A Book With a Personal Touch

When we returned home from our vacation in Montana and survived the holidays and all the yummy stuff it throws in your face I started to research a Gluten and Dairy Free diet. I found a lot of great websites and blogs that provided a ton in information. However, I wanted something that I could keep with me at all times as well as something a bit more personal, so I turned to Amazon. Of course there about a billion books out there but this one caught my eye. And so far its been a great buy!


Yes, the book is by Elizabeth Hasselbeck, the queen of morning talk show controversy. I know she is reviled by many for her very outspoken and very conservative views but honestly I don't care. Politics and opinions aside, she is someone who has suffered and fought and learned how to live and love life with Celiacs Disease. While she is very honest and straight forward about what lies ahead with a G Free Diet, she also makes it very postive and not as hopeless as one might think. She also breaks down what can and cannot be consumed on a Gluten free diet with pretty detailed lists and descriptions. I have more to read but so far I love it! I recommened it to anyone who is embarking on a Gluten free diet, whether willingly or due to health reasons.

First Great Product Find...

I went out for just a moment today and in my depression about nothing to eat I found this. Its Ice Cream! I have had Soy Ice Cream before and found it to be good but I wanted to try a product made with coconut milk. Many of the Gluten Free recipes I have seen, especially baking recipes, call for the use of coconut milk in place of milk, cream and sometimes even butter. And I have to say, this one is a winner! The texture is slightly different but still tastes the same to me! I think the coconut milk keeps it nice and creamy and masks the fact that its not actual cream. Overall I think I would give this one an A-, which is pretty good if you ask me. There is light at the end of the tunnel and I can still have some of my favorite treats too!

What Am I Going to Eat?

I haven't had a lot of time today to do much of anything let alone go out and get groceries. I thought I could survive today if I didn't make it to the grocery store but that is proving to be a problem. Because we were gone most of my produce is spoiled and lets face it, most products contain Gluten or Dairy or both. You would be amazed, but even lunch meant is off limits depending on how its made. Most use a filler that contains some form of gluten. Until I can make it to the store, what will I eat? So far its been Veggie sticks, an apple, water and some carrots. I see crankiness and hunger in my future. I cannot wait to get to the store and find something I can eat!

New Year, New Beginnings and A New Lifestyle Change

A belated Happy New Year to everyone! The holidays have passed, a new year has begun and I see a lot of changes in my future. The last month and a half was busy, very busy. At first I didn't think I would have time for myself but then I realized that I needed to make time. I think it was well worth my time.

After having both girls I noticed some changes, some big ones. Despite losing weight during pregnancy and being at least 40 pounds lighter then I was when I first discovered I was pregnant after giving birth, I would gain it all back. Fast. I had trouble nursing the girls as well. After my first was born, I started having attacks involving my stomach that caused excruciating pain through my stomach and back. On one occasion it was so bad it landed me in the emergency room and had me leaving on pain medication and only one answer, its not your gallbladder but we don't know whats wrong. It may just be bad gas pains. These attacks have occurred off and on since, occurring several times during my pregnancy with my second child with a new symptom, vomiting.

A few months after my second child was born I started having major issues with my skin. Acne, bumps that would not go away, redness and more. I tried everything that I could to get rid of it but it just persisted and became worse. I went from beautiful clear skin that allowed me to leave the house without makeup on and not feel insecure to needing to cover up all of the time. Between my weight gain and my horrible skin, my self confidence was almost nonexistent.

Finally in December I decided to take control of things. I went to the dermatologist to figure out what was wrong with my skin. My dermatologist is amazing and I learned a lot at my appointment. She looked at my skin but then asked me about my digestive health. I told her about all of my issues and how they have gotten worse over the years. From there she explained a few things and what I should consider doing.

To start, I was diagnosed with Rosacea, which is what I thought it was. My dermatologist is very much in line with taking natural solutions and trying them before using major medications as treatment. Based on my information regarding my digestive health she told me that I should cut Gluten and Dairy out of my diet. My issues with Rosacea could stem from Gluten and Dairy sensitivities that effect my stomach which in turn effects other aspects of my health, like my skin.

Armed with information and the thought that this could help more then just my skin, I begin a Gluten and Dairy Free diet tomorrow. I had hoped to start the day she told me but I knew it would be difficult to begin something this intensive on a road trip. I feel lucky that there is a lot more availble today for those people who need a Gluten Free diet then there was five years ago. I have found several blogs (which I have attached to mine) that give a lot of information and some great recipes as well. Its going to be a hard road but one that hopefully has a lot to feel good about at the end of it. So here is to Gluten Free and the hope that I do not harm anyone in the first few weeks of this change! And once again, thank you to all of those who have been there to support me. You mean the world to me.

A Few Surprizes ...

Alright, so this morning began the Fight the Fluff recharge. I woke up, did my usual things and then stepped on the scale. And the result... I did not lose and I did gain but only half a pound. For me that is a shock. I honestly felt as though I had gained back most of what I had lost based on how I felt, so this is a positive step in the right direction. But like I said, the loss count will begin here, so I am now at 0 loss again. Its ok, I know in my mind where I was and where I am at now. Now its off to get the girls an early lunch and head out to do some grocery shopping!

Off the Band Wagon... and Back on Again.

So over the last month and especially over the Thanksgiving Holiday, I fell off of the band wagon. Hard. But I will not give excuses or try and explain it all away. Nor will I sulk and give up. Tomorrow morning I will face the music and step on that scale again. If I have gained or stayed at the weight of the last weigh in, I will start the count over. However, if I have lost (which is highly unlikely) I will continue the weigh in process and add the loss to what I have previously posted.

In this recharge of the Fight of the Fluff there will be a few changes...

1. Weigh In - I will do a weigh in once a week. While I felt that doing a weigh in once a week might hinder my ability to lose, I think I used that as an excuse and a crutch instead of something positive. So now I will answer to the scale once a week and I really cant slack off.
2. Prioritize - This week I spent a lot of time getting a number of things done around the house and prioritizing what needs to get finished. I feel like I always failed because I never had enough time for me. I was always trying to clean or cook or keep up with the girls and when I got overwhelmed I would skip out on my obligations to myself. Never good. This time I have caught up, set priorities and will allow myself to have some time for me as well as time to work on projects that aren't the usual daily things. Knowing this makes me a happier and more driven person, which I am sure will help in the long run.
3. Blog - Keeping up with the blog... plain and simple. I wont allow myself to fall behind or keep from posting because its something I have a hard time sharing. The whole point is to share my thoughts and feelings as well as my successes and setbacks along this journey with those people I know well and have been my constant cheerleaders as well as a few strangers who might find something I have to say inspirational or just helpful.

As I have said before, this is going to be one heck of ride but I cant wait get moving again. Thanks again to all of you out there who have been so helpful and supportive. It means the world to me... and more.

Struggle #1

In this effort so far to fight the fluff, I have discovered something I struggle with. Consistency. Finding a pattern and thought process and sticking with it has been hard. One issue is the fact that I forget to eat. Yes, I forget to eat and by the time I remember to do so I am starving so I eat too fast and too much. Its horrible for the metabolism and I know its not helping me at all with the battle. The other is consistency with working out. When I started this, I was great at it! Walked at least 3 times a week if not more and did Pilates/Yoga at home as well. That has changed and I cant figure out why. I am still very motivated to lose but I am struggling with the challenges that life throws in front of my best laid plans. This week was illness. I think I need to figure out the best way to deal with the challenges that seem to keep being thrown in front of me.

As for the actual weight loss, I think I will need a reboot. Being scared of what this lack of consistency may have done to my actual weight loss, I havent stepped on the scale in weeks. Monday morning I will step back on and reboot this entire effort. I think I know where my issues are in the process and I just need a bit of time to correct them. Hopefully that can be done over the next few days! I guess we will find out, wont we?

Onward and downward (in the weight that is)!