Why Me?

Double Chocolate Cake with Strawberries
(gluten free of course)

I've been wanting to start a gluten free recipe/help blog for a long time now, but with three little kids it's hard to find the time. But I'm going to try to post one post a week. Forgive me if I fail.

Why the name "Glutard Girl"? One night my husband and I went on a date to this little french bistro place (which is sadly closed now) and I ordered a bunch of gluten free stuff from their awesome gluten free menu. The lady behind the counter said, "Ah, so you're a glutard huh?"  It sort of took me off guard for a moment, then I smiled proudly and said, "Yes, yes I am." Ever since then we refer to myself and any other people (my parents, other friends and family) as glutards when talking about food allergies. It is also in the urban dictionary, so technically it's a real word now:)

I've been pretty much 100% gluten free for a little over 5 years now, but it took me 4 years before that of cheating and feeling sick before I got to that point. I want to help people who are trying to go totally gluten free and people who want to, but are struggling, and even help the cheaters, because I've totally been there. ;)

Chicken mushroom pizza, and three meat
and pepper pizza

First being gluten free is probably 90% mental. Once you have the mental determination, and desire, the rest is fairly easy, especially now a days, considering the amount of resources available. Once I finally accepted my "fate", I was able to focus more on healing, verses being angry with God and asking "why me" everyday. I also hope that part of the answer to the "why me" question, is to help all of you.

Once you've mentally come to terms with going gluten free and what that entails, let me give you a few tips.

Tip 1- I would suggest going 100% gluten free, no cheating. I know everyone is different and if you decide to do the "cheating route" I fully understand because I did. But knowing what I know now, I wish I hadn't. When I finally went 100%, and once my body detoxed (which the detox process can be a whole other story. It can be pretty painful, and take some time. - see tip 2 ), I had never experienced so much energy, such a clear, happy mind, and I'd definitely NEVER had a full day without a stomach ache. I look back on those days of misery in awe with myself. I can't believe that A - I endured that much pain on a daily basis, and that B - I was dumb enough to want to continue feeling that way, verses just avoiding gluten. But on the up side, I now have a lot compassion for anyone else that is, or has gone through that, and I have a strong desire to help.
     So my first bit of advice is go 100% off gluten. Check labels carefully - watch for barley, malt, rye, wheat, modified food starch (unless specified Gluten Free). Also if you want to be extra strict in the beginning, which isn't a bad thing, avoid the "artificial and natural flavorings" and caramel coloring. Sometimes those can have gluten in them. As well as foods processed on the same equipment as gluten. Also check your lotions, shampoo's, make up etc. I was getting gluten from a hand lotion I was using, and I've also gotten head aches from certain shampoos.

Cake Balls - AMAZING!
 (Get excited for this christmas Recipe!)

Tip 2 - If you've had the specific celiac test, that's great. If you are just trying to avoid gluten to see if you are sensitive, may I also suggest going off other harsh allergens, such as corn, dairy, soy and sugar. This will help to speed up the detox process to clean up your gut. Then you can slowly add those foods back in, and see how you do. Hopefully there won't be other allergens besides the gluten. The detox process can be painful, and sometimes take a while. I did a really intense elimination process a couple years ago and found gluten in places I didn't expect, or thought I could handle, and it took about 2 months to totally get "cleaned out", then another month later I slowly added all the other allergens back in, sans gluten, and found that I'm good with everything, as long as there is NO gluten whatsoever in my body. Which is fine with me.

Tip 3 - Cry as much as you want. I believe that there is a grieving process associated with going through this. Grieving for foods you miss out on, activities can be hard to go to, and just feeling sorry for yourself for having a "messed up body." (okay, maybe I needed more of a grieving process than some...)

Tip 4- Give your self a big budget to start out with. Replacing everything in your fridge and cupboards can be expensive and overwhelming. Also spend your money on more of the healing whole foods type things verses the processed gluten free foods. It's awesome that they are available, but they are a little over priced and don't holdmuch nutritional value. Stock your fridge with fruits, veggies, nuts, cook a huge thing of rice, or potatoes and...

Tip 5 -  Focus on what you CAN eat. I'm going to do my best to put a variety of CAN eat foods on here, and try not to make them too complicated. I'll also do a post with a big list of CAN EATS!

Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
My favorite fall staple for the freezer

Well here we go. Once again I make the disclaimer that I have 3 small children, and might not get an awesome blog post up every week but I'm sure going to try. Happy Glutarding! (is that even a word?)