Isaac Update (& Eliminating Gluten)

One of the things I've been researching over the past several weeks due to Isaac's health issues- is the whole idea of going gluten-free.

Now, if you've read here for any length of time, you know that I love baking. Breads, scones, muffins, coffee cake, cinnamon rolls, amongst many other things-- are favorites around our home.   So I wasn't keen on that idea. At all.  Anytime it was mentioned I inwardly cringed.  I kept telling Mark that if we were to go that route, I would need an entire WEEK to revamp our pantry and meals.  It's not like that would be a small thing.  Or an easy thing.

I didn't want to venture into that territory at all unless we had to. Right? Why make a lifestyle change when you don't need to?  So, instead I checked out books at the library, found some GF blogs, and have done a lot of reading and researching.

Then the doctor said Isaac doesn't have Celiac Disease-- the scopes showed no sign of inflammation or damage. So I felt like we could put the whole GF idea to rest.  (Whew!)

Toward the end of last week, Isaac began complaining of stomach pain and cramps, and blood started showing up in his stools again.  He still has intermittent joint pain and a sore throat.  He came to me, discouraged one night this past weekend, asking why his stomach-- his first symptom way back at the beginning of March-- is really not much better?  In fact, with the new pain and cramping, it's worse.  He feels nauseous in addition to the sometimes-pain-or-cramping, and like he "always has to go to the bathroom".

I don't know the answers to that.  I'm puzzled because the gastroenterologist gave his stomach and intestines a "clean bill of health!" Yet, his stomach is clearly not normal.  Yesterday he had dark red blood in his stool again and when I texted my friend Michelle about it, she asked if we'd tried any period of time eliminating gluten.  *cringe*

SO.  FINE.  We'll give it a go.  For at least a week.  If eating gluten-free will help my boy feel better, I'm all in.  I don't know that it will help, but it's worth a try, right?  Or maybe I just feel the need to DO something, anything.

Flours for experimentation.  This felt ridiculous.  And ridiculously expensive.

Since I have a stack of GF books and recipes next to my bed, I figured I might as well begin.

So we began.

Yesterday.

Tonight's meal marked Meal #4 of our GF-eating.  I am quite proud of us.  And yes, us.  I told the kids if Isaac can't eat gluten, we're all in. (I'm not making two separate meals, nor am I going to eat or serve up homemade bread or baked goodies when he doesn't get to partake.)

Meal #1: Dinner: Peruvian Chicken w/ sweet potatoes, and spinach salad with craisins, honey chevre cheese, sweet and spicy pecans, and balsamic reduction.  Dessert: rice krispie treats.

Meal #2: Breakfast: Scrambled eggs and cereal (rice krispies and multi-grain cheerios) with milk.

Meal #3: Lunch: (Snacky lunch) Corn tortilla wraps with ranch, smoked gouda cheese and ham slices, popcorn and craisins.

Meal #4: Dinner: Baked potatoes with options: chives, bacon, sausage, ranch, sour cream, salsa.  And-- (drum roll, please): my very first baked gf muffins.  LOOK!!!!

I was VERY skeptical about gf baking, and did not have high hopes.  I warned the kids that they might taste terrible.  Or they might look normal but have a weird texture or taste.  I was first impressed that they baked up fine, and rose well.  But then we ate them and we were all pleasantly surprised.  They were really good.  I'll post the recipe if anyone is interested.  I tweaked a blueberry muffin recipe and did Rhubarb Muffins (with lemon zest).

So that's where we're at.