Gluten Free Diet- Update

So... for any of you who have been wondering, I've been eating gluten free (mostly! don't count a bite here or there...ahh the temptation) for about 2 weeks I think? When was that last post? haha. Anyway, here's the scoop.

I tried to give it atleast a week before I started assessing how I was feeling. I think I've come to the following conclusions.

        First-- It's not the reason for my stomach pain.  The stomach issues started after my surgery, and as much as the doctor's say "ahh you don't need your gallbladder! Let's just cut it out!" it's simply false. God PUT IN THERE for a reason, or else He wouldn't have given it to us. Sure you can live without it, but I'm about 100% certain it'd be better if it just worked properly and you could keep it in there. So obviously, my body has been adjusting to the idea of not having a gallbladder, and it's making me have to adjust my diet because anything that is "hard to digest" on a regular basis is making my stomach hurt. I have to be careful about how much dairy I consume (I am no longer drinking straight up milk, eating yogurt or ice cream) and that made more of an impact than anything in regards to the stomach pain. I didn't notice any difference with the GF diet in my stomach pain. It's still been minor lately, coming and going and I'm not sure what causes it still.

      Secondly-- I've noticed a dramatic increase in energy, an ability to sleep better and longer without waking up throughout the night, and therefore somewhat less painful joints and muscles. Okay maybe that's three things? :o) The point being, it HAS made a difference in those regards. Mostly in my energy level. Before, I always felt like I needed to take breaks throughout the day... do the dishes, ok, need to sit down for a while... that sorta thing. But now, I can just go pretty much throughout my day, getting a lot more done, doing more with the kids, and not suffering from it. I AM still having the usual pain- don't get me wrong- it hasn't completely cured or taken away my fibromyalgia... but it does seem to be having an effect on the level of pain, or the duration of it. For example, if I walk to much, I usually pay for it later in the day and have a lot of pain in my legs, or knees, or shins, whatever decides to flare up. Then usually that flare up can last for an extra day... or three. Now, I might have some pain, but in comparison it is minor, and typically goes away quicker.

What's interesting about noting such an increase in energy, is that this is the only way celiac disease presented itself in my father. He tried to give blood and was really anemic. (He was always "tired" and rested/slept a lot) Mom made him go to the doctor I think (isn't that always how it is?? haha) and they eventually found his anemia was due to the celiac disease. Now, I've had a stomach biopsy and it was negative for celiac. However, Dad also wasn't diagnosed until later in life... maybe I am pre-determined to have it and it may have presented itself later in life? After more damage was done to my body through gluten? I'm not sure, who really knows.

But, the point is, since I've noticed a difference and it seems to be helping, I'm planning to stay off gluten (for the most part) for now. I guess maybe I have a gluten intolerance... or it's just harder for my body to digest, maybe even more so now that I am missing part of my digestive system. Unlike someone with celiac disease however, if I have a little here and there or in something (or something that was processed in the same facility as something with gluten) I'm pretty sure it won't affect me much. A couple times I had a bite of something I was making the kids for dinner, and didn't notice any difference.

So, wish me luck on this new adventure. If there's any hints, tips, advice, or suggestions any of you have, especially for eating gluten free without spending a fortune in extra groceries just for me, I'd greatly appreciate them!

Funnies

Scene: Mommy is making lunch (literally, about an hour ago...) and I told Josiah and Lydia they could play in the "Spaceship" (aka- large cardboard box) out on the patio.

Mommy: "Hey guys... lunch is ready!"

Josiah: "Quick Lydia, hold on! We have to get out of orbit and fly back so we can eat lunch!"


LOL ... love it. Everyday moments. My life really is paradise :)

Easter 2011

We had a beautiful Easter weekend. We went to Mass at our usual 9 am time on Sunday morning and although the church was full we found a good seat. The kids were (relatively) good and we got a few pictures after Mass of the whole family, thanks to our good friend Melinda who was also at that Mass! We then went to my parents house and spent the day enjoying family time, good friend, silly kids and laughter, and joys of the holiday. We had a small Easter egg hunt for the kids, dyed Easter eggs and just had fun relaxing as a family! Benjamin had his first Easter egg hunt and did a wonderful job. He did pick up a couple eggs and put them in the basket. Then once he figured out there were tiny M&Ms inside them- there was no going back. :)
Mom and I watched a movie mid-day while EVERYONE napped... Josiah, Lydia, Benjamin- Dad and Michael were all sound asleep! haha. It was a nice relaxing day :) We hope you all had a blessed holiday as well- and continue to do so... the Easter season lasts 50 days (until Pentecost). So enjoy! Here's some of the highlights in pictures of our Easter day.
God bless you all!

Josiah and Lydia admire their Easter baskets!

 

Photo taken by Melinda after Easter Mass... this gorgeous statue of Jesus on the Resurrection statue appeared just for Easter. It was beautiful! (We had never been at our new parish until this Easter so it was wonderful to be a part of it)

The Walk family (6) all together....

(Um- no I'm not pregnant...) 

This is all 5 of us in front of the Alex Tree memorial.

Our beautiful little girl! 

Our little Easter presents! :)

Benjamin's first taste... yum!

Grandpa and Lydia

Perhaps the cutest pic ever... Grandma and Benjamin

Going Gluten Free

So I decided, after many promptings from others (and probably also from the Holy Spirit) that I'm going to try going gluten free for awhile to see if I notice any change in my physical health. Right now I am doing "fine" or "ok" as I'd answer if anyone asks, and that is true. But of course there is always the typical things that I deal with like sore muscles, cramps, and painful joints. For me those things are normal, so I assume it's the fibromyalgia and keep on trucking.

Honestly, I'm not to optimistic about this whole journey, for several reasons.
1- I have fibromyalgia. Well, I've been diagnosed with that. Going GF (gluten free) might help manage some symptoms or help my digestive system now that I've lost my gallbladder, but I'm doubtful it's going to help my FM symptoms. I have been eating gluten my whole life and I only started having my FM symptoms after my car accident when I was 17 yrs old. So I'm guessing it's more related to that.
2- I'm a terrible cook and have no idea where to begin. I usually throw together meals that are quick and easy. For the most part. Going gluten free quite possibly might mean I just don't eat!

However, what have I got to lose? Of course if this is something that might help my health (and a simple way really, just a change of diet) then why wouldn't I try? So ... here goes. I chose today for several reasons- 1, there's no better time than the present. 2- Michael was leaving for a work trip and I just figured that if I forgot when I started this diet I could remember "oh yeah it was the day he left..." haha. Yeah silly but hey it helps me remember!

Speaking of remembering... so I planned on starting the GF diet today, then I woke up this morning and what did I do? Sat down and ate some Raisin Bran cereal. *gasp! I know, I know... it's like, made of wheat. HAHA. I just totally forgot and was sleepy and did one of my usual breakfasts. Then we went off to a playdate, and when the kids sat down from playing outside to have snack and drink, I ate some of their crackers. Then I got home and went to make them lunch- pulled out the bread and thought- OH MAN! BREAD! the GF diet! I forgot!! sigh.

So, first I did this:

Yep, that's my hand. If I didn't make a note about it somewhere obvious, I was pretty sure I'd just skip the whole idea ;o)

Then,  I made the kids some sandwiches and peaches for lunch.
Then looked around my kitchen for some GF food for myself to eat. Guess what I found?











Nada.

That's right, nothing much!



So sad. Turns out we eat a lot of gluten around here... little did I realize ;o) So for lunch I ended up eating the other half of a banana that Ben didn't finish at breakfast, as well as some corn tortilla chips and salsa. Not the healthiest of lunches... but hey, like I said, I'm TRYING to go gluten free here. Let's just say I better get to the store so I can survive the next couple weeks! Considering I've been trying to go somewhat dairy free (well, decrease my dairy intake) because I KNOW I have trouble digesting that, and now I'm trying to go gluten free, my options are going to be limited. I'll try to keep you posted on how things are going. Wish me luck!

sigh. I'm so glad this chocolate I'm eating right now doesn't contain gluten.... ;o)

SPRING!!! YAY!!!

Daffodil Princess

A Story By Josiah... and Lydia

Josiah told me a story today and I typed it up for you all to enjoy ;) Lydia heard him so she wanted to make up a story too... haha. I have that in direct quotes also. Her stories are so cute and funny... they don't usually make any sense, but hey, whatever. Enjoy!

Up With Aliens In Space

By:

Josiah

Age 4 1/2ish ;)

Once upon a time there was the strongest rocket in the world. And the very same day, there was a crash. And it got wrecked by a planet. It flew back down to the space service, and asked if they could fix it. They said “Yes.” The rocket was all fixed and it was being loaded to the fancy painter shop. They painted a flame on the side and they also painted an engine below and up above the flame. Then it went all the way back into space and landed on Mars. It found something vveeerrry weird. It found something that looked like a car and it was not turned on because it broke down. They flipped it upside down and fixed it. And then the captain of the new rocket ship came out of the rocket ship and rid the thingy through a tunnel and then he landed on rocks that led right to a house of an alien!

(Right here, Lydia remarked, “Oh dear!”)

Then two hearts on the door appeared. And then the alien came out and saw the Captain and wanted to make a friend and they flew back to earth and they were sitting next to eachother. The End.

                                                              The Hungry Duck

                                                                       By:

                                                            Lydia (age 2 ½)

“Once upon a time there was a duck here then him wants food! Then his Daddy gave him a drink and some food. Yeeee end!   … I didn’t do rest of it Mommy cause I’m too tired.”