Yippee!!!! We're gluten free...again! I've spent the entire day cleaning out my kitchen, rearranging my cabinets, getting all of my gluten free grain and pasta organized...while taking a break perusing past issues of 'Living Without' magazine for inspiration and encouragment...and recipes! Yesterday, we got millet and brown sticky rice ground into flour, so I have a fresh supply...I'm ready.For those of you who don't know...a little backround...I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue in the year 2000. I've also been anemic since I was around 20 years old. When I was finally diagnosed, I did hours and hours of research...what WAS it, what could I do about it, what was in my power to control...and became passionate about nutrition. I researched and bought an electric grain mill ( the only one made in the USA), ground whole wheat and made all of our food from scratch. Well...I felt no better, but assumed that it took time. Then, I had a little boy January 2002...he was nursed exclusively until around 10 months when he started food...but even before he started food, his stools were never normal and he was much gassier and crankier than my first 2 babies were.
We found out when he was around 18 months old, that I was 'sensitive' to wheat, soy and peaches. ( of all things!)...well, when I started googling the symptoms of food sensitivities, all of Ronnie's symptoms became clear and after speaking with the pediatrician, I took him ( and everyone else) off of all gluten and soy. We saw a difference in Ronnie right away...I didn't notice much difference in my pain or fatigue. Then, we switched to natural sweeteners and I noticed a difference. Well...over the years, after having all the children tested, we've discovered multiple sensitivities...Meghan reacts to peanuts, Sara used to get bellyaches from wheat...Ronnie and Anna both do better without wheat...and the last time I was checked, I was reacting strongly to wheat, soy, peaches, potatoes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes and corn. Well...I've been able to cut out almost all of those...but I need more discipline to get rid of them all! LOL
Knowing that Ronnie's surgery was December 3rd, I made the decision not to worry about a special diet for the holidays, starting with Thanksgiving. Well...I started a fibro flare shortly after Ronnie's surgery, then the past 2 weeks...I've been feeling much worse, and sick to my stomach as well. Thought maybe expecting....nope. Thought maybe the stomach virus...nope. I quit gluten 2 days ago, and no stomach upset at all...and a little more energy besides! It was pretty clear to me that I needed to live this way. So, I've been looking back thru past menus, different recipes, and planning my menu for the next 2 weeks...and feel such a peace about it! I know God couldn't possibly make it clearer to me that I need to live this way...along with simply eating fruits and vegetables raw..the way God made them. Will be dusting off my copy of 'Nourishing Traditions' again...making kefir smoothies daily, juicing carrots, and making 'green lemonade' (romaine lettuce, spinach, apples and lemons with filtered water in the blender...it's delicious!)....knowing that I'll feel better, be healthier and so will my family. So to celebrate...we had our gluten free New Years Eve!
We made a wonderful GF pizza crust, baked it, then brushed it with olive oil, added a sprinkle of garlic powder, then put sauteed chipped steak, mushrooms and onions on and put mozzerella cheese on top. It was sooooo good! With a salad, with garlic vinigrette, and some cold shrimp. Now we're watching a good movie with a roaring fire in the fireplace( while the wind blows and it snows outside)...then some special rootbear floats for dessert. What a great way to ring in the new year...we're all together as a family, remembering what we are thankful for over the past year, having some special food...mostly healthy ( minus the floats!)...and gluten free! I'm actually looking forward to getting back to simple, healthy eating! Here is to a healthy new year! ~Sue~
1 comment:
As time allows and I am able to visit blogs, yours is definitely one that I will be checking in on. I want to learn more about your gluten-free lifestyle. I've tried several times to go gluten-free, but my family is not very supportive. However, my daughter (Ella) thinks she has a problem with whole wheat. We started grinding our own wheat about 3 years ago, and she has had alot of digestive issues since then. She also notices that her tongue bothers her after eating whole wheat. As for me, I've packed on about 15 pounds since getting the wheat grinder. I feel like the whole wheat is the culprit.
Interestingly, my sister-in-law has horrible fibromyalgia. I might mention to her about the possibility of wheat/gluten being a problem for her. She can experiment and see what happens.
Blessings on you and yours!
Patti
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