The Gluten-free Southern Girl
Friday, October 28, 2011
New Job!
Now that I have been diagnosed and have started a GF diet, I have A LOT more energy than I think I have ever had... However, I am still not 100%....wondering when that will happen (after the extra 1000 units of B-12 every day for a year?). Anyway, working from home was great when I was sick and didn't have much energy- now, working all day, everyday- although a little draining (normal)- is very enjoyable!
I did go back to the doctor for my 3 month check up and he put me on an iron supplement and extra b-12 vitamins on top of my daily vitamins. Like I said, I'm still not completely 100% full of energy- i could totally take a nap every day. BUT working all day makes for a good nights sleep! My mom and I have been discussing how different life could have been if the UAB Hematologist that I saw when I was 18 would have searched for a REASON I was iron-deficient instead of just give me an iron transfusion and daily supplements and send them on my way. Not sure if Celiac would have shown up then, but who knows. Always trust your gut when seeing a doctor- its our new motto. If you have more questions and aren't satisfied with what they say, then seek out other options.
Hopefully I will post more often- I am super excited about helping with the Great Gluten Free Expo that is coming to Birmingham in February! If anyone wants to volunteer, let me know!!
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Potatoes!
I just looked up the nutritional facts of a baked potato and it has some interesting information: Potatoes are a great source of potassium, folate, and vitamin c- which are all non-absorbed nutrients when you have Celiac disease and aren't on a GF diet.
So if you load it down with some yummy veggies (cooked in light oil or steamed), and some I can't believe its not Butter, and light Sour Cream- and just a little shredded cheese- You are looking at a pretty good meal!
I also chopped some up and roasted them with a little rosemary and oil- and they were delicious- even for breakfast the next morning with some cheese and ketchup (smothered, covered?)!
I have also made Potato skins! YUMMY. Great snack for a football party or app for a dinner party. I love these.
I also love a sweet potato. I can't wait to make sweet potato casserole for Thanksgiving! This year I will substitute corn chex for the corn flakes that go on top!
Sweet potato fries are the next best thing. I haven't completely perfected homemade ones, but I will. They are my favorite!
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Away From Home
Traveling is definitely challenging on a GF diet...but not impossible, I have found out. A few weeks ago, we went to Orlando for the bachelorette party--we took a lot of our own food and I stocked up on my GF snacks- apples, cereal, protein bars, Udi's blueberry muffins! We had dinner out on Saturday night and I was able to get plain grilled chicken and veggies. I did have to endure everyone eating some fried goodness for apps, but I made it through with my Pinot Grigio in hand =) I was overwhelmed by how helpful they were at Disneyworld when we went to get lunch. We found a place that offered a taco salad (which is usually a go-to at most restaurants), and I quickly found someone who knew allergen info and was able to special order my meal- I got nachos instead- the tostito chips came in a separate package with a cup of the taco meat. He had showed me the ingredients in the taco seasoning- and they looked ok to me (however Im not so sure afterwards)- Then you could add your toppings at the bar- I found some cheese and sour cream. He had told me that their salsa was NOT GF, which was weird, but whatever- I trusted him. Anyway, I may not have eaten exactly the right thing, but the fact that they were so helpful really made me feel so much better.
I appreciate my friends for being accommodating and helpful during that experience!!
This past weekend was a little different considering I had most of my meals provided for me. I took a basket of snacks and I definitely ate most of what I brought! Saturday night's after rehearsal dinner was a buffet and I was able to eat a few things- at least I didn't starve. Sunday, we were at the wedding venue all day, so they provided lunch for everyone. Again, I could have cheese and fruit (not starving again!). The pimento cheese sandwiches looked very good though.
Since we were at the house while the caterer's were prepping in the kitchen, I was able to ask them some questions! By wedding time, I was very hungry- but luckily was able to par-take in the sliced steak and mini stuffed potatoes! I also had some salad, and sauteed shrimp. Everyone's plates with the yummy mac and cheese and BBQ looked sooooooo good. I guess I'm just going to have to think differently from now on!
My advice on travelling is just be prepared! Take stuff with you and eat before you go places. Also, ask questions! I almost ate grit cakes that she said may not be ok- which I thought was strange, but oh well.
All in all-- good experience and I'm feeling much better about eating away from home.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
What I know now...
Thursday, August 25, 2011
A new friend!
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
The first few days...
The first few days were hard. Really hard. Not only did I not know a lot about Celiac and eating gluten-free, but no one around me did either. My mom and I were able to go to Whole Food's Gluten Free day, the Saturday after I was diagnosed. (perfect timing, or what?) We took a tour around and there was a nutritionist to answer some questions. At that point I still didn't have a clue really. I was reading all over the internet and getting false information. I read Elizabeth Hasselbeck's book "The G-Free Diet" and it helped me TREMENDOUSLY. I highly recommend this if you want to learn more. And I will probably be quoting her a lot on this blog. Its good to know that there is a "celebrity" or at least someone of influence, speaking out on this issue that affects so many.
Anyway, its been about 5 weeks and I feel like I'm getting better at knowing what is ok to eat and what is not. And I also think that I am getting a little better, and noticing more when I eat something wrong. Eating out is hard. I am pretty much trying to avoid it whenever I can. However, I have had 2 delicious meals at Highlands and Bottega (thanks to the boyfriend) and felt confident that those were prepared properly.
I think the hardest part about this whole thing is that no one really understands unless they have to go through it....which is about the same as any life-changing situation. We all at some points in our life will go through something and feel completely alone and think no one knows how we feel. But in fact 1 in every 133 people know how I feel. Celiac disease is actually very common- however either people are not diagnosed (because they went gluten-free before getting a test), or they haven't had any symptoms yet. Unfortunately, I've been dealing with my symptoms for about 2 1/2 years. I remember everyone telling me, "It's just stress", which technically, yes that is probably what "triggered" my allergy. But Celiac is genetic, and you are born with it. Which leads to the question, "why me?".
I still feel alone, in that I have to do this on my own- prepare every meal and make plans for when I have dinners out, etc. Thankfully, my mom has been eating gluten free (and low sodium) for some other reasons (thats for another post), but she will always feed me if I'm starving =) (which is very often).