Reading and Reflecting

I did something today that I haven't done in a long time.....I sat down, started reading a book, and finished the book in one day!! I guess the book sucked me into a world of new information and the more information I gathered.....the more I wanted to learn. The book's name is The G Free Diet by Elizabeth Hasselbeck. It was recommended by one of my friends and I'm so glad I bought it. When I was reading her story the words pierced my soul.

For years I've had a love/hate relationship with food. I love cake, cookies, bread, cheese etc....but they didn't love me back. I would eat a wonderful meal and then feel lethargic and get extremely sick. I've lost my gallbladder and have learned where the bathrooms are located in all of my favorite restaurants. Becoming short of breath with excruciating pain in my abdomen had become a normal for me after my meals. Today I was reading that gall bladder malfunction happens when Celiac disease goes undetected for years. My mom and I discussed the symptoms of Celiac disease and gluten allergy and traced my symptoms back to my college days. Just like Elizabeth I got a severe infection in college and ever since then I've had an extreme intolerance for lots of the foods I ate.

Even though I've strictly followed my gluten free diet for only 4 days....I can already tell a difference. You never know how much pain you're in until you don't have pain. I know that my health and my body will continue to improve as the gluten "leaves" my body....but I haven't felt this good internally in years!!

I made gluten free brownies tonight after dinner that were amazing!! I don't think it will be hard to cook gluten free....just a little more time consuming. In the long run it will be cheaper when I'm not visiting the doctor every time you turn around! The hardest part will be when I travel. This weekend I'm going to Chicago but I'm definitely used to turning a bad situation into a good one....so this will be another adventure in my life!!

The best part is the love and support Charming C is giving me!! He's eating gluten free along with me....we should live to be 100 at this rate! lol

New Chapter.....New Name!!

It's been almost two years since I last wrote in my blog....and Wow my life has completely changed. Charming C (also known as Charles) and I laughed when we re-read my former blogs.....we can't believe how we've "grown up" and we are now living our dream life!!

So much has happened in the past two years! Here is a recap of the good: Worked two years in the CVICU as an RN. Got engaged to Charming C....I guess you can say he's now my Prince Charming. LOL Started a Mary Kay business to help pay for the wedding. Earned two cars and became a Sales Director in Mary Kay in one year!! Got married at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC on May 27th. Spend the honeymoon at Disney and Nashville. Earned a diamond bumble bee my first year in Mary Kay and was in the Top 20 in the nation in the Pearl Seminar! Quit my full time nursing job to pursue my Mary Kay business full time.

Recap of the not so good: A year ago became really sick with sinus infections and ended up having sinus surgery and was out of work for 6 weeks. Continued to gain weight, feel lethargic, irritable, and frustrated b/c I felt like something was wrong with my body. Everytime I ate I got sick, have pain in my abdomen, feel bloated, and eventually I would have coughing spells and asthma attacks. I new something was wrong but couldn't put my finger on it. My gynecologist prescribed weight loss pills right before my wedding which didn't help. I felt like I was dying a slow death and didn't know if it was my gut, thyroid, or what! I discussed this with my dear friend Gillie (she was my first preceptee at Duke)....I went to a Mary Kay retreat where someone suggested I may have a gluten allergy. I thought they were crazy. After talking to Gillie....I decided to go see her homeopathic nutritionist. This one move saved my life!!! Not only did I discover I had aspartame poisoning but after a 2 week detox diet I got diagnosed with allergy to peanuts, cow's milk, pork, cheese, wheat, rye, barley (GLUTEN ALLERGY!!), MSG, apartame, corn syrup, and coffee.

Through the Good, Bad, and Ugly.....Charming C has been my rock!! I couldn't be happier to share every aspect of my life with him. He's not only my husband but my very best friend. I can't wait to see what life will throw our way next. I can't wait to share my experiences with my closest family and friends. You never know what you are going to read on my blog.....but I can say that it will always be entertaining!!

The saying Everything Happens for a Reason is soooo true. I am so thankful to God that He has blessed me and Charming C beyond measure. Our life is so much better than we would ever have imagined otherwise.

Until next time....
Mrs Banks aka New Gluten Free Girl :-)
Charming C