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!!!!!

School Days

Julie with her star that she colored ALL by herself! well, I helped with the name a little....
Logan being entertained by Julie, she was singing and waving her star around!
Julie in her class, she said right before i took this, "mom, hurry, I need to go and play!"


So the first day of school was great! There were no tears shed from any kids, and only a few from mom when I got back into my empty van!!! They were so excited about getting to go in and see their teachers and play with their friends. Trav and I feel so blessed that our kids go to "school" and church at the same place. They are even in the same classrooms for school and sunday school! How great is that?! Now Julie asks when we pull up the the church building, "mom, are we going to school today, or church?"
I didn't get very many pictures of our first day as I was running around like a madmom making sure everyone had what they needed, and so i only got pics in their carseats plus that one of Julie in her classroom. I really wanted to get one of Logan with his teachers, but I was afraid if I started all of that he might get upset and want me to stay! oh well, I will get more pics later in the year at holiday parties and such!
Hooooray for great first weeks!

Wordless Wednesdays...

pics

My sweet painter! Her pictures are absolutely GORGEOUS!!! ;)
Notice how thin Logan looks! This was taken 2 weeks after his tonsilectomy, he lost almost 2 Lbs
This is thier new favorite thing to do, play in Logan's crib while mommy throws pillows at them!

Well, summer is about to draw to an official close at our house!!!! We all start back to "school" and work a week from today. I am slowly moving our routine about an hour earlier! (up an hour earlier, nap time, and bed time all an hour earlier!!!) A week ago I was really glad and excited about getting to get out, work and have some adult conversation, but now I am starting to feel kind of sad about them being away from me! I do know that they LOOOOVE going and that they learn lots of cool stuff! Also being in a more stable routine is easier for everyone. I can't wait to see how their first day goes!

Randomness....

Okay, so is anyone else irritated by the 2X concentrated laundry detergent? I can't seem to find any of my laundry detergent that isn't the 2X concentrated anymore. Don't get me wrong, the new smaller containers do fit in the cabinets above the washer and dryer niceley... but EVERY time I go to wash clothes I have to STRONGLY resist the urge to pour more than a capfull in! Does that little amount really get my clothes as clean? I have to wonder if the laundry detergent companies are banking on the fact that many people don't resist the urge to do just one capfull, and then they run out of laundry detergent more quickly thus leading to consumers buying more detergent than they are used to. hmmmm.....

5 Years

We just celebrated our 5 Year wedding anniversary! Here are 5 reasons I love my hubby:

1) He gives 100% of himself to whatever he commits to! (mainly the Lord, Me and the kids!)

2) He values Loyalty over anything, not just to him, but he is loyal to those he loves! (this sooo comes in handy when I am venting to him about stuff!) hee hee

3) He protects me, he always checks the windows/doors at night to make sure they are locked, and he always checks out strange sounds outside!

4) He hurts when I hurt... helps me succeed at whatever I want to commit to, and encourages me endlessly.

5) He lovingly listens to things for me (people in loud social settings, our kids at night, anything else that needs to be heard!) and has always been "my ears" -

I love you Trav! You are the best, and I pray that God continues to bless our journey!
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Julie hearts Gymnastics...

Finishing a back flip over a large roll
About to attempt a back flip all on her own!
She had just finished a cart-wheel with help, she is so proud!!
Sweet Logan chillin out and eating his weight in blue berries, that bowl was full!
My little skinny girl, so so sweet, even though you can see her belly button and count her ribs!!

We started gymnastics this week! Julie loved it, and I am so glad of this because she changes her mind a lot on weather or not she likes things! (not to mention my non-refundable $50 registration fee....) She wore her precious little pink leotard (that SHE picked out) and off we went. She liked swinging on the rings and jumping on the trampoline the best. Logan and I get to watch her from an upstairs viewing room that is really cool! She would look up at us every few minutes and wave and blow kisses! When we got in the car she said, "Mommy, I am so glad you saw me and waved at me!" and I was glad too!