Today's lunch (after a 35 minute run on the Katy Trail):

Left over Mi Cocina quesadillas and 100 calorie chocolate cookie pack.

Dinner at Taverna: Taverna Focaccia, 1 slice; 1/2 order of Scottish Salmon, scalloped potatoes, sauteed asparagus, risotto con capesante e pesto; mini chocolate Pink Berry with low fat granola

Heading down to the Katy Trail for a nice afternoon run after listening to last week's sermon at the Village Church. Great message...click to listen: Slowing the pendulum swing

Hope everyone has a great day!

Phase I complete

Though I've consulted people that say it can take up to 90 days to get gluten out of your system, I am confident that my foray into a gluten-free existence was significant enough to see the benefits of a gluten-less life. Today, after 4 weeks, I am entering phase II of the great gluten experiment, hehe! ;) I just ate gluten-free waffles for breakfast, oops...it's all I had in my freezer. But for the rest of the day I'm going to get it big like Dorrough music ;)

Cheers!

Here's to a good time

Thursday, August 12

My boyfriend and I wanted to check out Neighborhood Services at their newest location on Preston and Royal. We have been to the Neighborhood Services Tavern on Henderson so knew we were in for a treat on Royal. However, we had no idea we would be waiting for an hour before we got our table. So, like everyone else waiting, we grabbed a spot at the bar and ordered an appetizer - corn chips and spinach dip. (Thankfully I am allowed to eat corn chips during my gluten-free adventure!) After finally being seated I ordered the halibut and spinach while my boyfriend ordered the burger (he was starving after a night of pickup basketball). My meal was fabulous! And my boyfriend devoured his burger, haha!

It's a good place for dinner; the food is great and we've always enjoyed the service. Portions are a bit small, but I, being calorie conscious, kind of like that ;) Our wait was a bit annoying, so when planning your evening, consider arriving early.

Here's to a good time!

Don't miss this weekend's event at White Rock Local Market, 702 N. Buckner Blvd., from 8:00-1:00. You'll be surrounded by local friends selling fresh produce, meats, dairy, bread and even art, pottery, clothes and much more! As mentioned in my recent blog, Wholesome Foods Bakery will be there providing gluten-free goodies! Count me in ;)

Click here for more details!

Week 1 complete

I did it! I completed my first week of eating gluten-free! (I did have communion (bread and juice) today at church; but that's ok, Christ suffered for me) :) My diet was definitely different and a bit difficult, but I've always been up for a good challenge.

To the right is a picture of some products I bought from Whole Foods Market. And yes, those are cookies, BUT only 50 calories per serving, woo! There's a box of cheddar flavored crackers, peanut butter ball cereal, cranberry and almond granola, and a protein bar. All products are gluten-free. Thanks Jo-Ann for your recommendations! So far, I'm mouth ulcer free and no dull stomach ache (that I usually get)!

After discussing my plan of going gluten-free for 4 weeks with Meridan, a nutritionist at Cooper, she informed me that after the fourth week, I need to bring back gluten "with a bang". So 3 weeks from today I'll consume breads and bagels, 100 calorie cookie packs, reduced fat Cheez-its, whole wheat waffles...and anything else with gluten I can find. If I can consume products with gluten without getting a stomach ache, without getting a mouth ulcer and without my shoulder flaring up, then I assume I am NOT gluten sensitive. Whew! However, if I do suffer from these issues after reintroducing gluten into my diet, then I just might be gluten sensitive!

What a fun experiment haha!

Going Gluten-free!

Going "gluten-free" has just recently become quite popular. A gluten-free diet avoids all foods containing wheat, rye, barley and oats. Celiac Disease is a digestive condition triggered by the consumption of gluten. Gluten causes an immune reaction in the small intestine, thus causing damage to the surface of the small intestine and an inability to absorb certain nutrients. Thankfully, they now have gluten-free breads, cereals, waffles...etc. I've been doing some research of going "gluten-free" and decided I want to try it out for 4-6 weeks. I went to Whole Foods this afternoon and bought gluten-free bread, cereal, waffles and a variety of fruits. (Fruits and veggies are naturally gluten-free.) Though I do not think I have Celiac Disease, I feel that cutting gluten out of my diet may have some positive effects on my body. Here's what I hope to accomplish from this diet:

-Relieve symptoms of Gluten Intolerance

*even though I may not suffer from Celiac Disease, I may be intolerant to gluten, which is "Non- Celiac Gluten Sensitivity". If I am sensitive to gluten, I may have found the causeof my reoccurring mouth ulcers. I started getting mouth ulcers when I was a little girl and have just recently kept their reoccurrence under control by adding probiotic juice shots into my diet (I will blog about those soon) and by changing toothpaste. However I still get a monster of an ulcer occasionally. So, if cutting gluten will also help in preventing these awful ulcers, I'm game!

-Reduce inflammation

*gluten is an inflammatory and inflammation has been linked to chronic illnesses and pain syndromes. Inflammation due to gluten may be found in your organs or any cell in your body. I was diagnosed with Impingement Syndrome and Myofascial Pain Syndrome last summer. Maybe my consumption of gluten is linked to my chronic aches and pains!

This is an article shared by my client Jo-Ann:

"Mother and daughter Anne Hoyt and Taylor Nicholson are living their dream.

They ditched their jobs last year to open Wholesome Foods Bakery, a gluten-free organic bakery in Lake Highlands.

They sublet a space Tuesdays and two Fridays a month and opened for business in March. They've had their hands full ever since with advance orders and walk-in sales."

Click here to read more from this article published by dallasnews.com:

Mom and daughter creating gluten-free foods