Everyday Systems

Sonya, I didn't measure anything unfortunately -- I used 3 big serving spoons of the flour, a healthy pinch of baking powder, another of salt, and some cardamom, cinnamon and clove. I put in a large handful of dried cranberries ("craisins"). To this I added two spoonfuls of sour cream which I beat into the flour, then added water slowly while stirring until it made a nice batter. It made five pancakes.

The chickpea flour is actually besan, a flour ground very fine from raw dried bengal chickpeas -- I get it in the Indian market or mail order. If you've ever had pakora, that's what the binding flour is, and that's why I originally bought it -- I love Indian food! Besan is very versatile, low glycemic, high protein, and has a good flavor.

I am still experimenting to see how these ingredients behave outside the traditional Indian recipes I've used them in -- I lucked out on this one! Next time I'll measure properly!

Yay--for getting your weight back down and double yay for getting creative in the kitchen! It's kind of fun to try to meet the challenge of eating with certain perimeters.

At least I enjoyed the challenge when I was a vegetarian and I'm excited to see what yummy foods I'll discover with my new part-time vegan plan!

Linda

Thanks, Linda! I love playing in the kitchen and I love a challenge, so this is not bothering me nearly as much as some of the GF people I am seeing on another support board for celiac patients. Everybody seems so upset over there! I think I'll keep my visits to a minimum.

I got screamed at, complete with F bombs, Friday night at an art gallery opening -- a woman (who is really a gifted artist) was furious when she found out we had invited somebody else to join our volunteer committee. Her name never even came up -- she has had fights with half the current members and is also fairly disorganized and difficult, so she wouldn't be an obvious choice. But she got a few free drinks in her and laid into me! Time to cut loose another "friend," I guess -- that seems to be a theme these days!

Nice surprise this morning, though -- I weighed (never on Mondays, but I absent-mindedly got on the scale) and my weight was exactly the same as it was on Friday! My S days have really calmed down!

Holy Cow! I can't imagine someone doing that to you, jw! You are so gentle-natured. Maybe your calm demeanor just infuriated her all the more. Sounds like you are letting it roll off your back (as you should!).
Sheesh.

Congrats on the calming S Days.

Thanks, auto! I didn't really let it get to me -- but I don't let people manipulate me or push me around either, and I let her know via email that while her artwork is fantastic, her behavior was unacceptable and something I don't have room for in my personal life. Sheesh! Some people drive me crazy, too, but I don't chase them around town screaming obscenities at them!

Wow that's madness JW. She really seems to fit the stereotype of the crazy yet talented artist. As I get older I'm definitely pickier about who I choose to spend my time with.

I just have no patience for drama or games anymore. Good people who you feel good when you're around them. That's it. I cant bother with anyone else.

It never ceases to amaze me how monstrous some people can become. Like you JW I no longer have time for such people in my life. They are a black hole that sucks in energy and joy and gives out very little in return. ' a few drinks' never helps of course. As you say we do not need friends like these. I always think of you as such a lovely supportive woman, your 'true' friends must greatly value.

Wow, F-bombs? Very mature. I tend to crack up in those situations which never helps whatsoever but this hasn't happened to me in a very long time. I hope you didn't feel humiliated because the only one who should feel humiliated is her. I bet she regretted it a lot on her hang-over day.

Letting go of toxic people is a great way to feel better instantaneously. There are too many amazing people out there to keep crazy ones as friends (I'm not talking about the charmingly crazy ones here). It's definitely part of LAM.

Also: thanks a lot for your response on my thread!

You ladies are so lovely! Eschano, she did send an abject apology the next day, full of excuses and extenuating circumstances -- but you're all so right, this is the kind of thing everybody else outgrew years ago! And it is energizing to let go of that kind of drama -- you should see how clean my bathroom floor is LOL!

you should see how clean my bathroom floor is LOL!

too funny! Good for you for not letting that nonsense get to you. One thing I appreciate about aging is that I have learned that I don't have to put up with this.!

Btw, my whole house is cleaner since beginning NoS! Gotta stay busy.

Run, run, run this week -- but found a solution to a social snacking dilemma yesterday. I had promised to see a matinee with a friend who recently retired and has too much time on her hands. Lunch? popcorn? both? It just didn't seem S worthy to me. So:

We agreed to meet at the theater, I skipped lunch, and had a bag of popcorn instead -- oddly filling and all the more satisfying because it's the only crunchy snack food on my GF list! It was probably more than would have fit on a plate, but I think it kept the spirit of the law!

Awesome JW! I've done the movie popcorn instead of lunch thing too because seeing a movie without popcorn is like torture for me.

Good job being creative!

Linda

Ha, I completely agree with Linda. Talk about a habit cycle. Going to movies = having popcorn. I'd rather not go than sit through it without popcorn.

And so I would have made the same choice you did, jw. I think it sounds kind of fun, and wouldn't it be cool to say: I have to have popcorn for lunch because I'm on a diet. Hahaha

A little warm spell has put us under flood warning since yesterday -- my house lies on high ground, but my workplace and the gallery are in the flood area. Spent yesterday evening moving stuff to higher floors in the building -- today, I am watching from afar and seeing photos on facebook . . . amazing waterscape of broken ice shards that reach up to the underside of one of the bridges. If they can't break loose, the whole business district will be under water. Yikes!

What a winter you are having!!!!

Ohmygoodness JW craziness! I do hope everything is okay. Let us know how it turns out!

Linda

So far, so good -- there was some flooding in the industrial part of the city, but the roads are open again and I hope my building is OK. Will find out tomorrow. We haven't flooded here in over 30 years so yes, auto, this winter has been extraordinary! and not in a good way!

The building looks fine and there is no damage to the rented areas, but the sub-basement flooded, down where the boilers live, so we have no heat and no elevator. I am at work with space heaters again -- but I suspect I won't last long, my feet are freezing after an hour.

I really overdid yesterday -- on beef, of all things! Made both a beef-tomato sauce and a pot roast and just could not get enough, kept going back for another taste! Welcome, N days!

No heating! I hope it's back on again. No wonder you're going back for seconds, being cold doesn't help on the moderation front.

Omygoodness no heat! Hopefully you can do some work from home today.

I overdid it yesterday too. Oh well, yay for N days!

Linda

Oh dear no heat and no elevator. I would have eaten everything in sight I expect. The weather is so crazy at the moment. In uk so much flooding. So people cut off since Xmas still. So sad. I hope you are back warm and connected soon. Better beef than biscuits if you need to chow down I suspect

Great point, Tessy! Right, jw, glad you didn't eat overeat the biscuits!

We have heat again, so I am back at work!

I am skidding all over the place with my diet, though. The no bread, no noodles/barley in the soup business means I am having a hard time calculating how much I need to eat without those filling things. Also, I had made a lovely ham and potato soup for this week -- went out for an hour to clear the walks and left the crock pot on the table, and -- you guessed it -- Crockett pulled it to the floor and ate it all up. So I am going day-to-day this week, without my automated soup for lunch.

Also, I have found lots of lovely recipes for my new GF S days -- but I haven't had a chance to get out and shop for the more out of the way ingredients and they are predicting ANOTHER big storm for this weekend, which means the biggest treat I will get will be banana slices with chocolate syrup again.

I am feeling like I've had enough, enough, enough of winter . . . so nice to know there's a place I can vent!

Sheesh, that must have been discouraging about the soup!!!

I find that more and more I just take leftovers from dinner the night before for lunch. It's quick and easy, and we end up throwing less food out. I don't know if that's much of an option for you?

Good luck, I hope you can get to the store and stock up on some good-tasting GF-foods soon.

Thanks, auto -- I could have kicked myself! He's not a reliable dog and I know it . . .

I have figured out exactly how much to cook for myself for dinner so that there are no leftovers. That's why bite-counting doesn't sound do-able for me -- how do you cook only three bites worth of food? It only works if you have lots of others there to eat up all the other bites!

It would be challenging for me to have something delicious in the fridge -- I might not wait until lunch the next day!

jw, good for you for knowing yourself enough to know where to eliminate temptation. If left-overs don't work for you - why torture yourself. That said, Left-overs are my default too. If I liked the dinner that is.

Also, thanks for stopping by my thread and your continuing encouragement!

And last: whose dog is reliable?

Hi JW thanks for dropping by!
What a disapointment about the soup it sounds deliciouse!
I hear you about winter I tried to walk todY but could not enjoy it becuase of all the icy patches and deep puddles!

JW hope the weather lets up soon for you and sorry about your soup fiasco! Our wolf hybrid has a weakness for dairy and has been known to steal sticks of butter and cartons of cream. Just the other day I found a completely unopened carton of cream on the back lawn! We always joke that she must be part french.

The bite counting thing doesn't appeal to me for other reasons. I think it's just more controlled then I'm comfortable with but glad to see it's working for others.

Linda

"And last: whose dog is reliable?"

LOL! too true! And Linda, love the idea of a refined french wolf hybrid!

Hi there. Hope your weekend is going well. I cannot have anything tasty in my fridge. It would be a siren calling me at all times, I would nibble and nibble and then it would be gone I cannot sadly count bites, I am already trying to relax my grip on food and sadly I fear it would just obsess me. I hope your diet changes are working. Have you tried rice noodles in your soup to replace wheat ones? Have a good week. Tessy

Thanks for looking in, Tessy! I haven't tried rice noodles -- i used them once years ago and they disintegrated in the soup! -- but I have been using rice.

Sorry for not posting -- my parents, who have up to now been able to live in my childhood home, were forced by circumstance to make a sudden move earlier this week. My mother, dad's caregiver, is now confined to a wheelchair to allow ulcers on her feet to heal and their living situation just wasn't viable any more. They are with one sister now, though much against their will (no stairs, BR and bath on the ground floor) and we are all pitching in, as well as looking for assisted living situations. They had been planning a move, but kept postponing and now is suddenly the time . . .

I am continuing my No S habits as best I can, and also adding in the gf habits that are now necessary if I want to avoid any further celiac complications. I have been 100% compliant with that -- the more I read, the more seriously I take it!

So sorry to hear about your parents JW. Difficult stuff to deal with. Glad you're able to maintain a little order with nos. I agree celiac is nothing to mess around with.

*big hugs *

Linda

That's hard JW, I hope your parents find a good place soon!

I moved my mom into assisted living at the end of October. Very stressful situation. It was against her will to but with the winter we just had and are having I have no regrets. She is just now starting to settle in. I hope the best for you all!

Oh, wow, jw, that sounds like a stressful situation. I have seen my parents and my in-laws go through that with their parents. It's a hard life transition, but somehow I know that you will trust your instincts and handle it just right. You are that kind of wise decision-maker and you believe in yourself!

Thanks, everyone -- Mum and Dad were gradually warming to the idea of a move; it's having the control and timing taken away that is bothering them, especially my mother. And it is stressful for all. My mother still remembers the stress her mother caused by moving in with us, and she swore she would never do that -- so that is adding to her unhappiness. The various facilities have said a space will probably open up in 4-6 weeks, so we're all concentrating on making that happen as smoothly as possible.

Meanwhile, No S and GF go on, hand in hand. My sweet treats are getting more and more limited by the GF aspect of things and S days are looking more and more like N days . . . I do feel better, though. Thanks again for all your understanding and support!

They're lucky to have you all to help them through the process. My mom always worries about being a burden too and although I love her to pieces, the idea of her living with us feels a bit daunting.

Btw, I got a new cookbook with a lovely recipe for almond meal cake in it. I noticed you can order almond meal on amazon in case you don't have access to it but that might be fun to experiment with.

Linda

So sorry to hear about your parents, I think you are doing brilliantly to stick with your dietary changes in the face of such a stressful set of circumstances. I hope their situation eases soon, i know how worrying such things can be for everyone.
I am so glad you are feeling bit better in yourself. You are right to take this gf thing seriously, it will help you in so many ways when your body is at ease with itself. Hang in there

Reading all the board messages in big gulps today -- I am not near a computer as much these days, so limiting plugged-in time is coming about all by itself! Be careful what you wish for, I guess! I just read somewhere that auto and Linda suspect me of being Mary Poppins in disguise -- LOL, no way! I learned a lot being the eldest of eight kids, but I have lived in pretty much an adult world ever since * and wouldn't have it any other way. I admire the patience and attention you two bring to child-rearing, but -- better you than me, as they say!

I am happy to report that I am two more pounds down, for a total of 22 lost since July. One more pound will be one-tenth of my starting weight! (I am now at 208 and started at 230). I feel lighter, more streamlined through the middle, too, and am wondering if eliminating gluten has anything to do with that. Really, every nuisance symptom I've ever had seems to be connected to the undiagnosed celiac -- Tessy, you are right. I wasn't aware that I felt bad, but by comparison, I feel so much better now!

Wishing everyone lovely S days ahead!

*edit -- just realized I had totally blocked out eight years of teaching in a boarding school! Not the high point of my life . . . All you restless teachers out there -- I can empathize!

Hi JW. How brilliant that your steady weight loss is continuing. You are such a strong guide for me. I also think, that your health problems will have really made your body hang on to weight in a particular way. Now your digestion is starting to work well I think it will make much better use of your nutrients and be more effective at balancing your body's needs. When my allergies were out of control I put on so much weight. Now I am really on top of what I eat my body is more effective. Magic stuff

Your post made me laugh, jw; especially the edit!
SOOOO glad that you have identified the celiac's disease, and that you are feeling better without the gluten. That must be very rewarding, and will hopefully help you keep to the challenges of avoiding gluten.

Hope you have a great week!

So awesome about the next two pounds coming off! Sometimes I really regret not weighing myself in the beginning. I feel really in the dark about my physical progress at times, I'm just too afraid to weigh myself now.

Good luck with the different challenges you're facing. I'm certain you'll handle them with your usual grace.

Linda

Testimonial worthy I'd say JW! Well done!

Many thanks, ladies! Eschano, I am holding off on the testimonial for that one last pound to come off! And I seem to have gained 7 pounds overnight (this is why I try not to weigh too often, Linda!) What on earth did I eat yesterday? Auto -- you always sound so engaged when you describe your teaching -- I had a feeling your troubles must be coming from something else on the job. And Tessy, they say it could take years to repair the damage, but I am already feeling the benefits of the new diet!

Heading into another crazy week -- I hope all do well with No S and everything else!

I'm so glad to read that you're feeling better doing a gluten free diet. Good for you!

Sorry to hear about your parents and all the stress that is causing. Your parents are lucky to have such great kids coming to their rescue.

Just thinking how grateful I am to have established the No S habit before stress hit. Because the "when" and the "how much" of mealtimes are pretty much automatic, I can now focus on the "what" without the temptation to assuage the deprivation with gf treats or try every gf food and recipe I find all in one day. No S isn't about "what" we eat -- but it sure makes adjustments to that easier if they turn out to be necessary.

My sister took my parents to see an assisted living apartment a few days ago and they like it, so things are moving. My mother is being so positive about this, I am truly impressed. When somebody said,"it will be a change to move from a 5 BR house into a small apartment," she said, "Oh, but the bathroom is so much bigger than ours at home." Mum is not known for her sunny outlook but her attitude right now is fantastic. Dad doesn't much care where he is as long as they are together.

I'm headed out to see what treats I can discover for this weekend! Wishing you all lovely Ses!

Thanks for the update, jw! That's great about your mum's better attitude. Considering your own sunny attitude, maybe you inherited it from your dad, then!

It's also encouraging to hear you say that your meal modifications are working well within the framework of NoS. I hope, at some point, to feel that I am ready to tackle the nutritional component of my meals.

We are going through the same thing with my father in law. So heartbreaking but good your parents have each other at least.

So great your NoS habits are holding strong through all this. One less thing to worry about.

Linda

You're a great inspiration jw! Amazing how you are taking it all and manage to actually improve your health throughout it.

Thanks, auto, linda, eschano -- routine is a comfort to fall back on when your mind is occupied with other hot button items! And dark chocolate is gluten free, so all is well!

I experimented this weekend with a combination of sweet potato and chickpea flour to make a cake, topped with white choc chips and walnuts -- it came out more like orange brownies with a distinctive spicy flavor like pumpkin pie, but quite good! I'll adjust the proportions next time and see what happens.

Too many restrictions caught up with me this week and I ended up snacking Thursday night on some really excellent gf chips I discovered. It was a deprivation reaction for sure.

Background: I went to a public meeting which was held at dinner time and catered. Two months ago I would have virtual plated some dip and meatballs and veggie pizza and been quite happy to leave the sweet end of the table for another day. But there was not one thing anywhere on that table I could eat -- it all contained wheat in some form or another -- even the dip was served in a hollowed-out loaf of bread! Now I understand what all the people on the gf boards are so upset about. I don't feel a bit restricted when I am cooking for myself, but out in the big world, it's a gluten-dusted jungle!

Anyway, by the time I got home I was bummed out and over-hungry -- and those chips consoled me a little. I have learned, though, not to keep them in the house during the week . . .

My parents made the big move yesterday -- they seem happy to have it over with and are now settling in. They have never moved in all their married lives (64 years and counting), so this was a big hurdle. Cross your fingers for them!

Sorry JW. That's got to be tough & frustrating when you're in social situations that don't give you many options. My girls have friends who can't eat gluten & their parents are really good about always bringing gluten-free stuff to play dates, parties etc for them.

Would it be possible for you to do that or does that feel too awkward? Anyway this is all new to you so totally understandable that it's going to be an adjustment. Definitely cut yourself some slack especially considering the added stress of your parents situation.

Sending positive thoughts your way.

Linda

Hi jw,

Yeah, I think the combined stress of learning gf-living combined with your parents move was just all a bit much this week. Mark it and move on, of course. Which I know you've already done.

64 years of marriage. wow, you must be the oldest.

Back on track, I hope -- my inner brat just can't stand it when she expects to eat well and is thwarted! But this was a good, balanced S weekend, so I feel ready for a new week. More tests and doc visits on the calendar -- but no fasting!

Linda, I'll have to adjust my expectations for future events -- if they are private, I can always bring something along; for more formal or public things, I'll just plan to drink the coffee and eat afterwards.

Yes, auto, I am the oldest -- but my younger sisters have been the rocks in this situation. I live about 2 hours away. I am just glad everything seems to be working out for the best . . .

Thanks so much for stopping by my thread! Delighted that your parents are now settling in. I'm sure it will take a little to get used to it but they'll get good care now.

Glad to hear you're back on track. You're really doing great! Going GF is a very big deal. I hope you get good results fast!

Hi, just wanted to stop by and say hi and offer my encouragement on your journey to better health. Spring is such a wonderful time to resurrect our body and our life.

Enjoyed reading your thread, you are doing great with a lot going on in your life, I want to wish your parents my very best.

Berry, that's so kind! I think of myself as well and I feel well, but every time I see the doc, that illusion gets chipped away a little more . . . they now want parathyroid and thyroid scans and some kind of kidney function test. I wonder if I am not better off with the illusion of wellness!

My parents sound so upbeat when I call -- they've made some friends and I think it's a great relief to them not to worry about the house any more. They met the mother of my high school boyfriend who has been a resident there for 6 years! Small, small world . . .

Chani, I am getting good results if I measure it in well-being! Thanks for your good wishes!

JW, I love that your parents are doing well! It sounds so nice that they met an acquaintance and that they are settling in and made some friends. Maybe it will all end up having been a big blessing. Fingers crossed.

As for your health: don't let them chip away on your healthy feeling. Keep the feeling and remember: You are dealing with a sickness but you ARE not the sickness. Does that make sense?

jw, I read this fascinating book called The Last Well Person. It is controversial, to be honest: the author warns people away from becoming medicalized, in which they go to the doctor for something, and then from then on, identify themselves as a sick/unwell person, and it's a vicious cycle. I don't see you going down that road, and I think eschano's comment was right on.

The author sounds like my kind of thinker, auto! Thanks for the tip!

And eschano, I will do my best -- my doctor is lovely and thorough, but a little too quick to jump to the drug solution. (Oh, the side effect of Medicine x is insomnia? I can give you something for that!) Just because she has a hammer doesn't mean I am a nail, as they say!

jw wrote: Just because she has a hammer doesn't mean I am a nail, as they say!

LOL!!!! Hilarious JW

Hi JW sounds a little frustrating but just remember you get the final say in all this.

So glad your parents seem to be adjusting.

Have a great weekend!

Linda

Thanks, Linda! I actually turn down most of what she would like to prescribe -- but then, go figure, I feel guilty about it! She's so nice! she means so well! The only thing I am actually taking besides calcium and vitamins is a water pill to counteract calcium loss.

Sorry to hear you're struggling with the GF stuff, JW. I have Celiac disease, too, and feel your pain. I usually eat before I go to events and save a little room just in case I can eat something there, but if not, which is typical, I just drink something and don't worry about it. Also, on the soup front, have you tried making GF ravioli or gnocchi to put in the broth? I do that sometimes, and it works really well for me. I bet you could also make lentil balls or something--haven't tried them in soup, but I do love Oh She Glow's recipe for lentil, walnut, and mushroom balls. Thanks for checking out my thread.

Thanks, Skipper! Sorry to hear you're dealing with the same thing. I have been sticking to veg/potatoes/fruits/meat since I started this gf diet in February -- am only just starting to explore recipes! Those are some good ideas to try out!

You've got to be your own advocate with the doctors. They surely mean well but still, I won't take anything until I've gone for a second opinion with doctor-google.

When your stomach/body heals from eliminating the gluten, likely your other problems will be resolved. Hopefully soon!

Well, in spite of some erratic eating lately, I am finally there: I have lost 10% of my starting weight = 23 pounds since June 29, 2013. I lost most of it before November -- have spent the last months recovering from the holidays' 5 pound gain and then adjusting to a necessary gluten free diet, following a surprise diagnosis of celiac disease.

After about 5 months of quite faithful compliance and four months of riding along with only one eye on the habit, I realize: I can't eat what I used to, I can't eat the quantity that I used to, I feel awful if I try, and I am continuing to slowly but surely lose weight, enjoy my meals and lean on -- rest in -- the No S structure. The big test was when I had to change my diet radically. What a relief that No S conforms to any kind of food -- the habit still applies.

My big fear when I started was that at 62 I was too old and my metabolism was too slow for any real progress. Also that my bad habits were too entrenched to really change. Not so! I love this approach, love the support and caring on this board, and am very happy to have found my way here! Thanks, Reinhard, for sharing this gem so generously with all of us!

I think I would have go into a bit of mourning if I HAD to eat gluten free, though I have cut down for other reasons on gluten foods. How did you get diagnosed with celiac disease? I mean, what was wrong that you had any testing that would find that?

But the real message is, great job! I don't know in my case if similar effects to yours would have happened (as they have) if I had just committed to not bingeing but kept the snack habit, as some people are able to do, but I really doubt so. I am convinced that the longer gaps between meals, either spread out in the day or from dinner to breakfast, if the meals are more collapsed together as some people eat them, has very much contributed to being able to contentedly eat less at meals. I wish I could say I never choose to eat so much that I won't feel uncomfortable later, but it is so seldom now that it's an issue only on the inside, I think.

Great to hear from you on the testimonial page!

Yay JW! You're such an inspiration. You've handled everything thrown at you with such grace these last few months and still sticking with NoS the whole time.

You rock--keep up the good work! (I wish I was brave enough to weigh myself).

Linda

Thanks so much for the good words, oolala! If I thought about the gf thing too much, I would mourn -- I had just mastered artisan bread -- but I have been lucky in enjoying many years of good health, so I am trying not to be ungracious about it! and the long term effects are not good things.

It was a roundabout diagnosis -- a routine blood test showed no Vitamin D in my system even after supplementation; my dexa scan showed more bone loss than expected, so they ordered a whole panel of endocrine tests as well as the one for celiac, which showed up positive. I am now chasing down various parathyroid and thyroid options as well . . .

I almost never snack now unless I run into a situation where I've been cheated out of a meal -- I occasionally have a square of chocolate with a meal during the week, or put some maple syrup on a banana, but I don't even bother that much with S's on S days now -- though it's nice to know I can!

Linda, you're such a fantastic cheerleader! You sure have made the journey fun -- many thanks!

JW, I can relate to the disappointment of saying goodbye to the artisan bread, as now it's out of my diet, too, and I was just getting into it. Turns out all the fermented food is not so good for my family because we have allergies and while fermented foods increases good bacteria, it also increases histamines in the body. We've cut the fermented food and the sneezes are gone.

Being forced to change diet for health reasons does suck, but on the other hand, my DH says he's glad that we've learned to appreciate wholesome food and stop eating junk. Off sugar, he's thrilled to taste the natural sweetness in foods. Brussel sprouts taste like candy! As do peas, and carrots, even.

Thinking of you!

JW, you are such an inspiration. You can do hard things - proven and done! What a wonderful, empowering testimonial! You rock!!!

JW, where's your post on the testimonial page? 10% qualifies!!

I put it in the testimonial thread at the top of the main page, eschano -- completely lost track of the other page! Thanks for your kind words and all your support -- people like you make this board a wonderful little haven on the internet!

Chani, sorry to hear the sourdough isn't going to work for you after all . . . I am so happy to have found food (plain old meat, fish, potatoes, and veg) that makes me feel good and puts color in my cheeks again, and I wish the same for you! Your diet seems to be a nutritionist's dream -- but it's all a big experiment, isn't it?

I am looking at a week of medical tests next week and my plan is to keep No S-ing, but really delve into gluten free cooking (as opposed to gf products, which are almost always either disappointing or cross-contaminated!) That means I will be haunting a few other boards now -- I will check in, but perhaps not as often. Thank you again, all my fellow travelers -- auto, linda, eschano, oolala, Tessy, chani, you have really brightened my days and made No S doable!

Don't stay away for too long because you'd be missed Feel free to share your GF recipes here as well - it can never hurt to mix it up!

Also, thank you for the kind words! I can only give them back to you!

We will miss you JW but def understand you only have so much time you can dedicate to msg boards.

Definitely Let us know how you're doing now & then.

Linda

It's definitely an experiment, JW. I'm always learning and modifying and trying new things. I think your idea of avoiding packaged goods and learning new recipes is a positive and healthy approach. I hope your experimenting with recipes will be fun and yummy. We're here to offer support whenever you need it and your support is very valued. Hope those tests go easy and you get clarity and mostly, good news.

jw, for your next check-in on these boards--i was wondering why you hadn't posted in so long! I think I was out of town when you last posted, and I missed a bunch that week. I just finally wandered over to your thread to see you have posted a testimonial (which I will go look for right now) and that you are haunting gf message boards.

I'm sure I'll "see" you around, but congrats on your weight loss, and thanks so much for you always encouraging words and cheerful optimism. I'm tearing up a little right now--who says you can't bond over the internet?

Aren't you sweet, auto! I look in about once a week and always check the threads of the people I got to know best here, but I haven't written lately -- love it that your student noticed your weight loss!

I took gluten free brownies and peanut butter cookies to my sister's for the family Easter celebration and they got gobbled up by all, so my diet researches are paying off! And Spring is here!

jw wrote: so my diet researches are paying off! And Spring is here!

Well done! Sounds delicious too.

Wow -- I dropped off the bottom of the page! Can't have that!

I have looked in from time to time, but I haven't been posting because my concerns haven't been diet-related at all lately. Just an update: I am scheduled for parathyroid and thyroid surgery at the end of June. The haywire parathyroid is the cause of the bone loss and lack of Vitamin D; and the thyroid also has nodules on it. I am resigned to the need for surgery, but really, really hope I will still have thyroid function -- since without it, weight loss will be a vanishing dream.

On the up side, the gluten free diet is going well and I have better color and skin tone and also better digestion. I am also scheduled to go and talk to a gastroenterologist about the celiac disease. . .

Doctors are my new hobby . . . now I finally understand why people retire -- they don't have time to go to work!

LOL, jw. Thanks for the update!!!

Hahaha! Glad you're back to the boards.

So good to see you here JW! Hope everything goes well with ypur surgery & glad the gluten free stuff is going well at least.

Linda

I can see how such concerns would push posting about food out of the way. Hope the surgery goes well