Finally ! No more eggs, no more “gluten free” bread. Just veggies, fruits, and some peanut butter, almonds and pistachios. That is what I am going to live on for the next 30 days.
I sure hope this congestion clears up.
Meanwhile, I have just purchased this product: Xlear Sinus Nasal Spray
It’s a nasal spray that contains xylitol, it’s supposed to help clear up your congestion – without drugs, no side effects, no rebound. We’ll see how it goes …
There are so many things that you don’t think about until later.
About 9 years ago, after my son was born, I was still overweight. I went on a diet to lose weight. I counted calories and made sure that I did not go over my limit. I lost 50 pounds in about 9 months. It was going pretty good at first, but, then I started getting sick a lot. It seemed like every time I lost some weight, I would get sick, like, with a cold or flu. Maybe that’s not so weird.
But, when you look back at it and compare that time I lost weight with my recent weight loss (yes, again) something was different.
This time, I barely got sick at all. Even through my usual Fall/Winter “sick time”. Most of my life, I have been getting sick at least once a month during the Fall/Winter season. Usually it last for about 2-3 weeks each time.
This time I lost weight, I only got sick a couple of times during this Fall/Winter season, and they have been very mild “colds” (I assumed) that only lasted about a day or two.
So, what was the difference between the first time I lost weight and the second time ?
The first time I lost weight by eating Lean Pockets and Happy Meals.
This time I lost weight, I ate a gluten free diet of veggies, fruits, nuts and beans (except for a couple of slip-ups, which happened to be the times that I got “sick”)
Hmmmm …. what does that suggest ?
I haven’t been eating oatmeal for a while, just because I don’t have time to sit and eat a bowl of oatmeal in the morning. But, I did today, and … well, that “tight band” across my forehead is back, along with mild head “pounding”. Ugghhh …
I know regular oatmeal is supposed to be unsafe for celiacs (I’ve never been tested in any way, so I don’t know if I am or not) but I didn’t think the tiny amount of gluten that could possibly be in my oatmeal would really cause me any problems. Well, this is why I’m going to do the “Grain + Dairy + Soy + Egg Free” diet starting this week.
I am planning on it lasting 30 days. However, if all symptoms improve within a shorter amount of time, I will gradually start adding foods back in to see if they cause a reaction.
This should be fun.
I was visiting a family member yesterday with two cats (one long haired !) that normally send my allergies into overdrive (even more than my own cat.)
Nothing.
No allergic reaction. No sniffling, sneezing, itching, nothing.
Wow.
Yay Gluten Free !!! 🙂
Still doing good. Still gluten free.
In fact, I believe that because of the changes in my diet over the last 6 months (I had significantly reduced grain consumption around the end of summer) I have only been sick once this entire fall/early winter season. And … it was just a small cold that only lasted about 2 days. And … that was during one of the times that I “cheated” and had wheat/gluten.
Just to put this in perspective: I am normally sick at least once a month during the fall/winter season (October, November, December, January) And, those illnesses usually last at least one week, up to two or three sometimes …
This is a first for me in a looooong time to not be so sick all the time. If you ask me, that alone is reason enough to avoid gluten.
Also, found a good video today on gluten sensitivity: Gluten Sensitivity Video
Day 5: Disneyland !
I came prepared. I brought 2 bags of trail mix (almonds, raisins & Ghiradelli chocolate chips) and 3 Lara Bars (peanut butter chocolate chip). I managed to get through the day with 1 bag of trail mix, 2 Lara Bars and 1 order of french fries from some place in Tomorrow Land. I did OK !
Although, next time I will bring more (and more varied) food choices.
Day 6: My son’s birthday !
I made a Betty Crocker gluten free chocolate cake mix. It was good. Really good. Better than the regular cake mix I had for my birthday. The only noticeable difference was that the cake came out more moist and dense. Not so light and fluffy as a regular mix. Which I prefer anyway. I would recommend it.
I made a few additions to the recipe:
It was so nice not to feel terrible after eating cake. I guess I never really realized over the years, but, I actually kept expecting to feel bad all night after eating a piece of cake. And I didn’t. I felt fine. Wierd.
Day 7: Christmas dinner at TGIFriday’s :O
I do not recommend this place for gluten free. The only thing I really felt safe eating was a baked potato. I was considering a salad, but as they had us next to the smoking exit on really cold (SoCal) winter night, I did NOT want a cold salad !
I had my baked potato and did OK.
Day 8: Back to my regular diet – yay !
I actually much prefer my regular “at home” diet. I usually have: apples, peanut butter, bananas, avocados, pictachios, beans, and of course lots of veggies, etc… I’ve even got another bag of trail mix left over to finish up 🙂
Day 9: Trader Joes’ Gluten Free bread
I got a package of TJ’s GF Multigrain Brown Rice Bread with Flaxseeds, Sesame, Pumpkin and Sunflower Seeds. This stuff is good ! I’ve always loved breads that are nutty and crunchy and full of good stuff (used to eat sprouted grain bread) I actually like this better ! I can now make a sandwich if I need to 🙂 I know what I’m bringing on my next trip to Disneyland 😉
Well, I was doing better yesterday. Then, ate at a mexican restaraunt. Only had chips, salsa and beans. But, head congestion and ear problems came back. Ugh, I do so much better only eating at home. Problem is, going to TGI Fridays soon for Christmas, I am concerned it will be a problem. Anyone have suggestions ?
The headache I’ve had for the past 3-4 days is finally subsiding !
Plus … my sinus congestion is starting to lesson 🙂
These are delicious !
I’ll be going on a couple of short trips soon and needed some gluten free snacks I could keep in my bag. So, I picked up a box of these Lara Bars. I got the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip.
They are SO good ! They taste kind of like Tigers Milk bars (which I always loved as a kid – my mom shopped at the health food store a lot, so they were the only “candy bar” we got to get on a regular basis) I think they are even better than the Tigers Milk bars 🙂
I'm Trying To Feel Better ... 