Dairy Update-

Number of Days with no Dairy Products- 3

Number of days without a Melt Down Tantrum from Hell- 3

Coincidence? Maybe, but the fighting between siblings has reduced (because she is less irritable?), the constant wanting to eat is down, she has been, dare I say, PLEASANT??????? She hasn't talked back ONCE!

I know it is too soon to say for certain, but I must say, even David noticed and commented...... Considering the battles have been DAILY, three days is a beautiful thing!!!!!!!

This has not been that difficult....... a typical day.....

Breakfast (she likes to make it herself)

Vann's frozen waffle (they also make a gluten free)

Maple syrup

Soy milk

Snack

peach, pistachios, water

Lunch

Turkey sandwich on wheat (plain- she doesn't like condiments)

red grapes

pretzels

Snack

Strawberries

Dinner

Mustard Chicken tenders (recipe to follow)

Cantaloupe

Corn on the Cob with a smear of Earth Balance

Limeade

This is how she eats any way, but she had been using a lot of cheese, sneaking yogurt, etc....... She was drinking WHOLE regular milk at school until I nipped that one (helps to know everyone in the cafeteria, lol). Hopefully we will see a little weight control to go along with the improved mood!

Good-bye Dairy Products

As some of you may know, Helen had a dairy allergy. We thought she outgrew it because she no longer had eczema and stomach issues. I think we made a wrong assumption. Since allowing dairy back into her life, she has ballooned in weight, become even more moody and irritable (if that was even possible) and all she wants is carbs and dairy. And meat. She turns her nose up at anything that looks like it grew in the dirt and craves ice cream and yogurt. So, I think it is a done deal..... dairy is going. This time will be harder because #1- she doesn't believe us that there is a problem, and #2- she is 10, not 5. She is on her own more, makes her own food and does not always make good choices when away from home. But, I need to get a handle on this and we are about to become a dairy free house. Before, I gave up dairy as well. And, frankly, felt great! Zachary is also lactose intolerant, so it won't kill him either. David, who says milk is for baby cows, has a harder time realizing that milk is where you least expect it. He doesn't drink milk or eat yogurt, but loves cheese. Oh, well. The only way this is going to work is by total elimination and going it dairy free and not having it in the house. She cannot eat what we do not have. This is going to be painful!

I am starting today, purging the pantry that needs to be cleaned out any way. The good thing about this is that I have not been "big" shopping in two weeks, so the pantry is getting bare. And I will need to shop alone so I can read labels and focus my energy to something besides telling Zachary to get off the cart and repeating the word "NO". My goal is to be "detoxed" before school starts back. I am considering gluten free, too, but that will be another chapter. I do not think I can do it all at once. Cheese, I will miss you terribly..........

If you have any sinus problems, get this.  It is SO gross, but boy does it work!  I am currently on Singulair, Allegra, and Nasonex, but I am still blowing blood.  The sinus rinse helps with that more than anything else.  I just hope I am not developing new cysts.......  I think it is just a combination of the heat running and my job (librarian in a basement is not the best job for someone who is allergic to dust, mold and mildew).