Would you look at that...I am blogging 2 months in a row! I feel so bad that I don't do more blog entries, but I feel like no one really ever reads what I have to say, except for maybe a few faithful friends (Thanks :) ). But I hope that others are reading this too...thanks to the others too!
So anyway, let me just touch base on my previous entry. It has now been a little bit over a month since the tragic weather hit much of the northeast. Now is the period of relief and rebuilding, but it is still going to take quite some time to recover! The areas that were severely impacted still have a long road a head of them, and still many are left with much of nothing, so continue to keep those people in your thoughts and prayers and if you have been helping out and volunteering, keep up the good work. I believe that paying it forward is a very rewarding concept, helping those most in need without anything getting or expecting anything in return is a great gift, one we often seem to take for granted! Your help, your kindness, and your compassion will speak echoes and thanks for all you do and have done...I'm sure those who were greatly impacted by this weather appreciate your kindness and compassion more than you will ever know...but we must remember kindness and compassion doesn't stop at rebuilding it continues through words and checking in, just smiling and talking, and even asking the simple question "how are you doing today?".
Remember:
"Kind words are short and easy to speak, but their echoes are endless"-Mother Teresa.
Ok...now onto the new stuff.
Recently, I have been struggling with digestive issues...and unfortunately have had to go through a whole bunch of medical test....only to be back at square one waiting for a diagnosis. However, my GI doctor has suggested I follow a gluten free diet to ease some discomfort, which I have started doing and I do have to say it is really helping. However, I have a dilemma! I have the worlds biggest sweet tooth, in that, I would have ice cream for dinner over a regular meal (which I did the other night and I'm lactose intolerant too!) I prefer strawberry or mint chocolate chip--though I do love Ben and Jerry's Phish food too, but low and behold...chocolate my one steady and stable relationship has gluten in it too! There are so many things with gluten in it, it is really hard to keep track...sometimes, I'll even sacrifice my stomach and intestines so I can have my marvelous chocolate...chocolate bars, oreos, brownies...I honestly LOVE chocolate, so now I begin my quest to find a delicious delicious delicious gluten free chocolate! My friends are helping me with this gluten free adventure and passing along recipes, which all are great...but finding the time to make a whole bunch of stuff, is like finding a needle in a haystack. Supposedly there is a great gluten free/vegan bakery in Troy, which I will definitely have to try out! I just wish I didn't have to give up so much, but on the bright side-cutting out lots of foods, especially super processed ones has helped me to slim down a little :).
So, being gf has also forced me to up my vegetable intake, which I'm fine with...because I love vegetables...though, I honestly get really sick of potatoes more often than not, my sister is obsessed with them, I could take them or leave them (except fingerlings). But back to the vegetables...they are so great and delicious and I am sad that my favorite kinds of vegetables are going out of season....no more fresh,juicy, wonderful tomatoes from our back yard, no more long, smooth, delicious zucchini or summer squash, no more eggplants, no more peppers...of course you can get this at the nearest supermarket, but honestly it's not the same. I think vegetables from your own back yard are full of love, sunshine, and deliciousness, and you really can taste the difference...It is possible to still get some good fresh vegetables from your local farmers market too, but supplies on those will soon come to an end and then we will be stuck with those boring and hideous root vegetables...yes that is right I am hating on root vegetables and acorn squash, but to each his own...right? Regardless, vegetables are great! They serve so many great purposes and you can really reap many benefits from them...and if you are gluten free like me, well you better learn to start loving those veggies :).
I plan on documenting my journey into the land of gluten free and can't wait to incorporate it into my blog! I think that it will also help me focus on more natural foods, because honestly I don't know why I pollute my body with processed snack foods- oh wait, yes I do...the processed snack foods are made in an evil labratory with no love, only special chemicals to make you become addicted and fall in love with them...yes I am talking about you oreos (among others), but maybe there's a way to make gluten free oreos with out products or chemicals...maybe in the future.
All i'm saying is, that we should look at what we eat, where it came from, and how much love was put into planting it, harvesting it, or making it, because when lots of love is put into something...that taste is always magical.
So, until next time, think about what I said and feel free to leave me suggestions for a new entry!
Below is a picture of a bundle of love aka our vegetables:
