronicle in the mail. Isn't it delightful to receive a book in the mail from a friend who knows your tastes in such things? This is unlike anything I've read and has me thinking about all kinds of philosophical concepts that I haven't thought about before. This is fun for my brain!

Non-fiction is a bit harder to get through. Gut and Psychology Syndrome by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride describes a natural, diet-based treatment for all kinds of conditions (autism, schizophrenia, ADHD, ADD, Dyspraxia, depression, etc.) It's fascinating to explore the idea that by changing your diet, you can actually heal from many conditions that experts consider incurable. It's controversial because it flies in the face of research that suggest the MMR vaccine has nothing to do with autism, and draws a very clear connection between digestive and mental health. I'm considering following the GAPS diet in order to heal Jude's digestive system, but need to read the whole book first. It is a costly book; if you want more information before buying it, do send me an email and I can give you more background.
(Thanks to my sister Julie for getting this one for me!)

What are you reading/knitting these days?

10 comments:

  1. In a previous life, before he became the army guy, hubby was with the Society of Treatment of Autism. He can attest that all of the children in care had a lot of digestive issues. He wouldn't say that its the main concern, BUT it would be right up there. Granted these children are severely autistic, but I think there is a link between the two...worth exploring.

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  2. Yippeeeee......I can finally comment. I am actually reading as non-fiction book called The Lost Hours which is about family secrets, horses, grief, healing, etc. AND, I am knitting a pair of socks!!

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  3. The tweedy legwarmers are so pretty! I agree with the assertion in Gut and Psychology Syndrome. I have a couple of very good friends whose children have made huge headway in healing from autism with GAPS or GF-CF diet (among other bio treatments).

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  4. You taught me something today and I want to learn more. I never would have connected some of the problems you mentioned to diet, but I really want to look more into it.
    I agree with you totally about hand knit socks, they are the best!
    Happy Yarn Along.

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  5. I attended a psychoneuroimmunology conference in the fall and was excited by the incedible amounts of research linking diseases now being eyed as inflammatory ( ADHD, Autism ,& depression included) The researcher and professor presenting clearly feels that these are triggered by a "leaky gut" and can be treated by adressing gastrointestinal issues( proper intestinal flora, elimination of affending proteins in the diet). It was a very academically dense few days and I am still reviewing my hasty chicken scratch notes to glean more from all the information presented. Sounds like a great book!

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  6. I recently started to learn about the GAPS diet too. Very interesting indeed!
    I've also been learning about a gluten free diet. One recent author seems to be making headway with it, but I think that he's overlooking the hormonal influence to all the he applies his diet to.
    For example, wheat is estrogenic to the body and actually prevents estrogen from being eliminated from the body. It then recycles back into the body and creates an imbalance.
    All that to say, I think there's something to be gleaned from the GAPS diet, the gluten/cf diet and a healthy balance of our hormones.
    Have a great week!

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  7. If the gut is healthy, the body is healthy. It is connected to every part of the body. I have heard wonderful things about that book and hope one day to read it. I wish more people made the connection between diet and health...it would be so amazing, especially for our children.

    Love the yarn for the legwarmers and I can't wait to knit my first pair of socks.

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  8. I am waiting to see you so you can attach my knitted body to the sleeves for my husband's sweater (Sunday?). I am reading the Metabolism-Boosting Diet by Joey Shulman (recommend) and some other fiction thing at bedtime that I can't even remember the name of..obviously not that riveting!

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  9. Just wanted to share my friend's blog regarding the gut and health:
    http://sproutingnaturally.blogspot.com/p/my-story.html

    She's done a lot of research for her family and is passionate about health.

    As for knitting, I need to finish a project (schmatta) and then get to my sewing projects!

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  10. Have you seen The Nature of Things episode regarding the "Bacterial Theory" as related to autism? It might interest you. You can find it here http://www.cbc.ca/natureofthings/episode/autism-enigma.html

    I am so chuffed about those legwarmers! I'm busy imagining all sorts of outfits that I can wear them with. Yay!

    And I'm lovin' that ball of rainbow in the background! MORE fun socks? You are gonna be the funnest sock person around :-)

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This space is a creative outlet for a busy mama; I warmly embrace your comments and feedback, as well as questions/requests for details. I do check them daily and will respond where appropriate! Thank you for visiting the Knitty Gritty Homestead!