Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Gluten Free Days 11-17

I'm feeling a bit ambitious, so I'm going to catch up on a few more days of my 30 day challenge.
I did a little better this week and food isn't controlling my thoughts so much.

Day 11:
Breakfast:   Van's Gluten Free Waffles (really good!)
                   Coconut Milk
Snack: Apple

Lunch:  El Tap Fajitas (again)

Snack: Veggies and Fruit (from a tray)
            Chips and Pizza Dip
             1 Chocolate Drop Cookie
             Sample of pudding dessert

Dinner:  Turkey/Cheese Roll-ups
             Chips and Dip
             Dr Evil

Today's challenge was eating with the Mom's from our homeschool group.  Most snacks are just glutenated.  I made good choices except there was some cake in the bottom of the pudding dessert, I didn't eat the cake and stopped eating it once I realized it was there.  I did notice my stomach seems less bloated today but still no weight loss because I'm probably just eating too much or something.  I was a little moody and tired today, probably from lack of sleep.  Still gave in to the Dr Pepper because it is in my house and staring at me.

Day 12:
Breakfast:  Chocolate Protein/Banana Smoothie

Snack:  Veggie Sushi Roll with Braggs(soy sauce replacement)

Lunch:  Baked Potato with BBQ Turkey

Snack: Popcorn and Dr Evil

Dinner:  Steak
             Roasted Potatoes
             Steamed Veggies
             Glass of Wine
Desert: 1 G Free Cookie

Okay day, I ate a wide variety today from sushi to bbq to popcorn to steak, ha ha ha.  No gluten today but I had a day of focusing on feeling deprived despite eating a plethora of different foods.  I really don't miss bread at all, I guess the discipline part is just getting on my nerves a bit, ha ha.

Days 13-17

I did not log anything these days.  I did not eat gluten but I was very moody and emotional.  I felt physically yucky so I just didn't do much of anything to be honest.  I didn't eat much either.  I found out during this time that I indeed do for a fact have Hashimotos and I was dealing with overactivity from my thyroid this week.  I called my new doctor desperate for help!  I am starting a new thyroid medicine next week and some progesterone cream because that came back low as well.   I felt a little overwhelmed but I still feel hopeful that I am on the right path to feeling better.  It reminds me of that Miley Cyrus song "The Climb"...there's always gonna be another mountain...I'm always gonna wanna make it move...it's always gonna be an uphill battle, and sometimes I'm gonna have to lose.  True dat....but the climb will be worth conquering this mountain.  I know I will make it and conquer this mountain with guidance from my awesome God. 
 

Gluten Free Days 6-10

This particular week was ROUGH!  I know my body was in detox mode and I was feeling deperate to find good tasting food, so I ate a lot of junk.  Here is what I ate on days 6-10 of my gluten free challenge:

Day 6:
Breakfast: Gluten Free Pancakes with Maple Syrup
                 Chocolate Almond Milk

Lunch:  El Tap Chicken Fajitas with corn tortillas

Dinner:  BBQ Pork Chops
             Baked Beans
             Cole Slaw

Snacks:  Popcorn, Chips, Dr Pepper, AND chocolate (geesh!)

Today my taste buds seem to be getting normal.  I didn't eat super healthy, it was Saturday, the weekends are always a challenge.  I am craving dairy a lot, but am trying to make sure I don't eat too much until I give my stomach time to heal.  Dr Pepper-my official beverage weakness-tasted amazing.  I feel like my stomach is still reacting every time I eat, not so much with cramps, but bloating.  I have noticed some improvement but hopefully someday I won't look pregnant. 

Day 7:
Breakfast: Berry Smoothie

Lunch:  Turkey Burger without bun
            Baked Potato
            Salad
            Grilled Green Beans

Dinner: Left over fajitas from El Tap

Today my Dad was put in the hospital for pneumonia and I spent most of the afternoon and night there.  I was really hungry around 7, but passed on Captain D's.  I feel mentally set on givng this a chance.  Physically I think I am detoxing from the gluten.  I have some sinus issues going on.  My skin got better then worse, but that could be from the Dr Pepper.  It usually breaks my skin out. :(  I realize that waiting too long between meals is not a good idea since I am not having as much super filling bread products.  I also tend to make healthier choices when I eat smaller meals more often.

Day 8
Breakfast:  2 eggs
                 Sliced tomatoes with basil
                  1/4 coconut milk yogurt

Lunch:  Whitts Nachos
             Tea

Dinner:  El Tap Enchiladas
             CHips and Salsa
 Snack:  GF cookie

I made it a week without gluten, unless it was accidentally consumed.  I notice a little change, but I was thinking I'd feel a lot better, lol.  Today I read it takes about 3-6 months to notice a big difference in most people.  I haven't lost weight, but still eating a lot of calorie, so I can't think no bread means instant weight loss.  My mind is a little clearer and I can concentrate a little longer, but just celebrating sticking to my goal.

Day 9:
Breakfast:  Berry Smoothie

Snack:  Mocha at the hospital

Lunch:  Harvest Salad with Chicken and balsamic vinaigrette(Great Harvest)

Snack:  Cinnamon cashews
             chips and dip

Dinner:  Gluten Free Pizza 2 slices
             Dr Pepper

Snacks:  Almond Crackers, Havarti Cheese, Olives

Today was definitely gluten free.  My pizza turned out pretty good, but I do miss real pizza, the dough is just not the same.  I threw in a Dr Pepper, which is definitely a skin irritant and alters my concentration.  As much as I don't want to, I need to stop drinking it, even occassionally. :(  Maybe eventually I won't want it at all.  I am enjoying drinking beverages more than eating actually, but I can have water, tea, coffee, carrot juice, and dairy free milk.  And the smoothies are always tasty, so I just need to hydrate really well and maybe I won't want the Dr Pepper.  I wonder what they put in that stuff! lol  I can go months without drinking it and just start craving it out of the blue.  Dr Pepper, I will defeat you! :D

Day 10:
Breakfast:  Carrot juice
                  1/2 coconut yogurt

Snack: G Free cookie
            chips and dip

Lunch:  1/2 Portabello Mushroom Pizza
            Dr Pepper :(

Snack: A few cinnamon cashews

Dinner:
Hot Dog, no bun, with chili and cheese
Fries
Vanilla Dr Pepper

Snack
Turkey Cheese Roll Up
Chips and Dip

Okay, today was awful nutritionally speaking!!!!!  I am pretty sure my trip to Sonic may have had gluten.  I am not sure about the chili and the fries I'm sure are fried with battered chicken.  I was emotional today and tried to make myself happy by eating junk....fail.  I tried to avoid obvious gluten but I'm thinking I probably made things worse by not researching my choices first.   

   

Monday, September 12, 2011

Homeschool Funschool Update

Today we had our first meeting with PAJCH(Putnam and Jackson County Homeschoolers).  The kids had so much fun.  We walked since it was a nice day and all the way home Noah kept asking questions about going back.  All the children in the group seem really awesome.  I love homeschooled kids, they just have a sweet spirit about them.  They are paired up with an older kid called their PAJCH Pal, and I know they are going to love that.  Ava's pal was super sweet and stayed with her and played the whole time.  It was a great experience and I look forward to getting to know everyone and letting my kids see how fun homeschooling can be. 
It seems like the more we do homeschool, the more I become aware of how life is learning and seeing opportunities to teach not only when we sit at the table, but throughout the day.  Noah seems to pick up on it too and asks a lot of questions about various things we encounter each day.  Even though I had some nervous feelings and hesitation about the "unknown" at first, I am seeing that this is a good fit for our family.  I am seeing that I can do it and I enjoy it, alot actually.  It's made our time at home during the day seem more quality and not so mundane.  So lots of good things are happening and I am thankful to have the opportunity to teach my children.