i started thinking about my new ((four months old)) change in food intake. i honestly doubted it at first. figured it would end up being one of those things ((like cutting out dairy)) that i would try and fail to notice even the slightest improvement in my health.
i was definitely wrong. two weeks of being gluten free made me realize how poorly i *had* been feeling for decades ((not being dramatic either)). since high school i remember being told that it was all *mental* and that i needed to learn how to "control my reaction to stress" and "learn how to relax". horsesh*t. two weeks led to four weeks and i realized that it wasn't stress or an inability to relax. it was my body's inability to process gluten that had pirated my health and my life.
granted, it took a lot of reading, researching, and asking of the correct questions, but i feel like i'm on the right path. the more i read the more it all makes sense. why certain restaurant visits led to debilitating gi issues while others can be patroned without difficulty whatsoever. it was suddenly clear. bread, beer, pasta, soy sauce, salad dressing, etc. (( Celiac / Gluten Free Living )) educating myself about what does and does not contain gluten was *empowering*. i felt like i owned my own life again. brand new lease on life. amazing.
the most interesting aspect of this entire experience has been the understanding and receptiveness of friends and family. people ask "what have you done differently?" or "are you on a diet?" the answer is no, i am not on a diet. i made a lifestyle change to improve my health. and the only thing i'm doing differently is that i'm paying attention to what is actually *in* the food i'm consuming.
GlutenFreeOnAShoestring
Better Batter - Gluten Free Flour
i've learned that it is less about changing your food choices, and more about simply consuming less ((read: NO)) processed food and learning what can be substituted safely. i enthusiastically share new finds with anyone who listens lol however! i am not pushing my discoveries on others. i have noticed i sleep better, my skin texture has improved, i have fewer breakouts, and i feel better in general.
**i am 100% certain that if i tried to do gluten free simply to lose weight, as some people i have spoken to say they are going to attempt, i would not have stuck to it. it's not a diet fad. it is a new lifestyle. you literally have to change how you eat and shop for food. it is too easy to cheat if it is justa diet. thankfully for me, if i get "glutened" on accident, i instantly suffer the consequences physically and am reminded that going back to a gluten-laden diet is *not* an option.**
saying that i am excited would be a gross understatement. i cannot wait to start. the tricky part is that i pretty much have to learn how to budget and save before i can start the kitchen renovation. sooo maybe i'll have my kitchen by the time i'm 31. :)
however! i am almost done with the laundry room! sanded and oiled the butcher block counters today. just need them attached and i'm done! woohoo!!! well, and i'd love to find one of those cute wall signs that says something witty like "drop your pants here" or "laundry today or naked tomorrow" lol we shall see.
i was definitely wrong. two weeks of being gluten free made me realize how poorly i *had* been feeling for decades ((not being dramatic either)). since high school i remember being told that it was all *mental* and that i needed to learn how to "control my reaction to stress" and "learn how to relax". horsesh*t. two weeks led to four weeks and i realized that it wasn't stress or an inability to relax. it was my body's inability to process gluten that had pirated my health and my life.
granted, it took a lot of reading, researching, and asking of the correct questions, but i feel like i'm on the right path. the more i read the more it all makes sense. why certain restaurant visits led to debilitating gi issues while others can be patroned without difficulty whatsoever. it was suddenly clear. bread, beer, pasta, soy sauce, salad dressing, etc. (( Celiac / Gluten Free Living )) educating myself about what does and does not contain gluten was *empowering*. i felt like i owned my own life again. brand new lease on life. amazing.
the most interesting aspect of this entire experience has been the understanding and receptiveness of friends and family. people ask "what have you done differently?" or "are you on a diet?" the answer is no, i am not on a diet. i made a lifestyle change to improve my health. and the only thing i'm doing differently is that i'm paying attention to what is actually *in* the food i'm consuming.
GlutenFreeOnAShoestring
Better Batter - Gluten Free Flour
i've learned that it is less about changing your food choices, and more about simply consuming less ((read: NO)) processed food and learning what can be substituted safely. i enthusiastically share new finds with anyone who listens lol however! i am not pushing my discoveries on others. i have noticed i sleep better, my skin texture has improved, i have fewer breakouts, and i feel better in general.
**i am 100% certain that if i tried to do gluten free simply to lose weight, as some people i have spoken to say they are going to attempt, i would not have stuck to it. it's not a diet fad. it is a new lifestyle. you literally have to change how you eat and shop for food. it is too easy to cheat if it is justa diet. thankfully for me, if i get "glutened" on accident, i instantly suffer the consequences physically and am reminded that going back to a gluten-laden diet is *not* an option.**
---------------------------------
in other news --- i'm ready for my kitchen project to start. now, if i could just get the *kitchen fairy* to show up with the necessary funds lol the planning process is so much fun though. i recognize it would be easier to simply hire someone else to do the installation, but i am truly looking forward to increasing my skill set regarding home improvement projects. tiling - got it. grouting - got it. basic plumbing - got it. kitchen will be a ton of work. at some point some moron did a half-@ssed job of drywalling the ceiling and part of a wall. soooo... that means ((ceiling redo, new lighting to replace 1970s lights, running water through the wall so the fridge can have water and make ice, minor electrical work ::move garbage disposal switch::, cabinets, counters)).
here are some ideas... basically there are two different directions im torn between.
IDEA #1 -- midcentury, warm cherry, shaker style cabinets
 |
| flooring options for wood cabinets -- historic reclaimed brick |
IDEA #2 -- glossy, grey lacquered cabinets, white counters
 |
| a la IKEA -- i fear they are discontinuing the black glass fronts |
saying that i am excited would be a gross understatement. i cannot wait to start. the tricky part is that i pretty much have to learn how to budget and save before i can start the kitchen renovation. sooo maybe i'll have my kitchen by the time i'm 31. :)
however! i am almost done with the laundry room! sanded and oiled the butcher block counters today. just need them attached and i'm done! woohoo!!! well, and i'd love to find one of those cute wall signs that says something witty like "drop your pants here" or "laundry today or naked tomorrow" lol we shall see.
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