In the Beginning...

I thought perhaps I would create a blog that goes from Day one of wheat free to infinity. So let me clear up a few things from the outset about the condition I'm in:

• I have started the wheat-free on May 22, 2006. This will be my first day of wheat-free living, all day.
  
• I am not diagnosed a celiac. I may approach my doctor to do so, but as I have gone on a WF/gluten-free diet, this may not result in much.
  
• I have been diagnosed as having a wheat allergy - which is my initial reason for coming here.
  
• However, I know many celiacs and celiacs-to-be (those who probably have it but are in denial)
  

Celiac.com Sponsor (A13):
Also, some details about me that may help with your understanding of my blog posts:

• I am currently 29, living in Wisconsin.
  
• I am overweight by 40-50 pounds, and haven't been able to get rid of it, despite working out, watching my diet, etc.
  
• I am eternally achy and my muscles are sore.
  
• I am a member of Outpost Natural Foods, and was intending on living more healthy BEFORE I found out about a wheat allergy.
  
• I am a bellydancer.
  
• I also work a full time job at a corporation.
  
• I have a business administration degree.
  
• I do NOT intend for this blog to be whiney - but rants may occur.
  
• My massage therapist fiance is extremely supportive, and has agreed to live wheat-free with me.
  
• I LOVE BREAD. But no more. Ours is a love that cannot be.
  
• I have been involved with Renaissance Faires for many years.
  
• Except for a brief starvation period in my college years, I have almost always been overweight to some degree.
  
• I haven't decided if I want to do a diet with all the replacers, or if I want to try and focus on fruits and veggies.
  
• I am 5'5", 194 pounds, henna red hair, blue eyes.
  
• I am allergic to most natural things such as trees, cats, dogs, molds, grasses, ragweeds, etc.
  
• I am also allergic to Carba mix, thiuriam mix (both components of rubber, but it isn't a latex allergy) and p-Phenylenediamine.
  
• I WENT to the allergist to figure out why my face has recently started swelling when wearing makeup. As a dancer, makeup is essential. I don't wear it usually. However, I still have not found why I am allergic to most foundations after wearing them for several hours.
  
• I am taking it one day at a time.
  

So with all that information - let me tell you about my evening and today so far:

Last night, we had a pizza with a rice crust - one we made ourselves. It was really good. I went through all of my pantry and threw out everything having to do with flour, or wasn't WF.

Today, I had a WF/gluten-free bagel with 1/3 less fat cream cheese for breakfast, and a plain bagel with cheese, mustard, turkey and ham (both WF/gluten-free). It was small. It was satisfying at the time. I've been trying to drink more water today.

I don't know right now if I'm hungry because I actually need more calories, or if I am used to having more food. It's that time - you know, the 3pm lull at work? The time when you usually get something - coffee, bakery, something. We have an Alterra downstairs and it seems that this is the time I usually indulge in a skim chai latte and perhaps a bakery item. (honestly the bakery item was more a recent thing based on work unhappiness.)

The chai latte is safe for me to have - all organic and not a bit of wheat. I feel I may be indulging in them more often. I have not checked on Starbucks' wheat free items...so we shall see.

Thus has begun the hunt for lists of wheat free items that are A)affordable, B)easy to make and C)taste good. Add in that we travel, and the work just got a little more complicated. I am hoping that Celiac.com will have a lot for me in this regard!

Welcome! And thank you for welcoming me!