Hurry Up and Wait

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Today is one of those “hurry up and wait” kind of days.  We had an early patient at the clinic, so we rushed out of the house!  And now I’m doing the secretarial thing. 

 

Busy mornings call for cereal.

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Lovin’ this Organic Whole O’s from Nature’s Path.  It’s a gluten-free cereal that actually doesn’t taste disgusting! Wahoo.  Maybe people have asked me how I’ve been feeling since switching to a lower gluten diet (I took a saliva test that revealed I may be sensitive – saliva tests definitely aren’t the final word on gluten sensitivities, just an FYI).  Honestly, before the test, I never would’ve guessed that I was sensitive.  I ate gluten all day long (literally) and never had any of the telltale signs. 

 

But I have to say that I feel so much better since I stopped, which confirms to me that I am sensitive.  I haven’t had a single headache since reducing gluten.  What I thought was “my body shape” was actually minor bloating – hah!  And really, eating mostly GF hasn’t been that hard – I’ve been filling on quinoa, millet, GF oats, Udi bread (LOVE!!!), and other tasty GF alternatives, like this cereal.  Once I stopped focusing on what I “couldn’t” eat and focused on all the yummy stuff that I could eat, it stopped feeling like torture.  I think that’s true for any eating style, really!

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In the mix:

 

  • Whole O’s
  • Banana
  • Greek yogurt
  • Chia seeds
  • Almond buttah

 

Oh yeah.

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Back to work I go!  HAPPY FRIDAY!!!

 

PS – Love horses?  Want fun English treats?  Yes and yes!  Check out Brit Chick Run’s awesome international giveaway.

{ 46 comments }

 

  • Cait @ Beyond Bananas July 1, 2011, 9:26 am

    I really may consider trying gluten free for a week .. to see if it helps me feel any better .. and perhaps easy my intense bloating and stomach issues. Since you’ve noticed so many positive differences, I guess it is worth a shot!

  • Laura @ My Reason to Tri July 1, 2011, 9:27 am

    thats what ive been doing since going veg….stop focusing on what i CANT eat and all the new things i am trying now! have a great weekend!

  • Khushboo July 1, 2011, 9:28 am

    Get your hands on arborio rice- it’s so creamy, easy to cook and GF!

  • Katie July 1, 2011, 9:30 am

    The more I hear you talking about going GF the more I think that might be helpful for me. I know I’m not allergic to gluten, but I think I might have some sensitivity. I’ve been dragging my feet about it since I’m already a vegetarian with a dairy sensitivity and the thought of reducing my diet more makes me cranky… but it does seem like it might be worth a try.

  • Katy (The Singing Runner) July 1, 2011, 9:31 am

    I’ve been going back and forth between going gluten free. I’ve been having stomach issues for months now and have had numerous blood tests. They ruled out many things, so now I’m wondering if it could possibly be a slight gluten intolerance.

    I think my only worry is that I am a vegetarian and wasn’t sure if it would be too difficult. However, you seem to be making the switch very well, so maybe I’ll try it! 😀

  • Caroline July 1, 2011, 9:32 am

    Try the Peanut Butter Panda Puffs from Trader Joe’s for a gluten free cereal. It’s yummo!

    • Caitlin July 1, 2011, 9:53 am

      That sounds AWESOME.

    • Caroline @ The G-Spot July 1, 2011, 10:21 am

      I second that! It’s totally a cereal for kids, but it’s completely awesome. I don’t care if it means I’m a five-year-old! 🙂 The Leapin’ Lemurs cereal (same company, but PB + Chocolate) is tasty too!

  • giordin July 1, 2011, 9:33 am

    i really appreciate your mentality on reducing gluten in your diet! it seems like its been a slow learning process for you, rather than an all-out, hard-core elimination, and i think that’s really smart of you!

  • Hillary July 1, 2011, 9:34 am

    Oy, I think I should get tested for a gluten sensitivity too, but I don’t want to! Haha I know that sounds ridiculous, but the thought of finding out that I’m gluten sensitive makes me cringe!

  • Aine @ Something to Chew Over July 1, 2011, 9:35 am

    I think a lot of people benefit from reducing their gluten intake, I know I have ever since I went mainly g-f with my coeliac boyfriend. Now anytime I eat more than a small serving of gluten I feel very sluggish and bloated!

  • Holly @ The Runny Egg July 1, 2011, 9:37 am

    I’m glad switching to a GF diet is helping you feel better!

  • Brandy July 1, 2011, 9:38 am

    You may have already answered this somewhere… but can you give some more information on this test you took? I had my blood tested for celiac (and it came back negative) but I’m wondering about sensitivities. Besides cutting out gluten and re-introducing it, I’m not sure otherwise how to test myself! Many thanks 🙂

  • Brittany (A Healthy Slice of Life) July 1, 2011, 9:40 am

    Have you noticed any difference since you’ve decreased you gluten?

  • Faith @ lovelyascharged July 1, 2011, 9:40 am

    I love your approach to what you can and can’t eat!

    I’ve been trying to ditch the dairy myself – I’ve always thought that a vegan diet is healthier for me, but I love my macaroni and pizza like no other. I’ve been noticing a lot lately that my body has a hard time processing dairy, as much as I would love it to, so I’m trying to transition to vegan…but it’s very hard when I feel deprived of the foods I want!

    • Cara July 1, 2011, 4:32 pm

      I have been weaning myself off of dairy for a while myself. This was really difficult when I thought of giving up my beloved breyers mint ice cream, pizza, and mac and cheese BUT I have found good alternatives that have made it a smooth(er) transition.

      Nutritional yeast mixed in with sauces to make mac&cheeze (not a cheese flavor but mixed in with noodles makes a great yummy alternative), cheese-less pizza is really great when you up the sauce (I love bbq pizza with onions and pineapple) amount and the topping amounts and I have fallen in love with Purely Decadent coconut based ice “cream” mint flavor 🙂 yum! Also homemade pizzas are SO much better because you control the topping/sauce ratio, last time I ordered papa johns cheeseless pizza they skimped out on the sauce and even double toppings barely covered anything, next time I’ll be more specific but homemade wins in my book every time 🙂

      The only thing that I haven’t found a good replacement for is grilled cheese sammies 🙁 but most other cheese comfort foods I have found great non-dairy replacements!

      Good luck!

  • Hannah July 1, 2011, 9:41 am

    I know this is a minor detail but I notice that you almost always write ‘salvia’ test when talking about your gluten-sensitivity testing. Salvia is a drug/plant. Saliva is your spit. I’m sure this is just a typo though, sorry for being nitpicky.

    • Caitlin July 1, 2011, 9:53 am

      hahah that’s NOT nitpicky! thank you for pointing it out. maybe i secretly want to try salvia a la miley cyrus!

  • Yolie @ Practising Wellness July 1, 2011, 9:45 am

    That is so wise! Focusing on what you CAN eat, not what you can’t, makes making dietary changes so much easier 🙂 And it opens the doors to many, many delicious foods you never really knew about! So cool that your new diet is making a positive difference to your wellbeing 🙂 xyx

  • Emily July 1, 2011, 9:45 am

    Glad being GF is making you feel better! It’s defintely harder to justify the huge change when your reaction isnt as severe! The worst is when you’re out with friends and don’t want to skip the bread bowl or pizza 🙂 Try Barbara’s Puffins!! All GF and really yummy (peanut butter flavor is so addictive)

  • Gina @ Running to the Kitchen July 1, 2011, 9:48 am

    I love that line: “Once I stopped focusing on what I “couldn’t” eat and focused on all the yummy stuff that I could eat, it stopped feeling like torture.” So true!

  • Evan July 1, 2011, 9:52 am

    My TCM doctor told me that most people are at least a little bit sensitive to gluten, even without major symptoms! I’m glad you’re seeing positive results.

    And it’s so true – once you start focusing on what you can eat, going gluten-free is quite delicious! I mean, all the best carbs – rice, kabocha squash, and potatoes – have none of it 🙂

  • Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun July 1, 2011, 9:53 am

    Cereal is my go-to rush morning food as well. Although not ever near as filling for me. Oh well. It’s food! And good food.

    Interesting about the gluten thing. I’ve never experimented but its so amazing how it seems to affect so many!

  • Jen July 1, 2011, 9:54 am

    You should also try the gluten-free puffins! They’re yummyyyyy. Gluten-free cereals are surprisingly good.

  • katie @ KatieDid July 1, 2011, 9:55 am

    awww yeah! I love hearing positive stories about going GF because it helped me so much also!! Try Mesa Sunrise cereal flakes, they are just slightyyyyy sweet, and SO good.

  • Caroline @ The G-Spot July 1, 2011, 10:24 am

    Glad to hear your feeling better after starting to eliminate gluten from your diet. I love these Whole O’s too — they’re kinda sweet and the crunchiness is yummy! All of the gluten-free Nature’s Path products are great. Happy weekend!

  • Sarah July 1, 2011, 10:38 am

    More and more people are going gluten free or cutting down their gluten intake. I am so interested in trying this out. I don’t think I feel bad or have bloat or anything but ya never know! I might start out a day a week and ease my way into a full week and see how I feel.

  • Jess@atasteofconfidence July 1, 2011, 10:41 am

    Glad gluten free worked for you!

  • Maria July 1, 2011, 10:46 am

    I had the same revelations! I never considered myself gluten-sensitive or lactose intolerant, but I reduced both of them and now I look at my stomach and don’t even recognize it who it belongs to anymore.

    Glad it’s working for you and you feel better!

  • Jeanelle @ Glocal Girl July 1, 2011, 10:56 am

    I’d love to go GF even just a few days a week but it’s so hard when your partner isn’t. Has your husband made the switch as well? Do you have any recommendations for sneaky.. (I mean, tasty) GF foods that even ‘regulars’ would enjoy? Cheers! X

  • Baking 'n' Books July 1, 2011, 11:04 am

    My nut butter always just sticks to my spoon in a glob…wish I could get it more “spready”. Oh well, means more globs 😉

    The yogurt looks like whipped cream!

  • Dani July 1, 2011, 11:29 am

    Very interesting. I think I may get tested at my next yearly appointment (which I was due for 2 months ago…) as I always feel SO bloated after carbs. Though, I’m not sure if it’s from a gluten intolerance or just the carbs…

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat July 1, 2011, 11:32 am

    Oh wow Caitlin, I’m so glad you mentioned the headaches and bloating because I’ve been noticing the same things and thinking about it now, it’s been right after eating breakfast, which usually includes kamut puffs (not gluten free –> hmmmm). I’m going to monitor this a little more closely. Lately I’ve felt like my body shape has changed a bit around the middle too, and maybe this is why… thanks for making me think!

  • Johanna B July 1, 2011, 11:35 am

    You got it right – focus on eating what you can have instead of fretting over what you can’t. There are many delicious naturally GF foods out there. Enough that you don’t ever have to eat processed foods simply to fill your belly. Officially off my soapbox now – but you must try Udi’s granola – outstanding stuff!!!

  • Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife July 1, 2011, 12:41 pm

    Yep cereal is a rush-out-the-door b-fast food! Glad I am not the only one 🙂

  • Amber K July 1, 2011, 12:42 pm

    I have found that discovering my trouble with xanthan gum totally threw me back into the beginning of my gluten-free days. I’m frustrated because there is just MORE stuff I can’t eat. And lately my stomach has been not been liking eating quinoa or millet either. So, it just seems like nothing I eat is safe! Can be definitely frustrating. I had started to concentrate on what I COULD eat, but the list seems to be dwindling.

  • brandalyn July 1, 2011, 1:09 pm

    The honey nut chex cereal are also gluten free and really yummy!

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey July 1, 2011, 2:05 pm

    Yay for feeling better after going GF!

  • Freya July 1, 2011, 5:08 pm

    I think that’s the perfect way of thinking about your diet – looking at what you CAN eat! So many people, if you say you’re veggie (or GF etc), are all ‘ but what DO you eat!?’ – it’s frustrating! Lumps of animal do not a diet make :/
    Thank you SO much for the shout out!! 🙂

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin July 1, 2011, 5:53 pm

    That’s great that reducing gluten seems to be working for you! Do you think you’ll go fully GF now?

    • Caitlin July 1, 2011, 6:10 pm

      Probably not 🙂 Every now and then won’t be a big deal for me!

  • Susan - Nurse on the Run July 1, 2011, 8:20 pm

    My mom has celiac disease and was diagnosed about 23 years ago…back when NO ONE knew what it was! She used to mail order rice bread from Seattle, which was her saving grace after eating rice cake sandwiches for a long time. There are SO many options for people who need to eat gluten free that simply didn’t exist years ago. I even bought her gluten free ice cream cones last year. Crazy! In other news, I would strongly suggest that anyone who thinks they have a gluten sensitivity/intolerance/celiac disease to get it checked out by their doctor. There’s really no sense in going GF unless you have to since many of the GF foods have tons of fillers and aren’t always healthy alternatives. Just something to think about!

    • Courtney @ girl in the pink July 2, 2011, 10:55 am

      I agree! Seems like everyone is going gf these days! I know several women who are doing it for weight loss reasons, which boggles my mind lol.

      Glad there are so many great gf options out there for people though! My old roommate in Seattle had a gluten intolerance and always hit up the flying squirll bakery. So deliscious!! I think the owner even put out a gf cookbook!

  • Laura @ Cookies vs. Carrots July 1, 2011, 9:59 pm

    Do you find it hard to go out to eat with friends or go over to friends’ houses for dinner with all of the different restrictions you have? I have a friend who has a gluten-sensitivity as well as a dairy allergy. I always try to take her diet into consideration when planning things for us, but it seems that she is still stressed by it.

    • CaitlinHTP July 2, 2011, 11:55 am

      Eating out with a gluten allergy is hard…. I totally bombed at GF last night at dinner 🙂 I think Mexican and Thai places are good options for people who are GF or dairy allergic!

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