Happy Anniversary!!!!!!!!!

Well, today I have officially been on a gluten & lactose free diet for 1 year. Its also the birthday of Kracker since I took him home from the Canmore SPCA on this same day.
This is a time for me to reflect on the past year. I remember this day so well, actually I remember the day before even better. I hate shopping, never been a passion and when I picked this day to change my life for ever I had several reasons. First it was right after Thanksgiving and I went to see my parents that weekend and literally gorged myself on gluten.... It wasn't pretty people. I also had the week off work. So tuesday Oct 14th Don also had the day off so we went shopping for all the things that I would need to make the change. I had a list of products from Flours to snacks and different stores I wanted to check out. 6hrs later, 6 stores later and more weird types of flour than any sane person should ever have to have in their pantry, we were done. To say it was overwhelming in understating it. It took me 2 days to actually put all the stuff away, I just couldn't deal with it all. Kracker was my diversion... it was the reason I wanted a small cuddle dog. I was feeling sorry for myself and thought, hey lets get another dog that needs me and it will all be better. Do I have regrets on that decision...there are days. Would I do things differently... NO Way!!! when the little goof gives me a quick kiss or nudges me on my leg I'm lost. Oh... back to earth...
So the past year has brought me a lot of changes and not just in my diet. But I would say the first 8 months are the hardest. I had temper tantrums, I cried, I laughed, I got mad and I was sick! I think that has been one the most frustrating parts this past year is that I really did not feel better for a long time. Symptoms still persisted and I just would feel so crappy. But I was healing on the inside and it just takes time. I still have flareups and I have to be careful with lactose, it is the worse. But I can happily say that the last few months I have felt pretty good and what I think is normal. I don't have the cravings for stuff I can't have anymore and the most amazing one is Beer. I have no desire to have a beer anymore, and I think its because it used to make me so sick. I am enjoying wine a lot more though.

My boyfriend, family and friends have been amazing, they are my rocks. They kept me sane and put so much effort in making things that I could eat and just supporting me whenever I needed to vent. I owe them all so much I don't even really have the words to express what they mean to me. Luv you guys!!!

Ive made it thru my first year as a celiac and I have a life time ahead of me. But a lifetime of feeling better. I have learned so much about Gluten and myself this year its amazing. Education on this subject is key to being able to maintain a GF diet. I have lots of cookbooks and subscribe to I think every magazine out there, and the learning will continue forever.

Im ready for the next chapter in my life and its started already!

Happy 1st Anniversary to me!!!

Old Dutch and Gluten Free!!!!!

Did you always think you would only be able to eat boring plain potato chips or maybe salt & vinegar, but that was it for variety. Well think no more. I just found out that Old Dutch has a huge variety of Gluten Free chips. Chip away people!!!!

Check out this list!!!!

A Totally GF & LF Turkey Dinner

Well yesterday was our big thanksgiving dinner. I had decided that I was going to make everything Gluten and Lactose Free. Everything on the table I would be able to eat without having to even think about it. For me it was a challenge, could I do it and have it be a good as my Mom's thanksgiving dinner?
It started Friday with the trip to Cochrane for the bread.
Saturday I bought 2 rice pie shells from Planet Organic and made a pumpkin pie and biscuits. Sunday I was up at 7:00 and started to make the Lemon Pie - from scratch except the crust. Then it was on to the stuffing and getting the turkey ready.
With my Mom's help the turkey was stuffed and in the oven by 10:40. It was approx 24lbs so was going to take all day. We prepared all of the other veggies so that everything would be ready to just cook when the time came. Wow...it was a busy day.
We were hosting 10 people for dinner, our first real formal dinner in our new home.
I have pictures of the stuffing being made and the biscuits and pie done.
Dinner was scheduled for 6 and we sat down at 6:30...I was pretty impressed with this. LOL
What a success, everything was perfect, tasted amazing "even the stuffing" and I didn't have to worry about a thing. Everyone ate a lot with lots of compliments.

Yippee, one of the best thanksgivings ever!!!!!!!

Life is Busy

When I decided to post something today I really didn't have anything in mind but its had been awhile so here I am just pounding the keys as I'm thinking.
I'm training for a 1/2 Marathon right now and its not my first. I run with my sister and we try to do one a year. I also mostly train in the winter as I would prefer to bike during the summer than run. When I was first diagnosed with Celiac I wondered if my running would improve. I'm a pretty active person and never let how my stomach or other things stop me in the past, I would just suffer and go on. Ive been on a GF & LF diet for almost a year now so if any difference could happen I should see it now with my training.
I am a lot faster this time around, my training seems to be going pretty good. I have noticed that I am not getting a heat rash after I run. One other thing Ive noticed is that my Asthma is also not as bad as before. Hmmmmm all things to ponder.

Oh on another note, I was taken out to lunch the other day and decided to go to a Lebanese place. Sahara which is downtown and they have a buffet. While I'm sure cross contamination is an issue I took the chance. They took me for a tour of the items and pretty much everything except the pita bread and some condiments I could eat. They use a lot of lentils, eggplant and other really good stuff. I seemed to be fine but remember I'm not as sensitive as some people as long as I don't have any dairy. It was nice to have such a big choice of foods to eat for a change. Joey Tomatoes while is really nice with the GF menu I'm already getting tired of the Tuna Salad (cheapest thing on the menu).

I Scream You Scream We All Scream for Ice Cream

I really miss Ice cream and yogurt. Soy yogurt is only so so and I have found a soy ice cream made with Coconut milk that is pretty good. But there is an easy recipe to make your own ice cream that was posted on GFE today, and its Dairy Free, made with coconut milk. It sounds and from the pictures looks amazing. I would love to try it.

One big problem: You need an ice cream maker! So here is where reason comes into play. Yes i like ice cream but its winter for 8 months here so can I really justify buying an ice cream maker????? I only eat ice cream if I have it, so Ive put it in with the Bread Maker category. I never ate a lot of bread before so it doesn't make sense to buy a machine to make mediocre bread when I can buy the best from my favourite bakery GF Patisserie in cochrane. I may change my mind on the Ice cream Maker and ask for it for Christmas....

Great new Blog/Website

So I have a few Blogs which I regularily read and thru one of them GFE (Gluten Free Easily) I discovered a recipe blog. It really is one of the best ones I've found.
It is woman who's husband and daughter are gluten intolerant and they are also do everything Whole Food. I love some of the recipe's and I plan on trying a few, some great muffins and these Green Smoothies. I own a VitaMix (super blender) and honestly have not used it to its potential so its time to bring that sucker out of cupboard.
Here is the Blog and check out the website too!

http://www.glutenfreewholefoods.blogspot.com/

http://www.wholelifenutrition.net/index.html

Happy Holidays

So had my first camping holiday with Don, 4 dogs, GF & LF. We rented a motorhome, hey lets face it you don't think we could tent with 3 large 1 small dog do you!!!! Before we get on our way for vacation we did have a small setback. Kracker our smallest little guy decided that something was not right with all this packing on sunday and was a bit upset (he didn't handle our move well either). So he went on a chewing rampage that morning. My good dress shoes and a plant.
Well later that day he started to throw up and it was green...you guessed it, the plant was poisonous.. so a trip to the emergency vet on a holiday. Luckily the little guy was ok and he has since totally recovered. Our trip was delayed by one day and the vet felt that he should not be left behind as it would only stress him out more. So with soft food and stomach medication we hit the road. Nelson was our first stop. I have 2 great friends that have moved their in the past year so it was fabulous to visit and see the places. I love Nelson, its just so beautiful and you have to stop at Oso Negro for coffee. We only stayed 2 days as we had to be at Burton for Thursday for our Annual Family Reunion Camping weekend. Burton is approx 30km south of Nakusp, not much of a place but they have a great campground. We had rented the group camp for our families and it was perfect. 21 Adults, 5 kids, 2 1/2 babies and 15 DOGS..... yes my family is a dog family...everyone has 1 or more. Everyone got along great, kids, dogs it was so much fun.
I was a little nervous about this camping trip as traditionally we split into groups and each group makes dinner for everyone on their designated night. So I was only in control of 1 night where I could be 100% on the GF LF factor. But my family rocks, they asked me lots of questions and truly went out of their way to make sure I had something safe to eat. I love my family!!!
We spent 5 days together and I did not get sick at all. It was so great! Shayra - Don's daughter who also joined us even went out her way to bring all the fixing for Smores (GF just for me). That was the best, being able to join everyone for this sticky sweet treat!
We had a great time and yes you can travel with that many dogs in a motor home!!!!
Great time and looking forward to next year already...