Part 2 of My Celiac Story.  Check out part 1 here.

So, when we left off I had just been diagnosed with celiac disease. Before I even left the hospital I had an appointment with a nutritionist to discuss the nitty-gritty of celiac. She gave me packets and packets of information and went over the “safe” and “harmful” foods. But at that moment, as confused and scared as I was, part of me was kind of excited to begin my gluten-free journey. I wanted to feel better. I wanted to be strong and healthy again (I not of optimal health due to malnutrition and fatigue from eating gluten).

On the way home from the hospital my mom and I stopped at the grocery store and wandered the aisles while referring to the handouts from the nutritionists. I distinctly remember a small (and by small I mean 1 shelf) selection of gluten-free foods. We bought a few cereals, cereal bars, breads and baking ingredients. As soon as we got home it was operation: clean out the pantry. We designated a gluten-free shelf, labeled it and bought a separate toaster for gluten-free bread only. After weeks of trial and error (re: eating food that tasted like cardboard), I found the packaged foods I liked (see “Favorites” for my tried-and-true favorite products).

I plan to go deeper into this topic in the future, but for now, I’ll just say the most difficult part of eating gluten-free has always been eating in a social setting. Friends going out to dinner? “Guess I’ll eat before, in case nothing is safe” OR “Guess I’ll have a plain garden salad, dressing on the side.” (Eating out has gotten A LOT easier over the years as more restaurants now offer GF menus). Explaining to the waiter and to people at my table about celiac disease is not always fun. Honestly, it can get awkward and I get tired of repeating my story. (I definitely have developed handy tricks for this, which I will share!)

Now, I could ramble on and on about the last 6 years and how I’ve “overcome many obstacles and have become a natural at eating gluten-free.” While that’s true, I think the most important thing I can say is that the hard times and awkward situations have been worth it. The way I feel now is worth 1 million awkward conversations at restaurants because I feel am healthy.

I have tons more thoughts on this subject because obviously it’s apart of my daily life. I’m thinking next up on my celiac rant with be #celiacpains…??

Saturday night I said to my mom: “Today was the best day.” Bold statement, but I meant it. I didn’t have any huge plans and the things I ended up doing were simple, random minute activities. Sometimes those are the best things. It was the quintessential summer weekend and I want to repeat it every week.

Friday: Lazy night at home with my sister. I repeat my statement from last week that nothing is more appealing after an exhausting week than binge watching Friends on the couch.

Saturday: I woke up early-ish and went to my usual Saturday Body Pump. After years of doing Body Pump I still cannot up my weight for the bicep track. Every single class the bicep track is so hard for me! I think it’s because the movements, especially full-range singles, can be so fast that it makes it feel harder? Not too sure but that’s what I tell myself to make me feel better

I drove straight from Body Pump to meet my sister at a yoga class. It was her first yoga class ever so I went to the intro class with her. We loved the class and had an extra-long savasana.

My best friend came home for the weekend! Most of my good friends from high school stayed at their respective colleges this summer to take classes. So I was SO EXCITED when she texted me last week saying she was coming down (even if only for 40 hours). Saturday afternoon she came over to my place and we ate lunch and spent a few hours at the pool…for once the weather cooperated! Even though we talk often on the phone it was really nice to catch up in person. I really need to convince her that summer is for coming home, not for staying at school. Am I right?

After she left my sister chauffeured me around in her convertible and we ran some errands.

First we went to Disney World.

I mean, my version of Disney World. I was planning to get prepared food for dinner but I bucked up (literally $$) and got salmon to cook myself. Turned out to be worth the cost because it came out delicious.

My sister made an impulse buy and bought a fish. This was actually the 3rd fish she got in 24 hours because the first two died…scared for when she has kids. Just kidding- it was because she used the wrong type of water. We haven’t thought of a name for the fish yet but we want it to be weird/funny. Any suggestions?!

Sunday- After breakfast I went to yoga by myself. In my mind, if Saturday’s are (usually) made for long-runs, Sunday’s just seem made for yoga.

Lunch, chores and homework with the help from my dog.

My parents brought home yellow watermelon. As an expert watermelon tester I was only half pleased. It had a honey-like taste to it. I’ll stick with my usual red watermelon, thanks.

 

And the only thing that would have made this weekend a little better would have been a USA WIN. A tie is great but it makes me more nervous for Thursday’s game vs. Germany.

 

Anyone have a funny name for their pet?

Yellow watermelon= yay or nay?