Going Gluten Free

Some people think of gluten free as a fad. I say it is and it isn't. If you are wanting to go gluten free for the wrong reasons, it really won't work, especially long term. If you are going gluten free because you have found it will help your quality of life, and you are determined  to make it part of your lifestyle, then it is more likely to work.

I learned a lot about how difficult it can be by observing how the last place I worked at went about the process of feeding the kids on gluten free diets. They felt it was important to buy all the expensive processed gluten free food. Then they were upset that they spent so much money and the kids threw it away. Of course they did, it tastes horrible and has weird textures.

My personal spin on it is to not try to replace what I was familiar with with imitations. I look at it as a way to explore other cultures and try new fresh foods. I have not found a replacement for fresh hot bread. Face it and accept it that there just really is not a comparable replacement and move on. Find new things, new ways of eating and explore. 

It really does help when the whole family gets on board. If that is not possible, it is important to compromise. If it really makes a difference to them that you occasionally make their favorite cookie or bread or other gluten containing treat, then do it. In my home I have found that food is extremely emotionally charged. It almost counts as a way to show love, a love language. I have also found that over time, new tastes and foods can gradually become acceptable. 

You know, if there ever was a time to go gluten free, now is it. If you want to go with the gluten-free substitutes, they are everywhere. Foods are labeled, there are tons of resources for ideas. It doesn't have to be hard, boring or taste bad. Just be open to new things and be patient with yourself, because there is a definite learning curve.

If you are doing this for health reasons, just jump in and be patient with those who aren't ready to jump. Try new foods, flavors. Keep it fresh. There is an amazing world of food out there that we have no idea it even exists. Focus on what you can have and not what you can't. After all, you can have it, but there is a cost. Is it worth the price?

What is the deal with food?

This is really a complicated question that experts have written numerous books on. While there are some variations, in general they have the most important concepts in common. Underlying it all is the concept that people with autoimmune issues have (at the very least) sensitivities to food. There is more to autoimmune, but that is an important place to start. If you eat the wrong foods, you will have a reaction.
So what does a person do?
If we all had time, money and energy to burn, it would be a piece of cake We could hire an expert to tell us what to do, prepare and cook our meals so we didn't even have to think about it. However, chances are that there is a deficit of at least one of those 3 things which might have contributed to how we got in this position. Besides...where is the fun and learning in having it figured out and done for us?
I have done a lot of experimenting. Some things work for me and some things don't. I find that I have lots of ups and downs when it comes to my autoimmune situation. From what I have heard, that is not uncommon.
Right now I am looking into Elimination Diets specifically designed for autoimmune conditions. The idea is that the body, specifically the digestive system (commonly referred to as the Gut) needs a chance to heal. It also focuses on flooding the body with quality, essential nutrients. This helps greatly with healing.
Elimination diets remove certain types of food that tend to cause inflammation (physical stress) in people that have autoimmune. Some of these foods can be re-introduced after a period of time with no problem. Others when re-introduced you notice that you can't handle. It is very personal.
The elimination period lasts commonly from 30-60 days. However, the goal is to prepare you to make permanent lifestyle changes. With autoimmune, effective lifestyle changes need to be permanent.
Common foods that are eliminated will include gluten containing products, dairy, processed foods, certain sweeteners and certain kinds of vegetables. Some plans eliminate more things, others less.
Right now I am studying Sarah Ballantyne's approach. She has 2 excellent books and a great website, both of which I have included on this blog.
I am at a point where I need to bring myself back and reset my eating approach! Anyone with me?

A Fresh Start-Introductions

Here I am writing in a brand new blog for my brand new business. I am so excited about this! I look forward to what this blog is going to hold, the information, the insights, the stories.
Let me introduce myself to you:
My name is Jeanne Call. I am a woman of many interests.

I:

• Love hiking and biking outdoors
• Consider myself a distance runner on hiatus
• Am a wife and mother
• Am a nurse
• Am an advocate of healthy living
• A seeker of truth and knowledge
• Love reading
• Love feeding people yummy food
• LOVE a challenge...if it is considered difficult, you can bet I will try my hand at it!
• Love water, trees and rain (I am a transplant from the Pacific Northwest)
• Love coaching, mentoring and teaching
• Have tried my hand at many crafts and am master of none
• A music lover

So that is all fine and dandy, but why am I here? Why am I starting this blog, a coaching/mentoring/consulting business? It's a long story...I'll share a short version at this point to give you a bit of an idea.

I have worked in the field of nursing since 2003. I spent nearly 10 years working in various positions at a Residential Treatment Center for adolescents. I loved working with the kids. I learned so much about how state of mind truly affects health. 

During the time I worked at this facility, I got my Registered Nurse Licence and most recently my Bachelors degree in nursing. 

I also went on my own health journey. I was truly healthy with no concerns until the age of about 24. Then things went down hill from there. Doctors kept telling me that all my labs were normal but what I was experiencing was another story. I have been to several doctors. First came the diagnosis of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Then, I fought being pre-diabetic because I really didn't want to be diabetic. My weight was all over the scale despite my efforts to eat carefully and exercise properly. Over several years time, health providers said my thyroid was on the low end of normal, but not too concerning. Then a few years ago, a nurse practitioner tested me for thyroid antibodies, and the test came back very positive. She spent about 5 minutes giving me the diagnosis, and told me I should eliminate as much stress from my life and realize that I will probably get sick all the time. I left her office, feeling broken, in shock and like my life was pretty much over. I got home and started searching on the internet. I made a decision that I would not let this get me, and I would find a way to be healthy. I have tried many different things, studied countless of hours and am still learning. However, I am learning how my body works and the individual needs I have. I am learning to recognize what I need nutritionally, and emotionally. My life is not over. In fact, it is just beginning! This is the message I have for everyone else who leaves the doctor's office in shock. Don't give up, there is so much YOU have to give! Let's band together and strengthen each other up!

I can't wait to hear your stories, to share the things I have learned and am learning, and to work with you. 

Remember, you are awesome!

Jeanne