Happy Healthy Blogger Thursday!

I am so excited about this week’s guest blogger. She has an awesome first name, she is another Wisconsin blogger, she loves to workout, and her topic today is very near to my heart. I would like to introduce all of you to Kimberly of Sunny State of Mind.

Kimberly and I stumbled upon each other a few months ago and since then I have loved reading her adventures as a spin instructor and resident gluten-free girl. She also introduced me to the Healthy Living Blog network which has been a great way to meet more healthy bloggers.

If you haven’t checked out Sunny State of Mind, you need to get there STAT (as my graduate school roomies would say) and check her out. She is even doing a giveaway this week. How perfect is that?

As I mentioned, Kimberly’s topic today is near and dear to my heart. Manatee thinks that he has a sensitivity to gluten so Manatee and I have experimenting with a gluten-free lifestyle. We feel so much better when we abstain from bread, pasta, and rice. It’s pretty amazing and I am so excited that Kimberly decided to focus on this.

Without further adieu, heeeerreeee’s Kimberly!

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Hey Badger Girl friends!  I was so excited when Kimberly asked me to write a guest post for her blog.  Being a (converted) Wisconsin girl myself, I was pumped when I discovered Kimberly’s blog and have been an avid reader since!  We actually do not live too far from one another and are hoping to have a blogger meet up in the near future!

Gluten-Free Anniversary

Almost two years ago (3-1-2010) I made the decision to become gluten-free.  You can check out my first GF posts *here* and *here*. In these posts I discuss symptoms I was experiencing and some background information on why I decided to become gluten-free.

Although I have been very particular about what foods I eat over the past 2 years, I have still had a few accidental mix-ups that left me feeling pretty crummy.  You see, gluten is a tricky little guy.  Gluten is the protein in wheat (barley, rye, etc.) and it is in everything from soy sauce to soups and breads to pastas.  If you are not careful (or a label-reader) it is easy to have accidental mishaps.

Want more information on gluten and gluten-sensitivity? Check out this 3 part article review and the article itself to get the scoop!  *Part One* *Part Two* *Part Three* *The Article*

When I first started my gluten-free exploration, I had no idea what I was up against.  I thought, “How hard can it be?  I eat pretty healthy already and do not consume a lot of bread and pasta anyway, so this will be easy!” Oooooh, boy…

Gluten and the Grocery Store

Check Labels!  Check Labels!  Check Labels!  This was my mantra for the first 3 months.  After having some minor (unintentional) slip-ups, I knew it was time to do my homework.  I remember getting so frustrated at first because gluten reared its ugly head in a lot of my favorite foods!!  I was bummed!  Am I going to be able to do this??? No more cake?  No more beer?  No more pizza? No more pasta? If it is this hard to cook GF at home, then what am I going to do when I go out to eat or out with friends? Are people going to judge me? What if I accidentally ingest gluten when I am out with other people and feel sick and achy?  What am I going to do on vacations?  Or on trips with the military?  What am I going to eat when I go to Afghanistan??????

 

I had a million thoughts racing through my head.  I looked to other gluten-free bloggers for tips, information, support and reassurance.  I also did my own research via the internet and books (which, at some points made me feel like a hypochondriac). I began realizing that just because I do not have Celiac’s Disease, does not mean I do not have sensitivity or intolerance to gluten.  Some people, unfortunately, have a severe case of gluten intolerance known as Celiac’s Disease.  Most individuals with this disease cannot even be near certain flours, breads, pastas, pastries, or other gluten/wheat allergens without having a horrible reaction.  Although my individual case is not severe, it still needs to be treated as a serious condition and I need to be aware of everything I put in my body.

Gluten and Afghanistan

You can check out some of my desert posts *here* and *here*. I survived on a mostly egg die or oatmeal diet and some fruit, meats, veggies, and potato variety when they were not smothered in a sauce or gravy.  I was so “egged-out” by the time we left Afghanistan I could have barfed at the thought of eating another egg EVER again!

It was difficult, but not impossible.

Gluten Tips

  • Consult your doctor about your concerns with your body and do your own research!
    If you think you may have gluten intolerance or Celiac’s, get tested before you start a gluten free diet!!  I cannot stress this enough.  This is the ONLY way to yield a positive test result!  Also, consult your doctor before trying anything new or changing your eating plans.
  • ALWAYS check labels
  • Cook at home to avoid a “gluten-trap” when eating out (during the beginning stages of becoming gluten-free or until you feel confident in your meal selections)
  • Let your friends and family know about your choice to maintain a gluten-free lifestyle and ask for their support
  • Listen to your body after you eat and make a journal about how you are feeling after consuming each food – this is important during the beginning stages of going gluten-free

Gluten Now : Maintaining

I am proud to say: checking labels is second nature and not a burden, my body functions like a champ, I do not crave beer, breads, or anything that I know will destroy my insides, I still love learning about gluten and its effects on the body and mind, and I am thinking more clearly and my concentration has improved tremendously.

My “psoriasis-like” symptoms only appear after accidental gluten ingestion and I feel like my body function is “normal.”

Although I have come a long way since March 1, 2010, I am still constantly doing my own research.  I have talked to my family members to get my family medical history in order and I have been to a few doctors and specialist for testing.  You can check out more posts about my experience with tests and dealing with my gluten-free lifestyle below:

Know your family medical history

Test Prep

The frustration of accidental gluten ingestion

I hope this information was helpful and informative.  Of course, I cannot hit every point or you would be reading a novel!  For more information, comments or questions, head over to Sunny State of Mind or e-mail me at sunnystateofmind at gmail dot com.

Cheers!
Kimberly

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Wow, this is so much good information! Readers, do you have any questions for our Sunny State of Mind Gluten-Free Girl? Have any of you struggled with an intolerance? Any tips?

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