Gluten Free Meal Planning

If Ive learned one thing in the last couple months it would be that meal planning is essential for a gluten free lifestyle! I love planning. I have calendars for school, work, home, and exercise. Although Ill admit I probably spend more time planning some things than I need to...and sometimes dont follow through as well as I should! With that being said, this planning seems so much more intense than any other planning. First you have to plan your meals, than go grocery shopping (at multiple stores), than prep all the food. Its a multiple step process. I get so side tracked that I usually only get the first and second step done, but slack when it comes to the third. Which is probably the most important eh? All that work and I cant finish it up....sad isnt it? Or I do the steps but not to my full advantage. For example, Ill hit up the fruit and vegetable store, but never get to Trader Joes for the meat until a week later! Ugh!

Ive always done better changing my eating habits when Im told what I should eat. I find that when Im trying to plan out these meals I am struggling a bit. Im still figuring out what I can eat vs what I cant, which replacement foods are working vs which arent, etc. Its a lot of trial and error trying to eat the right foods to keep me full and energized throughout the day as well. Is there a dummies book for this out there? :)

Well as I was browsing the gluten free community blogs I fell upon this website, https://www.gfreecuisine.com/index.htm. You purchase a subscription for $10 a month. Each week you chose your 5 day weekly menu from 10 different selections each week. They will provide you a categorized grocery list to print out. The grocery list follows the flow of the grocery store and the approved Gluten-Free brands are identified. The grocery list rolls up to specific package sizes in the store, and since Gluten-Free products tend to be expensive, they use the same ingredients frequently. The 5 dinners and sides cost less than $100 a week at the grocery store. Gluten Free bread recipes, freezer recipes, and gluten free deserts are also available on their website.

Something like this is VERY appealing to me. For a couple months at least! It takes the questioning out of it for me. And it would be so nice to only have to make ONE trip to the grocery store...now that would be lovely! I always find that I have to run up there for this or that because I didnt plan so well. I also think it could help a newbie like myself save money. I find myself buying into all the expensive items, and half of them go bad before they are even eaten! My only concern would be that there are only 10 recipes available.....so I wonder if I could find 5 that my husband and I both would like. Also than what about lunch and snacks. Than again I could just take dinner leftovers for lunch. And snacks are a lot easier to manage than an entire meal. For $10 what do I have to lose? Dinner seems to be the most challenging meal for me, so I could definitely try it out to see if it helps.

Ill be sure to post a review!

Try Again...and Again..and Again...

Chances are if Im not blogging....I could be busy. Right? Or I could have falling off the wagon. Which is exactly what happened. Gluten over here, gluten over there, gluten everywhere! Thats what it feels like these days. Who would think this would be such a difficult process! One of the hardest things Ive attempted!

Now I know that Im so early in this new lifestyle, and this may be normal. Maybe I should cut myself some slack. But I have seen a glimpse of how I can feel better by eating gluten free. So why do I sabotage already? So soon? Although I have to admit Im the queen of sabotage. :-/I feel like crap physically and emotionally. I know gluten plays a role in this. Possibly a huge role.

So enough is enough. Get back on that wagon girl. You deserve to feel good. If anything for my mental well being! The mood swings Ive been having are really out of control. I owe it to myself. To be kind to myself. To treat my body with the kindness it deserves! And that is where I found this first quote, Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, your right. Isnt that the truth? Positive thinking can you take you such a long way my friends, such a long, long way. Take it one day at a time...heck one meal at a time....and it will come. Which is where I found this next quote:

So heres to recommitment. Im sure Ill fall off the wagon again. And Ill just brush my self off again, and try again. Because I can do this. I know I can. Time to refocus, take small baby steps, and start to feel better!

On a small side note - just want to say hi to my 2 followers :) Thank you for reading!

Baked Parmesan Garlic Chicken Wings

This post make look familiar if you follow my everyday blog. Thought it would be great to cross post it here to ;)

To make things a little bit easier on me, I decided that I would attempt one new gluten free recipe per week. When I was looking through recipes there are so many ingredients in all of them. Of course to spice up the food so it taste good. Makes sense. Well for a cook on training wheels like myself, some of these recipes seem nearly impossible. Or Ill attempt them and the end result will just not taste good. And in this day and age that would just be horror wouldnt it? All that time wasted. lol So instead of taking on many new recipes, I would just focus on what new recipe a week. Thats completely do able, dont you think? And less food wasted. Win win for me!

I fell upon this yummie recipe in my google searches, Baked Parmesan Garlic Chicken Wings. It looked delicious! So I ventured out to the grocery store, and tackled the spices section. I will admit it was pretty exciting :) Maybe Ill treat myself to a spice rack in the new future! Now that is the picture from the recipe, sorry cant take credit for that one! lol And I didnt use wings, instead I did Chicken Tenderloins, and it was quite tasty!

This recipe is from Chef Jesse Thomas from PizzaAmore in Mount Dora, FL.

http://blogs.discovery.com/tlc-steamy-kitchen/2010/01/baked-parmesan-garlic-chicken-wings.html

Baked Parmesan Garlic Chicken Wings Recipe
Recipe from PizzAmore, Mount Dora, Florida

Serves 4

1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt (1/2 tsp table salt)
2 1/2 pounds chicken wings
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (or melted butter)
2 tablespoons minced fresh basil
2 garlic cloves, finely minced
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt (like Lawry's)
1 cup blue cheese dressing
1-2 teaspoons Dijon mustard (or to taste)

1. Preheat oven to 425F. In a small bowl, mix together the oregano, rosemary, cumin and salt. Lay the chicken wings on a baking sheet and season the chicken wings with this mixture.

2. Bake the chicken wings for 20-25 minutes. While the chicken is baking, mix together the oil, fresh basil, garlic, Parmesan cheese and seasoning salt.

3. In a separate bowl, mix together the blue cheese dressing with the mustard (this is your dipping sauce)

3. When the chicken is cooked through, toss the wings with the garlic/cheese/butter sauce. Serve with the blue cheese/mustard dressing.

First gluten free recipe a success! Wooohoo! Im hoping for a much smoother second week. Hopefully less headaches, and a little bit more energy. Enjoying the process as much as I can.

Food For Thought - Gluten & Blood Types

I have read many articles expressing how you should eat a diet according to your blood type. Well a blog I follow, http://www.jensglutenfreeblog.com/, posted an interesting article about Dr. D'Adamo's blood type work, and how gluten interacts with our individual blood types. Check out the blog post below:

It’s important to understand that different blood types make different enzymes in the liver and pancreas. Why is this important?

The liver is the largest glandular organ in the body and has a major role in metabolism, detoxification, protein synthesis and the production of chemicals needed for digestion. One role of the pancreas is secreting digestive enzymes that pass to the small intestine and help to further breakdown carbs, proteins and fats.

D’Adamo took his research into anthropology, medical history, and genetics led him to see that blood type is “the key that unlocks the door to the mysteries of health, disease, longevity, physical vitality, and emotional strength.” The knowledge within your own blood type unlocks the “key” that allows you to make solid choices about your dietary, supplement, exercise and even medical treatment plans. D’Adamo has called blood type the body’s blueprint or road map that holds your “biological profile” and “the dynamic natural forces within your own body.”

So what does your blood type tell you about gluten and about you? And if you don’t know your blood type yet, the characteristics here may shed some light on your possible type.

Type O

People with type O are healthiest with intense physical activity or exercise, eating animal proteins and do less well on dairy products and grains. The leading reason that type O’s gain weight is the gluten found in wheat products.

If you enjoy aerobics, martial arts, running or contact sports you may fall within a Type O blood type.

With the highest production of stomach acid of all the blood types, O’s tend to suffer from ulcers. When an O eats more grains then proteins, the metabolism has to work harder which makes the body feel sluggish and “un-well”.

Type B

With a strong immune system and forgiving digestive system, the type B is one of more resistant of blood types and better able to survive. The B tends to do best with a mild combination of physical exercise that help with mental balance such as hiking, cycling, tennis and swimming.

Type A

Best with a vegetarian diet complete with fresh and organic foods, the type A is predisposed to diabetes, cancer and heart disease. “I can’t emphasize how critically this dietary adjustment can be to the sensitive immune system of Type A,” says Dr. D’Adamo, who himself is a A.

A’s need calming, centering exercise like yoga and tai chi. For the A a drop of dairy is poison in the body and gluten is harsh effects.

Type A produces the least amount of stomach acid that is one reason for less protein, dairy and gluten in the diet.

Type AB

The most recent of types is AB and the most complex as it’s a combination of A and B. Due to this the best exercise lies in a mixture of both A and B along with the same dietary restrictions.

Since you can’t change your blood type, it’s important to know how your individual blood type works for you so that you can eat the right foods, calm the mind and care for the body in the best possible way.

Is Science Contaminating Our Grains?

Gluten sensitivity is something that affects all four blood types because grains have been genetically modified. Once those grains that are pure, as one’s found on a long sunken ship in Norway may years back. Being perfectly preserved and untouched by science those with gluten intolerance were able to consume them with no ill effects. What the blood types can tell us is that we have the knowledge and the ability to be healthy. Are the choices always easy? No.

However, we do have choices, we do have our own personal blueprint and we can live a healthy lifestyle right for our individual bodies. Between acid, antibodies and lectins the blood types determine how the body best functions and how to stay healthy in mind, body and spirit.

Interesting eh? Even more interesting is my blood type is O, and it was so accurate with me! From the intense exercise, I prefer cycling or running, to grains making the metabolism work harder which gives the sluggish and "un-well" feeling. Thats how I feel all the time! It amazes me how the more and more I do research, the more things point to gluten causes me to feel ill!

Pouting Machine

My husband is a saint for putting up with my cry baby meltdowns. Seriously, I need to get a grip! If there is one thing I am learning is that I need to plan, plan, and plan some more! Its very hard to just wing a meal when your trying to eat gluten free.

We were able to go grocery shopping at 1 of the 3 stores we regularly shop at. So I don't really have all the items that I need to make my lunches, and as we found out tonight a full dinner. Although I think dinner could have been accomplished if I wasn't so crabby. I have to admit I woke up on the wrong side of the bed today, and carried it through my entire work day. Lunch time was a little difficult and I didn't eat any protein, which left me famished mid afternoon. I raided the vending machine with what I thought was the smartest choice, Frito's. Yeah, not the healthiest. When I got home all I wanted to do was veg on the couch feeling sorry for myself, and that's exactly what I did. Because thats really going to help me case right?

By the time my husband got home from work we started to discuss dinner options. I took pork chops out the night before, but we are out of potatoes and short on veggies.....so we decided we would eat out. Now I use to love eating out...but with the new challenges I have I usually get overwhelmed and say forget it and eat something that makes me feel horrible. I go in with a great outlook, but than throw in the towel and say to myself...whats one gluten meal going to do? Than cursing myself out for it 10 minutes after I eat it! My husband suggested Pei Wei. Now I'm not a huge fan of Asian/Chinese food. But Pei Wei is a smart choice when trying to eat gluten free, at least a smart choice for me right now as I'm trying to learn the ropes of this new lifestyle. Once we agreed on it, even though it wasnt what I wanted to eat, I proceeded to through a tantrum. Literally. I went off on tangents about things that didn't even pertain to eating dinner. I was crabby from being hungry, and agitated from having a bad day....and it was one big meltdown. But my husband did not cave. He ordered my gluten free meal and went on his merry way to pick it up.

Did it taste fabulous? No. Did it taste horrible? No. Did I eat the whole thing? Yes. So I guess it wasnt so bad was it? Well I guess that sounds about right. Do I feel sick? No. Than Mission Accomplished! So although I gave in kicking and screaming...I guess I could consider this a small success of the day.

Moral of the story.....plan, plan, plan! Grocery shopping is a must do on my next night off from school. And maybe I should grow up a bit. The next time Im feeling crabby I need to take a time out and do something that makes me happy. Play with the dogs, mediate, enjoy a gluten free protein snack, anything that brings me positive energy! Its ridiculous to let it ruin my whole day!

Ironically, earlier today I read a statement that really hits home. I read this on www.glutenfreeeasily.com, The Top 20 Things You Should Know About the Impact Of Gluten (from Ron Hoggan, Ed.D)

A brief trial of gluten free diet cant hurt, and the harder it is to follow the diet, the more likely you need to avoid gluten.

Is that scream me or what? I think Im going to print that out and hang it on the fridge, and in my cubicle at work. Just a nice friendly reminder when I decide to throw my next tantrum. Ha!

My Story

Everyone has their reasons for going gluten free. Whether that be from disease or by choice, or maybe even a little bit of both. Here is a small glimpse into my story.

In 2006 while I was training for the Breast Cancer 3 Day, a 60 mile walk over the course of 3 days in the fight against Breast Cancer, I experienced some very scary symptoms. Rapid heart palpitations, shortness of breath, adrenaline rush, etc. I thought I was possibly having an heart attack. After a full check up from my family doctor she was concerned about my elevated thyroid levels so sent me to an endocrinologist. The endocrinologist diagnosed me with graves disease, an autoimmune thyroid disease where your immune system mistakenly attacks your thyroid gland and causes it to overproduce the hormone thyroxine. At the time I was diagnosed it was pretty severe, my thyroid levels were 3-4 times higher than they should have been. So the endocrinologist suggested I have radioactive iodine treatment. I would take a radioactive iodine pill and it would kill my thyroid cells through my bloodstream. It would either kill enough cells to bring my thyroid level to normal, or it would completely kill all the cells. My endocrinologist said with me being so young and healthy I would bounce right back. And that's exactly what I did NOT do. The treatment killed my thyroid completely, and I was than diagnosed with hypothyroid. She began me on a thyroid replacement hormone, Synthroid. And those were my two biggest mistakes!

To make a long story short I have been through 3 endocrinologists. All that have told me that I am fine. My blood work shows that I am perfectly healthy. Meanwhile I feel so out of control with my symptoms. Fatigue, hair loss, dry skin, mood swings, weight gain,GI issues, migraines, and the list goes on. Trying to get a endocrinologist to treat me more holistically was nearly impossible. I decided to take the plunge and try a more holistic doctor since I clearly was not getting any better the more traditional way. I wanted my life back! To stop feeling like an old lady, and feel like the young woman I was! I recently had read a book on hypothyroidism written by a local doctor, so tried to get into his office. I was put on a year long waiting list to see one of his associates. Lucky for me there was a cancellation and I got in 3 months earlier than expected. The doctor I went to see is a M.D., and he practices traditional as well as holistic medicine. He was a saint. On our first visit we went over my history and diet. And he was positive that I had a wheat and dairy intolerance, among many hormonal deficiencies. He was so understanding, and went over everything with me. He was so thorough! I was scheduled for a full blood work checkup(18 different tests!), prescribed some supplements, and advised to start taking wheat and dairy out of my diet. Six weeks later when I went to my follow up visit every single thing he thought was wrong was true! The tests sure did show all the deficiencies I had and my intolerance to casein and wheat. To be honest the results were eye opening, and very scary. If I hadn't gone in to see him, he said I possibly could have developed more diseases such as Lupus! He told me he didn't know how I was even functioning! And I told him I dont really feel like I am! I feel like Im just here, barely living!

I cant even begin to explain how relieved I am to finally have a doctor that is not just understanding, but can sympathize with the way Im feeling. He shares his own journey with me on how he made the choice to become healthier through a holistic lifestyle. The ups and downs he went through. He has been there before! Finally I found a doctor who doesn't tell me its all in my head, instead he is educating me and literally there by my side every step of the way! He reassures me how everything will not happen over night, but slowly and surely I will get there. There needs to be more doctors like him! I will forever be grateful!

Since my last appointment I have been a little overwhelmed trying to find my way down this new path. But even feeling overwhelmed, for once in four years I feel like I could actually feel healthy again. There is hope that I wont feel like a 60-70 year old woman in my 30's! That I can actually find the energy to do more than eat, sleep, and go to work! I can get my life back!

And there you have it, my story. I guess you could say disease did bring me to this journey. Not Celiac, but Thyroid disease. But this disease will not define me! I am determined to live a full, healthy lifestyle with this mind boggling disease! I can get this under control. Doors have been opened to a whole new world I didnt know existed, and I truly am seeing how a holistic lifestyle is the smartest decision I could ever make! So while disease has introduced me to a gluten/dairy free world....it also is my choice to treat my body with the respect it needs that has me on this journey. Our bodies are a temple, and we should treat them the way they deserve to be treated! Im determined to stop abusing mine, and give it the attention it needs! For the last four years I have dont nothing but curse out my thyroid disease, but I think in due time I will see that this is probably the best thing that could have happened to me! A blessing in disguise ;)

Well Hello There :)

Hi! First post of a new blog, don't you just love new beginnings? Although I have to admit this new beginning feels like the most challenging, and overwhelming beginning I think I have ever taken on. The journey to a gluten free, casein free world. I started this journey about a month ago, well really long before that...but I seriously committed to it about a month ago. In 4 weeks Ive fell off the wagon numerous times. Its actually a little embarrassing. But I need to let go of the all or nothing mentality...because its so not working for me. So I thought what better way to get serious, or more like keep record of what works and what doesn't...than to blog it. Writing about my ups and downs, and finding others in the gluten free community can only be beneficial to me. And who knows maybe my losses and successes could help someone else's journey one day.

I am very new to this world, so bare with me while I learn the basics. This is a whole new language Im learning! In the short time that I have been experimenting I have seen a small glimpse of how gluten/dairy effects me physically and mentally. Every day my mind races about the pros and cons of becoming gluten free, and it didn't take me long to come to the conclusion that living a more healthy, holistic, gluten free lifestyle is the only answer at this point! While at times it feels like a last resort (although Im trying to change my mind frame on that)....it also feels like the answer Ive been looking for these past 4 years! Could I possibly feel healthy again? That alone inspires me beyond anything I could imagine! Im looking forward to feeling healthier in the upcoming year. Im ready for this challenge, and to transform into a new healthier me!