Choosing

I walked the Butte yesterday with my husband and took note of others walking too.  This time I noticed paces.  One guy was riding his bicycle up and down the butte - he made at least three trips to our one; others ran, some walked briskly, while still others were in groups laughing and talking about something fun.  I overheard women complaining and smiled when I  overheard one young father teaching his daughter how clouds are made.  Greg and I, we had a moderate steady pace with few words all the way up and down; it was just nice to walk side by side.

It may be similar with changing one's diet.  We are all different and rise to challenges at random paces.  Some, like me, will go all or nothing.  In other words, when I was diagnosed with allergies to dairy, corn, soy, peanuts, gluten, and processed sugars I immediately set out to eliminate each ingredient from my diet - I killed the hill on my bicycle.  Others will run by discarding the allergens quickly, but not all at once.  Some will steadily exclude items one at a time getting used to going without before moving on to the next item.  A few will make a game of it, not taking things too seriously while others will complain daily about the process.

It's a choice.  What I know is that after almost two years of living allergen free, I am a healthy woman who has the brain power to dream again and the energy to go after those dreams.  Pick a pace and begin; your dreams will breathe again...

Sunny

Back to basics

People ask me what can I eat rather incredulously when they learn I don't consume foods with gluten, soy, corn, peanuts, dairy and processed sugars.  I just smile and answer most anything I want, the closer to the earth it is the better.  Whole foods are prevalent; many of us are so quick to chose processed items for convenience we don't even see the great foods around us. 

Trust me when I say changing my eating habits was not easy and the most difficult part was my own mindset.  I learned rather quickly what little I knew about the foods I purchased and prepared for my family.  It's not like we ate poorly; growing up I was taught how to prepare a plate with meat and potatoes and a vegetable on the side - if it was a colorful presentation it was good.

A huge shift came to our family's menu when my dad was diagnosed with MS and diabetes at the age of 48.  We could predict based on the day of the week what would be for dinner - pizza on Saturday, fried chicken on Tuesday, grilled cheese sandwiches with soup on Sunday, mac n cheese on Thursday...or something like that.  This changed quickly as my dad strictly followed the dietary recommendation of his doctors.  I can remember him exploding in frustration at the dinner table once when I mentioned he could have just a little of the creamed corn mom served that night,  he angrily replied it would be like playing Russian roulette with food; it hurt then but now I get what he was saying.

Dad taught me how to experiment with ingredients and we modified several recipes over the years and ate everything we made - even the mistakes.   I learned to be bold in the kitchen and not afraid of the little extra time it takes to prepare a meal from scratch.  Today that is such a blessing as I know exactly what is in the meals I serve my family.

All that to say, I found I really had to set my mind to changing habits and not be afraid to ask for help, (I am recalling a melt down in the middle of the local Trader Joe's), when I have trouble locating items without the ta bu ingredients - do you really know how much corn and soy are used in gluten free items?!  It took time, but now I know what to grab and what to stay away from and I am getting real skilled at label reading as well as more and more willing to try new ingredients.

Here's to exploring new flavors and looking forward to sharing ideas and hints.

Sunny

Sharing...

I've attempted to start this page 4 times in the last couple weeks.  Yesterday I was encouraged by a friend to blog my experiences with living with several food allergies.  It really is as simple as sharing experience, strength, and hope.  I would welcome any who read this to share with me and we can learn together how to eat within our limitations and keep some money in our pockets.  Just remember, this is my experience - I am not a doctor, nor am I attempting to tell anyone what is right or wrong.  That said, this could be fun and helpful!

I was diagnosed with food allergies May of 2010 after a visit to the emergency room with all the symptoms of a heart attack.  The last thing I wanted was to take any more meds so I chose to talk with my chiropractor as I had seen signs about nutrition popping up all over his office.  He used muscle testing to determine I had allergies to gluten, dairy, soy, corn, peanuts, and processed sugars.  He would be very happy if I stayed away from coffee too, but, dang - I am still hanging on to that one!

I do not have celiac disease, but I am allergic to gluten, corn, and soy in that they affect my nervous system and consequently brain function.  These foods in excess (I had been eating them for more than 40 years) shut down some systems and sent others into overdrive, thus the feeling I was having a heart attack.  Knowing there is neither an overnight nor a miracle cure, I am taking supplements and reading food labels very carefully.  I have found the easiest way to avoid the tabu ingredients is to eat whole foods; and this is where the adventure begins. 


So, I invite you to walk with me...

Sunny

I am beginning to see....

I came to a freeing conclusion a couple weeks ago.  I have spent most of my life serving: my parents, my kids, my husband, on the job.  I don't mind serving at all.  I have been so well taken care of by my Father while I take care of others.  What I had been doing wrong, though, was thinking my worth came in my serving.  I have been a woman doing rather than a woman being.  And, as a result I had almost served myself into isolation. 

Fascinating, isn't it?!

Today, rather than rush around trying to better myself and ease life for others, I am learning, albeit slowly, to be still and comfortable in the silence.  It kinda freaks me out - inactivity.  What I have learned is that activity does not always breed productivity and (a biggie) I do not know what is right for anyone - aha!!!  My God, the One Who created me and every single one of you, knows what is perfect for you and it is best I leave things in His hands. 

Today, I will.

Sunny

Hello out there!

It's March already and we are watching the snow melt slowly.  It is taking its sweet time leaving!  Beneath it are the pine needles we didn't get raked up last fall and I see green trying to pop out of a couple trees in the back yard.  Signs of Spring are so encouraging.  What is your favorite thing about Spring?

Sunny

Watching it snow...

Good morning!  As I sit here and watch it snow, I cannot help but think about how the flakes cover everything - weeds, pine needles, grass, and the crocuses that were fooled by the warm weather last week.  Nothing is exempt from the blanket.  Very similar to living, don't you think?  No one is any more exempt from the beautiful gift or the unexplained accident than any other.

The snow first surprised most of us Tuesday morning. The 8-18" of wet snow that fell on Bend knocked out power to many and left others stranded.  I am grateful for a well insulated home and my biggest problem that morning was no Internet access.  Seems so slight compared to what others experienced.  Our power came back on in plenty of time for me to get my essay submitted and the house warm again before nightfall.

I have enjoyed blogging and may continue as it affords me the chance to think out loud with written words.  Perhaps one day a line of mine will stay in someone's head just for fun or maybe because it touched their heart.  The line that stuck with me early in life?  Willa Cather was a favorite author of mine and in her book My Antonia, (1918) is the line ...and the moon hung from the trees like a paper lantern (paraphrase).  That is how I remember the line today.  It stuck with me because it was the first time I read something and got a vivid picture of what the author was describing.  Seems so simple today, but it has stuck with me for many (many!) years...

It has been great to walk with you this term and I look forward to meeting you again soon!  Sunny

Almost there!

It is Monday and our essays are due tomorrow.  Mine is complete except for the reviewing I am almost obsessing about.  How many times should an essay be reviewed?  I'll keep going until the red marks on the printed page are gone...or, Tuesday rolls around : )

I have learned so much this term in Comp II and hope to remember the resources and ideas in the future. 

Sunny