I’m not good with letting people down. Or letting myself down. And I kind of feel like I’ve done both this week.

After I went on, and on about my gluten-detox, I failed. Actually, it’s really hard for me to admit it.

On Tuesday evening, Dad-oo and I had some business to tend to (more on that later, hopefully) which took us out of town for most of the evening, including dinner. Before we headed home, we needed some grub. Something quick. Something close. Something cheep. And so, we picked Subway.

Now, you may be wondering (or maybe not, if you already figured out where I’m going with this), what delightful gluten-free item did I find at Subway. Well, the answer to that is a veggie pizza. Only it wasn’t gluten-free.

I caved. McDonald’s just doesn’t do it for me, and I don’t know if their salads are GF or not. I LOVE Subway pizzas, I was tired and all I could think about was the bready, cheesy-goodness.

But here’s the thing. I don’t feel any different. Not immediately after I ate. Not the next day. I feel exactly the same.  In fact, I don’t feel any different than I did almost 3 weeks ago when I started the detox. Which leads me to believe that I’m doing all of this for nothing.

So that’s my big, fat FAIL of the week.

But it brings up a few important questions for my gluten-free friends out there.

If I do in fact have a gluten sensitivity, should I be feeling different already? Wouldn’t I have had some reaction to eating the pizza (and, if I’m being completely honest, a few cookies when we got home)? Am I doing this all for nothing?

HELP!

This post is linked to Friday Fails over at My Blessed Life.

This post is proudly linked up to Mondays: Mouthwatering Mondays, Made By You Monday, Mingle Monday, The Girl Creative Tuesdays: Tuesdays and the Table, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Tasty Tuesday, It's a Blog Party, Tip Junkie, Get Your Craft On Wednesdays: Show and Tell, Works for Me Wednesday, This Chick Cooks Thursdays: It's a Keeper Thursdays, Strut Your Stuff, Full Plate Thursdays, Chic & Crafty Party, Transformation Thursday Fridays: I'm Loving It, Foodie Friday, Simply Designing, Show and Tell Friday Saturdays: Sweets for a Saturday, Positively Splendid, Saturday Nite Special Sundays: Nifty Thrifty Sunday, Sundae Scoop Party

Gluten-Fail is a post from: Alli 'n Son

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Remember a couple of days ago, when I posted this week’s meal plan? I may have mentioned something about going on a gluten detox. And then yesterday, I posted this delicious cake ball recipe? I know, those two things don’t really match up. Yes, it’s true that I’m going on a 4 week gluten detox. Yes, it’s also true that I love cake. And frosting. Especially when they are mixed together and covered in frosting. But for now, I have to give up these sweet little pieces of heaven.

Along with my bread, pretzels, crackers, graham crackers and pizza. Even my beloved granola bars have to be modified. But yes, it is true, I’m giving up gluten for 4 weeks. Maybe longer. And when the detox is over, I’m going to slowly, every so slowly, add wheat products back in, starting with only whole grain wheat. And if all goes well, I’ll move on to the more refined products.

Why, oh, why would I take on such a challenge?

I’m crazy?

I’m a glutton for punishment?

I’m a bored housewife looking for something to do?

Yes, just a little bit, to all of the above. But the real reason is something that I’ve been blogging about over at Naturally Knocked Up. Fertility, struggles and trying to make natural changes for a healthier body. Please check out my posts to get the full story. One day I’ll share it here, I promise.

One of the things that has been lingering in the back of my mind is whether or not my fertility struggles could be related to a gluten allergy or sensitivity. It’s something that I’ve discussed with my sister, who was wondering if her struggles are caused by the same thing. So, I figured, I have nothing to lose, I’m just going to do it. I’m jumping in with both feet. And already, one day in, I’m doubting my willpower to make it through 4 weeks, and realizing just how much I’ve relied on wheat/gluten-based products to get me through the day.

In honor of my 4 week gluten detox, here’s list of food that I will greatly miss. I’m shedding a tear while I’m writing this. It’s going to be a long 4 weeks.

1. Pizza. The thing I look most forward to at the end of the week. Sitting on the couch, pigging out and watching a movie with Dad-oo.
2. Bread. Oh bread, how I love thee. Gluten-free bread is just not the same, don’t let anyone tell you differently.
3. Pretzels. What will I replace you with, or glorious baked snack food? So easy to grab a handful as I’m running out the door. So easy to pair with string cheese or chocolate. So easy to eat, and eat, and eat.
4. Crackers. I’ve fallen in love with you lately, even going so far as to make my own. It was love at first sight, and now you are gone.
5. Cinnamon Rolls. True, I hardly ever eat you, but now that I can’t, you are all that I want. You sweet, cream cheese frosting and cinnamon goodness. How can I resit?
6. Chocolate Chip Cookies. I swear the universe is against me, because everywhere I go, I see and smells cookies baking. They are just screaming out for me to grab a handful of their soft, melty goodness.
7. M&M’s. Goodbye sweet, chocolate goodness. Did you know that they contain Dextrins, which may contain gluten? Now what will I eat my stress away with?
8. Cereal. Unless it’s boring old rice cereal, it’s out the door. This was my quick, healthy sweet fix (when I was stressed enough to dig into the chocolate).
9. Anything that has Natural Flavoring, because that may have gluten in it. That is basically any type of prepared food. Seriously.
10. Finally, watching my son eat normal food, and preparing this normal food for him is just about going to kill me. Seriously, not a day goes by where I’m not eating his leftovers or “testing” his good.

For the next four weeks I’ll be updating about my gluten detox challenge. And I’ll send along some help info for anyone considering going gluten-free. Such as this handy list of products that contain gluten.

If you are gluten-free, can you share a hint of two? What exactly do you eat for snack food? Do you have any good, bread-like bread recipes? What food do you miss the most?

This blog is linked to Oh Amanda’s Top 10 Tuesday’s Blog Carnival. Head on over for more Top 10 Lists.

This post is proudly linked up to Mondays: Mouthwatering Mondays, Made By You Monday, Mingle Monday, The Girl Creative Tuesdays: Tuesdays and the Table, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Tasty Tuesday, It's a Blog Party, Tip Junkie, Get Your Craft On Wednesdays: Show and Tell, Works for Me Wednesday, This Chick Cooks Thursdays: It's a Keeper Thursdays, Strut Your Stuff, Full Plate Thursdays, Chic & Crafty Party, Transformation Thursday Fridays: I'm Loving It, Foodie Friday, Simply Designing, Show and Tell Friday Saturdays: Sweets for a Saturday, Positively Splendid, Saturday Nite Special Sundays: Nifty Thrifty Sunday, Sundae Scoop Party

4 Week Gluten Detox is a post from: Alli 'n Son

Yes, this year I’m jumping on the New Years Resolution bandwagon. I’m a little embarrassed to admit that. But, heck, why not give it a shot.

I have a few smaller resolutions that I’ve been working on over the last few weeks. Being less judgey and more accepting. How do I do it? Whenever I feel the snarkie, judge-monster coming, I just calmly remind her that I don’t know this person’s full story, and I shouldn’t judge them based on the few seconds, minutes or even hours that I spend with them. I wouldn’t want to be judged like that. So far, it’s working pretty well. Bonus, I feel a little better about myself too.

My major resolution, which begins with my next 30 Day Challenge, is to reduce the amount of sugar I eat and to increase the amount of protein, whole grains, fruits and veggies that I eat. Now before you brush this off as another New Years Resolution to lose weight, hear me out. I’m not trying to lose weight. At all. I just want to be a healthier person. When I’m healthier, I’m happier. When I’m happier, my family is happier. So really, I’m doing this for my family, not myself. Do you like the way I spun that?

So what are my motivating reasons for this change? Well, first off I need to detox. After weeks of indulging in cookies, chocolates, drinks, huge meals, so on and so forth, I need to do something drastic, something to let my body know that I’m serious. Something to let everyone else know that I’m just a little bit crazy. In case there were any doubts to begin with.

I’m also tired of feeling tired. Tired of not having energy, or feeling my energy drain away quickly because I’m not eating as well as I should be. Tired of not being able to concentrate, remember or think clearly (although I like to blame this on lingering pregnancy brain). Tired of feeling like I’m a pretty healthy person, I exercise after all, except that I don’t eat like I should. Sure I eat, but I don’t eat to fuel my body. I eat because I’m exhausted and realized that I haven’t had a real meal and it’s 2 in the afternoon. I eat because I have a craving. I eat because someone (ok, it was me) made brownies and if I don’t eat them, who will?

I want to set a good example for the kiddo. We don’t let him have desert each night, yet Dad-oo and I take from our secret stash after he goes to bed. I provide him mostly healthy meals and make sure that he eats 3 meals plus snacks, so we don’t have too many appearances of “sassy-pants”. Although he does still pop up now and then, usually in the form of throwing food on the floor. Or refusing to eat just because Momma asked him to, only to eat a few seconds later. But that’s for another blog.

Also, I need a new challenge. Something to push myself towards. Something to get my mind off of the constantly decreasing temperatures and increasing amounts of snow. I need to give my mind a new challenge, coming up with healthy recipes full of ingredients that my families bodies need. And of course making sure that everything still tastes good.

So, to kick off my resolution, I’m starting a 30 Day No-Sweets Challenge. That means no cookies. No chocolate. No brownies. No ice cream. No desserts of any kind. No sugary snacks (good-bye fruit snacks). No sugary granola bars disguised as health food. No, no, no. There’s a good chance that I will be go insane before the end of this. But I want to do it, and I know that I can. Plus Dad-oo has agreed to go through this with me, so we can be crabby together and at each other, until the initial detox period is over.

What happens after the 30 No-Sweets Day Challenge? Well, I’m not going to deprive myself for the rest of my life. It’s just too long for that. And I like chocolate too much. Plus I dream of making cookies with the kiddo on cold or rainy days. And rice crispy bars. Or brownies. Mmmmm, brownies. So my goal, after the 30 days are up, is to introduce sweets back in, but sparingly. A dessert once a week, whether it’s a cookie (or two), a really good chocolate bar, or a piece of cheesecake. I can live with that. Plus, it will be good for me to find ways to deal with stress and frustration other than stuffing myself full of chocolate.

And while I’m experimenting with new and healthy recipes, I will of course share them. But only the good ones. I’m hiding the horrible ones from prying eyes. Oh…FYI…Dad-oo also wants to limit our intake of cheese. Tough to do, considering that we live in Wisconsin. And that we love cheese. With a passion. So I’ll only be using cheese in two or three recipes a week, which compared to almost every day is pretty impressive. Now, I’m off to find healthy recipes without sugar or cheese. Sounds yummy huh?

So, who’s with me? Who wants to take on the 30 Day No-Sweets Challenge with me? Anyone brave enough to try?

A Resolution of Sorts (The 30 Day No Sweets Challenge) is a post from: Alli 'n Son

Since I don’t have enough to do in my life, I’ve decided to give myself a 30-day challenge (inspired by Mom Advice). But I want to do something that will bring change to my life, in a good way. Not something that ends up feeling like a burden. So, for this first challenge, I’ve decided to take photos of Eli every day, for 30 days.

Here’s what I’m hoping to get out of this. I LOVE photography and I LOVE taking photos. And I really thought that after we had Eli, I would find the missing inspiration I needed to get me moving again. But I didn’t. Partly because there just aren’t enough hours in the day. Partly because I’m afraid I won’t have time to sift through all of the photos. And partly because I’m afraid that I wont take good photos. But I realized the other day that I have very few photos of Eli from the last couple of months and I really don’t want to regret not taking photos of him.

So here’s the challenge. Take at least one photo (who am I kidding, I won’t be able to stop at one) of Eli each day. He doesn’t have to be doing anything super special or cute. I just need to get in the habit of taking more photos. So, with my trusty [amazonify]B0007QKMQY::text::::camera[/amazonify]in hand, off I go to begin the challenge. After the 30 days are up, I’ll post again to let everyone know how it went Maybe I’ll even share a few photos along the way. Wish me luck!

If anyone wants to join me in this challenge, let me know by commenting.

30 Day Challenge – Photography is a post from: Alli 'n Son