I can’t believe it took me so long to write this post, but then again it’s been the most hectic few weeks of my year (so far). I have been gluten-free for over a year now. And it’s been one incredible long year full of up’s and down’s and middle places in between. At first it was really depressing, all I could think about were the things I could no longer have/do. But lately I’ve been thinking back on how bad I had always felt growing up and how much better I’ve felt!! This is the first year in my entire life I made it over 6 months without a trip to the ER!! Its an amazing feeling! I haven’t been to the Doctor in months *knock on wood* and it was my first winter without strep!
And as I sit here thinking about it, the thing I miss most of all isn’t even a food item. The thing I miss most is being able to walk into any restaurant and order something off the menu without having to ask a billion questions, do research before hand, and then I still have a 70% chance of getting sick. Not being able to travel wherever I want without taking food, or making sure there is a place I can buy/store food. Having that freedom. (And I admit I miss McDonald’s and Pizza Hut most of all) But at the same time I know I’m healthier for it. (because we all know McDonald’s isn’t really food)
The cost of my food bugs me as well, the fact that companies can take advantage of people who have to eat gluten-free by charging and arm and a leg (and probably my first-born) for the SMALLEST portion of food they can get away with giving you. But I guess that’s life, nobody is in it to make nothing. And at the moment there isn’t really anything I can do about it. (except refuse to look at my personal grocery bill)
Most of my family has been incredibly supportive this last year. A few members fail to see how hard this has been on me. And think jokes about how expensive I am are funny while they aren’t. But thats a minority.There is only one other diagnosed member of my family, but I don’t believe we are the only two. (We had to have gotten it from somewhere right?)
The Glutening have gotten fewer and farther apart (although the reactions are just as bad) which leads me to believe I’m actually starting to get the hang of this. Although I’m not going to lie and tell you that I’m completely okay with it. Because I’m not. There are still times when the idea of always having to read ingredients and watch everything I eat for the rest of my life is so depressing I just want to give up. But the moment passes and I move on with my life.
Surprises. Sometimes it seems as if every time I think I have this under control, or figured out something new pops up and smacks me in the face. Take DH for example. No one EVERY told me I could get DH, but during August when I got a rash that looked like poison ivy (even though I hadn’t been near any) and wouldn’t go away with calamine or anti-itch meds I discovered the wondrous joys of DH. I was miserable and of course it was the hottest week of the summer and I was in charge of watching 10 preschoolers for the week. In pants. Outside. Running around. It eventually went away… (although I have a few spots of darker skin)
I guess what I am trying to say is: I survived a year Gluten-Free and although it was hard, and full of challenges, I am glad that I got that year, and I am looking forward to the year to come….(sorta lol) Thank you for reading my blog and I hope to post more during this next year (Lord willing) and I hope that in another year I’ll have more positive things to say 
Kristi
This is cool because it’s one of my favorite drinks 
