you folks that have been following along for at least the last couple months may recall that my daughter, kaye, and i had embarked on a gluten free/dairy free adventure in october. this experiment was to see if maybe some or all of our stomach issues could be helped by avoiding these two food groups.
well, it has been a difficult six weeks, with ups and downs, good times and bad. i have bought grocery items i had never even heard about until i researched alternative grains and gluten free baking options- such as sorghum flour and egg replacer. i have bought the most disgusting ready-made GF bread and $5 GF bread mixes to avoid the aforementioned loaf. kaye and i have sat idly by while the rest of the family has partaken in ice cream, pizza and bagels with cream cheese. sigh...
but, when all is said and done, i have to admit that avoiding gluten was much easier than avoiding dairy. at least, here, in our rural area of middle tennessee, where we don't have a large choice of grocery stores stocking specialty items- gluten free choices win out. i have had far more luck replacing our usual bread/grain items for GF ones than i have replacing dairy for non-dairy/casein free foods.
you may not know this about me, but i LIVE for cheese. melted cheese-even better. any pasta dish covered in melted mozzarella, pizza, cheese sticks, yummy whole grain crackers with little slices of gouda, cheesy broccoli or potato soups, a steaming bowl of french onion soup with melted swiss draped over the edge and a grilled cheese sandwich with tomato and oregano can absolutely make me moan. ask my mom, she'll confirm.
so, i must now confess- i have failed the dairy free portion of this experiment. i kissed a pizza last night and i liked it.
the cheese stands alone.
grateful:
1. for the full moon because it has brought forth some good changes
2. for people who love your children even if they don't have to
3. for crises that bring positive outcomes
the cheese stands alone.
Gluten-free bread is pretty gross. I'm a total bread-aholic (like you and cheese) and I would NOT be able to got without my bagels. I definitely have some degree of lactose intolerance though but I can usually just manage what I eat without taking lactase.
ReplyDeleteJust a question because I'm not very informed on the topic - does a gluten-free diet have any benefit to people who aren't gluten intolerant?
basically, it is low carb. but you would be able to eat other whole grains, just not wheat, rye and barley. my clothes are def. looser!
ReplyDeleteAh, I see, so it's not really the gluten but the things that contain gluten.
ReplyDeleteHave you tried dairy-free cheese? I've heard it's not great but it might work in a pinch. I have tried soy cream "cheese" which isn't bad. And I've heard great things about soy "cheese" cakes!
Glad I don't seem to have either intolerance since bread is my #1 favorite food and cheese comes in a close second. :)
ReplyDeleteUnless I'm mistaken, pizza not only contains cheese, but gluten as well. Does it not??
And I'm grateful for optimism...
ReplyDeleteyes, MOTHER, i fell off the gluten AND dairy wagon, thanks for noticing! :)
ReplyDeleteHahaha I'm thankful for mothers
ReplyDeleteWish I had a mother like that! LOL
ReplyDeleteAlmond milk is really good - I wonder if they have almond cheese? hmmm...
All I know is you have been so strong and I am proud of you - me I love both bread and dairy WAY too much to even care if it bothered my stomach. Pork is not my friend however and I do avoid that most of the time. Yes mothers - they hit below the belt or I guess in your case - 'at the belt'
ReplyDeleteThere is a lot to take into consideration with food choices; I know this from personal experience. Have your grilled cheese, et cetera from time to time, all things in moderation. I can give up bread easily, but love cheese too, as do you :) You and Kaye both deserve pats on the back for sustaining your gluten free trial so long. Do what makes your body and SOUL feel good. Then life will be in balamce :) Love you all xoxo
ReplyDeleteI give you credit for trying Joanne - I could not live in a world without cheese. I hope your belly is feeling better as a result of your hard work.
ReplyDelete