Blessing, Curse
Food allergies (or sensitivities or whatever. Whichever.) are officially the bane of my existance (I’m allowed a bit of drama, ok?) They’re nothing new, really- something that all of our kids have touched on at one point or another. For Elliott, it was hours of gas pain at night brought on by a dairy sensitivity (out grown by 18 months, thank goodness). For Myles, it was the mystery rash that was finally narrowed down to bananas (and then mango, kiwi, pineapple, avocado.) He, at almost three years old, has not out grown his allergy- and I’m starting to think that- poor kid- he won’t. But Hazel- Hazel is the baby that’s giving me a run for my money. She has every recognizable sign of a food allergy, and no matter what I cut, her symptoms only get about 75% better before they get worse again. And elimination diets? They’re not fun- especially when you’re prone to forgetting to eat in the first place, most days. Last week, I consumed not a speck of dairy, beef, wheat, soy, or eggs. Which is mostly everything in our kitchen, save for rice, lentils, and sone assorted veggies. By day four, her symptoms were 80% better again…and I was starving. At my low point, I ruined the last of our rice the afternoon before grocery day and cried. Over plain rice.
Also (brace yourselves)…I cut coffee a few weeks ago, in hopes that it was the miracle cure- again, 80% better and then worse. Cycle, cycle, exhausting cycle. (FYI- if this isn’t figured out soon, coffee and I will totes be reuniting. Because I have needs. For real.)
But honestly, as much of a pain as it us and as it has been to figure this out for my little girl- it’s a million times worth it. I mean…what a blessing it is to know that with a few eventual tweaks to my diet, my body is completely capable of customizing the exact nutrition that my exact child needs to continue to thrive. The entire process still blows my mind.
So…you know. Today’s curse is one step closer to being tomorrow’s blessing. As long as, in the end, it really isn’t coffee.
Love,
Emilie
Wait until after next pay day and then do a TED. Rice, chicken and some fruits and veggies (I eliminated peas b/c apparently some are allergic to them and berries and tomatoes), I would probably also eliminate bananas, mango, kiwi and avocados due to Myles’ allergies. Make a big pot of rice. Make a bunch of chicken.
I ate rice and chicken with cajun. Rice and chicken fried together with spinach and sunflower oil. I tried to make it as interesting as possible, which by three weeks in, left me breaking down for some beef! I also ate hashbrowns. Chicken stirfry, which is way boring without any yummy soy sauce.
I also gave up all artificial flavors/colors and fake sugar. Then I just used regular sugar (no brown because it can contain traces of dairy). Also check all your spices, I was shocked when I read some that contain corn, and if not corn, than dairy, or soy. BOGUS.