(Where am I going to find twenty minutes?! I barely get a chance to brush my teeth with Mr. Sullivan keeping me crazy!)
Anyone have any prayer requests???
Anyone want to join the challenge?
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Challenge
So I challenged a friend to spend 20 minutes every morning praying and listening to God. I promised I would take the challenge, too. I'm hoping we can keep each other accountable. I'm hoping I can do it! I'm hoping it becomes a habit for me. And I'm hoping... um... to be opened up, hear new things, to be changed a little. Yes. This will be so good.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Living Gluten Free
I became gluten-free (GF) on January 1st, 2007 (a new years resolution I've actually kept). I was diagnosed with an allergy to wheat/gluten when I was 15 but just ignored it. I felt fine (I thought).
Then I met Mary, a new coworker of mine (and the sweetest woman!), she told me about the complications she had had after ignoring her allergy for many years. Complications (including surgery to remove part of her colon) that I would rather avoid! So I began researching and learning about what It meant to take gluten out of my diet.
"Living Gluten Free for Dummies" is an awesome book that I would recommend to anyone making similar decisions about their diet. I spent about 2-3 months reading the labels of everything that I ate... "Okay, Kim, this could very well be your very last bowl of tomato soup (yes, there is wheat in tomato soup) you better enjoy it!" I had many "last" bowls of macaroni and cheese!!! So when the new year came around, I was totally prepared. I had gone to the Wedge and purchased a ton of GF food and claimed two shelves in the kitchen cupboard as Kim's GF edible food. That way I would be less likely to get discouraged. No "theres nothing for me to eat!" and give up. No excuses!
The first changes that I noticed had to do with my digestive system (we'll pass on the details). And I felt awesome every morning. I hadn't realized how gross I had felt when I woke up. Now I felt super light and energized. Aside from that, I didn't notice much bet kept at it.
8 months later I decided to have a wheat week! I was so pumped! State fair food, Valleyfair food, pizza, macaroni and cheese, subway... it was awesome. And totally GROSS. I felt HORRIBLE. Super tired (like laying on the floor because there was no energy left tired), I was often confused and jumbled up my words, tons of bloating, nausea, weight gain, headaches, dizziness, I couldn't even focus my vision at times. And it wasn't even that satisfying. I can live without pizza if it means that I don't have to feel like that again.
And now that I can recognize the symptoms... I can decide if it's really worth it to have some pizza or go to Buca. Do I really want to gain 4+ pounds at one meal? Feel nasty for a week? It's filling my healthy body with toxins and it's notnotnot worth it.
So anyway, the whole reason for this post is that I've been asked for advise on living gluten free and I thought I'd share what I've learned. GF can be expensive and there's a lot of trial and error in finding good stuff. (A lot of GF food tastes like dirt-literally) If you have anything to add let me know!
The best and cheapest pasta is at Trader Joes.
The best and cheapest waffles (regular and banana) are at Trader Joes. *I love Trader Joe's!
Trader Joe's also has weird frozen GF pancakes that are pretty great.
Trader Joe's has a good brownie mix. I haven't tried their pancake mix yet....
Rice Chex is GF! (Rice Krispies are not -they have malt.)
Bittersweet is an awesome bakery located in Eagan. Their bread is awesome and it's also sold and Fresh and Natural Foods stores.
Sunshine Burgers, Smart Dogs, and Soyrizo are awesome if you're a vegetarian as well!
Target has an awesome mix for GF Sugar Cookies. I can't remember the brand name -there's also cake and other goodies.
Pamela's GF Cookies are pretty great. Especially Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip
Crumb -Gourmet Deli- in Eden Prairie has GF bread for sandwhiches (it's Bittersweet's).
Noodles & Company has awesome GF pad thai!
Biaggi's and PG Changs both have Gluten Free Menus
Then I met Mary, a new coworker of mine (and the sweetest woman!), she told me about the complications she had had after ignoring her allergy for many years. Complications (including surgery to remove part of her colon) that I would rather avoid! So I began researching and learning about what It meant to take gluten out of my diet.
"Living Gluten Free for Dummies" is an awesome book that I would recommend to anyone making similar decisions about their diet. I spent about 2-3 months reading the labels of everything that I ate... "Okay, Kim, this could very well be your very last bowl of tomato soup (yes, there is wheat in tomato soup) you better enjoy it!" I had many "last" bowls of macaroni and cheese!!! So when the new year came around, I was totally prepared. I had gone to the Wedge and purchased a ton of GF food and claimed two shelves in the kitchen cupboard as Kim's GF edible food. That way I would be less likely to get discouraged. No "theres nothing for me to eat!" and give up. No excuses!
The first changes that I noticed had to do with my digestive system (we'll pass on the details). And I felt awesome every morning. I hadn't realized how gross I had felt when I woke up. Now I felt super light and energized. Aside from that, I didn't notice much bet kept at it.
8 months later I decided to have a wheat week! I was so pumped! State fair food, Valleyfair food, pizza, macaroni and cheese, subway... it was awesome. And totally GROSS. I felt HORRIBLE. Super tired (like laying on the floor because there was no energy left tired), I was often confused and jumbled up my words, tons of bloating, nausea, weight gain, headaches, dizziness, I couldn't even focus my vision at times. And it wasn't even that satisfying. I can live without pizza if it means that I don't have to feel like that again.
And now that I can recognize the symptoms... I can decide if it's really worth it to have some pizza or go to Buca. Do I really want to gain 4+ pounds at one meal? Feel nasty for a week? It's filling my healthy body with toxins and it's notnotnot worth it.
So anyway, the whole reason for this post is that I've been asked for advise on living gluten free and I thought I'd share what I've learned. GF can be expensive and there's a lot of trial and error in finding good stuff. (A lot of GF food tastes like dirt-literally) If you have anything to add let me know!
The best and cheapest pasta is at Trader Joes.
The best and cheapest waffles (regular and banana) are at Trader Joes. *I love Trader Joe's!
Trader Joe's also has weird frozen GF pancakes that are pretty great.
Trader Joe's has a good brownie mix. I haven't tried their pancake mix yet....
Rice Chex is GF! (Rice Krispies are not -they have malt.)
Bittersweet is an awesome bakery located in Eagan. Their bread is awesome and it's also sold and Fresh and Natural Foods stores.
Sunshine Burgers, Smart Dogs, and Soyrizo are awesome if you're a vegetarian as well!
Target has an awesome mix for GF Sugar Cookies. I can't remember the brand name -there's also cake and other goodies.
Pamela's GF Cookies are pretty great. Especially Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip
Crumb -Gourmet Deli- in Eden Prairie has GF bread for sandwhiches (it's Bittersweet's).
Noodles & Company has awesome GF pad thai!
Biaggi's and PG Changs both have Gluten Free Menus
Click here for more dining in the Twin Cities.
For baking there are pre-mixed flours or you can mix your own (tough!). You should go to your nearest co-op and ask. They sometimes have it in bulk so you can try just a little to see what you like.
Most chips are made of corn or potatoes. Mission makes good corn tortillas.
Mary's Gone Crackers GF crackers are good!
Not Gluten Free:
Beer -there are very few GF brands. Hard Cider is a good substitute.
Soy Sauce -try Bragg's Liquid Aminos. Better and healthier!
Most vegetarian fake meat - Boca, Morningstar, etc
Mock Duck
McDonald's French Fries (BK fries are ok)
Read the Label!:
Microwave dinners
Rice dishes
Sauces (particularly asian food) and dressings
Soup
Whenever we go out to eat I go online ahead of time to look up their allergy notifications. They often tell you what's gluten-free. Waiting 'till you get there to ask your server can cause a lot of confusion.
Let me know if you have any questions!!! Or if you have any advice for me!
For baking there are pre-mixed flours or you can mix your own (tough!). You should go to your nearest co-op and ask. They sometimes have it in bulk so you can try just a little to see what you like.
Most chips are made of corn or potatoes. Mission makes good corn tortillas.
Mary's Gone Crackers GF crackers are good!
Not Gluten Free:
Beer -there are very few GF brands. Hard Cider is a good substitute.
Soy Sauce -try Bragg's Liquid Aminos. Better and healthier!
Most vegetarian fake meat - Boca, Morningstar, etc
Mock Duck
McDonald's French Fries (BK fries are ok)
Read the Label!:
Microwave dinners
Rice dishes
Sauces (particularly asian food) and dressings
Soup
Whenever we go out to eat I go online ahead of time to look up their allergy notifications. They often tell you what's gluten-free. Waiting 'till you get there to ask your server can cause a lot of confusion.
Let me know if you have any questions!!! Or if you have any advice for me!
Sibling Rivalry
Tug o war.
A few days ago Brinkley started bringing some of her toys to Sullivan. She puts them in his hand and then tries to take them away. Hoping for a good game. :) Sullivan is actually pretty good at it.
Worst Case Scenario
Today we got out and went to the evening Thanksgiving church service. We LOVE the Maple Ridge Church in Maple Grove... but it's an hour away so we get there as often as we can. Scott got baptized tonight (yea!) and we got to visit with Stacy, Scott, Mark and Mary Anderson, and Jamie and Billy and Austin! So fun! Austin and Sully were born in the same hospital about a day and a half apart. They were due two days apart and both came over a week late. It is SO fun to see them together and compare stories. Austin has 2 teeth! Such a cutie!
On the way home we realized that we had no keys to get into the house... panic. We looked everywhere (purse, wallet, diaper bag, messy car). There are 2 loose keys that I've been meaning to put on my keychain...
We knew we could get in the first doorway with a little help from the upstairs neighbors. But the second doorway would be a challenge. Ryan had seen Mike Dehn open a lock with a credit card (a trick learned while training to be a police officer). But didn't know if he could do it himself.
We made many Worst Case Scenario plans. My favorite included going to the Mystic Lake Casino (20 miles away) to stay at the hotel where I would make my way to the buffet after Ryan and Sully went to sleep! I'm nursing and I'm always hungry. ..being locked out of the house began to not sound so bad. I was totally revved up for that adventure!
It only took Ryan a few moments to get in. (Why do we bother locking that door?!) Bummer!!!
So now I eat rice, eggplant, avocado, corn, onions, and cottage cheese. Yummy -but I'm totally missing out on the salad bar and ice cream.
On the way home we realized that we had no keys to get into the house... panic. We looked everywhere (purse, wallet, diaper bag, messy car). There are 2 loose keys that I've been meaning to put on my keychain...
We knew we could get in the first doorway with a little help from the upstairs neighbors. But the second doorway would be a challenge. Ryan had seen Mike Dehn open a lock with a credit card (a trick learned while training to be a police officer). But didn't know if he could do it himself.
We made many Worst Case Scenario plans. My favorite included going to the Mystic Lake Casino (20 miles away) to stay at the hotel where I would make my way to the buffet after Ryan and Sully went to sleep! I'm nursing and I'm always hungry. ..being locked out of the house began to not sound so bad. I was totally revved up for that adventure!
It only took Ryan a few moments to get in. (Why do we bother locking that door?!) Bummer!!!
So now I eat rice, eggplant, avocado, corn, onions, and cottage cheese. Yummy -but I'm totally missing out on the salad bar and ice cream.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Far and Near
We moved out to Belle Plaine a few months ago. It is only about 15-20 miles further west than where we were living last year but being here makes me feel completely disconnected from Everything. 2 hours from Cambridge, 1 hour from the cities. That is - if you drive alone. Adding Sully means adding a lot more packing, timing your departure for immediately after eating, making a few stops for more eating and a break from the car (he hates car rides) which are 30 minutes to an hour each. Plus you have to make the entire trip back again. So... I really don't get out much and when we do leave the house we pack a LOT of errands into one trip. My work also keeps me here. I have not yet fallen into a good groove with my editing and deadlines. Balancing my work with Sully and housework is Tough!
So sometimes I feel a bit stranded. And disconnected. I miss being in Cambridge. I never really had a vision of where I wanted to live "when I grew up" ...but I'm sure that Belle Plaine is not it.
Lately I've found myself drawn to reading blogs. I think it's a good way to stay connected and get and give advice and share experiences. But I don't want to become a "lurker" so I think I'll join in and become a little more regular about it. Of course I started here like a year ago... a slow start. :)
So sometimes I feel a bit stranded. And disconnected. I miss being in Cambridge. I never really had a vision of where I wanted to live "when I grew up" ...but I'm sure that Belle Plaine is not it.
Lately I've found myself drawn to reading blogs. I think it's a good way to stay connected and get and give advice and share experiences. But I don't want to become a "lurker" so I think I'll join in and become a little more regular about it. Of course I started here like a year ago... a slow start. :)
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