woe is me

People have asked me how I knew to get tested for Allergies. I didn't. I went to a natural doctor for a few reasons... because I didn't want to have sinus surgery that was scheduled for August 4th and because I didn't want to keep taking 4 Advil each night so I could sleep because I have bursitis in my hips. I wanted some answers that went a bit deeper than my regular doctors were giving me.

This natural doctor was quite thorough in investigating everything about my health. 2 hours worth. Several times during our visit she declared, "I think you have food allergies." I couldn't disagree since food allergies are a bit trendy in my family.

The outcome of my testing. The findings. The earth shattering results...

Milk

Dairy

SUGAR

Beef

Cranberries

Lamb


NO need to read those foods with question marks at the end because you read correctly. Those are my food allergies. Weird. Yes. Rare. Yes. Dairy is the only one that I can reintroduce after 3 months, but never milk.

SUGAR???? Sugar?! Sugar!!!!!!! Do you know how much I love a good treat? or piece of chocolate? or salad dressing? or bread? Do you know that just about everything that exists outside of the produce section contains some form of sugar?

So at first I was peacefully accepting of this information thinking that finally I was going to feel great and lose this extra weight I've been hauling around for 12 years. I was pretty sure it would just fall right off. Then, Christmas came and even though I was determined to be strong I wasn't. All the neighbors brought over the yummiest treats to share. They sat on my counter in their pretty wrappings and it was like looking at a long lost friend. Hello there. I realized that although I had been feeling better the previous 3 weeks I was experiences feelings of mourning. I was mourning the loss of a good friend. Really. Going off sugar has been like mourning the death of someone I love. Someone who's been there for me through good times and bad. It has been hard and I've been a bit grumpy and depressed. Since I am a stress eater, but also just love yummy food I didn't realize how much I used food as a friend. I didn't fully realize how our culture uses food as a centerpiece for life and social gatherings. Everything is about food or a snack, treats, appetizers, BBQ,parties,fiestas, feasts, picnics, eating out... when we want to have a meeting it's around food. When we want to get to know someone better it's about food. When we want to have a "girls night out" or a date with our spouse or a couples date it's about food. For cryin' out loud! Sometime just piggin' out with the family or friends is so darn fun! And I am really really mad right now! Yes, I want to be healthy, but I want my cake and I want to EAT it too! I don't want to be the freak you take to the restaurant with you who has to ask a zillion questions of how the food was prepared and with what ingredients. I don't want to be the freak who when offered a plate of food has to say, "No thank you. I'm allergic." I know people who are allergic to foods and they are freaks. I've joined the club.
I'll be fine.
I'm just in mourning.
And I'm starving!
If you know of something that doesn't contain one of the above mentioned foods please alert me immediately. Don't feel sorry for me. Just tell me what I CAN have.
And you know what? I have a hunch that you are all allergic to something and just don't know it.

Ignorance is bliss.