Food for Thought?

Nine months ago, I realized that I may have food allergies.  After three years of unexplained, chronic symptoms, I was reading a book about eating healthy, and the author listed some symptoms that people have when they can't tolerate dairy....and I felt like I was reading my own medical journal.  

Chronic sinus issues: check.  

Unexplained skin rashes/hives: check.  

Digestive problems: check.  

Tired/achy all the time: check.  

WOW. I went to the doctor, and she said that I was most likely intolerant to milk, but that the most effective way to know was to cut all dairy from my diet.  Well, I did, and most of my symptoms pretty much disappeared!! vanished!! it was incredible.  I decided to replace dairy products with soy products....and a few skin symptoms lingered, but I thought, hey, this is way better than before!!  However, the more soy I ate, the worse I started to feel....and I learned that I have a soy allergy as well.  Yikes!! No soy or dairy in my diet......No big deal, right???

WRONG! It WAS a big deal, a huge lifestyle change that would affect almost every part of my husband's and my life.  Ever checked labels at the grocery store? Some form of dairy or soy is in almost every processed or packaged food....goodbye to quick and easy dinners, and not to mention all of the yummy restaurants I will have to avoid for the rest of my life (that's right, no more chick-fil-a, sonny's, or PIZZA).  

Now, I have to THINK about everything I put into my body.  Each bit of food has the potential to contain allergens that will make me sick.  It's a good thing, because there are so many ingredients in processed food that are bad for our bodies.  My husband and I's diet now consists of more organic vegetables and fruits, whole grains, and lean, hormone-free meats.  We use almond, rice, and coconut milk to drink and cook with, and we are all the more healthier for it! So, that's where "Food for Thought" comes from....the fact that we are much more thoughtful about what we eat....and we think everyone else should be, too! :)

This blog is just a place where I can blog recipes and discuss the challenges and joys that come from living with food allergies.  Enjoy!! 

*Ashley*