The flapdancing conversation continues, with the usual bonus nonsense thrown in for good measure. Flapdancing is what I've termed the main stim I do, as the basic move is a form of hand-flapping done to music, but it's something I didn't actually realize I did until discovering the Autism. The process of figuring out exactly what it is I'm doing, as well as the benefits I gain from doing it, was fairly long and involved the assistance of multiple sources of information, including insights gleaned from reading Temple Grandin's book The Autistic Brain. I detail some of those insights in this episode.

Episode Eight is a bit off the rails, you guys, but that's hopefully come to be expected. I do eventually, however, begin the very large, very complex topic that is the discovery of the main stim I do, the one I've clearly done my entire life, just, you know, without any actual conscious realization of that fact. Fun times.

More specifics on histamine and food, including my go-to options on a strict low-histamine diet. Links below to research/resources mentioned, plus the recipes detailed therein, because who doesn't like bonus recipes? Histamine's link to depression: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9537353/ Swiss Interest Group Histamine Intolerance, excellent resource for further info: https://www.histaminintoleranz.ch/en/introduction.html Intolerances app (yes, I'm only linking the iOS version because I know less than nothing about Android, sorry): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/food-intolerances/id419098758 Yummy Strawberry Dessert (NOT low-histamine): -angel food cake -large box vanilla pudding mix -one cup milk -one pint vanilla ice cream, softened -one small box strawberry jello mix -three baskets strawberries, sliced Prepare jello as instructed, cover and refrigerate until partially firm, an hour or so. Tear angel food cake into bite-size pieces and distribute evenly into 13x9 casserole dish. Prepare pudding as directed but using one cup of milk and softened ice cream. Pour evenly over angel food cake. Add sliced strawberries to partially firm jello, mix well to combine. Pour evenly over angle food cake/pudding. Cover and refrigerate until firmly set. Serve with whipped cream/cool whip if desired. Hilde's Granola (low-histamine): -four cups oats (I use sprouted) -1/2 teaspoon sea salt -1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon (less if using strong cinnamon) -1/2 cup maple syrup -1/4 cup coconut oil, melted Pour oats into medium/large mixing bowl, add salt and cinnamon, whisk to distribute (I use a flat whisk for this). Add maple syrup and stir a few times, then add coconut oil and mix thoroughly. Evenly distribute into baking sheet lined with parchment and gently pat down with spatula. Bake at 300, convect if you have it, for one hour, rotating pan 180-degrees halfway through. Remove and let cool before breaking into pieces for storage. (And yes, pulling up the corners of parchment until large triangles break off is absolutely one of the most satisfying experiences ever. You're welcome.) ENJOY!

I mean, sure, it's been a minute since I posted Episode Five. We won't dwell on that too terribly much, though. It is me after all. In Episode Six, we dive further into histamine intolerance, specifically via the IBS angle, and I detail some of the non-GI-related symptoms I experience that have been mitigated with a low-histamine diet. Going forward, I'll also be dropping relevant research and resources in the episode descriptions for those of you who wish to nerd out further. A decent intro to histamine intolerance: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8945898/#!po=6.17978 Another paper detailing symptoms and symptom combinations: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6667364/ The catalyst study I mention in this episode: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7610810/

Histamine intolerance symptom details, childhood Star Trek influences, brief discussion of audio equipment, entertaining anecdote of (figuratively) eating shit, unintentional podcast equivalent of an IRL habit I happen to describe earlier in the episode... You know. The usual. Enjoy.

Two episodes in a week, you guys. BOOM. I ditched the outline again, as this is clearly the far more productive method for me. It's a little rambly and gets a little ranty at points, but still stays surprisingly on-topic for an unmedicated ADHD brain. As always, there's at least one autocorrect you'll have to perform in your head as you listen because me.

I didn't actually die but I am definitely struggling. So we did something slightly different this time.

Like so many things related to this endeavor, we'll have to work up to more relevant and interesting and informative episode titles and descriptions. For now, what can I say? It's just more rambling. Enjoy.

And so it begins.