Geez I am slipping....

Just when I think I am doing well and will actually keep my blog up to date, I fail miserably as I become entranced with my day-to-day mundane tasks. Todays' blog is one I need to write because my heart feels heavy. I live in "Happy Valley" and since Sunday, there has been nothing happy about it. A tragedy has occurred in my town involving my alma mater and my thoughts run the gamut. A high profile past football coach has been arrested for molesting at least 8 boys over a 10 year period and during that time, it was covered up for him. Perhaps it is that because I have two young boys that my heart aches. I wish total punishment on these men. But, the Christian heart inside of me says that I should know that their actions are not separate from any mistakes I have made in my own life. Sure, I haven't done anything of this nature but God says that ALL sin is equal in his eyes and he forgives us for them all. I can usually accept that statement but recently, I just can't get my heart around that. I grieve for these boys and their families. For the future issues they will have because one man was very sick. Because many men didn't do the right thing. But, everyday, people, including myself, don't do the right thing. So, while my head can agree with all of the sentiments that these men should be terribly punished, my heart says that they should be spared from our judgement lest we want the same judgement upon our own lives. I can accept that at some point, they will need to reckon with what they have done. It just doesn't seem fair...but then again, what in life is?

Mercaptopurine has changed my plans!

Wow! That is a big word, isn't it? My fellow Crohnies know its a fancy name for 6mp....a new drug that my doctor prescribed the week I was to begin my gluten free lifestyle. I am holding off on going totally gluten free while I see if the new med helps at all. I certainly don't want to start feeling better and think its from drugs if its simply from dietary changes. This drug is dangerous--aren't all of my meds? And, I don't want to say that I hope it doesn't work so I don't have to stay on it, because if it doesn't work I only have one option left before surgery. Scary thought.  However, the gluten free post had many of you really excited so I thought I would share some of my experiences for those of you you are not familiar with GF or who are contemplating making the same lifestyle choice. (For those who have gone GF already, this won't be anything new for you). So, this is what I have found is very common in GF goods--the texture is similar to cornbread. It is somewhat "grainy" and can definitely be tolerated if you are not a "texture" type of person. I have tried many things and here is what I like and don't like: Van's GF mini waffles (I am an avid mini waffle eater--my usual brand is Eggo). I found with the 15 pills I take every morning (which is my worst doseage of the day), that having something bland and "dry" in my stomach helps the nausea. I eat these without syrup. So, all of that being said, I think mini waffles will not be in my future any longer once I go GF. At least, not with the Van's brand. Or maybe if I start using syrup...anyway, obviously, that was an item I do not like. Not only does it have the usual texture of GF products, but it had a slight aftertaste that is very hard to describe. I DO like-Bob's red mill products. He has a whole line (available in the natural section of your grocery store or online if you can't find it) including all purpose flour and other baking goods that are GF. My family loves the cornbread mix and the pancake mix was pretty good, as well. Those are my findings thus far and I promise they will be more frequent as I make the full transition in a few weeks. Until then, keep me in mind if you discover some fabulous GF products that you want to share! :)

Going Gluten Free

Ok, so I admit that I have become one of those very annoying people who start a blog thinking she has so much to say and then realizes VERY quickly that her life isn't as interesting as she once thought it was and doesn't have anything to update on a regular basis. But, I promise to change that and I am also starting to make some serious changes in my diet. I have decided to go gluten free. For those of you who know me well, you will probably sympathize because you know how much I love bread. I don't just like bread--I adore it. I dream of sandwiches made with fresh bread. I try to think of anyway possible to incorporate bread into a meal. Some serious health issues have caused me to examine alternative possibilities of treating myself so I am turning to a gluten free lifestyle and I am finding that if there was ever a time in history that one could make the change--it's now. We have way more options that I currently thought and while giving up bread and pasta may be hard (Yes, I know there are gluten free varieties-but I don't really want to go there) letting go of any part of my intestines would be way harder (at least, I think so, right?). In my research I have come across some very interesting information about some local hangouts that serve gluten free foods and also have researched some great recipes. I made a flourless chocolate cake (Thank God chocolate is not something I will need to avoid) 2 days ago and it was really good. My husband didn't think it tasted that great and a friend who was here for dinner and has no problem sharing his personal opinion on my cooking, said it tasted spongy. Ehhh, I don't necessarily agree. Today's blog is about making my announcement and also to say that if you have suggestions-please feel free to send to me. I will be updating my blog with posts of places I have found to be gluten friendly and also recipes and near disasters I have experienced myself. :)

So, here are the things I have discovered recently:
Bob's red mill products have a line of gluten free baking items. Yay!
Olive Garden has a gluten free menu available on request. Double Yay!!
Corrinado's pizza in State College has a gluten free pizza made with rice flour. Wow! Pizza!

Be on the lookout for more great finds from me! :)