So Far So Good!

So last time I posted I had just found out that I have a gluten intolerance or whatever you want to call it.  Long story short, I am now living a gluten-free life!  Call me crazy, but its proving to have many upsides! (Or maybe I've just refused to stop looking at the negatives!)


Its hard to believe that its only been a week because it has been a super long week at that!  Every day has greeted me with new challenges, most of them being "well what do I eat now?"  So I decided I would take you along on my little journey, at least for today!  Throughout this transition there has been a whole lot of trial and error and admittedly a good many tears of frustration, but with the support I'm getting from friends and family, it has been such a blessed transition in my life.


Well the first few days were truly the hardest, but that is exactly what I expected.  However, I think I'm really getting the hang of it!  Here are a few of the things I have come up with! Enjoy!


Chicken, Rice, and Veggies
This meal has been a frequent one.  Its just baked chicken, brown rice, corn, sweet peas, and a little salt and pepper!  Not too bad!  Part of the diet is that I can eat mainly fresh meats, so that means no more frozen chicken nuggets, and for those of you who don't know, I eat those A LOT!  The great thing about this meal is that I can mix in different vegetables and experiment with flavors that way!  Its also very colorful, and who doesn't like a colorful lunch/dinner?!












Omelettes
This has also become a staple food in my diet.  This omelette was from last week and had chicken, cheese, and corn!  I've never really been much for eggs, but I'm actually starting to like them and they are a great source of protein!  Great thing about eggs is that you can also play around with this meal and have it so many different ways!  Last night I had some gluten-free toast, and orange, and a plain cheese omelette.  It was absolutely delicious and a glass of chocolate soymilk was the icing on the cake!  (Figuratively of course!)








Fresh Fruits
So thankfully I have such a sweet boyfriend who took the time to cut a fresh pineapple for me the other night!  I love pineapple and decided I wanted a REAL one!  Zack wasn't so trusting when it came to me and a sharp knife, but I was glad to have this task so graciously done for me. :)  Fresh fruit has become an every day thing for me and I absolutely LOVE it!  Bananas, pineapples, and oranges are so yummy and they're all so very good for you! Mix together a bowl of these fruits and you have a sweet dessert, breakfast, or snack!  I actually have chocolate covered banana slices in my freezer! Yum!


Quesadillas
This is also something that I'm trying out.  The first time I had some quesadillas, they were filled with cheese and corn.  Not so great the first go round, they needed a little flavor in them.  Maybe bellpeppers or salsa.  So tonight, I decided to try something new.  I did a cheese quesadilla with a couple of dollops of tomato sauce!  That was the ticket!  They were yummy!  (The quesadillas are made of corn, so I can eat them!)
With this meal I'm willing to sacrifice and stray from my dairy free diet.








Breakfast
Sometimes for me, actually most of the time, its hard for me to get a good breakfast.  Luckily I came across these yummy breakfast bars!  They are made from a gluten free rice cereal and real peanuts and drizzled with chocolate!  Definitely been a great start to most of my mornings!  Zack even tried one and liked them!  That is a plus!  I also found that most of the Chex cereals are gluten free so sometimes a meal is a bowl of Honey Nut Chex and a side of fruit!  I am so glad my breakfast has not been affected!




Sandwiches


This is a category that still needs a little work.  I have yet to find the perfect gluten free bread for a nice peanut butter and jelly, but this bread made from brown rice isn't too bad.  Now, I know that none of the breads I will be eating will ever be as good as the wheat stuff, but I can definitely get used to it!  I was most concerned about my grilled cheeses (one of my favorite meals) but this bread doesn't make that bad of a grilled cheese and has satisfied that craving quite nicely.  As for chips, I have taken a liking to the Kettle brand natural potato chips (salt and fresh pepper flavor)! Most Lay's flavors are GF too!

My Refrigerator
And this is what the shelf in my fridge looks like as of tonight.  As you can see its full of all sorts of yummy, FRESH goodies!  Eggs, oranges, pineapple, celery, yogurt, chicken, rice bread, peanut butter (because celery is unbearable without it) and soymilk (chocolate and regular).  Its a bit crazy, but its my new eating habit!




Overall this experience has more pros than cons!  Here are a few that I came up with!

1. Way healthier food choices
2. I have found a new love for cooking
3. I haven't been sick in a whole week! (major achievement)
4. Cooking meals = great fun with my roommate and boyfriend
5. Spend less money eating out

So this has been the center of my last few days, learning how to eat again!  Its been hard, but through prayers and support of my great friends and family, it has been wonderful and rewarding.  I have found that in these difficult times, when life throws you a curveball no matter how big or how small, God will always provide support and strength to make it through each day! :)