11.09.2013

All I could think about was grilled cheese while I wrote this.

I mentioned in August that I was giving up dairy. Sophomore year of high school (four years ago..whoa) I found out I was lactose intolerant. It took a long time for the doctors to figure out what was wrong with me. I was experiencing really bad stomach pains almost daily, and we didn't know why. I had so many different tests done. I had x-rays and ultrasounds, and then my favorite...the Barium test. 
Picture this: they had me drink a huge cup of this Barium solution. The nurse told me, "just so you know, it's basically like you're drinking paint." Awesome. The point of this test is for the Barium to coat my stomach so they can take x-rays and see if there's anything wrong. So I choke the stuff down, and how do they get it to coat my entire stomach? They strap me to a table that spins around. I was literally laying on this table that was doing all kinds of flips and turns to get the solution all around my stomach. It was almost as much fun as six flags....
Anyway, after a few more tests, really invasive tests, they found out I do not produce the enzyme that breaks down lactose. I'm not trying to be dramatic here but the day I found out was the worst day ever  a pretty bad day, considering everything I used to eat had some sort of dairy in it. Not to mention my favorite foods are macaroni & cheese and grilled cheese. So that sucked.
I couldn't give it up. Sorry not sorry but how can I go forever without ice cream?! I got used to living with a stomach ache. A bad one. So that's when, in August, I decided I was tired of feeling like shit, and I gave it up. It's for good this time guys. It's been three months and I've only cheated once! 
Oops, maybe twice. But I was on vacation. So it's okay, right?
Anyway,
No more pizza, grilled cheese, alfredo, ice cream, yogurt, or macaroni! Life's rough. But I feel a little better. Just a little though. 
See, my doctor told me I was probably gluten intolerant, too. I didn't listen, though. I never even thought about giving up gluten and dairy. What am I supposed to eat?! I didn't really think the gluten was even a problem. Until I actually gave up dairy and still have stomach aches. So here I am, on my second day of no dairy and no gluten. So far so good. Except eating out is really hard. Most places hardly have any options that are both gluten and dairy free. But I guess that's a good thing- more eating in for me!
I'm not really into the whole gluten free substitute stuff; I'd rather eat no bread than gluten free bread.  But, if you have any gluten free and dairy free recipes that you think are worth a try, let me know! I'm always open to trying new things. 


ALSO I was thinking about doing some sort of Q and A post, where you can send me some questions (via twitter, comment, email, whatever) and then I'll answer them! Would that be fun? If you have anything you'd like to know, ask away!!
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17 comments:

  1. I never knew you had a gluten allergy . I once had some sort of allergy that kept me away from milk & dairy . But in a while , I have been eating everything and it's fine.

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  2. That's no fun at all. Do you like shakes? Arbonne has a wellness line and everything is not only vegan, but soy and gluten free as well- all the most common allergies! I was never a shake person but I love these. I have one for breakfast every morning! (plus I've lost some weight since making the switch. Bonus!)

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  3. It's hard but doable! It has been over 2 years since I cut out gluten and dairy and my life is much better for it. The first couple of months are the worst.

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  4. First of all... loving what you've done w/ the place! :) I could never go without dairy or gluten. Must be so hard! You're sticking with it so well though, good for you little lady! :D

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  5. No dairy or gluten? BRAVO! You know I'm not allowed to eat cheese, ah!

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  6. I try my best to not eat gluten, and it can definitely be a challenge at times! I LOVE bread, so it can be a real killer!

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  7. Oh, man that probably was the worst days ever to find out you couldn't have ice cream anymore.

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  8. A life without ice cream is no life at all! You must try banana ice cream. I make it all the time. Here is a link to my post on it. http://ashley-to-awesome.blogspot.com/2013/08/guilt-free-ice-cream.html?m=1

    I gave up sugar for a while and this was a nice replacement.

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  9. That sounds tough, but I'm sure that feeling better makes it worth it! Good luck, and I hope you find some fun and yummy things to eat that fit your diet now. Btw, I'm pretty sure that french maccarons are gluten-free since they use almond flour. A life with a lotttt of maccarons is ok by me!

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  10. I'm kind of lactose intolerant too. I say that loosely because I'm not diagnosed, I just know that if I drink milk, I will feel sick. I can eat some cheese and ice cream and stuff, but if I eat a LOT, I will feel sick.

    It sucks, and I'm sorry that your allergies keep you from eating yummy foods.

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  11. So many people seem to have an issue with dairy and gluetin these days wonder if it has anything to do with the genetically mutant organisms they are putting in food these days. I just posted a recipe for raw mayonnaise that is so good, and I don't have a problem with dairy.
    http://yourlife7.blogspot.com/2013/11/raw-mayonnaise.html

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  12. I hope you are feeling better. I have relatives with lactose intolerance and they have learned they feel a lot better without it.
    Thank you for sharing with the Clever Chicks Blog Hop! I hope you’ll join us again next week!

    Cheers,
    Kathy Shea Mormino
    The Chicken Chick
    http://www.The-Chicken-Chick.com

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  13. Oh wow gluten AND dairy? That's hard! My old roommate was lactose-intolerant. She said it was her diet plan. She would down a big thing of ice cream and milk and then...well...it left her body...haha I remember thinking for a sec how awesome that would be...then I actually thought about it....lol

    Livingincolormom.com

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  14. Oh my goodness! I could not imagine being gluten and dairy intolerant!!!! You poor thing!
    That barium test was literally one of the worst days of my life. I had just underwent surgery where part of my stomach was removed, had a 8 inch incision down my abdomen, two drains on one side, and a feeding tube on the other. They wanted to determine that I was okay to eat by mouth (since I hadn't in 11 days and they had to cut the bottom of my esophagus off and reattach it to the stomach.) So I get wheeled down in a wheelchair and left there. Then the technician comes in and is like, "Hop up here." I just started crying. "I can't". He was so rude. Apparently he didn't even read my chart to know I was not allowed to use my abdomen. I had just learned to sit up in bed and walk just two days ago and he expected me to just hop right up there. It took about five people to get up there since I was in excruciating pain still. The drinking of barium...Then the flipping and turning....oh boy. It did a number on my mutilated body lol. Thinking about the experience makes me nauseous. In hindsight, I can say that it's a pretty awesome test but I hated it lol

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  15. im not gonna lie i didnt even read this i just wanted to let you know i think its wonderful that you have a label called lactose intolerant. peace out girlscout

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  16. wow and i commented from NOT my blog email what is that picture i was in high school wow okay bye FOR REAL

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