How's it going?

I have found as I plod on with gluten free living that I sometimes have the mindset that there's a destination in mind. That I'll reach a certain week number, say... week #85 and I've hit my goal and it's all done. The fact that this has been a chosen, albeit needed, lifestyle has yet to sink in sometimes.

I'm asked often "How do you do it?" "How's it going" "How do you resist the cravings?" "Can't you have it just once in a while or in small quantities?"

Have I ever mentioned how much I love food? Yes? Thought so. This was not easy for me. I've mentioned that too? Who'd have thought.

I think the key thing in giving anything difficult up is having a good support system. My mom and sister are both GF and when I'm having an attack of "GIVE ME BROWNIES OR ELSE" they know where I can get or how to make what I've needed to get me through that. Which leads me into my second point, have things on hand in your pantry for when you need that something special, that snack, or last minute quick dinner.

It doesn't feel like agonizing sacrifice when you're craving brownies and you pull out your Pamela's Brownie Mix and make some. It DOES feel like sacrifice when you want brownies and everyone around you is eating the gluten filled kind. So be good to yourself. If you know you can't make the switch without "x" then help yourself along.

The funny thing is I thought I'd desperately miss things like brownies. I have found that the more time that passes while being gluten free, the less I'm craving and missing certain things. The gluten free brownies aren't half bad either. In fact, I'm craving sweets a whole lot less.

In giving up gluten I decided to give up my other big weakness. I've stopped drinking Coca-Cola (which actually is gluten free). Anyone who knows me knows what a big deal that is. I was tempted to give in and just have one at a restaurant the other night but my sister ordering an Evian peer pressured me into making the right choice. I'm glad I did after all. But when I was dying for a coke, I'd settle for a Snapple Peach Ice Tea instead. And slowly... I've found myself drinking less and less of that. It's much cheaper, anyway, to buy the lemons I've been getting weekly and tossing a slice in with a glass of water. I'm finding that so much more refreshing (not to mention exceedingly healthier).

So cravings over all are subsiding and I'm finding myself inclined to wanting the healthy things now that I've gotten most of the junk out of my diet. Gluten and Coca-Cola are two things I never thought I'd give up, and here I am.

Can I have just a little gluten or have gluten once in a while? No. Does a vegetarian eat meat sometimes? No, because that would make them an omnivore. When you choose to go gluten free for health reasons you have to do it 100%. It's not a fad or a quick weight loss diet. It's a lifestyle decision. For us, we chose it not because we preferred to eat that way but because of necessity. Which means - no gluten. Not a little. Not ever.

The funny thing is, I think that it may not be long before I prefer our gluten free living. I'm really enjoying the creativity and the yummy food it has brought along the way.