Going Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free

Oh boy, am I the queen of all-or-nothing. And sometimes I jump straight from all to nothing, vise versa, or ... well, to be honest ... all to nothing to all to nothing to all again!

Sometimes I get so frustrated with my husband because he is such a patient guy. I interpret this differently in situations where I'm dying to get a move on. But, I am very blessed by my best friend being a lot like my husband in some weird ways, and her husband being a lot like me in a creepy-spooky amount of ways! (I guess that's why we're such good friends =) and we can rely on each other for outside-of-our marriages-advice from time to time!) I realized how helpful this is my life again recently when we were discussing their approach to a new lifestyle change in their eating habits. She was describing how she couldn't just throw everything out over-night and buy all new groceries, not knowing what to do with them and not knowing how to necessarily accept them that quickly, either, whereas her husband was on the other spectrum. I admit, I am on his end of the spectrum in my mindset about changes, I want to do all or nothing... And my husband (like my bff) is incredibly encouraging to nudge me towards doing things in a slow, thoughtful, intentional, and meaningful way that will last.

Most of the ideas I have fade and fizzle quickly. Because they have no root.

Right now something is growing in me... Something deep and meaningful: I want my life back! I've been through a lot in the past couple of years, physically, and now I'm ready to bring some changes that will influence the health and lifestyle of my family. We're going gluten-free!

WHY in the world, do you ask? ... Why not go vegan? Why not just go on a diet? Why not just go back to the gym? Why not go on any XYZ fad?... Well, I don't care to answer all those questions for you right now, I've already answered them for myself. (And I promise that I will still write about good food, no matter! This will NOT become one of those please-join-me-on-my-mission-to-convert-everyone-to-my-agenda [oops, I mean diet] super-preachy blogs!!) But, I will tell you that our food in America has been so modified and engineered and warped and mutated that we don't even think about what food is anymore! For example, if you drop food on the ground, would you still eat it? No, I'm not asking about your kitchen floor, I mean in a pile of dirt. (And yes, I know it depends on which food... Obviously not ice cream!) And now, why wouldn't you eat, say, a carrot that dropped on the ground? That's where it came from! (And if it didn't, then there's bigger problems!!)

Ok, I'm getting off-track, but here's the deal. God didn't intend for us to manipulate genes and change our food up so much. And since we have, now more and more and more people are allergic to [dishonest] food. And so, I want to go back to real food. Stuff that comes from farms. And farms that care.

The reason I'm going gf instead of just start buying organic wheat products is because gf people are so stinking skinny! (Well, that's probably because most of them have auto-immune diseases that hinder nutrient absorption, but that's beside the point.) Oh yeah, and for the health benefits. I wonder ... would my stomach feel better? Would pain subside? Would my joints stop creaking and cracking like I'm 90?Considering that every time theres a rainstorm my knee hurts so bad that I can't bend down, and every time I pick my toddler up my lower back is in great distress, among other bodily ailments, from everything I've read, there is inflammation in my system. And I want it gone! (Also, I'm weeding out dairy, which does the same thing.)

So, there's why in a nutshell. If you are someone who suffers from any kind of arthritis, inflammation, constant stomach problems or IBS, I suggest you read a few articles online about the benefits of going gf, dairy-free, or both. (If you don't know where to get started, let me know and I'll pass along a few links.)

Look for good gf recipes coming soon!!