20 lbs. GONE!

I finally reached the 20lb. loss mark on this diet.  I am frustrated, excited, and so damn tired of it already.  I had a moment last night where my cravings for anything fattening or junky took over ... and instead of indulging it - I opened a bag of Salsa Brown Rice Chips and SMELLED the damn chips.  How pathetic is that?  I did not eat even one morsel.  I quickly closed the bag, grabbed some Tylenol for my headache and laid down with an icepack.  Pathetic.. I know.  I was down a pound and a half this morning, after a 6 day stall.  I am sure I do not have to tell you how frustrating it is to eat almost infantile portions of food for 6 days and not lose a flippin ounce!

I have a book club/going away party on Sunday at my house.  I plan on making lemon bars, chocolate covered coconut macaroons and possible pastry wrapped Brie.  If I accomplish any of those - you KNOW I am tasting this time.

I wish I could say I gained this weight from stuffing my face - at least I would feel remorseful and not be so resentful about having to lose it (maybe).  Nope.  I have Celiac disease to blame for it (and 8.5 months of steroids).

Oh well, such is life.... I am now the proud owner of a wardrobe that is essentially brand new, that I have been unable to fit into in almost 2 years!  YEAH ME!!! :-))

Was it a phase or was it Gluten?

There was a time where I was so utterly frustrated with my daughter's behavior and manic mood swings, I seriously believed she needed to be committed.  It seemed like nothing we did worked.  Disciplining her (time outs, putting her in her room, taking away privileges) was an effort in vein.  I had her examined by doctors and begged them to medicate her.  I am not one of those mommas that believes breast milk herbs and ignoring it will cure all - but I also do not like the idea of having to medicate my child.  I was desperate.  It seemed that her moods were worse than my most obnoxious pms days.  Something had to be done!

Right in the middle of dealing with this chaos - I got as sick as I had ever been.  Depressed, in pain, bed ridden, and a host of other undesirable G.I. problems that were terrifying me, I put her craziness aside for a moment and indulged myself in hell.  After about 5 solid months of suffering more than anyone should suffer in that short span of a time - let alone a lifetime - my husband insisted I get to a doctor who was going to figure this shit out.

A dear friend of mine suggested a gastro doctor she had met at temple.  I was hesitant, since the gastro I had used when I moved here clearly received her degree at SEARS.  Appointment was made, visit was had, testing was under way.  Fast forward to my biopsies and results.  CELIAC disease.  The minute the doctor called me - I knew this is what Gabby had.

After a full year of navigating my newly diagnosed disease (that I was born with and no one could properly diagnose), I had my daughter tested.  BINGO.  Another bittersweet diagnosis.  I knew something was not right with her - and this could be the culprit.

I am THRILLED to report that although my 8 year old Gabby still has her spunky - no one is more important than I am - attitude, her manic moments are GONE!  Not only was her health affected by undiagnosed Celiac, but her behavior was as well.  Going gluten free has not only helped her feel well.... it has made the crazy go away!  I no longer believe my child needs to be medicated.  I am no searching for a constructive way to deal with her *I am all grown up and know  everything* attitude!

I swear she will run the world one day - right now it is wearing me down!  ;-)

HCG Diet

I had to be put on steroids after being diagnosed with Celiac Disease.  My stomach lining was minutes away from tearing, it was membrane thin.  After taking them for 8 1/2 months, I resembled a Thanksgiving Day Float at the Macy's Parade.  Nothing seemed to help get the weight off.  I did not go overboard in the effort department - but the little I did, made no difference.  I did have my Gallbladder removed this April and lost 7 pounds - but I suspect that was from being in so much pain for 6 weeks prior to my surgery, I barely ate.

At the beginning of May I had seen two friends shedding pounds before my eyes.  I inquired - they shared.  Both of them were on the HGC Diet.  I researched it, read about it, thought about it, and decided I had nothing to lose - except maybe 25 lbs.  I promptly made an appointment with the doctor both of my friends use and anxiously awaited my appointment.  She went over my medical history, discussed the diet and before I knew it, I had a prescription for the nasal spray that would send me off into weight loss bliss.

First two days of diet are gorging (loading) days.  Eat everything fattening and gross that you normally would never eat in a month, let alone in two days, should be consumed.  Being that I have Celiac - fast food joints (other than Chik-Fil-A) are off limits.  I ate every gluten free goody in my house that I could find.  My daughter looked at me and horrifyingly asked why I was eating the entire pack of cookies with a bologna sandwich for breakfast.  I told her I was on a diet - I am pretty sure her response was - "uh uh - you're gonna get super fat if you eat like that!".

This diet is SUPER restrictive, but (being my anal retentive self) I planned ahead and prepared all of my protein portion sizes for the entire week, in advance.  The first two days of the 500 calorie portion of this diet sucked.  I was hungry, tired, and had a perpetual headache.  Day three was different.  I was all revved up and ready to go!  No headache - no hunger and 4 lbs. gone!  This is a 40 day plan and 6 weeks of maintenance.  The closer I get to my goal weight - the slower the weight comes off.  I am down 18.2 pounds as of today (24 days in).  Yesterday's loss was only .2 lbs., but it was a loss nonetheless.  

Aside from the glorious weight loss, this diet has taught me that my body prefers not to have processed food.  I have felt better than I have in years.  I can't wait for the maintenance phase, so I can start to enjoy my recently discovered recipes and a stomach ache free existence!  (I also discovered every flavor of Stevia - I am a fan for life!!)

Chocolate Dipped Coconut Macaroons!

I think I am in heaven.  Can't taste them yet - but they do look delicious.  Counting the hours until I get the remainder of this 25 lb. off (almost there) and then I can sample some of these goodies.

I am not going to apologize for the super plain un-styled food photos - Heck, I am even lucky to get a photo before all of my new goodies are gone!  I used the recipe on the back of the Baker's brand coconut for this!

Peppermint Patty Pieces - Success!

Used Elana's Pantry Recipe for Peppermint Patties.  Somehow, my round scooped balls would not flatten, and when I flattened... they shmushed!  I dipped the different pieces in the melted chocolate and cooled in freezer.

Eureka! We have Peppermint Patty Pieces!  My three taste testers approved!  Now... waiting for coconut macaroons to finish baking and cooling so we can dip those!  (stuck in house today waiting for A/C man to come and fix our 2nd A/C unit to stop working in a week... needed to occupy the children for a while!)

YEAST BREAD SUCCES!!!

So I dove head first into the world of baking... but conquering a bread recipe that my, I hate the taste of all things gluten free, son, was going to be a huge feat.

I got some yeast and scoured the internet for a decent looking bread recipe.  Let's face it - how in the world would I know it was decent?  Any GF *bread* I have made was texturally equivalent to a banana bread and more cake like than bread.  

Armed with my new secret weapons (yeast and Expandex), I called my girlfriend Stephanie over (mainly for moral support and tasting) and got to work.  I broke out my newest family addition - my Kitchenaid Mixer - and I got to activating the yeast.  I was completely intimidated by the recipe - which really only called for 4 ingredients!  I was the same scared as I was when I had to take my first born home from the hospital - thoughts of *am I going to screw this up* flooded my head!  It's bread people - what is my problem>?? Mixing finished, check - rising in the pan finished, check.  Baking directions said 45-55 minutes.  I took it out at 45 minutes after toothpick (well - it was a chopstick) checking.  Now was the tasting part.  Since I am on this flipping diet still - no tasting for me.  Steph tasted and liked!  It was a bit moist - and we both decided I should have left it in the oven for the additional 10 minutes.

Fast forward to this morning.  Jaxson was completely weary about tasting the bread - but after a little bribing with toasting it and slathering it with butter, he was on board!  HALLELUJAH!! He asked for a second piece and told me it was the BEST bread he had ever tasted!!!!!!!!!!!  I am 10 more minutes in the over closer to completely going GF in this house!!!  Next Gabby woke up and Dave strolled into the kitchen.  I toasted each of them a piece and buttered.  I had two more fans!

Best part is - it was stretchy like a great yeast roll or french type bread at a restaurant!  It was crispy on the outside and a wonderful texture (which will be even better with 10 more baking minutes).  I am DROOLING OVER HERE!  The smell is divine.

My next quest - conquering same bread recipe in my cast iron loaf pan!

I got this gluten free baking in the bag!  Watch out world - I am on fire!

Bread #2 - MMMMMMMMmmmmmmmm

I need some chickens!

All of this great homemade baking has got me thinking.... I need some chickens.  Organic brown cage-free eggs are pricey!  Wonder what my homeowners association would think about that?!  I also need a goat.  I love goat cheese!  While  I am at it - I think I will plant a money tree ;-)... A girl can dream!

Is it Celiac? Does it matter? How can I afford this?

Yes it matters if it is or is not, but you do not need a reason to go gluten free.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease and if left untreated (or undiagnosed), causes many other autoimmune diseases, malabsorption of vital nutrients and destroys your body from the inside out.  There is no end to the damage it can cause, both physically and mentally.  You are also in a ridiculously hiring risk category for all types of intestinal and colorectal Cancers.  Think about it - your stomach lining is being destroyed - and then the rouge cells regenerate into new rouge cells and that is your exact equation for Cancer.  Finding out is not easy - the average diagnosis takes 12-17 years to obtain.  Mine took 35.  I like to consider myself special!

So what if you *think* you have it - or at least have every symptom known to man and your doctors can't pinpoint what is wrong with you - other than to tell you they don't know.  Get an endoscopy - forget the blood tests.  They are 85% inaccurate - I know - my initial blood-work came back fine!

If you have any suspicions at all - go completely gluten free.  Please educate yourself or fine a mentor who can explain the ins and outs of where and what gluten is.  Try it for 2 months.  I bet your life will change.

I have been diagnosed with multiple autoimmune diseases, have had many surgeries and have quietly suffered for too many years.  Much of the damage that my undiagnosed Celiac has caused me, internally, is irreversible.  I am at peace with that - after much boohooing.  My goal now is to salvage and keep healthy, what healthy parts I have left.  ;-)

Being gluten free is not some fad diet.  For many of us - it is not even a choice - but a basic life necessity. 

I try each and every day to model healthy eating choices for my family and a positive attitude toward this awful and intrusive disease I was born with.  Even though some days I am totally exhausted from preparing everything fresh and doing a load of dishes 2 or 3 times... I know I am making a positive impact on my children.  My daughter's gf transition was much easier than mine.  She was excited to have me for a gf buddy!

Tell yourself each and every day - I am worth it.  I am worth each and every sacrifice I will have to make to go gluten free.  I am worth all of the research, dedication and perseverance it will take to not *fall off the wagon*.  Medical science is not the only cure all in this world, for some things.  Sometimes overcoming yourself, which can be your worst obstacle, is the hardest thing to do.

This can be done in an inexpensive manner - with as much of an initial investment as you want up front (purchasing equipment to help with baking and blending, etc.), or as little.  This can also break the bank.  It is what you make of it.  I know I rearranged many of the little things... in order to make this work for me and my family.  I also know many of you are intimidated by finances - and this is a real concern.  I am sure, with some planning ahead and co-oping, you can make this work.  Place orders with your friends for bulk items that won't go bad.  Scour the internet for the best deals, coupons, and shipping rates!  Ask for help on HOW DO I DO THIS.  There will always be someone (me!!) willing to lend some free helpful cost saving advice!  Surround yourself with people who will be respectful of your lifestyle.  Pack your own meal if you want to go somewhere and there is no gluten free menu, but you do not want to miss that special event!!  Get creative... Be inspired.. You are worth it!

Live your healthiest life now - you only get one chance!  XOX

Chocolate Cheesecake Pudding Cake, GF Homemade Margarita Pizza

http://www.elanaspantry.com/easy-black-and-white-cake/
(I adapted this recipe to add cheesecake instant pudding mix - you can add whatever flavor you like.  I also added Almond milk and greek yogurt for moisture.)
 

Preview

http://www.thealmondflower.com/2011/05/vegetarian-pizza-best-yet.html

Cheese-Its

http://www.kalynskitchen.com/2009/09/recipe-for-cheese-crackers-with-almond.html

Cheesy Bread

http://www.elanaspantry.com/simple-bread/
(I added cheddar cheese and greek yogurt)

One-Minute Bread

 glutenfreepoodle: One Minute bread
 

Missed Diagnosis

Thirty-five years and not a single doctor could put their finger on it.  One too many surgeries to count, two too many symptoms, one hundred too many diagnoses - I never heard the words Celiac.

After years of suffering and getting nowhere - except another prescription or another *ologist*.... I took matters into my own hands.  I became a webologist.  I know - the WORST place to go when you feel like you are dying - the internet!  I had no choice.  There had to be a logical explanation why someone my age, in good shape and following a healthy lifestyle, could be this damn sick all the time.

After a 5 month period of suffering and the beginning of what I thought was *the end* of my time here on Earth, I was recommended to a fabulous G.I. doctor and made an appointment.  I calmly sat down and made a time line of what I had been through, diagnosed with and had surgically removed.  I brought it to my appointment and handed it to the doctor.  Shortly after turning over my medical diary to the doctor I had met 2 minutes prior, I promptly informed him of what I thought my diagnosis was.  I then broke down sobbing.  A blithering idiot of mass proportions.  Hell - I thought I was dying - what was a little sobbing at that point?!  I also advised the doctor not to give me any pills or creams - just answers.  He politely chuckled and proceeded to schedule me for every test known to man.  He assured me he would eliminate everything until he found what was wrong - or until he could find nothing at all.  Although I had already felt like I lost my mind, I was sure he was going to find something.  I thought it was a toss up between colon cancer or Celiac disease.  Hey - it had been a rough few months... like I said, I thought I was dying.  Little did I know - I was.

After what seemed like 50 plus tests, I went in for an upper and lower G.I. series.  First result - NO CANCER!  AMEN!  Second result - severe villous atrophy (SVA) consistent with Celiac Sprue (and a whole mess of other medical terminology).  SHIT.  At least I had my answer - finally.

After several hours of deciding whether or not to hunt down every last doctor who told me I was over-reacting, or gave me some pills, or didn't listen when I told them something had to be causing all of this crap I was going through... I got good and angry.  I screamed, I cried, I had a pity party - I panicked.  Everything I ever knew - was about to change.  

I immediately began gluten free living.  I spent 3-4 (anxiety filled) hours (each trip) in the grocery store - for at least the first 3 months of this journey.  I read labels, called 800 numbers and researched the hell out of websites on my iPhone.  I joined a *support* group in my town (by the way - TN is probably in the top 10 worst places to have to live with this disease) and it was a joke.  I was defeated.  I trudged on... I researched my disease, educated myself on gluten, hidden gluten, and and pretty much read everything and anything I could - until my eyes crossed and I had a safe handle on how to live gluten free.  I also conquered grocery store and gluten free shopping!  That was a MAJOR accomplishment!

One year later, at my daughter's school physical, I discussed my concerns with her pediatrician about my disease being genetic and my observances of red flags with her.  I was told to go gluten free with her - or have her tested.  I had her tested.  Much to my expectations, she had Celiac disease.  My only consolation was that she found out at 7 and not 35 (like me).  She now walks this journey with me.  I can remember the 4th day of her being gluten free.  Gabby: "Mommy, my tummy doesn't hurt when I eat anymore".  Me: "Why didn't you tell me it ever did hurt"?  Gabby: "Because I didn't know it wasn't supposed to feel that way..."  :(  What a bittersweet moment to learn that your daughter will now (hopefully) feel healthy and pain free... and realizing just how much she had been suffering.   

So here we both are, two years later for me and one year later for her.  I gained 25 pounds from the 8.5 months of precious steroids I took to repair my stomach lining.  I am in the middle of a diet to get rid of that unwanted weight (which is stubborn as hell and did not want to come off).  I am winning my battle and have lost almost 18 of the 25 lbs.!  Yeah ME!  In doing this diet, I am eating only whole foods.  Nothing processed, nothing manufactured, nothing that bothers me.  I have now realized that I feel better than I have (even with the restricted amount of food I am eating) in as long as I can remember.  WOW!  REVELATION - I now need to eliminate processed foods - my body does not like or tolerate it at all!!

So here I begin the second part of this crazy gluten free journey.  I have equipped my kitchen with the most user friendly and resourceful gadgets and have feverishly been baking, creating and concocting!  What an exciting time.  I feel so empowered and revitalized!  I just need to finish this crazy diet so I can finally taste something I had made!

If I can help one person get started on this overwhelming and terrifying journey - it will be worth all of the stress and trauma I endured, trying to figure this out on my own.