Introduction; new member and feeling overwhelmed

[Guest guest]

Howdy.

I'm Michelle from Miami and have recently addressed a 'challenge' that

I've been ignoring for quite a while (too long) only to find that I'm

now in a pickle. The tests are still coming in but I've been told

very firmly that I am going to have to change my lifestyle staring w/

a gluten free diet as soon as possible.

 

I'm sure you've had MANY new members say this (I haven't scoured the

archived posts) but this is DEPRESSING news to me. I'm a chunky

country girl who loves my homemade biscuits and lots of butter and

the thought of also having to give up dairy makes me wonder if it's

possible. I know most of you are saying it's not really a choice and

I know that to be true, just venting. As I read the 'not approved

list', it's like a you can no longer enjoy eating sentence; the

majority of them are my 'staples!'.

 

So.. I trust in the fact that the longer I read your posts and learn

from you, I will come into my new life. It is good that I am making

the decision to do this as a FAMILY lifestyle so that I can possibly

stick with it. My husband has severe asthma and I've read that

glutens are not asthma friendly.. so I pray we (all) will benefit from

Mom's temporary displeasure w/ change in lifestyle and we end up

healthier.

 

Thank you all in advance and .. whew.. here's to 2009 and new starts..

boy oh boy. (God forbid I lose my excess 100 pounds, smirk).

 

Michelle

Miami, FL

[Guest guest]

Hi Michelle

Good on you for the wonderful change you're planning for yourself and

your family. You're right that it won't always be easy - but I think

that once you get started your tastes will change and every day won't

be a struggle - especially once you start to see and feel the health

benefits.

I do remember how hard it was for me to see dairy products as non-

essential and in fact harmful to health - but I've lived very happily

without them for 4.5 years now so I know it can be done!!

I would highly recommend you check out www.compassionatecooks.com. She

has a wonderful podcast full of info and inspiration for healthy vegan

eating, so if you can listen while you're driving or walking or doing

the housework, I think it'll really help your determination to make

these great changes.

Best wishes for a health-filled 2009!

alice (in Auckland, NZ - but my husband is originally from Miami Beach!)

 

On 04/01/2009, at 10:39 AM, miaminewbies wrote:

 

> Howdy.

> I'm Michelle from Miami and have recently addressed a 'challenge' that

> I've been ignoring for quite a while (too long) only to find that I'm

> now in a pickle. The tests are still coming in but I've been told

> very firmly that I am going to have to change my lifestyle staring w/

> a gluten free diet as soon as possible.

>

> I'm sure you've had MANY new members say this (I haven't scoured the

> archived posts) but this is DEPRESSING news to me. I'm a chunky

> country girl who loves my homemade biscuits and lots of butter and

> the thought of also having to give up dairy makes me wonder if it's

> possible. I know most of you are saying it's not really a choice and

> I know that to be true, just venting. As I read the 'not approved

> list', it's like a you can no longer enjoy eating sentence; the

> majority of them are my 'staples!'.

>

> So.. I trust in the fact that the longer I read your posts and learn

> from you, I will come into my new life. It is good that I am making

> the decision to do this as a FAMILY lifestyle so that I can possibly

> stick with it. My husband has severe asthma and I've read that

> glutens are not asthma friendly.. so I pray we (all) will benefit from

> Mom's temporary displeasure w/ change in lifestyle and we end up

> healthier.

>

> Thank you all in advance and .. whew.. here's to 2009 and new starts..

> boy oh boy. (God forbid I lose my excess 100 pounds, smirk).

>

> Michelle

> Miami, FL

>

>

>

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Hi Michelle and welcome,

 

Yes, it may seem daunting at first and it may seem that you are losing

all your favourite foods, but it will also open up a whole new range

of foods. Before you know it you won't miss all your old favourites,

well, at least most of the time and many of them can be replaced

with gluten free versions. If you have a look through the recipe files

you will see thousands of recipes for all types of food. Some of them

will taste different to the dairy and gluten filled versions, but are

often healthier and taste great too.

 

If you have nay questions at all, please feel free to ask. There are

may very knowledgeable members here very willing to help.

 

Kim

 

 

, " miaminewbies "

<mballinger wrote:

>

> Howdy.

> I'm Michelle from Miami and have recently addressed a 'challenge' that

> I've been ignoring for quite a while (too long) only to find that I'm

> now in a pickle. The tests are still coming in but I've been told

> very firmly that I am going to have to change my lifestyle staring w/

> a gluten free diet as soon as possible.

>

> I'm sure you've had MANY new members say this (I haven't scoured the

> archived posts) but this is DEPRESSING news to me. I'm a chunky

> country girl who loves my homemade biscuits and lots of butter and

> the thought of also having to give up dairy makes me wonder if it's

> possible. I know most of you are saying it's not really a choice and

> I know that to be true, just venting. As I read the 'not approved

> list', it's like a you can no longer enjoy eating sentence; the

> majority of them are my 'staples!'.

>

> So.. I trust in the fact that the longer I read your posts and learn

> from you, I will come into my new life. It is good that I am making

> the decision to do this as a FAMILY lifestyle so that I can possibly

> stick with it. My husband has severe asthma and I've read that

> glutens are not asthma friendly.. so I pray we (all) will benefit from

> Mom's temporary displeasure w/ change in lifestyle and we end up

> healthier.

>

> Thank you all in advance and .. whew.. here's to 2009 and new starts..

> boy oh boy. (God forbid I lose my excess 100 pounds, smirk).

>

> Michelle

> Miami, FL

>

[Guest guest]

Michelle, you have a great attitude! Its very wise to admit to the feelings of

loss and engage in mourning. When you are ready, the door naturally opens to

welcome the joys (often amazing and surprising) and benefits of your new

lifestyle.

 

I'm so glad you hubby is on-board. That helps me a LOT too. ... and yes, I

think your sweetie will begin to enjoy relief from asthma quite soon after

eliminating dairy and gluten! Please keep in touch and let us know how it goes,

for both of you!

 

Welcome to the growing club of people who are aware of the connection between

diet and health! :-)

 

Deborah, on the (currently) very snowy west coast of Canada.

 

 

 

Howdy.

I'm Michelle from Miami and have recently addressed a 'challenge' that

I've been ignoring for quite a while (too long) only to find that I'm

now in a pickle. The tests are still coming in but I've been told

very firmly that I am going to have to change my lifestyle staring w/

a gluten free diet as soon as possible.

 

I'm sure you've had MANY new members say this (I haven't scoured the

archived posts) but this is DEPRESSING news to me. I'm a chunky

country girl who loves my homemade biscuits and lots of butter and

the thought of also having to give up dairy makes me wonder if it's

possible. I know most of you are saying it's not really a choice and

I know that to be true, just venting. As I read the 'not approved

list', it's like a you can no longer enjoy eating sentence; the

majority of them are my 'staples!'.

 

So.. I trust in the fact that the longer I read your posts and learn

from you, I will come into my new life. It is good that I am making

the decision to do this as a FAMILY lifestyle so that I can possibly

stick with it. My husband has severe asthma and I've read that

glutens are not asthma friendly.. so I pray we (all) will benefit from

Mom's temporary displeasure w/ change in lifestyle and we end up

healthier.

 

Thank you all in advance and .. whew.. here's to 2009 and new starts..

boy oh boy. (God forbid I lose my excess 100 pounds, smirk).

 

Michelle

Miami, FL

.

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

I know exactly how you feel! It is very depressing and overwhelming at

first, mainly because we don't know what options are available or how to

even start! Doctors tell you to go on a special diet and give you a list of

off limit foods, but what are the allowed foods? Which ones taste like the

real thing and which ones are a waste of money? Your left hanging with a

diagnosis and no clue where to start!

I have always had digestive problems and everything made me sick! I was

afraid to eat before I went gluten free, but when I was starting the diet I

felt very heart broken about giving up a few foods I really enjoyed. Since

then, I feel healthier, I eat more, and the foods I've discovered on this

journey are truly exquisite! Every so often I have a craving for something,

but I have found products or recipes to satisfy mostly all of them!

 

Butter... Earth Balance (I like the whipped style, and I don't miss real

butter at all!) Smart Balance is good but

check the label as some versions have dairy.

Cheese...Follow Your Heart and Teese are great as is Road's End Chreese

sauce. Soymage Vegan

Parmesan is really good too!

Bread...Schar is by far the best I've ever had! I also like Bob's Red Mill

raisin bread mix.

Pizza crust...Gluten Free Naturals is the best mix. Dad's is the best

premade crust.

Cookies... Enjoy life, mi-del and glutino(also makes good pretzels! I think

the sticks are better.)

Salad dressing... Nasoya have a veggie dressing that is as close as you can

get to real ranch!

Pasta...There are many but I think Ancient Harvest Quinoa Pasta and Mrs.

Leeper's are the best!

 

I have not found a biscuit that I'm happy with yet. Some Schar buns warmed

with some " butter " is as close as I've gotten to satisfying the biscuit

craving! This is a great group for getting ideas and venting and just having

someone to lean on who understands the challenges your going through. If

there are any specific foods your craving or looking for just ask. Someone

here probably knows a recipe or product source.

 

Good luck finding your biscuits!

 

 

On Sat, Jan 3, 2009 at 4:39 PM, miaminewbies <mballingerwrote:

 

> Howdy.

> I'm Michelle from Miami and have recently addressed a 'challenge' that

> I've been ignoring for quite a while (too long) only to find that I'm

> now in a pickle. The tests are still coming in but I've been told

> very firmly that I am going to have to change my lifestyle staring w/

> a gluten free diet as soon as possible.

>

> I'm sure you've had MANY new members say this (I haven't scoured the

> archived posts) but this is DEPRESSING news to me. I'm a chunky

> country girl who loves my homemade biscuits and lots of butter and

> the thought of also having to give up dairy makes me wonder if it's

> possible. I know most of you are saying it's not really a choice and

> I know that to be true, just venting. As I read the 'not approved

> list', it's like a you can no longer enjoy eating sentence; the

> majority of them are my 'staples!'.

>

> So.. I trust in the fact that the longer I read your posts and learn

> from you, I will come into my new life. It is good that I am making

> the decision to do this as a FAMILY lifestyle so that I can possibly

> stick with it. My husband has severe asthma and I've read that

> glutens are not asthma friendly.. so I pray we (all) will benefit from

> Mom's temporary displeasure w/ change in lifestyle and we end up

> healthier.

>

> Thank you all in advance and .. whew.. here's to 2009 and new starts..

> boy oh boy. (God forbid I lose my excess 100 pounds, smirk).

>

> Michelle

> Miami, FL

>

>

>

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

But where are you finding these GFCF cheeses? I am in Indiana and haven't found

them yet!

 

Karen

 

 

Jae Jones

Saturday, January 03, 2009 11:54 PM

 

Re: Introduction; new member and feeling

overwhelmed

Cheese...Follow Your Heart and Teese are great as is Road's End Chreese

sauce. Soymage Vegan

Parmesan is really good too!

[Guest guest]

You might try " follow Your heart Vegan Gourmet Cheese Alternative " . I get it at

HyVee grocery store in the health Market aisle. it is GFCF. It even melts!

 

Danielle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

________________________________

Karen Fielder <karenandbrandon

 

Saturday, January 3, 2009 11:29:53 PM

Re: Introduction; new member and feeling

overwhelmed

 

 

But where are you finding these GFCF cheeses? I am in Indiana and haven't found

them yet!

 

Karen

 

Jae Jones

Saturday, January 03, 2009 11:54 PM

Vegan-and-Gluten- Free@ .com

Re: [Vegan-and-Gluten- Free] Introduction; new member and feeling

overwhelmed

Cheese...Follow Your Heart and Teese are great as is Road's End Chreese

sauce. Soymage Vegan

Parmesan is really good too!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

If you can't find them in the health food stores, you can order them trough

some sites. If you have to mail order, the more you buy the better, as

shipping cost are not so outrageous when your getting a box full of stuff

rather than 2 or 3 things.

 

many of the manufacturer's websites also have a search option to locate

their products in your area. You just type in your zip code and get a list

of stores.

 

*http://www.followyourheart.com/storelocator.php

 

http://www.chreese.com/ (bottom left of page)*

 

http://www.teesecheese.com/where_to_buy.php

 

On Sun, Jan 4, 2009 at 12:29 AM, Karen Fielder

<karenandbrandonwrote:

 

> But where are you finding these GFCF cheeses? I am in Indiana and

> haven't found them yet!

>

> Karen

>

> Jae Jones

> Saturday, January 03, 2009 11:54 PM

> To:

<%40>

> Re: Introduction; new member and feeling

> overwhelmed

>

> Cheese...Follow Your Heart and Teese are great as is Road's End Chreese

> sauce. Soymage Vegan

> Parmesan is really good too!

>

>