Hey friends! Happy Monday! Let me just say that I need a weekend from my weekend. So much fun, such little sleep. I am aware that I have an issue when this morning I started planning how late I can sleep this coming Saturday! Yikes!

BUT . . . It’s Monday. It’s a beautiful day in Dallas. And, it’s supposed to be in the 80s all week. Pretty pumped about that. Fall may actually already be on the way to Texas! Woohoo!

So, today’s post is a day late. Classic for a Monday. BUT, super important.

Yesterday, September 13th, was the National Celiac Disease Awareness Day.

Two things here:

1. Celiac Disease is an auto-immune disease that affects 1 in 133 Americans. Celiacs is often misdiagnosed, and can lead to a number of other health issues. The only cure for this is to go 100% gluten free.
2. I have Celiacs Disease! And, I have had it for 7 years this month!

If you are new here, I got diagnosed with Celiacs in September of 2013! I was a mom of two little boys, and desperate to find out what was wrong with me. Up until that point, I had dealt with stomach issues off and on throughout my life, but was never diagnosed with anything besides the blanket IBS or Acid Reflux.

After having Jackson in 2011, I never quite felt like my old self. I lost all of the baby weight, but struggled with feeling off. As us moms usually do, I just blamed it on exhaustion, and moved on.

In 2012, I did the Metabolism Miracle diet for three months with my best friend. I had NEVER felt better! Little did I know that I was “accidentally” eating gluten free consistently for the first time in my life. I got off that diet during the holidays because, you know, pumpkin bread! And, really spiraled downhill throughout 2013. I am talking major pain, nausea, loss of appetite, episodes of dizziness, sleep issues. Basically, I was a disaster.

I dedicated August and September of 2013 to finding out what was wrong with me. Numerous doctor appointments, all kinds of blood work and tests were done. I was apparantly 100% healthy. Until I walked into a Gastroenterology specialist not having eaten in two days, and crying in pain and anxiousness from the moment they called me back into a room. The next day I had a colonoscopy and an endoscopy, and was finally diagnosed with Celiac Disease and Microscopic Colitis. The Colitis can come and go after certain foods, and the Celiacs is controlled by going gluten free.

Friends . . . that day was LIBERATING!!! And, let me say that I love bread. LOVE it. But, being Celiacs is God’s gift to me. I would literally have a major health problem if I could eat bread as much as I would prefer to. Oh, and fried chicken. Yes please.

So, today (a day late!), honoring National Celiac Disease Awareness Day, I wanted to put out some amazing resources for anyone that is struggling. Also, if you haven’t been diagnosed, but THINK you may have a gluten issue, please reach out to me. I have walked several people through getting tested and changing how to eat. It is WAY easier that you think, I promise!

Support Resources:
*Gluten Free for Dummies: This is the newer version, but I literally had my copy highlighted, dog-eared, and covered in food stains over the first several months I was learning to live as a gluten free busy mom. Reid (“Mr. Amazon”) had this book delivered to us the day after my diagnosis. Such a great place to start.
*The G-Free Diet by Elizabeth Hasselbeck: Someone gave this to me after my diagnosis, and I have to say that I loved her story, her outlook on the disease, and her tips. I took a lot of notes, and then altered to make fit within my own life.
*https://www.beyondceliac.org/: An amazing online resource.
*Celiac Disease Support Groups: Check with your doctor, your church, your community Facebook groups. There are WAY more groups out there to help people walk through this than back when I was diagnosed!
*Definitely follow the ladies over at The Defined Dish and Paleo Running Momma. They have THE best recipes that are either already gluten free, or that can be altered in a way to help your GF lifestyle.

If you are struggling with Celiacs, or think you may have it, reach out to me. I am happy to help!

Happy eating! XO