Gluten Free & Dairy Free

So I finally went to a functional doctor last week.  After 9 + years with two autoimmune diseases it was time to have someone take a second look at what would help me feel better.  I don't feel terrible but I think I've just gotten used to not feeling great.  While meeting with Dr. Chen he asked general questions about how I feel after I eat certain foods, how I sleep, skin conditions, etc.  At the end of 45 minutes he said well I know you should give up two foods at the very least.  Gluten because anyone with Hashimotos Thyroiditis should at some point avoid gluten and see if they feel better.  And Dairy because as I described to him I've had multiple incidents of not feeling well after eating dairy.  It got to the point where I'd feel nauseous thinking about Starbucks.  I always got lattes at Starbucks.

So of course I started right away.  After one last night of a gluten and dairy full meal, because we'd already made dinner plans.  Pizza!  Yum!  Best meal I ever had, knowing I might not get to eat it again, in all it's gluteny cheesy goodness!  I did so well too.  Eggs for breakfast, kind bar for lunch, fruit, meats, veggies.  We even went out to sushi with neighbors on Sunday night and I asked for gluten free soy sauce and red wine, not beer.  But then I came home and saw my kids delicious homemade chocolate chip cookies and before I even thought gluten or dairy I had devoured one (it was the wine I swear!)  The moment of realization did not come until I reached for cookie #2.  And then I gasped and held my hand to my mouth.  Two whole days of gluten and dairy free eating wasted on one single cookie!  My girls said "We wondered if those were gluten free but figured they were since you ate one!"

Monday I started all over with day #1 again.  Except that night I decided to make one of my favorite soups without the flour or the cream.   Minnesota Wild Rice Soup.  So good!  I had it Monday night and Tuesday for lunch.  Then on Tuesday afternoon I was reading up on Gluten free eating.  My doctor hadn't really given me any information about it and then I read that bullion and broths often include gluten.  What?!  Ugh!  Of course the bullion I used did not say gluten free.  Here's the soup recipe in all it's goodness!  I swear it's best on day two and beyond.  A delicious soup to make on a Sunday and enjoy all week.  Also works well at a party.  A definite crowd pleaser!

Minnesota Wild Rice Soup
(The Culinary Institute Of America Book Of Soups)
2 Tablespoons butter
3 carrots, finely diced (about 1 cup)
2 leeks, (white and light green part) finely diced. (about 2 1/2 cups)
2 stalks celery, finely diced (about 1 cup)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 quarts chicken broth
3/4 cup wild rice
1/2 teaspoon salt--or to your taste
3/4 cup hot cream  ( I used 1/4 cup, plus 2/4 cup 1% milk)
3 Tablespoons dry sherry
1/4 cup minced chives
3 Tablespoons parsley
Heat butter in a heavy soup pot over medium heat.  Add the carrots, leeks, and celery and cook about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally  Reduce the heat to low and add the flour. Cook this for about 3 minutes, stirring constantly.
Add the stock to the flour and vegitable mixture, slowly, whisking to avoid lumps.  Bring the soup to a simmer. then add the wild rice and salt.  Simmer for 45 minutes until the rice is tender, but still a little chewy.
Add the heated cream, sherry, and chives.  Season with salt, if necessary.  Serve in bowls garnished with parsley.

Wednesday I started with day #1, again!  I've been gluten and dairy free ever since.  I've tried soy creamer in my coffee.  Not my favorite and people with hashimotos are supposed to avoid too much soy.  I then tried coconut milk when I couldn't find coconut creamer.  Just ok. My friend mentioned SO coconut creamer was best.    Who would think it could be that hard to find coconut creamer.  I checked Star, Roche Brothers, Target and finally I found coconut creamer at Trader Joe's.   I bought two in case I didn't stumble across it anytime soon.  It is good.  It almost makes me forget that I can't have the creamy goodness of half n half in my coffee.

I used to put cheese in my eggs to add extra protein.  No mas.  Gluten is in everything.  Dressings, condiments, sauces, etc.  So far my food has been a bit bland.  But I am surviving.  And I feel better.  Although my stomach now feels more sensitive to onions and other things.  Maybe because it was used to feeling bothered all the time.  We've gone out for sushi twice in one week.  Not as good without all the sauces but still quite delicious!  Salmon, Steak, Gluten free pasta.  We went to Yard House for dinner and I ordered off the gluten free menu where Hamburgers come wrapped with lettuce rather than a bun.  Apparently the truffle fries included butter so were not dairy free.  It was a pitiful gluten free menu because half of it described what you couldn't have compared to what others could have.  But that burger was so good, even wrapped in lettuce!  Potatoes.  Thank god for potatoes to give me that starchy full feeling.  I told Rod tonight that if the food intolerance test comes back positive for eggs and potatoes, I just might cry.

Today my 4th grader came home from school and disappeared up in her room for a while.  She came down with a present all wrapped up and handed it to me.  I said "Oh honey why don't you wait for Christmas?  It's just around the corner. " And she answered "No, you need this now!"  I opened it and almost cried.  Especially when she told me she bought it with $18 of her own money.  So sweet.  She was so excited to have seen something I needed at the school book fair and bought it with her own money.  Love this girl!  So thoughtful!

I read it tonight and the food looks delicious.  Of course I have a list of about 20 gluten free staples that I need to buy if I want to make some of the recipes.  I'd like to try some of the easier recipes that don't include the specialty items to start before I invest in a gluten free pantry.     Looking forward to expanding my meal repertoire!  There is also a store in the town next door called Twist.  Everything in there is gluten free and the majority of items are also dairy free.  Perfect place to go because you're not looking at a display thinking about all the things you can't have.  We've tried a few things from pumpkin ginger scones and whoopee pies to a turkey sandwich.  Our friends say the meatloaf cupcakes with mashed potato "frosting" are delicious!  Nice to have a go to place nearby.

In the meantime I'm making do.  Mostly meat, fish and vegetables with a little gluten free pasta, brown rice or quinoi thrown in.  I've lost 5 pounds in a week.  My joints feel less swollen and I haven't had any tendon pain.  Perhaps this is the answer.  We shall see.  Still waiting on the test results.  I'm hoping to have them before we head to NY for Thanksgiving.  I know we won't be having Turkey while we're watching our oldest dance in the Macy's day parade but I was at least hoping for a slice of NY pizza pie.  Don't worry.  I'll pack Kind bars in my purse, just in case.