So lately I have been writing in a journal and now I have this blog. The name implies that I have Celiacs, so I thought I might want to write a little on this topic, especially how I came to have the disease and what I, as a mom, am doing for my family and myself.
In the spring of 2009, the world was changing from winter dead and cold to spring's warm colorful life, full of greens. Then I found out about the devastating Celiacs disease had a hold on my life and I never saw it coming. Celiacs is a gluten intolerance, found in wheat, rye, barley, and some oats( depends on the processing plant and method).
This all came about because of another disorder that had been plaguing me for years, eczema. A coworker and friend recently found that there was a link between celiacs and eczema. After years of suffering from eczema, allergies, and asthma, I was intrigued that at least one of my issues may have a non-medication solution, though not one I was looking forward to having.
So an experiment was in order. I went home and decided that I would try and see if there was any way that I had Celiacs. For three days I gave up all foods that contained gluten. Then on the fourth, I had pizza. within the hour I had broken out all over my body in eczema and I had stomach cramps for almost two days. There the proof was in the pudding, the bread pudding. My life was about to change and I knew it would not be easy or fun, but the next day I went 100% g-free as we call it.
The simple decision was not so simple to implement into a family of five. I also received a lot of grief from other coworkers who thought that this was another ploy to gain attention. Like having Celiacs was the new "in" thing. It's not easy or fun to realize you can never go out for pizza with friends or family, I can never have some of my favorite dishes unless substitutions are made for certain ingredients.
My eczema has cleared up and my breathing has improved. My focus is clearer and I have just as many choices as you do, just different. Hardest, most rewarding decision of my food life.
In the spring of 2009, the world was changing from winter dead and cold to spring's warm colorful life, full of greens. Then I found out about the devastating Celiacs disease had a hold on my life and I never saw it coming. Celiacs is a gluten intolerance, found in wheat, rye, barley, and some oats( depends on the processing plant and method).
This all came about because of another disorder that had been plaguing me for years, eczema. A coworker and friend recently found that there was a link between celiacs and eczema. After years of suffering from eczema, allergies, and asthma, I was intrigued that at least one of my issues may have a non-medication solution, though not one I was looking forward to having.
So an experiment was in order. I went home and decided that I would try and see if there was any way that I had Celiacs. For three days I gave up all foods that contained gluten. Then on the fourth, I had pizza. within the hour I had broken out all over my body in eczema and I had stomach cramps for almost two days. There the proof was in the pudding, the bread pudding. My life was about to change and I knew it would not be easy or fun, but the next day I went 100% g-free as we call it.
The simple decision was not so simple to implement into a family of five. I also received a lot of grief from other coworkers who thought that this was another ploy to gain attention. Like having Celiacs was the new "in" thing. It's not easy or fun to realize you can never go out for pizza with friends or family, I can never have some of my favorite dishes unless substitutions are made for certain ingredients.
My eczema has cleared up and my breathing has improved. My focus is clearer and I have just as many choices as you do, just different. Hardest, most rewarding decision of my food life.
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