If I had my way, I’d eat three square meals of chocolate a day with snacks of something salty and then more chocolate. Or maybe mix in a bowl of cereal to round everything out. Then kids came into our lives and well, they need vegetables and don’t function well on just chocolate. Our oldest son has had a decorated medical history and what put us into action were the 13 containers of medications lined up each morning. I was missing something. Something huge that was causing his body to go berserk and I had to figure it out.
Knowing our son has an ultra-sensitive system, I knew we were looking at a long road ahead. The gluten-free (GF) diet seemed like a good place to start. I saw no reason not to try it – so many parents were celebrating the benefits, it couldn’t hurt him to try it, and with all our son’s health issues surrounding food, maybe it could help. I also decided to try it with him (after first researching GF chocolate and if wine was safe) so he wasn’t eating alone and to see if it could help me, too.
We figured out after only a few weeks that all the medication our son was taking was masking other issues – that his body was not able to accept wheat and gluten. The medications weren’t treating the main cause of his discomfort, just easing the symptoms. By eliminating gluten and wheat from his diet we saw an improvement in his energy, no more dark circles under his eyes, no more random eczema flare-ups, and most importantly, we were able to eliminate over half the medications he was taking each day. For me, it meant no more stomach aches after I ate, being able to claim a “regular” routine if you catch my drift, and not feeling as bloated.
Unfortunately fast food joints are extremely limited for GF kid-friendly food. Companies claiming to have a GF menu don’t take into account most kids don’t eat lettuce and that the general worker mixes batter-caked onion rings with the supposedly-GF fries. But the great thing is more and more education is happening surrounding the GF diet and it’s becoming easier to spot gluten and there are many more name brands (what I call mainstream foods) that are labeled GF.
FDA law requires food labels to list wheat as one of the top eight food allergens so it’s easier and easier to spot safe food. The internet is a wealth of resources for finding mainstream foods as well as specific GF brands. Our pediatrician recommended a pocket guide for taking with to the grocery store. I swap tips and ideas with other GF families.
Grocery shopping has become a game for me. Where can I find the best deal on the right products? Can I get free shipping? Can I find a mainstream brand instead that might be cheaper? It took a lot of research and a bit of patience to figure out what foods were GF. Now that we’re 9 months into the diet I know which brands are good and that makes shopping much easier.
New Mom asked if I had any final recommendations for food choices. I guess it’s pretty simple and you’ve heard it before: you are what you eat.
Just know you can be GF and also be an M&M…
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
Questioning Authority: What Higher Power?
In my youth, I was quite healthy. I had more than my fair share of the common cold but nothing a small investment in Kleenex couldn’t contain. Never broke a bone, never needed stitches. I was so lucky. Must be good genes.
The dream was to have my good genes and my husbands healthy genes pass down to our children. I figured our kids would take an occasional trip to urgent care for an ear infection, a need for stitches on an elbow, and maybe strep a few times. That’s normal for kids, right?
How about 2 rounds of stitches in 3 weeks? How about a major non-life-threatening chronic disease diagnosed every 6 months for 6 years? How about one of those being moderate asthma? How about another being a severe allergy to fish? How about autism, reflux, ADHD, sensory processing disorder, language processing disorder, alarming weight loss, strabismus surgery, more medications than any one form has space for, and a broken foot from the pool (who breaks a foot in a pool?)? Are those all normal?
Lemme tell you something. Lemme tell you a few somethings, actually. I am not an expert by any means on these ailments but I come damn close. Just one of my beautiful children has had to deal with the entire list above.
Why.
Why?
Each time my child was diagnosed with something else I grew more and more angry at God for inflicting this much on one small child. Yes, I’ll admit I have had my fair share of “Why me?” moments and frankly I’m a mother, I’m allowed a few of those. But I’m beyond that.
How did God allow my body to create such havoc in my child’s? Why does God think this little being, this blue-eyed, compassionate, forgiving, teaching child should have to put up with all this garbage? It’s all garbage. None of it has defined him as a person. None of it created his compassion or his big blue eyes or his love for family.
Or was God or any god involved at all?
If God was watching over my child, wouldn’t things have been different? Didn’t he hear all my prayers? My cries to him? My silent chats with him? I had long, constant conversations with him for years and today as I write this…well. I don’t sense that he is with my child or has heard my cries. I don’t feel his presence anymore.
Does this make me a critic? A hypocrite? If he is here with me, where is a sign? I’ve asked for a sign and my child keeps getting more health issues.
So tell me. What am I missing? Am I missing anything? Was I speaking to him wrong? Not enough? Too much?
And does publicly blogging on this topic make others feel differently about me?
The dream was to have my good genes and my husbands healthy genes pass down to our children. I figured our kids would take an occasional trip to urgent care for an ear infection, a need for stitches on an elbow, and maybe strep a few times. That’s normal for kids, right?
How about 2 rounds of stitches in 3 weeks? How about a major non-life-threatening chronic disease diagnosed every 6 months for 6 years? How about one of those being moderate asthma? How about another being a severe allergy to fish? How about autism, reflux, ADHD, sensory processing disorder, language processing disorder, alarming weight loss, strabismus surgery, more medications than any one form has space for, and a broken foot from the pool (who breaks a foot in a pool?)? Are those all normal?
Lemme tell you something. Lemme tell you a few somethings, actually. I am not an expert by any means on these ailments but I come damn close. Just one of my beautiful children has had to deal with the entire list above.
Why.
Why?
Each time my child was diagnosed with something else I grew more and more angry at God for inflicting this much on one small child. Yes, I’ll admit I have had my fair share of “Why me?” moments and frankly I’m a mother, I’m allowed a few of those. But I’m beyond that.
How did God allow my body to create such havoc in my child’s? Why does God think this little being, this blue-eyed, compassionate, forgiving, teaching child should have to put up with all this garbage? It’s all garbage. None of it has defined him as a person. None of it created his compassion or his big blue eyes or his love for family.
Or was God or any god involved at all?
If God was watching over my child, wouldn’t things have been different? Didn’t he hear all my prayers? My cries to him? My silent chats with him? I had long, constant conversations with him for years and today as I write this…well. I don’t sense that he is with my child or has heard my cries. I don’t feel his presence anymore.
Does this make me a critic? A hypocrite? If he is here with me, where is a sign? I’ve asked for a sign and my child keeps getting more health issues.
So tell me. What am I missing? Am I missing anything? Was I speaking to him wrong? Not enough? Too much?
And does publicly blogging on this topic make others feel differently about me?
Friday, September 11, 2009
Eight Years Later
On the infamous morning eight years ago today, I was slowly waking up looking forward to another beautiful fall day with my newborn son. He was 3 weeks old, already had big, beautiful, strikingly blue eyes ready to melt me upon entering his room. The house was quiet although I could hear birds outside and life was content.
Life in Suburb, Midwest, was carrying on. Then my husband called and said to turn on the tv. Didn’t matter what channel, just turn it on. It took me several minutes to register what I was actually watching.
Among thoughts of rage and not understanding who could possibly be angry enough to kill so many so violently, my early thoughts went immediately to children and babies who had moms and dads in those planes and buildings. There I sat with my newborn tightly in my arms, tears streaming down my face wishing time could go in reverse.
My bundle of innocence and beauty wasn’t old enough to remember what happened that day. He wasn’t old enough to understand what life was like before the threat of terrorism was everywhere, what it meant by having our country under orange alert and not knowing if we should fear it, and not having Bin Laden become the ultimate game of hide and seek.
On this day eight years after the devastating change our country experienced, I remember those who gave their lives to helping save victims. I remember those who tried to escape and couldn’t. I remember those who did escape and now have nightmares. I remember children who lost a parent. I reflect on what it means to be proud of my country.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Gluten-Free and Loving It
So here’s the thing: I’ve never claimed to be an expert at anything. Many days I’ve wished I could be a subject matter expert (SME—that sounds so professional, doesn’t it?) but it’s taking too long to find the subject.
I do know I’m good at being an advocate for my kids. When I get all the moons aligned and all the experiments over and all the diagnoses nailed, I will call myself an SME at MOK (My Own Kid). Until then, take this as my disclaimer that I am not going to cure you with this blog post or any of my blog postings for that matter. I’ll give you some really cool resources I’ve found, but don’t consider me an SME of you. K?
My little intro is this. My son and I started our GF diet in March of 2009. We went at it slowly and followed this excellent plan of attack found at TACA. If you’re new to a GF diet, or any special dietary restriction, don’t go cold turkey. Grandma went cold turkey off the heaters, but you should not try that. Grandma’s been through a lot. She’s a tough old bird (please oh please don’t tell her I called her old).
I’ve read it takes a long time to completely rid your body of gluten, especially if you have a gluten intolerance or celiac disease. If your body doesn’t like it, it has a harder time getting rid of it. If you have celiac disease the tiny little hairs on your colon are smashed and can’t absorb the nutrients from foods you eat and become coated with that gluten. That said, don’t expect overnight changes with this diet.
Always watching what we spend, my goal has always been to find foods that are “mainstream” foods that we can continue to eat without spending a fortune on special food. Here are some links to sites or statements I have that are for mainstream foods (aka Baked Lays potato chips are GF and anyone can buy them anywhere).
This is by far the most comprehensive list I’ve found of mainstream foods that are GF. Start here!
Hunts brand
Nestle candies
General list of candy
Another good list...
Hormel brand
Chex cereals
Restaurant lists
Biaggis has been incredible and their GF pizza is awesome.
Other cool blogs that have details and tips and tricks on GF :
http://moreglutenfreeoptions.blogspot.com/
http://newfaceofautism.blogspot.com/
http://killthegluten.blogspot.com/
http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/ (She also has amazing photos on her site)
Watch out! Hidden sources of gluten
Our pediatrician recommended this book for finding mainstream foods. He’s got a son with celiac so I believe him.
Very cool grocery store in Woodbury, MN.
Very good supply of GF and organic foods.
The pretzels my son inhales as if the world will run out of them if he stopped eating, by Glutino.
The crackers I cannot put down until I eat the whole box, by Blue Diamond.
Do you have some resources to share? Let’s post them here.
I do know I’m good at being an advocate for my kids. When I get all the moons aligned and all the experiments over and all the diagnoses nailed, I will call myself an SME at MOK (My Own Kid). Until then, take this as my disclaimer that I am not going to cure you with this blog post or any of my blog postings for that matter. I’ll give you some really cool resources I’ve found, but don’t consider me an SME of you. K?
My little intro is this. My son and I started our GF diet in March of 2009. We went at it slowly and followed this excellent plan of attack found at TACA. If you’re new to a GF diet, or any special dietary restriction, don’t go cold turkey. Grandma went cold turkey off the heaters, but you should not try that. Grandma’s been through a lot. She’s a tough old bird (please oh please don’t tell her I called her old).
I’ve read it takes a long time to completely rid your body of gluten, especially if you have a gluten intolerance or celiac disease. If your body doesn’t like it, it has a harder time getting rid of it. If you have celiac disease the tiny little hairs on your colon are smashed and can’t absorb the nutrients from foods you eat and become coated with that gluten. That said, don’t expect overnight changes with this diet.
Always watching what we spend, my goal has always been to find foods that are “mainstream” foods that we can continue to eat without spending a fortune on special food. Here are some links to sites or statements I have that are for mainstream foods (aka Baked Lays potato chips are GF and anyone can buy them anywhere).
This is by far the most comprehensive list I’ve found of mainstream foods that are GF. Start here!
Hunts brand
Nestle candies
General list of candy
Another good list...
Hormel brand
Chex cereals
Restaurant lists
Biaggis has been incredible and their GF pizza is awesome.
Other cool blogs that have details and tips and tricks on GF :
http://moreglutenfreeoptions.blogspot.com/
http://newfaceofautism.blogspot.com/
http://killthegluten.blogspot.com/
http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/ (She also has amazing photos on her site)
Watch out! Hidden sources of gluten
Our pediatrician recommended this book for finding mainstream foods. He’s got a son with celiac so I believe him.
Very cool grocery store in Woodbury, MN.
Very good supply of GF and organic foods.
The pretzels my son inhales as if the world will run out of them if he stopped eating, by Glutino.
The crackers I cannot put down until I eat the whole box, by Blue Diamond.
Do you have some resources to share? Let’s post them here.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Mom's Health Comes Last
I've fought plantar fasciitis for almost three years already. Many times in the last 34 months I have considered how to clean up after me taking a hack saw to my ankles to get rid of the pain in my feet. Really, at certain times I've convinced myself the pain of whacking off both feet would be less than continuous, 24-hour pain.
Okay, to give myself some credit, I have been to foot doctors. I've been to three in fact. First foot doc I saw took x-rays, told me I didn't have bunions, then took a 3-week vacation before he told me what I can do to help my pain. NEXT.
Next foot doctor said he had no clue what was going on, recognized I had pain, then sent me to a neurologist to zap my legs because of a suspected nerve issue. The neurologist, while most likely utterly confused and deeply amused at his new calling, zapped both legs from knee down (a most unpleasant and annoying process I may add), and declared plantar fasciitis. NEXT.
So here's where that whole "mommy's issues get pushed to the back burner" thing comes up. I have a title to my ailment, two foot doctors and a neurologist who really don't want to see me again, and a deep frustration inside me that said, 'forget it. On with life. I don't have time for this.'
I have 2 young kids. One has special needs that has brought hours and hours of research, doctor visits, experiments with diet, medications, and therapies. One has an attitude. I love my kids and will do absolutely anything to get them what they need. Unfortunately, those needs and tests and doctors and research always took away any free time I had to find a new foot doctor. Oh well. I chose this. Deal with it...
Two years later, I had to stop all physical activity. Buying groceries for the week puts me on my rear for the rest of the evening since my feet hurt so bad I couldn't fathom the idea of walking anymore. I was a college athlete, a good one in fact. Me stop being active? My coaches wouldn't believe it if they saw me now.
A close coworker of mine always has beautiful words of wisdom and doesn't beat around the bush when we talk. She is genuine, sees beauty in everything, and has an outlook on life that wakes me up and makes me want to be better each and every day. She keeps telling me I can't put my health issues on the back burner for my kids, otherwise my health issues will take me away from being able to be there for my kids.
Why didn't I listen to her?
Today I'm contemplating when I should call my newest (and sympathetic and responsive and aggressive) foot doctor to schedule surgery. I let it go long enough that now he's gotta hack up my feet.
If you're reading this and wondering how a person gets plantar fasciitis, two words. Listen carefully. Are you paying attention? BAD SHOES. That's all it took for me. Day after day of wearing dress shoes that had no support. If there is anything you should take the time to research and spend a little more money on, it's your feet. When your feet hurt, your life hurts. Do yourself a favor and find good shoes.
These are the brands I've been told are good for plantar fasciitis:
NAOT
Birkenstock
Dansko
Hafflinger
Think!
Keen
My guess is my foot doc's hack saw will be a little more sanitary. I'll give him that benefit of the doubt.
Okay, to give myself some credit, I have been to foot doctors. I've been to three in fact. First foot doc I saw took x-rays, told me I didn't have bunions, then took a 3-week vacation before he told me what I can do to help my pain. NEXT.
Next foot doctor said he had no clue what was going on, recognized I had pain, then sent me to a neurologist to zap my legs because of a suspected nerve issue. The neurologist, while most likely utterly confused and deeply amused at his new calling, zapped both legs from knee down (a most unpleasant and annoying process I may add), and declared plantar fasciitis. NEXT.
So here's where that whole "mommy's issues get pushed to the back burner" thing comes up. I have a title to my ailment, two foot doctors and a neurologist who really don't want to see me again, and a deep frustration inside me that said, 'forget it. On with life. I don't have time for this.'
I have 2 young kids. One has special needs that has brought hours and hours of research, doctor visits, experiments with diet, medications, and therapies. One has an attitude. I love my kids and will do absolutely anything to get them what they need. Unfortunately, those needs and tests and doctors and research always took away any free time I had to find a new foot doctor. Oh well. I chose this. Deal with it...
Two years later, I had to stop all physical activity. Buying groceries for the week puts me on my rear for the rest of the evening since my feet hurt so bad I couldn't fathom the idea of walking anymore. I was a college athlete, a good one in fact. Me stop being active? My coaches wouldn't believe it if they saw me now.
A close coworker of mine always has beautiful words of wisdom and doesn't beat around the bush when we talk. She is genuine, sees beauty in everything, and has an outlook on life that wakes me up and makes me want to be better each and every day. She keeps telling me I can't put my health issues on the back burner for my kids, otherwise my health issues will take me away from being able to be there for my kids.
Why didn't I listen to her?
Today I'm contemplating when I should call my newest (and sympathetic and responsive and aggressive) foot doctor to schedule surgery. I let it go long enough that now he's gotta hack up my feet.
If you're reading this and wondering how a person gets plantar fasciitis, two words. Listen carefully. Are you paying attention? BAD SHOES. That's all it took for me. Day after day of wearing dress shoes that had no support. If there is anything you should take the time to research and spend a little more money on, it's your feet. When your feet hurt, your life hurts. Do yourself a favor and find good shoes.
These are the brands I've been told are good for plantar fasciitis:
NAOT
Birkenstock
Dansko
Hafflinger
Think!
Keen
My guess is my foot doc's hack saw will be a little more sanitary. I'll give him that benefit of the doubt.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Just Me, JKT ~ Entry One
I started this blog to gain some followers, to express myself somewhere, to share opinions with folks interested in the same things I am, and to just generally create more things for me to keep up on.
Who knows...where will this go? Hopefully somewhere. I hope I can come up with content suitable for readers to want to come back to my blog and read about me and my thoughts.
What will I write about?
autism and how it affects me and my emotions
being a mom
being a wife
being a friend
being a relative
working vs. not working
winning the lottery
gardening
crafting
art
motion
lack of motion
...just to start.
Who knows...where will this go? Hopefully somewhere. I hope I can come up with content suitable for readers to want to come back to my blog and read about me and my thoughts.
What will I write about?
autism and how it affects me and my emotions
being a mom
being a wife
being a friend
being a relative
working vs. not working
winning the lottery
gardening
crafting
art
motion
lack of motion
...just to start.
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