Big Changes

In life it seems that every time I say, "I could never..." or "I would never..." God has other plans.  You would think that I would learn, because it has happened yet again.

Years ago, when the Adkins diet was all the rage, I stated emphatically that I would never do that, because I loved my carbs too much.  Give up bread?  No thank  you.  Then a few years ago, I met a friend whose daughter is allergic to wheat.  I thought that what she was doing to keep her daughter healthy was akin to walking on water.  I just knew that I could never do that.

Guess what?  I have a child who allergic to wheat and food dye (and a few other foods as well, but those are the biggies).  So my "can't," "won't," and "never" have had to be replaced with "will," "can," and "let's make this fun."

This transition has not exactly been smooth or easy.  There have been conversations about how berating a sibling with "I wish you could just eat wheat so that things could go back like they were!" is not an appropriate response to mom saying that she is not buying a certain food in the grocery store.  Deep sighs, audible moaning, and dramatic label reading are now the background music of most of my trips to the grocery store.  Public gatherings have brought back my "big purse" so that alternative foods can be brought for my kids.

However, it has not all been deprivation and blandness.  In fact, there have been many successes and newly discovered "favorite" foods.  The gluten free corn dogs were such a hit that even the gluten tolerant sang their praises.  Mini Polenta Pizza Bites have made more than one showing as an easy, yummy, and quick dinner.  And just yesterday, we discovered that 100% fruit juice gelatin is a fabulous afternoon treat.

We've had a few other dietary changes that seem to be making a difference as well.  We switched to all local, pasture raised meat and eggs (I would like to find a local milk source as well).  I gave up all store bought bread for Lent, and we haven't really gone back.  I've become an obsessive label reader, and my kids will mutter under their breath comment, "If we can't say it, we probably shouldn't be eating it." while I have my eyes glued to the ingredient list of some product or other.

Anyway, I thought that I might document some of the changes that we are making here on the good ole blog.  My hits and misses.  Successes and failures.  I think it is going to be an interesting journey.

 

Comments

[Caroline]

I'm impressed with your efforts, Mama Kris. And, I can't wait to read more about it!!

[amy]

I think you are amazing.

[Atkins]

*Atkins