My Diet....

So a lot of you blog readers and my friends have been asking me, "So how is that gluten-free diet of yours going?!" So I thought I might go ahead and post my feelings on it since my blog is also sort of a journal for me. For those of you who don't know, back in February I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease. After a year of battling lots of symptoms, I began researching and figured out that I needed to be tested for this, and the test came back postitive meaning I needed to go on (and stay on) a gluten free diet for me to feel much better and let my intestines heal.

Here it is September and I am about to embark on my first gluten free HOLIDAY journey. Yes, I plan on sticking to my gluten free diet religiously! But first I need to back track a bit and tell you why i plan on sticking to my gluten free diet....
A couple of weeks ago, I got so fed up with still reading labels and having to cook EVERYTHING I ate, I went off of my diet for a whole week. I know what you are thinking, "What?! why would she do that to herself!!!" To be plain honest, I just missed gluten so much and I was sort of going throught this weird depression about not being able to eat just what i wanted! Remember, I am also allergic to like everything, nuts, peanuts, almonds, walnuts, pecans, (ANY kind of nut) and sesame seeds. also lately I found out I am also starting to be allergic to tomatoes and pineapple!!!! so you see the list of foods i can eat is just dwindling down and dwindling down..... I missed pizza and bread and pasta and real cereal that didn't taste like styrofoam, and doghnuts and croutons and being able to eat out without the frustrations and worries! I missed not being able to just grab something in a pinch for myself when the kids needed my full attention- like a granola bar, or goldfish or pretzels! I got to eat with abandon for a whole week, but.... it came with a huge price! I was okay the first few days, but by day 4 it was horrible. I couldn't stand it anymore!!!! So back on the gluten free diet I went.


WHEW~ I will NEVER do that again. To put it lightly, I was MISERABLE for a 2 whole weeks after that!!!! I was a solid itchy hive from head to toe, my stomache ached endlessly, I had terrible gas, bloating, diarrhea, and I felt like I was on the first day of a cold for 2 whole weeks. I also had a full blown lymphatic system response! my glands were swollen, i had 5 mouth sores, 2 fever blisters, and swollen lymph nodes here and there!!! I guess since I have not had gluten in so long, me just "blowing it" really hurt my system. Now I remember why I will not, shall not, EVER eat gluten purposefully again!

But I can't just leave you with the negatives. So I shall share some of the positives. I have never eaten so healthy in all my life!!!! Eating gluten free has forced me to be super good at reading food labels (praise the Lord for google! HA!!!), and I am learning that foods in their rawest form are best for you anyway. I eat a ton of salads full of veggies and powerhouse foods like broccoli srouts, avacados, raw sunflower seeds, carrots, orange/yellow bell peppers and whatever else i have in the fridge and need to use!! I eat lots of fruits and veggies, and beans and brown rice. but don't feel to sorry for me, I do go to Whole Foods market about once a month and spend around $70 dollars on my freezer foods like biscuits, waffles, corn bread, gluten free flours, baking mix, gluten free pastas and such! but it is soooo expensive, I try to make it last (which is why i stick to freezer goods). Also, I am finding out that i love foods that I would have never even tried, like turnip greens, brussels sprouts, artichokes, squash, and asparagus!!! I have several gluten free cookbooks that have been AWESOME and I usually attempt a new recipe about once every week or two. I have also maintained a healthy weight much more easily in the last 7 months or so(as my mom says, well I guess so if you can't eat any bread!!!) So I will leave you with, I am doing well on my gluten free diet, and I will never again have a cheatin' heart!!!!!