Friday 23 January 2009

Missing from Blogland (165)

I realise that it's been over a week since I last posted. No reason really, just nothing much to write about. I've made a couple of small things - a water bottle carrier and a camera case - and been beavering away on my BOM that I started last year and then stalled. I think I lost interest because I wasn't keen on the fabrics they sent, but then I decided there was too much money tied up in it to let it just sit in the drawer, so I'm going to finish it. If I don't like it I'm sure someone else will. I've just got the final month to do now, then it will need assembling. Pictures to follow.

I thought I'd broaden my blog to include another big area of my life, apart from sewing. As some of you will know, I've been suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for about two years now. I've also been unwell for many years with extremely unpleasant abdominal/digestive problems, which were labelled as Abdominal Migraine; and then there's been the regular migraines and sinus problems.  As I've got older the problems have worsened. About six years ago I realised that I was having problems with wheat, and giving that up helped to a certain extent. Then, over the last year, I worked on finding out what else was causing me problems. As a result I have given up gluten, dairy and foods in the solanaceae family (potatoes, tomatoes, capsicum, chilli, aubergine).

As you can imagine restricting my diet so ferociously has been difficult, even though the benefits have been obvious. It's not been helped by the fact that I've been vegetarian for some 35 years. I've been happy to start eating fish, but just can't face eating meat again. 

All of this has meant learning to cook again, and to be honest, I've just lost interest. Poor Christopher has had to suffer some very average food! It's easy for me as I'm feeling so much better, but food has ceased to become a pleasure. So, the time has come to do something about that. I'm tracking down other gluten-free bloggers and I'm going to stock up on suitable foods and look for some decent cook books. And then, I'm going to try and revive an interest in food and cooking.

Do you know anyone with similar food intolerances? 

15 comments:

Vickie said...

Oh Amanda,
I hear you on the gluten and wheat intolerance..I have sourced some wonderfultasty recipes from Shauna whose blog is glutenfreegirl -I find the recipes that Shauna and her husband nake are wonderful..
chers Vickie

Dianne said...

Nice blog Amanda!
I'll be back to read more ...

:)

Katie said...

I have a few food intolerances but I'm glad to say I don't have list anything like yours! Best of luck to you. :-)

Kay said...

Wow, Amanda! I didn't know about the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I did have a friend who had that and battled it for a long time. She did very well though. She quit her stressful job and did more community based work and it seemed to help. I'm so sorry you have to suffer from that. Coupled with the food intolerances, it sure does sound challenging. I did have a friend who also had problems with wheat. It's hard because everything seems to have wheat but she did what you're doing... researching recipes and finding ideas on Internet. If I see anything worthwhile, I'll be sure to tell you.

scraphappy said...

I've heard you talk about feeling unwell, but never knew specifically what you meant. Wow, what a lot to try to deal with! My Girl Scout Co-leader is on a similarly restrictive diet to try to handle chronic headaches. One of my running partners recently shared her vitamin regime and it seems to be helping the issue as well. I feel so fortunate now for my good health and need to think about how I take it for granted. Best of luck with the new efforts.

Jo-Anne said...

I am so sorry to hear of your ailments these past few years. I do hope you get some information from blogland that will help. Take care of yourself. :):):)
oxox,
Jo-Anne

Amy said...

OH Amanda! I wish I could be of help, but I'm idea-less for your request. I can only imagine all you go through; and I'll admit, you are being much stronger than what I would be! I'm a whiny brat! Seriously--ask my DH!
I will keep my ears and eyes open for you; perhaps there is someone at my school that can be of assistance!

Karen said...

I do not have food tolerance problems like you do but I used to know a lady who did. She used to suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome. She went to an alternative medicine doctor for help. She did a diet very much like yours and said that is what made her feel better. She would take her own food wherever she went. If she ate out, she would get a salad and bring her own dressing for it. She cooked a separate meal for her husband. Last I heard, she was no longer doing the special diet.

Jo, a retired teacher said...

Sorry to hear that you've been struggling with such difficult health problems. From reading your posts and seeing the things you create, I never would have guessed. I have felt very unproductive in comparison.

Good luck with your search for recipe information; it seems that everything possible is out here, one just has to find it.

Clare said...

My step-daughter has a gluten problem. She says wholewheat pasta helps.

Funnily enough, when she comes to stay with us she can eat as much ordinary pasta and bread as she likes without a problem. Perhaps you should move LOL.

Carol in Sweden said...

My hubby and my mother-in-law are both celiac disease and can't eat gluten...we've learned to live with it quite well and carefully...there 's the GF side of the table with their own things and the G side of the table where we don't worry about crumbs getting into the GF people's food!

My hubby makes all his own bread with a machine several times a week...I couldn't give you the recipes because he does it by feel and look. But he's used basic recipes from an author in California...I'll get you the name later.

Good luck and use this time to explore new options! There are lots of GF recipes out there! and products too...especially RED MILLS.

Gretchen said...

I hope you can find m some recipes online. I am sure there are some helpful bloggers out there with good ideas. Here in the US, gluten-free products are becoming more common. I know it must be very difficult to deal with these illnesses for which there is no quick cure. Hugs!

Anonymous said...

This cant be easy to do when you are so used to doing your normal cooking,
I wish you all the best with your new recipe`s you have to do,

Fish is good but im not to keen on shel fish.

Take care

Becky said...

Thank you for sharing about your health problems! I wondered what you were dealing with, but hated to ask. I have problems with allergies, not food allergies, but allergies to trees, dust, mold, grass, dog, cat etc. It was hard to accept that I can't always do what others can. I've done the immunology route with shots. I've learned what meds help me. Some foods are hard to tolerate if my allergies are bad that day. I have good days and some days - I don't feel so good. I guess some folks are blessed with fabulous health and the rest of us take each day as it comes. Today was a good day. I felt great! Celebrate! I'll be gentle with myself if tomorrow is harder.

Take care!

Tanya said...

That must be so hard... I remember a young girl came to visit who had Celiac and I was amazed at the list of things she couldn't eat. We had to leave out soysauce even! How good of you to stay vegetarian. I know all that meat isn't good for us but I find it hard to make a menu without it...