by guest blogger Amber O'Neal

My first gluten-free shopping trip took place a shortly after my son's diagnosis. As I entered the store, I carried three pages of Gluten-Free foods and the other "avoid" foods that stress his body out. Waiting in the check out line, I realized how healthy the items in my cart looked:, green, fresh, farm grown vegetables, fruits and lean proteins. In other words I shopped the perimeter of the store without slipping down the interior isles for the processed foods packaged in boxes. This is a bit different from our usual cart.

That Monday, I packed his first gluten free lunch: two romaine lettuce leaves sandwiching Boar’s Head ham and roast beef, provolone cheese, pickles and topped with light mayo, sunflower seeds, plus a banana and fresh strawberries. (He said it was really good too!) Dinners have been chicken breasts topped with our favorite gluten-free BBQ marinade - Bone Suckin Sauce - brown Basmati rice and steamed broccoli. He has not had to skimp on portions either; he is a healthy eater and cleans his plate every meal.

This is not easy, but I actually do not feel sorry for us. We can't blame ourselves for his food intolerances. It raises a good point, though: I am really curious as to why you hear so many people being diagnosed with Celiac disease (the most serious Gluten-free condition) and other food intolerances. When did this become so common? I have questioned what could lead up to this...Is it because I chose not to breast feed him as an infant, or the fact that as a child he drank nothing but whole milk up until the age of 11 (when he began itching every time he drank any milk). When you think about it, it is really an eye opener as to how we (people on this planet) have chosen to eat.

Our foods are filled with chemicals to preserve them and give them a longer shelf life, fillers to make them taste better, dyes to make them look better. Is it because we have simply become lazy? Instant gratification of savory sweets, Hershey’s chocolate, the drive thru window, and choosing microwavable foods instead of eating fresh produce grown locally and via organic methods (no fertilizers or chemicals). It no longer sounds so scrumptious, does it?

With that said, though - I won’t say we won’t have moments of cheating. I am guilty as charged as I snuck in the Dunkin Donuts drive thru the other day and devoured a chocolate frosted donut in a nano-second! (Don’t tell Bryant, he will be so jealous.) While dining out the other night he ordered a burger and took the bread off and placed it on the side of his plate. After a few agitated looks he asked, “Mom can you please throw that bun away, it’s talking to me”. Ha! I had to hide my laugh. As I got ready to throw it away, he swatted away my hand and said "That’s ok, you can leave it, I am going to win this battle." And win he will! I have already noticed his fatigue has subsided some and his energy is different, better.

So, if you are on the same space ship, Gluten Free Airways please feel free to share your recipes with us. I felt maxxed out on what to make for meals at day 6!  I will update you all at the end of the 30 day cleanse and tell you how his symptoms have gone away and his energy returned. Healthier days are ahead!