I’ve been meaning to write a post about this for quite so me time. But just haven’t known which direction to take or if I should even be talking about this. But, this is my blog and these are my thoughts so I decided to let go of worrying about ‘if’ I should chat about this.
So here it is.
It seems everywhere I turn, people say, “O you’re so lucky you can’t eat dairy or gluten or packaged foods”…”No wonder you’re so skinny”…”I wish I had your food intolerance’s”…
What?
Seriously?
Yes. Seriously. These are some of the common words out of people’s mouths when I tell them that I’m intolerant to sulfates, most dairy, soy, grains, oils and gluten.
It really struck me last week when I was out to dinner ordering chicken with a side of vegetables and told the server the usual: no oil, no dairy, no marinades, no dressings, no sugar, no gluten. She turned to me and said very sarcastically, “Don’t worry, there won’t be any FAT in your dinner.” Wow. I was shocked. Was she serious? I looked back at her and said actually I am intolerant to these foods and I’d like a sliced avocado with my meal. She then apologized as she realized she spoke too soon and was being quite rude.
This isn’t the first time a waiter or waitress has commented on my order.
To be honest, it happens all the time.
It once bothered me.
Not any more.
And that’s why I’m writing this today. To let you know that you’re not alone. When your body rejects a food or an ingredient in a food and you have a bad reaction- You are allowed to say NO to that food and stay away from it. Don’t feel bad or let other people make you feel out of place or odd.
I often have to meet friends after dinner if they are dining at a restaurant that doesn’t have something I can eat such as Italian, Chinese, Thai, etc.
There’s nothing wrong with this. I’d rather feel good eating my food and then meet friends rather than suffer through a meal only to get so sick I can barely move and leave the restaurant.
I was recently out to dinner with a group of people whom I had just met. I ordered my fish and asked that the dish be served atop vegetables instead of pasta. I explained to the waiter that I am gluten-intolerant and cannot eat pasta, therefore I’d greatly appreciate if they could accommodate me with vegetables. Not a problem. But, when it came to the woman across from me to order, she ordered the same thing and said to our server, “Actually, I don’t want pasta either, I’m going to be good like Amie and not have the pasta because I don’t want the carbs.” I was Shocked. Shocked. And honestly, a bit taken back. It was shocking to hear someone say I was being ‘good’ for not ordering the pasta. What was I supposed to do? Order the pasta and get so ill that I can’t leave the restaurant? Moreover, since when is pasta ‘bad’ and since when are carbs ‘bad’? I was so upset by this and the way that our society views foods as good and bad.
We all eat what we want and what makes us and our bodies feel good. If feeling good means having a bite of dark chocolate or a scoop of ice cream or a piece of cake or a juicy steak, then go for it. Just eat it in moderation. And then simply stick to your clean eating.
Many people think my way of eating is too strict. But it’s not me that’s putting these rules onto what my body can eat and can’t it. It’s the reactions that are caused by all these foods that create my way of eating. I dabble with nut butters and nuts and seeds but have to be careful because if I eat too much of these foods, my body reacts.
Last week, for instance I tried to have two rice cakes with nut butter and cinnamon. Bad reaction.
I also recently tried having a snack of a banana with dark chocolate chips. Bad reaction.
Arg.
Frustration.
And are there days when I don’t care anymore and all I want is a bowl of cereal and crackers and ice cream?
Yes.
And about 3 times a year I do.
And I regret every second of it. Because I’m in pain and swollen for the next 48 hours after I indulge in these foods.
But for some reason, my body wants it and so for these few times a year, I cheat.
Why? Because I want to know what it feels like to be able to eat those foods. I think, ahhh it must be great to be able to just sit and grab a snack and eat these fun foods…
And then I seriously regret it when I’m in bed in pain unable to move. Yuck.
I’ve been teased and made fun of because I cannot drink alcohol and because I have a difficult time eating out (most restaurants use many canned items for meals along with marinades, oils, etc.) but I just shrug it off because my life is about ME.
It’s about feeling good.
And ya know what? Tease me all you want. Go ahead.
It doesn’t bother me.
Why?
Because I’m confident that I am healing.
I have my body to thank for telling me what foods I can and cannot eat.
The gut inflammation was and still is so bad when I eat the foods that I react to. These foods simply are not worth the pain.
But do I miss them?
Heck ya.
Do I wish I could sit outside at the outdoor cafes and eat a cheeseburger and have a beer? Yes.
Do I wish I could simply leave my apartment for the day not having to pack snacks and food to eat when I get hungry?
Do I wish I didn’t have to pack a lunch every day for the 6 years I was in corporate America?
Do I wish I could go on a date with a cute guy and have a slice of organic pizza and then stop by a cute little ice cream shop for a scoop of chocolate on a wafer cone?
Do I wish the person sitting next to me on airplanes didn’t tease me for eating a whole avocado with a spoon in mid-air during my flight?
Do I wish people would understand what it’s like when you can’t simply just stop on a road trip, vacation, walk around town, etc. for a bit to eat anywhere?
Do I wish I could come home to my apartment after an exhausting day and just pop a (healthy) frozen meal in the microwave or stop by the million take-out spots in Manhattan to pick up a bit and get on with my night?
Do I wish I could sit and eat cute little crackers with cheese cubes and enjoy a glass of wine for a pre-dinner appetizer?
Do I wish I could not have to call ahead to hotels to be sure I have a microwave and fridge in my room?
Do I wish I didn’t have to tell white lies to get out of eating at swanky restaurants because I’m not spending $50 on steamed broccoli while everyone else boozes and eats a 5 course meal?
Yes.
I do.
I do wish for all these things.
But I also know that I am special. Therefore, I can make my own burgers. I bring my little cooler on the airplane. I eat at home before meeting friends out on the town. I get cozy in my hotel room making eggs for breakfast and chopping up veggies in Ziploc bags for snacks when traveling. I love packing a brown bag lunch. Why do I love all these things? Because I’ve never known it any other way.
So I just don’t know what it’s like to pop into a restaurant and order anything or go for a road trip without food on hand, or fly without a 3 course homemade meal or walk around Manhattan on a Saturday afternoon without a bag of snacks on me.
I know some day I’ll be able to eat more foods as my body changes.
I always enjoy a bit of dark chocolate and a few almonds for dessert.
The worst part is that there are so many healthy foods that I can no longer eat.
Nothing out of a can, nothing containing sulfates (which is in everything, pretty much), very little nuts, seeds, nut butters, no oils, very little dairy (I can digest Greek yogurt and a few cheeses –very exciting for me), no gluten, no grains, no beans, no sugar, no soy (which is in everything as I just learned there is soy in a Lipton tea that I’ve been drinking).
Crazy, isn’t it?
But what has kept me alive and strong and positive is that I know my intolerance’s will hopefully one day vanish.
Did I get excited to buy ricotta cheese last week and enjoy a few spoonfuls hoping I would not get sick? Yes.
Did I get sick? Yes.
So sad.
But I have to focus on what I can eat and what my body can digest. And I’ve grown to love these foods.
What do I love?
My veggies, my avocado, my eggs, organic turkey and chicken, my homemade salsas, guacamole’s, dressings and marinades. My Greek yogurt, my ricotta cheese and a few other sharp cheeses (Yeaa), my sea vegetables such as Dulse and Nori.
And some others…
As many of you know, on December 3rd of this past year I ate kale from a farmer’s market, I became very ill- suffered from many, many parasites, pathogens, bacteria overgrowth cases, C-Diff colitis, dysbiosis, leaky gut, mercury accumulation and so munch more. I was on disability from my job, on pain killers and steroids for 3 months.
Then, I woke up and realized I don’t want to live my life this way and I switched from Western medicine (Steroids and pain killers and doctors who wouldn’t listen to me) to Eastern medicine working with an M.D. specializing in toxicity and stomach issues. It was then I relieved myself of steroids and pain killers and have been healing myself the natural way ever since.
I’m telling you this story because you are not alone. I woke up every morning from December thru August in chronic pain. Chronic.
What hurt the most during these past few months, you ask?
The fact that my corporate job and western medical doctors thought it was all ‘In Your Head’.
That’s what they told me.
And honestly, that hurt more than the pain in my belly.
So much more.
My pains were real. They are real. There is nothing in my head.
But this caused me so much pain. I could barely sleep at night thinking that my co-workers thought I was out having a blast on disability when I was in the hospital in chronic pain.
Why did they cause me so much pain? Because it made me feel Alone.
I recall waking up thinking … No one is helping me right now. No one.
I exhausted all doctors in Manhattan, New York State, New Jersey and Philadelphia.
No one had an answer.
Until I found my medical doctor whom I am now working with. Who found the key to the lock.
He discovered I am missing a gene. I was born without a gene to absorb Folate.
And, I was suffering from mercury accumulation in my body.
Now, Western medicine tested my heavy metals many, many times but Western medicine only looks at the heavy metal levels in your blood.
Eastern medicine, however tests the mercury in your Body, your Tissues through a urine test.
And that is how I discovered that nothing was in my head.
My instincts were right.
Dead on, to be exact.
So now, I just had all of my mercury fillings removed—long process to say the least.
And, I’m waiting on the results of my mercury levels now that they’ve been removed.
Then, we will take a look at my chelation schedule.
It’s been quite a road and a crazy journey.
But I stayed strong. Stayed positive.
Why?
Because I wanted to fight it to help people like you and me fight it, too.
And all this time…all those days of pain…what’s kept my head up high?
My blog.
My passion for helping people like you.
Knowing there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
And you’re almost there.
xo
Your blog was sent to me as a link via email. For the past year I have been struggling with extreme left sided abdominal pain and enlarged lymphnodes all over my body. I have seen just about every sort of MD and I’ve even been to the Mayo clinic. Everyone assures me that I will be back to normal in no time. Well enough is enough. I have given up my wedding, a spot in a great nursing program. I’m not sure if you had enlarged lymphnodes or not. But I know you struggled with pain. Mine is so bad I haven’t been able to work for an entire year. I was just wondering if you could suggest where I could go to get tested for food and environmental allergies or sensitivities. I am despite to get back to some sort of “norm”. Thanks for your time! Your story was so inspirational
Thank you so much Jera; I didn’t have enlarged lymphnodes but I am happy to recommend Dr. Jeffrey Morrison in NYC of The Morrison Center; he is great and does lots of testing. Tell him I said hi; he’s a great person and a wonderful doctor! Feel better and stay positive!
xoxo
I found it really interesting that my grandson is autistic and his school has recommended that he stay glutin, soy, peanut, dairy and sugar free for concentration and focus.
Thanks Linda; yes I work with many autistic children who are all on a gluten, soy, peanut, dairy and sugar free diet and have seen huge improvements!!
I’m going through a lot of the similar digestive/food problems you are, Amie. I found it interesting you can handle Greek yogurt and a few cheeses. Same here – milk contains two proteins, casein and whey. I can’t tolerate whey (milk, ice cream, cream cheeses, etc.), but *can* tolerate casein (Greek yogurt, hard cheeses). Cottage contains both, but “farmer’s cottage cheese, if you can find it, is all curds (casein) and no whey. Good luck and hope your “gut feeling” gets better all the time. 🙂
Thank you so much! Great to hear from you. I actually haven’t had yogurt since this post because it started bothering me again….I cut out dairy again because I was experiencing stomach pain and bloating that was too much to handle. My body keeps changing and I’m still healing so I greatly appreciate your comment and kind words. I’m hoping to be able to have some cheese and yogurt soon! Have a great day!!
Amie, wow. Thank you. I just found this post online, and I am now reading all your blogs. This post is so inspiring. I have a gluten intolerance, dairy intolerance, don’t eat red meat, pre packaged foods, and I think I am allergic to soy now too. I have now just been diagnosed with epilepsy (as of today,) and I am hoping to find a way to control it more with diet. The way you said that them not believing you hurt more than the pain, that hit me hard. I know exactly what you mean. You are a strong woman! Thank you for the strong words and inspiration!
Xoxo
Thank you Casey; you are so kind. So great to hear from you; stay positive! You are strong, too and you can get through this.
xoox
You are TOO SWEET, Amie! I am SO THANKFUL that I found YOU! You provide so much hope and inspiration! Your note has touched me and made more tears flow. I said to my husband, “She doesn’t even know me, and listen to what she wrote,” and his reply was, “Actually it sounds like she knows you better than almost anyone!” It is so true! Only people who have been through something like this understand. I am SO GLAD you are doing better! I am, too…and I thank God every day for that. I am not where I would like to be, but I am thankful that I am not where I was! I do visualization, meditation, deep breathing, etc. with a hypnotherapist (and at home), and that has helped a lot. I also do acupuncture, moxa, saunas, etc. I am willing to try it all! I am also on lots of vitamins/supplements, which seem to help. I have a team of people I see…an MD, an herbalist, a naturopath…then I do a lot of trial and error based on what they tell me and how my body reacts, or my intuition. One of my biggest hurdles is staying positive and truly BELIEVING that I WILL heal! Thank you for lifting me up and reminding me! You are obviously a very special person! I feel like I made a best friend with one fateful mouse click today. Sending you lots of love from Boston! TAKE CARE! XO!
You are too kind, Sharon! Of course I’m here to help you. You can always leave me a comment and I’m happy to help. You can find me on Facebook and Twitter and Instagram too! I know you will heal; I know you can do this and so do YOU! Keep that beautiful head UP high and stay strong. Two years ago I was on disability and was in such pain- I’m living proof that you can kick the pain killers and drugs- listen to your body and find a MD that specializes in Integrative Medicine to heal YOU and not cover up your symptoms with a band-aid.
Love ya girl; you are my new online buddy!
xoxoox
Stay Strong!!!
Amie, I don’t even know where to begin… During my daily visit to Facebook today I just happened to look over on the righthand side of the page at the ads I always ignore. There was one titled “Premier Allergy.” I said “nah” to myself, but something made me click it…and there was a link to one of your recipes. I had a spark of hope deep down, but my thoughts were filled with, “probably just another thing I can’t eat.” Then I clicked on your “About” section and found this “My Thoughts” piece. I am moved to tears!!! You have no idea how much this means to me. To give you a brief idea…I am 32 years old, and I have spent most of my life with what was called “stomach trouble,” with “attacks” and some substantial chunks of time being very sick with “random” symptoms all over my body. Finally at the age of 30, after having my son, my world came crashing down and I ended up extremely sick…to the point of being bedridden. During the other very sick periods in my life I would see nothing short of 10 doctors with NO answers. I was afraid this time would be the same, and it almost was. After 15+ doctors (some more than once), every blood test/lab/screening imaginable…no answers… Sent home 25 pounds lighter in 3 weeks, being told there was “nothing wrong.” I was not going to give up and die…especially now that I was responsible for another life! I immediately started a Candida-like diet, and then I found an “off the map” MD, and that is when I started getting some answers. First, I tested positive for Lyme Disease…which is basically an auto-immune disease that attacks all systems of your body . I was devastated and lost…but I have clawed my way back bit by bit and learned so much about my body along the way. My next step is testing for heavy metal toxicity, but I have to get up the courage to take the sulfa-drug (I have always been allergic) to do it. Lyme overtaxes your system so you can’t detox properly and along the way can cause multiple allergies (mine are not just to food but environmental as well). I have continued on the diet for the last year and a half, but I feel imprisoned by it, and as you so beautifully articulated, nobody “gets it!” It is extremely challenging to live a “normal” life, but I started getting out more and more with my cooler in tow. It seems like when I try to eat something a little different my body freaks out, so I am not sure where to go from here, but your website has been a ray of sunshine in my monotony. Thank you for sharing yourself and giving this gift to others. I really started to feel like there was no one else out there just like me… Sure there are plenty of vegan sites, or gluten-free, or dairy-free sites, but I am in a place where it is easier to tell people what I CAN eat versus what I can’t, because it is a shorter list…this coming from someone who used to eat anything and everything! I used to live to eat, but now I eat to live. Sorry for the ramble, but I just can’t say THANK YOU enough!
YOU are amazing! You made my night, Sharon; thank you so much for your comment. I LOVED hearing from you and I will help you in anyway I can. I am not a doctor but I am more than happy to help you with some of the things that helped me! I am on my last round of chelation and staying strong. I still have stomach pains from time to time but I stay strong and keep going! Try some meditation, I love doing that now and it has helped me so much. Try to quiet your mind and take deep breaths; you will heal. I KNOW you can do this and YOU know you can too. Tell yourself that YOU CAN do this. Keep your head up high and stay strong. I am here for you anytime in anyway I can. Please keep me posted on how you are feeling and let me know what I can do to help you. Sending you HUGE hugs from NYC wherever you are. Love ya, girl. xoox Keep your head up. There IS an answer. My doctor here in NYC is amazing if you would like to see him! xooxox
Thank you for sharing your story! Some people are so thoughtless. It goes to show we need to stop judging each other and focus on living our own lives, putting that energy into making a healthier safer future. Sure there are people who eat the way you do to diet, lose weight etc. But even still, why should I care? I don’t live in their body. Our environment (including toxic chemicals) plays a big role in the health of our bodies, so when will we start to prioritize cleaning up our environment?
Thanks for sharing this, and I love your photos. You’re beautiful, inside and out 🙂
Thank you so much Lindsay; you are so kind. You just made my day, darling! I agree completely and I am so happy to read your comment. Thank YOU for your kind words and inspiration. xoox
Amie- Although- the indefinite restrictions from foods sounds awful! Reading how you handle it, that sounds so sweet. To me the rhythm of preparing in advance foods to snack on that you know will nourish and make you feel energized and happy sounds like quite the blessing. Having an avocado instead of plane food also sounds fabulous! (Although, I haven’t tried plan avocado yet it sounds better then what I remember eating on my flight to Germany) Really- all the home made food sounds so much more special and romantic to me then any restauraunt made food 🙂 Really, though I think what is actually so wonderful about your story is that you have discovered what works for you!
It is so hard to figure this out. Especially, with all the different information flying at us trying to get us to eat such and such or to not eat this. Even then- we are all different too! What works for me might not work for everyone.
Your story is so eye-opening to me. I’ve struggled with food so much over the years, impart I think because I do actually have slight intolerance to things, but much more because I have no idea what do with it… So- it gets mixed up in my confusion about anything in life. Food is a mental battle more then a physical one for me… so it’s good to see another side of the issue.
Again. Thank-you so much for sharing this! <3
And I am wondering how exactly did you find the doctor that finally helped you? How do you know that eventually you will be able to reintroduce certain foods back into your life?
Valerie,
So nice to hear from you! Thank you for your kind words as I greatly appreciate your comment and support as well as sharing your story! I agree- there is so much information out there on packaging, advertising, etc. that tries to lure us into fun foods when they are filled with chemicals and processed ingredients. I found my dr (Dr. Jeffrey Morrison of the Morrison Center in NYC) via his Public Relations firm- they reached out to me via my blog asking for an interview and when I spoke with him I told him my story and he was kind enough to invite me in as a patient!
Have a wonderful night and thank you again. Your comment means so much to me.
xox
AMIE,
YOU KNOW I FOLLOW YOUR BLOG DAILY YOUR STORY IS AMAZING AND THEIR ARE SO MANY OF US JUST LIKE YOU. PEOPLE WHO HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH FOOD INTOLERANCE JUST DON’T UNDERSTAND. I SUFFERED ALMOST 2 YEARS BEFORE I FOUND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH ME LIKE YOU I WAS TOLD TO SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP BECAUSE THEIR WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH ME, IT WAS ALL IN MY HEAD. WELL I KNEW HOW SICK I FELT AND MY HUSBAND TOOK ME TO THE HOSPITAL MORE TIMES THEN CAN COUNT. THE STOMACH PAINS AND THE NAUSEA AND I WAS GIVEN MEDS AND SENT HOME WITH A BUG. THIS WENT ON FOR SUCH A LONG TIME. BUT NOW THEIR ARE SO MANY THINGS I AM NOT ABLE TO EAT BUT THAT’S OK BECAUSE I RATHER NOT HAVE STOMACH PROBLEMS. CELEIC IS VERY SERIOUS AS YOU KNOW AND I CAN’T GO OUT AND ENJOY RESTAURANTS ANYMORE BECAUSE I AM ALWAYS THINKING OF SOMESONE MAKING A MISTAKE THAT WILL COST ME TO BE SICK. MY HOME IS GLUTEN FREE AND I CARRY MY FOOD WHERE I AM GOING. THIS IS SAD BUT I HAVE TO DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO BE HEALTHY. YOU ARE A WONDERFUL PERSON AND YOU GIVE ENCOURAGMENT TO PEOPLE LIKE ME. THAT THERE IS HOPE IN THE FUTURE THAT THINGS CAN CHANGE. THANK YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL EVENING. YOUR PICTURES ARE GREAT.
Awe you are too kind. Thank you so much for your comment Beverly it means so much to me that you shared your thoughts and it’s great to know there is a huge support system out there for all of us.
Have a great weekend.
xox
Hi Amie, this is Elke from health coaching Paris in Paris, France. I have been following your blog and twits attentively by simply just loving your recepies. I had no clue the story behind! I am really really sorry for the pain you have to go through and the restrictions you have to live by, and I admire you for the courage and for standing up for yourself! This is very inspirational and motivating! Thank you for sharing , even I personally do not have to battle with food intolerance, I always worship a healthy lifestyle, living by “your body is a temple”. I never had any major health issues, and have always been very active, but the past year I started to suffer from huge fatigue. It got so bad I barely feel getting up the couch. Now I had to say, I am a full time working single mother of a 6 year old fantastic, energetic boy and you don’t know how bad I felt always to tell him I am not able to play with him because I am always tired. I finally made it to the doc and I am having an iron deficiency – a very big relieve for me, something to fix. But I made some major life changes: I gave in my letter of resignation and will have my last day of work July 31 to become a full time health coach 😉 it is risky, I still have bills to pay and a little hungry mouth to feet, but I feel so relieved with my desicion and confident this was the right choice. Again thank you Amie for your inspiration and your bravery and positive attitude to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Where there is a will, there is a way! Much love from Paris, xo – Elke
Awe thank you Elke!! Congrats on your new amazing career! I am so excited for you and so glad we connected via twitter. Keep up the amazing health coach work and enjoy your summer!
Xxoo
Thank you for sharing. Being yourself no matter what, and sharing your story. You can’t go wrong listening to your gut instinct.
Thanks Kandace! I greatly appreciate your support and so happy to hear from you! Enjoy your day!
Lady…you’re an inspiration. And screw the people that don’t get it or live in too small a world to respect and appreciate that you need to do what’s right for you. I say bravo.
Awe thank you darling. You are so kind! Great to hear from you. Xxo
I’ve struggled with food addiction my whole life. There are foods that I have to avoid so that I don’t get sick in my mind and in my emotions. No one other than other food addicts understand that me not eating a slice of cake at a birthday party isn’t about me being “good” or “overly dramatic” or “difficult” or any thing else people have said to me. I’m just trying to keep my mind healthy. It’s very lonely.
About six months ago I discovered that my son (who is 4 now) is gluten intolerant. No one believes me because he doesn’t show the gastrointestinal signs of the “allergy”. Instead he manifests all the neurological signs that western doctors don’t consider real or measurable. But I know. I’ve seen a change in him since we changed his diet and took him off gluten. He’s healing and I have to ignore the naysayers because (although this may sound arrogant) he’s my child, he came from my body, I know what I know.
I worry about him feeling “other” about food because there are so many things he can no longer have that he sees people eating. He’s only 4 after all. But, it gives me hope to read about all the other people out there living with food allergies and intolerances. Hope for myself, and hope for him.
Thanks.
Elizabeth- such a delight to read your story. I feel your pain and I hear you darling! You are not alone out there…there are so many people that just don’t ‘get it’ because they can eat anything and it can be frustrating and upsetting…believe me; I live in Manhattan where everyone loves eating out and drinking and there are times when I wish I could join them but we just have to be thankful for what we have and the fact that we are alive and living our best lives helping others.
Thank you again for your comment; have a lovely night and don’t loose hope. Stay positive.
xox
WOW – thank you so much for posting this! The past 6 mths I’ve been going thru the allergy tests etc to figure out what was causing dizziness. I can’t eat eggs/dairy at the minimum and shouldn’t really eat some other foods. It’s so hard going to restaurants. Changing my diet caused acid reflux (I think it is that anyway). It really is so hard. And going out with family or friends is always tough with my 20 questions of the server about what is in the food!
Thank you Sandy! So happy to hear from you and I am so sorry to hear you have been struggling, as well. It’s not easy but keep your head up; things will get better!
I’m happy to help in anyway I can.
Have a wonderful night and thank you again for your comment!
Thank you so much for this post! I’m also one of the thousands (millions?) who aren’t properly diagnosed for far too long, who get accused of having “all-in-your-head-itis”… it’s so frustrating. I’ve also got multiple food allergies and intolerances and I still don’t know why (celiac that went undiagnosed for too long?). But you’re right, at first, one of the hardest things is dealing with other people’s snickers, snide remarks, and downright rudeness. It downright sucks. And you are also right that we learn to not let it get under our skin.
That’s great that you found a doctor that can help you!
Thank you again for this post. It’s always nice to know that I’m not alone.
Thank you Monique; LOVED hearing from you! So happy to hear from you and it’s great to know that we’re not all crazy and there is an answer out there. I look forward to hearing from you and hope you enjoy my recipes (hope you can eat them with your food allergies). Enjoy your night, darling. xoox
Thanks for this. It was just what I needed to read at just the right time after having to explain why I couldn’t have just a “tiny bite” of a birthday cake. Sometimes I think that others think I enjoy having these restrictions. But come on, who wouldn’t want to be able to eat with abandon. It just isn’t in the cards for me and if I’m good with it, then they should be, too. I promise to never tease you if we end up on a plane together. I may even share some of my avocado. 🙂
Awe; I wish we ended up on a plane together! So great hearing from you Katherine. Hope you enjoy my recipes and blog; have a fabulous night! xoxo
Amie, wow that was a great post. You put what so many people feel into words so well. It’s wonderful. I’m going to share this so others can see this is real. I’m working with a client now who was told it was in her head and it’s just sad that some medical professionals can’t see past their prescription pad. I am glad to hear you are healing but I’m not so happy to hear about the cheats. I hope you will re-read this and see that this special amazing person should not have to go through the pain when you know it’s coming. Give it more time before you try those old foods again. There is nothing that tastes as good as feeling good feels. I’m on a similar journey but I have more foods I can eat. I think you are amazing. Thank you for sharing.
Awe; you are so great. Thank you so much, Diane. You just made my night. I love you for just commenting; I am a huge fan of you and your work and it means so much to me that you took the time to read this post and comment.
Have a wonderful night and hope to meet you in person soon!
xoxo
Dear Amie,
I just discovered your blog a week ago and I have been going through it and it is wonderful!! I had to comment on this post because it spoke so strongly to me. I have had similar experiences. I’ve discovered my own intolerances to rice, certain sugars, and also alcohol (except for beer in small amounts. it is the least sugary). When I eat these, I get back stomach aches and also skin problems. However, I know that it doesn’t end there and I must have some other intolerance because sometimes I still feel those symptoms, subtly or not-so-sublty. I am definitely visiting your M.D. because I’d love to fully know what my body is telling me. It’s so amazing and inspiring to hear your experience! So many people think I am reserved and need to just “live and have fun” because I don’t drink alcohol. But like you said, I choose not to drink it because it doesn’t alter my mood in any way. It simply makes me sick. I’d rather “live and enjoy” with a nice quinoa meal! Yuuum 🙂 That’s why I am trying to eliminate more and more and sticking to a diet similar to yours to just figure out what my body likes and what it doesn’t and hopefully I’ll find my version of clean living!
But I just had a question–so can you eat Kale? Was your long sickness caused by Kale or was that specific kale unwashed or something? When are you done with the chelation? From then on, you can slowly start to incorporate gluten and dairy again? Wow that’s so amazing that you found a solution!! Congratulations and I am excited for you to be able have a wider choice of food, seeing as food means so much to you!! Thanks so much again Amie!!
Thank you so much for your beautiful words and thoughtful comment. You just made me smile and I am thrilled to hear from you! I agree with you as I cannot drink alcohol and it doesn’t even phase me anymore- I don’t miss it one bit. I can eat kale and have started to add in some dairy but very slowly as it still bothers me. I am finished with chelation and it was an interesting process. I learnedcan so muchI and amI feeling so much better. Thank you again for your amazing comment. Have a fabulous day and hope to hear from you again soon! Xxo
Ame,
Love your blog and i’m so glad i found it. I am one year gluten-free and enjoy finding websites with recipes and other people’s stories.
Unfortuantely, my villi is still atrophied after one year. And, although bloodwork has come down, it too is still slightly elevated.
I live in Connecticut and wonder if you the M.D. you mention in your blog (specializing in toxicity and stomach issues) is near to Connecticut?
Thank you!
Thank you so much, Mary; great to hear from you! Thank you for your comment. So sorry you are still not feeling well; have you tried probiotics? I took VSL3 for 6 months and it helped me. My M.D. is Dr. Jeffrey Morrison of the Morrison Center here in NYC. He is AMAZING and so kind and listens and is wonderful. Let him know I sent you to him; he is a great guy and a truly caring doctor.