Thursday, May 12, 2011

Living (almost) Gluten Free

 *After Blogger decided to become a suckmonkey and crash, it took all your lovely comments on this post with it. Suckmonkey. I'm sorry. I did love your comments.

Well, kiddos, I've been doing the low-gluten lifestyle for some amount of time now and I've gotta say, I feel better. I feel so monumentally better that I can't even describe the feeling. When you've lived your life with a constant stomach ache of some kind, it's incredible when that ache is gone. The drastic difference of knowing a feeling you didn't even know existed is utterly indescribable.

Not only that, my body seems to be even more protective of that feeling now. It's like my body has been to the most beautiful place on earth and won't go back to boring suburbia. When I accidentally get a bit of gluten, my body is like, WAIT A SECOND! WE DON'T LIKE THAT ONE BIT!

Apparently my body speaks in the plural. Maybe I'm counting all my organs as independent entities.

Anyway, there's no way I'm completely gluten free. For one, I'm just learning how to be diligent and check every thing. At least I'm used to checking labels because of my life-long soy allergy (which evidently is really common for those with gluten sensitivities.), but I've yet to train my brain on just how much food probably has gluten.

But I've taken it out significantly. I've yet to find a bread I like and I didn't love gluten free pizza. But I did find english muffins I like and I made little pizzas with those that were delicious. So I make do. I've found lots of healthy (and no so healthy, because I do love some junk food) alternatives and have been pretty happy thus far.

Someone balked the other day because I made quinoa pasta mac n cheese with velveeta. Let me just say that eating quinoa doesn't make me some super health nut or anything. Quinoa is not only gluten free, but so much tastier than wheat pasta (I had no idea!), but mama still loves her some creamy cheesy mac, so adding velveeta isn't the end of the world. I don't expect to become a health nut (not that there's anything wrong with thaaaat) simply because I'm now gluten free (or low gluten or whatever).

I've been stoked to discover plenty of my fave junk foods don't have gluten: Cool Ranch Doritos, Snickers, and Cherry Garcia Fro Yo are all gluten free. I do miss Cheez-its and cheeseburgers (because lettuce wraps just don't cut it), but when and if I visit California, I will have to sacrifice my digestive system and get a Double Double. It's worth it.

Anyways, between my stomach's new found happiness and my new birth control that lets me skip my horrendous periods, my quality of life just improved by about a thousand.

Now if only I could skip days like Mother's Day and/or a secret rich relative would die and leave me a fortune, I might die of happiness. Just kidding. Or am I?

12 comments mean you love me:

Random Girl said...Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Being at peace with your body is wonderful thing. Glad you are feeling fantastic, that has to make every day better!

AmoebaMike said...Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

You really missed the whole point of my mac n cheese comment. Let me break it down:
On the food snob scale, quinoa and velveeta are on opposite ends. To mix them just seems like turning a universe upside-down. Like if you saw a limo pull up and a family of hillbillies came out.

There's nothing wrong with people who wear tuxedos and take limos to presidential galas, and there's nothing wrong with hillbillies.

lol

(As for whole wheat pasta, I eat 51% whole wheat, but nothing's as good as bleached white nutritionally empty pasta. ;-) )

Anyway, I feel you on that. Over the past few years I've been treated for 2 chronic illnesses/disorders/whatever. It's so nice to have my life back.

amydpp said...Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Ok, see I need to try this. really. Maybe it would cure my stomach issues. hmmmmmm

Lindsey said...Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

The difference is amazing, isn't it? I find that now if I accidentally (or if there's nothing available and I have no choice) eat something I'm allergic to, I feel worse.

So is it gluten sensitivity or wheat allergy?

Suniverse said...Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

I keep going back and forth about trying a gluten free diet for a while. You make it sound less ugh.

Also, I think your body is speaking in the royal we.

Dana said...Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

it is a GLORIOUS feeling finding a pill that 1) doesn't cause you to get crazy swings every month, and 2) allows you to not partake in the nasty P word very month. welcome to the club my friend - it is much nicer on this side!

Skye said...Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

I'm so happy for you- both about the stomach settling down and about your lack of periods! (I am sooo jealous about that...)

Brandy Wilcoxen said...Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

I can't wait to have a good feeling body again. I've almost forgotten what that feels like being preggo. 4 more months...

The Woven Moments said...Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Have you tried cinnamon raisin ezekial bread? It's. Awesome.

The Savage said...Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

I'm not sure if you drink beer or not but Anheuser Busch has a lovely gluten free beer on the market called Red Bridge. It's a little on the high side of the price range but well worth it if you like cold suds...

Andygirl said...Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

@The Savage I totally miss beer! thanks, I think I'll try it. :D

Nush said...Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Brilliant that you feel much better! Sounds like you found a good combo. At least wine has no gluten.... :)

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