Ivanna44's Blog

It's hard to believe that one month as gone by now. When I sit back and think of the "emotional attachment" I had to gluten when I first went gluten-free , I do roll my eyes a tad I was so down by it at the time. It was not till I found out that Kinnikinnick products were at my local grocer's and they had Donuts!!! that tasted no different than wheat ones. The days of "suffering" were over. It is a big adjustment going gluten-free , but it's not really that hard. There is such an abundance of food out there that is gluten-free naturally, and producers of gluten-free mixes and prepackaged frozen foods, are getting more popular. I would hate to think how hard it must have been even 10 years ago for families that are told to go gluten-free for a family member or themselves. Thank heavens for tihs forum/site and many advocates who got the "word" out there. A big hug to the Advocates for Celiac/ Gluten Intolerance/Sensitivity Awareness. You do make a Difference!! One voice at a time.

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Now that I'm getting better at what to look for in terms of gluten-free ingredients, what's safe, what's not I am finding myself now, going beyond the kitchen pantry to the other "hidden" glutens in my home. One would not think of cosmetics and everyday toiletries items as being sources of gluten that we can ingest, simply by either touching our faces, fussing with our hair etc. Triticum Velgare and Avena Stavia is a lot of hair products and skin products (hidden forms of gluten). For years I had been spraying my hair with it. >Being a person with no natural hold when it comes to hair do's and not suiting straight, straight hair, the hair spray is part of my everyday life. Little did I know, I was adding extra gluten in my life. So now, I'm looking at what products I can find that generally easy to find (aka at your local grocer's or drug store) that don't cost a Mint!! that are gluten-free .

I'd also ideally love to find locally some protein bars and protein powder (if I need to make my own protein bars). But, alias the only ones I hear of, in terms of the protein stuff, are just available on the internet and just in the States. Being extra busy and knowing the benefits of extra protein in the diet. That is one thing I do miss about being gluten-free . Often in prior gluten-free days, a protein bar was my lunch, something I could have "on the go" and when I was just too busy to make a proper lunch. Now that my stomach is definately better feeling, I find myself really wanting to return to my days of working out, even if I can just spare 10 mins. a day, and eating more protein in general. As protein helps build lean muscle mass; and lean muscle mass burns fat quicker. When I was thinner, I did eat a lot more protein and it did help me keep the extra unwanted "fat" off.

I know the States seem to have lots of these "gluten free" companies. But, in a world of credit card scams, etc, it makes you very leary to order things via the net. Even with the 'locked" symbol >thanks to hackers figuring out other ways to get your vital info.

If anyone out there, knows of a good gluten-free protein powder that is available at a local western Canadian health store (chain type) could you please msg me, or reply to this blog. I need names to look for. TY.

In terms of benefits so far with going gluten-free . My stomach is definately better, other than the days I accidently gluttened myself, by not reading labels well. .. My elbow aches although still there, are not as bothersome as they were in past. Also, I noticed with this month's cycle that I did Not get the usual really bad cramps, that often caused me great hip pains in the past. I thank my doctor for the suggestion of going gluten-free to see it helped. I see her again this Monday, April 7th for a follow up appointment. I know from what I read >that if she goes to the next level and orders more tests, that I'll have to temporarily add gluten back in my life. I don't look forward to that, as I know how ill I was last time I accidently gluttened myself. But, in the same lite, I know the results would not be correct, if all gluten is removed and some healing takes place. It is a delimma!