Traveling Gluten-Freee

Traveling and remaining GF is difficult. I know the tricks--even a fast food hamburger can be eaten with a knife and fork, bun-less. I don't eat fast-food salads, ever. I can either taste the chemicals they've doused over the produce, or I have a very good imagination. And, they are always wilted, not crisp or fresh. The greens are a crime.

I embrace Taco Bell, kind of. At least the corn tortillas are less harmful than bread. But, I do worry about the meat... Panera is everywhere any more. I've eaten their tuna sandwiches without bread and with a fork. In a pinch. Chipotle is my salvation. A rice bowl. Tortilla chips and guacamole.

Last week's trip to Napa I decided to indulge; experiment. I ate croissants at Thomas Keller's Bouchon Bakery several times. I researched a Thai Steak Salad endlessly, determining the noodles would be rice noodles. They weren't. I ate some pizza. I even ate a hamburger bun at In-and-Out on our last afternoon, knowing it would be the only meal I'd get that day.

I'm paying the price. Really. I've been trying to convince myself it's all my imagination, but it isn't. My legs and arms ache. My fatigue has increased. I am suffering a general over-all weakness. My sleep cycles are upside down.

I'm a born-again GF girl. 5 days sober. No cheats. This requires planning ahead; grocery shopping; baking GF. I'm doing all of these. And, I re-mourning the loss of Gluten. In my lifetime I've researched the best of everything, food-wise. I delight in a great baguette, a worthwhile muffin, the best thin-crust and deep-dish pizzas. Pasta has been a passion.

I'm a great cook and baker. But, everything I bake GF is inferior. Disappointing. I miss cooking pasta dishes. I never thought I'd say this, but I miss gravy. And, biscuits.

So, I'll focus on beautiful vegetables and fresh fruit, high-quality meats, European butters and cheeses. My taste buds will adjust. My memories will fade.

And, I still have chocolate!

Clean Living

 

Still calories that count, and a no-no if your tracking on the glycemic index. But, in a less than perfect world these treats from Costco are a viable option in my GF journey.

 

I've been serious about cutting wheat from my diet from the get-go, and into very rigorous adherence since returning from Kiawah Island and Charleston. But, a girl still needs something sweet from time-to-time.

 

Can't say I love these (the chocolate is mediocre), but I'm glad they're in my pantry.

 

At home and cooking this week--Sunday (eggs and Geechie Boy grits), Monday (cucumber-honeydew melon salad), Tuesday (oven-roasted potatoes-asparagus-tomatoes-olives), Wednesday (GF pumpkin bread and beef tacos with green rice). So, tonight CA made a Tommy's run for polish sausages with crispy fries. Tossed the bun, and didn't even miss it. Brunch had been another beef taco (leftovers from last night), so nutritionally I might have failed today except I ate tons of crunchy celerey with almond butter late afternoon. Short-changed my leafy greens today, but most days I load up.

 

Sunday

 

Monday

 

Tuesday

Wednesday

 

Tonight

 

 

Bread, My First GF

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pie Bread

 

Made this recipe from long-time fav glutenfreegoddess.com--loving her recipes long-time. Way before I even considered a gluten-free life.

 

The texture on mine is a much coarser crumb, but still mighty moist and flavor-filled. I did substitute on both the buckwheat flour and millet--almond flour and oat flour, because that's what I had on-hand. Otherwise, I stuck to Karina's recipe because I know how well-researched and tested each of her recipes is. I have great respect with her acquired knowledge and food sense.

I've had almost no bread throughtout the past 8-weeks, not really missing it which has been a shocker.

Truly, truly, truly, eliminating "wheat" changes your whole perspective on hunger and cravings. Thank you Dr. William Davis. Your Wheat Belly book and blog have revolutionized my life.

Now that my internist and I have ruled-out Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, heart disease, and Hypo-Throidism, I'm ready to research and refine my future food elimibations. Just taking away wheat has made a 25% (my estimation) improvement, which has already revolutionized my outlook. And, I expect that as my Leaky Gut heals over the six months estimated, I'll feel even better.

 

Prevailing

 

Yes, I'm continuing my wheatless (witless) journey, quite successfully and happily. A few adjustments and tastes along the way, but my dedication is unwavering. Feeling 25-30% better is remakable.

Through two road trips and last week's beach-city gourmand adventure. Grits are my friend. Geechie Boy, especially. Red meat, seafood, dark green leafy treats, and pickled beets, etc. Chocolate and cheese. I am w(h)ineless.

 

Yes, this is my breakfast today.

 

Because yesterday was a bad day. Gluten-free, but not fat-free. By a long-shot.

 

Ah-hem...

 

Started off well, stayed good. Nose-dive at dinner.

 

Dinner Menu:

Prime (read well-marbled with fat) rib steaks (from Peoria Meat Packing in Chicago)

Mirai sweet corn (buttered)

Mashed potatoes (w. butter)

 

Somehow dinner all-but kicked butt on the roast chicken, Havarti cheese (small amount), and pickled beets that comprised my first two meals of the day.

 

Repentance. Remorse. Tastes pretty good, served cold.

 

 

 

Gluten Morgen

In the face of accumulating evidence and the last vestiges of denial, I will today begin a gluten-free lifestyle.

This will be a new journey. One I approach with trepidation. I love my carbs. Breads are so beloved. Pasta is almost my favorite meal. I'm a baker of repute. I have a sweet tooth that requires high-quality ice cream and baked goods--mostly baked by me. I have an annoyingly sensitive palate. I can taste fats, and determine their quality. I easily differentiate between excellent and mediocre chocolate. I am a thoughtful shopper; willingly driving further, paying more for the best ingredients.

I fear eliminating gluten is going to radically change my culinary and gourmand life, and not for the better.

However, my quality of life has been on a downhill trajectory for some time. I believe I have an autoimmune disorder; a leaky gut. The reason I'm still in the guessing stage is that my current internist has been very off-putting in exploring my myriad of symptoms. And, I've had a major health insurance change in the near offing.

My new insurance is in place, as of August 1st, and I'm ready to find a new doctor. I just need to get through my current cataract surgeries (July 29 and August 19) before delving into the teeming pile of lousy symptoms and ailments I've accumulated in recent years.

It's a new day.