Day 16

Day 16

 

So it’s the 16^th day of this “no dairy” thing. And…it’s getting easier. I have since memorized everything I can’t have and know a lot without having to look at the ingredient list on the back. I have also discovered ways to have what I like while bypassing dairy. I will say though, that I haven’t been out to eat during this time, which I miss. That is too much for me to try and figure out at the moment. And parties are hard. But eating at home isn’t bad. I’m definitely eating enough fruits and veggies for sure!

 

Oh, the verdict is in on the Soy cheddar cheese. Not good. The flavor is just too different. The smell about knocks me over and really, if the flavor isn’t there, are the calories really worth it? Nope. Nope.

 

The whole big thing that is so wonderful is that my stomach isn’t hurting anymore. That is glorious news!!!

 

 

Hit from behind

Got slammed into from behind this morning while sitting at a stoplight on my way to work at 6:30 am. Didn’t see it comin’. The culprit was a little old Asian man driving a red VW Beetle. Kind of funny when you think about it. Neck is sore and have a headache. But no damage done to Gruyere (my car). The little guy is a tough one.  My car might not be the best looking thing out there, but the bumper isn’t stuffed with Styrofoam!

 

Day 9

So 9 days later into the "no dairy" and it seems to be going okay. I have found some of my guilty pleasures at some "health food" stores.  I have soy coffee creamer, soy yogurt, soy ice cream and soy cheddar cheese. None of these taste like the real thing, but they're close and they'll do for the time being. Silk makes a good coffee creamer and yogurt. Although I found some Stonyfield Soy Yogurt that I'll try here shortly. I've heard it's good. Last week I tried a frozen dessert (a.k.a ice cream) made with rice milk. Not my favorite. Tonight I tried a soy ice cream and it was very good. It's called "Purely Decadent" and it had the same texture and taste as real ice cream. Yay! The cheddar cheese, um...the verdict is still out.

I have resorted back to make my own granola b/c this is just easier-I know what's in it. And I'm going through fruits and veggies like a rabbit!

Day 3

Day 3 of NO DAIRY: I went to Whole Foods last night and found some Soy coffee creamer. This is definitely not the same as my beloved fat-free powdered creamer, but it’s definitely better than the Lactaid milk I used yesterday! I also found some Soy yogurt. The taste and the texture is a bit off from regular yogurt, but I’m thankful to have my yogurt back in my morning breakfast routine. The Cheerios and milk I had yesterday morning for breakfast kept me full about…uh…1 hour! And I went bold and bought some Rice Milk Frozen Dessert: Carrot Cake. (In other words, ice cream/dream, whatever.) Let’s just say that it’s “interesting”. There will not be a purchase No. 2, at least of that flavor. Texture is a bit rubbery and I’m pretty sure that’s not normal.

 

Moving ahead with this. I’m thinking that this “diet” is going to help my cholesterol to go down. What do you think?

 

 

No Dairy

Went to an allergist the other day to talk about all the stomach problems I’ve been having since returning from China almost a year and a half ago.  (I can’t believe it’s been that long!) After being pricked and prodded about 100 times. (Really, a 100 times.) The allergist instructed me to stay away from everything dairy and from anything that has dairy or a derivative of dairy in it. Do you know what this means? This means that my life has completely altered! I am a baker! A cook! And I love to eat ANYTHING! So under the long list of things I can’t have for four weeks are:

 

Milk (any derivative of it: sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, etc.)

Butter

Cream

Cheese

Yogurt

Non-dairy anything (they actually have dairy in them, go figure)

Ice cream

Caramel

Chocolate

Flour made with milk-proteins

Whey (this knocks out most cereals

Lunch meat, hot dogs (won’t be a problem) and sausages

 

Ok, big problem for me. Do you know that I use butter as much as I can when I cook? I eat ice cream at least 3x/week. I have yogurt every morning for breakfast. And now let’s think through this whole flour thing and whey thing. I mean really?

 

So this is Day 2 of no dairy and this Lactaid milk serving as creamer for coffee is just not cutting it.

 

 

Sacrificial vs. comfortable

I was asked this weekend, “Are you giving sacrificially or comfortably?” Comfortably, definitely comfortably would be the answer.  I can’t think of any scripture at this moment that is supportive of the fact that I should be giving sacrificially rather than comfortably. Although that would be good to have right about now, it’s not coming to mind. But that’s neither here nor there. Point is…I am convicted that my “comfortable” giving is not enough. God has called me to do more. He has shown me in my heart that what I am doing is not what He has asked of me.  

 

Oh and stay tuned for some really great ways that God has been working in my work place! Smile on the heart right about now. J