Goodbye to Gluten

        There were quite a few complaints lodged this past week by our offspring when Charles and I informed them on Monday that we would all be giving up gluten for two weeks. It seems like we keep running into people who've been helped by a gluten-free diet, so we decided to give it a whirl. We had a family over who'd recently gone gluten-free, and I was fascinated by the benefits they had experienced. One of their sons, who had been diagnosed with asthma, has seen huge improvements in his breathing. They explained to me that since gluten causes an inflammatory response (when you are sensitive or allergic) that it can tie in with things like asthma (which is basically inflammation of your breathing passageways). 

         Charles and our two oldest girls suffer from seasonal allergies, and we found quite a few people claiming that giving up gluten took care of their symptoms (here is one such article).  I doubt any of us have celiac disease, but there are a large number of people who have found they have a sensitivity to gluten versus having celiac disease. That's the category that I believe we may fall into.There is even a term for it: "non-celiac gluten sensitivity" (or NCGS for short). 

          We started this past Monday, and Charles has felt pretty great all week long. I have not. I feel terrible. My friend warned me that the first two weeks can feel like withdrawal. Yes, I believe that might be the reason for my fatigue...either withdrawal or exhaustion from looking up whether or not things are gluten-free. 

            Just as a side note, gluten-free does not equal healthy.  Mary and Half-pint discovered Cheetos are gluten-free. We also found that marshmallows, Heath bars, and Peppermint Patties are gluten-free. I'm still contending with daily requests for junk food (although I had originally envisioned the children begging for more spinach and trying more exotic things like papaya fruit).  I have been challenged to be a little more creative than my usual pizza and spaghetti menu. Below is pictured my breakfast pizza (complete with scrambled eggs for the crust, pizza sauce, sausage and pizza cheese).  This went over pretty well with the children in lieu of our usual breakfast sandwiches.  I miss bread. I miss pasta. I really miss Cheerios. We just have one more week though till we have fulfilled our original commitment. 

        If this helps my dear ones with their allergies,  it'll all be worth it. I've hated watching their exhaustion and misery (especially my hubby, who's suffered for more almost 20 years). If we see no improvement,  then at least I will have a new appreciation for others that have taken the plunge to help their families find relief. I love the new song by Steven Curtis Chapman called "Do Everything" (which has it's basis in Colossians 3:23). Even if I am looking up meals to make (and wishing to pick up some Cherrios), I need to keep in mind that God is watching and smiling as I am working for Him in the role He has called me to: a wife and a mother.

I'd love to hear what journey your on. Feel free to leave a comment below.