Elimination

I am on an elimination diet.  No dairy, wheat, gluten, sugar, or eggs, very limited fruits and no bananas or grapes for the next 1-3 months.

The first day I was an emotional wreck.  This diet is a big deal - and it isn't.  It affects everything.

Socially:  all the sudden I can't eat out on dates with Tyler, the occasional and much-anticipated lunches with friends, and treats at every gathering I attend.  Treats I can say no to, but meals out have been a highlight of my life these last several months.  That is hard to replace.

The good news?  There is ice water wherever you go.  I can go sit with people and sip water and still visit.

Logistically:  I still have 7 other mouths to feed.  Hungry ones.  People who like their sweeteners and dairy and bread.  So I get to make the food that they are used to and then also make separate food for myself, as if feeding a family already did not take up enough of my time.  And the cost?!? Wow the grocery budget gets blown FAST just for basics like almond milk and tons of veggies.

I have found 2 meals so far in my current repertoire that we all like pretty well that are Suzy-friendly. We may be having those on a weekly basis for the next few months.

Emotionally:  I am a foodie.  I like to eat food.  I like to make food.  I like to watch TV shows about food.  We have food tied to just about every family tradition that we have, and most of it is on my current naughty list.  When the weather is cold outside, something inside of me wants to bake. Some of my favorite times with my children are when we bake together.  Lately when I have had a bored child and they want to know what to do, I have suggested baking cookies and those have been memorable times and teaching moments.  Talk about a lifestyle change!

There is still lots of good food to eat and enjoy.  I can build new traditions.  As I have begun to make the emotional break from food, I am finding that I feel more FREE emotionally - so unanticipated but emancipating.

As an aside, I even found vegan healthy cookies that allow me to enjoy something baked and time with the kids.

Everything has changed and nothing has.
I read labels before, I read labels now.  It's just that most labels have ingredients on the naughty list.
I loved vegetables before, I love vegetables now.  It's just that I am doubling my already pretty heavy intake.
I ate quinoa and beans and rice before, now I eat them every day.
I drank green smoothies, and I continue to drink green smoothies.  I am getting accustomed to chalky protein powder and them being less sweet without bananas and juice in them.
I used flax seed as a partial egg substitute before, now it is all I use.

My body could have used this diet several years ago.  Maybe if I had done it then, I wouldn't have gotten so out-of-whack.  I wasn't ready for it.  But I am today.   And over the last few days as I have been transitioning into this new way of thinking and eating, I continue to marvel at how the Lord prepared me for this.

Little thoughts in my mind.

Incorporating new kinds of food into our regime.

Cutting back on sugar.

Picking up ingredients as they were on sale or available over the last few months.

I have been prepared.  My husband has been prepared to support me.  A beautiful tender mercy that occurred this morning was finding out that my friend and neighbor just began the same diet this very week.  It amazes me how the Lord helps us in every detail of our lives when we invite him in.  I feel so blessed and I haven't even touched on all of the physical ailments that we are hoping to alleviate!
Nothing has changed and everything has - for the better.