Bein' Real

Sometimes positivity is hard.  It doesn't mean it's not worth it, but sometimes it's much more difficult than other times.  My family has been facing a lot of challenges, most of them health-related.  Those issues are what has prompted me to change our diet and way of life.  I am a firm believer that a positive attitude, a lot of faith, and good, real food will absolutely have an excellent impact on all of us.  But it gets difficult sometimes.

Two weeks into the GF diet, I've gotten frustrated more than a few times. The food is expensive, some of it is just nasty, eating other places is tricky (twice someone has fed my son something they know he cannot have, because they figured it wasn't a big deal), and I've eaten a few things without realizing they had gluten in them until later.  Also, I haven't noticed a big wonderful difference yet, and while I can say all day long that I didn't expect instant results, in reality of course I did. In fact, both of my boys have had issues just this week with their health as well. I've had almost daily headaches (though that could actually still be my concussion).  So it's frustrating and annoying and a little discouraging.  But this is where I stand firm, stick to what I know is true, and try to focus on the positives.  Life is NOT all just roses and sunshine, but even on cloudy days, we have to look for the rays of sunlight to help us through.

Rays of sunlight that keep me going are little things that just mean so much.  This weekend we went to the 2nd birthday party for the little guy I babysit. I didn't expect to stay for cake, and had already told my boys they probably couldn't eat much at the party.  But the mom had actually gone out of her way to prepare an almost all gluten-free spread AND made a special cake to accommodate everyone's allergies (it was soy-free, gluten-free, egg-free, dairy-free...I will never know how she did it. Also, it tasted good, lol).  I was amazed that she cared enough to do that, and it gave me a little push to keep going when I was feeling down.

I discovered that Noah LOVES my kombucha, and both my boys are becoming way more open to trying new foods than they used to be.  So that really feels good to me, because I honestly thought Nathan was going to be impossible.

Today is my husband's birthday, and I made him brunch including GF Bisquick pancakes.  They were GOOD, and he said he didn't even notice a difference!  That made me smile, and made me feel like we CAN do this.  Tonight we're going to Outback for dinner - we have a gift certificate AND they have a gluten-free menu :) 

My next adventure is probably going to be freezer cooking.  I may have 1-3 surgeries coming up within the next few months and I need to make sure my family is cared for.  I know some friends will help, but they can't fully support us - and my husband has many talents, but cooking is not one of them LOL  So I will need to find good meal recipes that will keep well and heat nicely.  Whatever I find, I will of course share with you all!

What keeps YOU going when you feel like giving in?


Bisquick Pancake and Baking Mix, Gluten-Free, 16-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 3)