Gluten Free?

For just under two weeks I've been trying to follow a gluten free diet.

After the August long weekend full of giant pains in my intestines, doing a small amount of research, I thought it added up that I might have a gluten intolerance. And I am not a big "go to the doctor for every small mishap" person, plus, going gluten free isn't really going to harm my  health-oh less carbs and more veg? Yeah terrible for my health.

Anyway, the first week was not as planned. I was dreadfully tired and could not figure out why. Again a small amount of research and a few discussions with more researched friends I discovered that I was in the withdrawal stage. I believe I'm passed that stage now. Except in a moment of weakness (and a bit of emotional eating) last night I ate bruschetta at work and today am paying for it. The good news is that the food that hurts me is starting to just look unappealing now. Whoohoo!


I should note that I'm not following a "strict" diet-I'm reading labels and avoiding gluten whenever possible but I had cake last weekend and ate around the cake for the icing...and did that again with an ice cream cake-ate the ice cream but left the best part(the fudge and cookie crumbs SIGH), I've also eaten things that have the warning "made in a factory that processes, nuts, wheat, etc" but like I said, I think it's an intolerance not anything super severe.

OH and I am in love with rice crackers-the 98 cent variety from No Frills is super fantastic!!! It's been a slow process but overall I'm excited for this. It's not as hard as I thought-my favourite coffee shop near my work makes gluten free waffles and treats that are tasty. Pinterest has been a huge help finding recipes. Overall, slow and steady will make my tummy happy! (and maybe help in those unnecessary pounds I've previously talked about!)

“After I was diagnosed with celiac disease, I said yes to food, with great enthusiasm. . . . I vowed to taste everything I could eat, rather than focusing on what I could not.”
                                                                                                    ― Shauna James Ahern

Triangle of Health

I'm a big believer in being healthy-mind, body, and soul.

Sometimes though it's hard to have the stars align though and have your mental health, match up with your physical health, and spiritual health.

And oh boy, am I struggling with being physically healthy.

It's not that I can't make it happen, lose the weight I need, build the muscle properly, eat right, etc. I am capable. I can do it.

What is happening is the fear of past mistakes, past mishaps.

Mentally and spiritually I am a place I don't think I could have imagined, a year, two year, three years ago. And I am scared to give up that happiness I've struggled to attain, through all sorts of drama, through situations that should never have occurred, and through my own mind.

Going backwards is a huge fear I have, and I think a lot of people have, yet we dwell in the past, look to the future and leave the present passing us by.

So, slow and steady, maintaining control and letting go when I can't control, small changes and I'll move forward, regain the "body" I had, and in the end be better for it. Why? Because I won't be the militant miserable girl who I used to be when I did it before, but I'll be able to recognize my progress, celebrate the small victories, and teach myself how to maintain this for my life.

Man needs difficulties; they are necessary for health.

                                                                       -Carl Jung