The Trifecta of choices and consequences...

Yesterday was our oldest grandson's 13th birthday.  While it's good to stay gluten, dairy and sugar free; I've made the choice to choose my battles.  I know that with gluten I will have inflammation and joint pain, the dairy will cause me digestion issues, and the sugar will cause me extreme fatigue.  
 But when your grandson wants pizza and root beer floats for his birthday... well, I chose to suffer the consequences.  

I now have tools in my arsenal that will help me to combat those consequences from eating poorly.  It doesn't give me an excuse to eat poorly all the time, but it does allow me to not miss all the joys in life, like sitting around the kitchen table with your family enjoying birthday celebrations.  So, this morning as I crawled out of bed for a hot shower to sooth my aching joints, I knew immediately what would follow. While actually it's 4 products that I use (technically called a Superfecta ;) ) This Superfecta is exactly what I bet on when suffering my choices of poor eating habits.  

My chickory coffee, Aloe glow and Spirulina help with the digestion and fatigue and the collagen helps with the joint pain.  Making this a win-win in my book!  Life is meant to be lived in the fullest <3 Between Hashimotos and SIBO, I know that my life will be full of choices and consequences, I'm so grateful to have these amazing products in my arsenal to help me combat everyday life.  If you'd like to see my SIBO must haves from Nurtriplus you can click here
Oh... and drink lots of WATER!!!  

The moment I quit eye rolling at the words "Gluten-free"

I'll admit it... I was one of those that rolled my eyes when I heard some one say, "I'm allergic to gluten" or "do you have any gluten free items on the menu"? It seemed like everyone was jumping on this new band wagon that I thought was a fad.

The last few weeks I have been battling some health issues. My doctor suggested I restrict my diet to gluten and dairy free while going through numerous tests. On Thursday we received some answers and although he agreed that living a gluten and dairy free diet would be healthier, it's not detrimental to my illness.  So, after a long Sunday afternoon of projects, and a new found pizza delivery place, we decided to splurge!

5:04 am the morning after.  That was the moment.  The moment that I awoke and was in so much pain that it hurt to roll over.  Every joint in my body hurt.  My wrist that I've had to wear braces on...hurt.  My whole spine...hurt.  My feet...hurt. 

Then I instantly received what I call a God nudge.  That's when I feel the Holy Spirit move within me, telling me something.  Only this wasn't just a nudge.  It was like a big ole' slap up side my head saying, "you dummy!!!  Pizza = gluten = inflammation = pain"  Yup.  5:04 am was the moment that I realized that while although you may not be allergic to gluten, there are certainly major health benefits to going gluten free to some that struggle with gluten sensitivity and inflammation.  I've battled numerous health issues for years, especially RA and degenerative disc disease.  So, this wave of inflammation hit me like a ton of bricks.  I think what made it even more prominent was that after being gluten free for 4 weeks, I didn't even realize how great I was feeling, until I didn't.

And so now, I want to repent for all of those eye rolls.  Unfortunately, I did not do my own research before having it hit home to realize the benefits of being gluten free, and how it affects so many.  I now understand.  God has such a sense of humor, doesn't he?  Luckily we happen to have another pizza joint in town that makes the best gluten-free pizza around.