Gluten Free Life

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I have always had stomach issues of some form, for as long as I can remember growing up and mouth ulcers.  I did not eat the best as we did not have much.   So growing up it was whatever could be afforded. Plus I was always a picky eater growing up. I wanted chicken nuggets all the time! LOL

Then as I grew older, I never quite ate right still. As I started working at 16, I ate what the restaurant would feed me and always in a rush and at odd hours. Or I would stop and get take out at 1am after work. Not ideal at all. Although I was thin, I was not eating healthy.  As I graduated college and got a 'real job', I ate better but still not like I should.  Lots of skipped lunches to make time for more work as I climbed the corporate ladder.  

I figured my stomach issues were just part of being a woman. As all the woman I knew had some sort  of stomach issues (bloating, pain, digestion, lack of #2... ) The list goes on and on.  It was never quite bad enough to really make me change. Although over the years, I would try to be better about eating lunch regularly at the right time and not scarfing it down like I had always been so accustomed to.  Overall I ate healthy compared to most, but I still had continued issues.

Finally when I was about 34, I had 2 weekends in a row, where the bathroom floor was may best friend. For reasons that I wish did not happen. BUT.. it was the last straw and forced me to try something.

After those 2 weekends, I decided to give up gluten. Why not give it a try and see if there was anything to this gluten thing... I LOVED all sorts of gluten growing up. Pasta, break, cookies, cakes,... you name it and it was part of my favorite food groups for as long as I can remember. Goes along well with the sugar addiction I have always had, but was able to take some sort of control over when I was about 30 (although always a struggle and some holidays are better than others). :) 

Within 3 days of giving up gluten, I could already tell a HUGE difference. LIFE CHANGING. No more stomach issues, or spending my weekends in the bathroom in pain (without giving too much detail). I also noticed a huge difference in my bloating and indigestion. I would sometimes look so bloated and be in such discomfort, even my husband would be asking if I needed to go in and see someone... which I probably should have, but.... 

So, 6 years later, I am still gluten free and going strong. I am sure I get it in small doses at restaurants on salad dressings and items where I can't see all the ingredients. But.. restaurants and packaged groceries have come so far even in the 6 years that I have been gluten free!  It's astonishing and so exciting that people are making it easier for us to food shop and eat out! THANK YOU ALL!!!!!

I have given up other food items as I try to natural remedy other things in my life, but those discussions are for another day.  

I wish you all the best in your gluten free and food  journeys. Feel free to drop me a line anytime!