Learning Through Food by Sophia

Learning Through Food by Sophia - June 2024 Scholarship Essay

My school schedule can change at any time or any hour. I can get in the car for a thirty-minute drive to a button museum, art gallery, or historic grist mill. I can teach myself drawing, painting, or pottery from a stack of art books, or re-read Norse and Greek mythology from my family library. I can get details about any type of history ranging from church history to American history from the biggest history nerd I know: my dad. However, the most impactful informal educational experience I have had is thanks to cookbooks.
I know many people can be confused by my situation, so here is a bit of an explanation. When I was still in first grade, I often vomited for no apparent reason. I would sit in the principal’s office trying to get comfort and silence while waiting for my mom to drive up to come get me; a couple times the principal had to drive me home when my mom was unavailable. My parents eventually took me to a doctor to try to figure out what was wrong with me. The only thing they were able to identify was an intolerance to dairy products. Removing dairy from my diet temporarily reduced the problem, even though I still randomly threw up. By the end of second grade, my parents had decided to pull me from public school, partially due to bullying and partially to monitor my health. By watching my diet for a common factor, my parents realized that much like my mother, I also couldn’t have sugar. This was the start of a long journey.
Fast-forward a few years, and my mother’s health issues had slowly started to get worse. She was often stuck in bed for the entire day due to extreme pain and a total lack of energy. Finally, after receiving little help from her doctors, my father had had enough, and took her to visit a functional medicinal practitioner. From him, she learned she had an autoimmune disease, possibly fibromyalgia or Hashimoto. One thing Dr. Bradly said could help minimize symptoms was to go on a specialized diet known as the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP), an elimination diet that involves removing foods such as grains, legumes, nuts, nightshades, seeds, and sweeteners. It really did help her. She had more energy and was in significantly less pain; she was able to be active again. At the same time, I, who have just hit puberty, have started vomiting again, and have developed rashes all over my arms and legs. My parents, scared by the fact that I was having trouble gaining any weight despite getting taller, decided to try me on AIP. One tool that really helped us navigate this major change was a book given to my parents by a friend: "The Autoimmune Paleo Cookbook" by Mickey Trescott, NTP (Nutritional Therapy Practitioner).
This guidebook explained to me what the Autoimmune Paleo Diet is and gives instructions on how to do a proper elimination diet. I could see tips for eating paleo and look at sample meal plans. As well as recipes, I could find a list of foods to eat and foods to avoid. We made a copy of that list and have adjusted the list as it applies to us. This is particularly helpful, as my dad often has trouble remembering who can eat what. When we go shopping, I am the expert on my mom and I’s dietary needs.
Another cookbook that has been highly influential is "Tasting History" by Max Miller. The book tells history through the lens of recipes. The recipes and stories take you from Babylon in the Ancient World to Texas in the New World. Older recipes are simpler and are very similar to the paleo diet, which is about getting back to the “diet of our ancestors”. The recipes are either ones we can just make as they are written, or they are easily adjustable to fit our needs. One of our favorites is Pumpion Pie, an old pumpkin pie recipe from the British Isles. With a few minor adjustments, such as making a cassava crust and not coating the pumpkin slices in eggs, it is a treat my mom and I can have and a dessert my whole family enjoys.
One thing I have come to realize while being on this diet is that there is no “quick and easy” for people with obscure food sensitivities. If I’m exhausted after a long day of work, we can’t just go out to eat, because anywhere Mom and I go won’t have any options for us to eat. We know others have similar problems with equally or more restrictive diets. This has brought me to the decision to one day start my own AIP and Paleo Cafe.
What started with a cookbook to help us understand our dietary issues has affected my whole life. I have learned practical research skills and applied them to my life. It has led me to decide to study Business in college. I am grateful for the way this whole struggle has guided my life. Almost as grateful as I am to have Pumpion pie.