Ch-ch-ch-changes

We have always been immensely grateful that are children are reasonably healthy. No major health issues have arrived thus far, and we know we are blessed. That being said, we still deal with 'uncommon' issues with both of the girls. What is so frustrating about their 'uncommon' issues, is that over the last 4 years for Haven, and 1 year for Tessa, we can not find a cause or a solution for their troubles.

Haven has had reflux, eczema, heart scares, and failure to thrive throughout her life. Yes, she is adorable and tiny..but as a mother...tiny isn't a great word to hear for your growing child. We have been on medication, used several different methods to control the eczema, and have tried our best to feed our children a healthy well-balanced diet. All of this to no avail. Haven's symptoms have grown into almost daily stomach pain and severe irritability. We have thought malnutrition, cystic fibrosis, ADD, ADHD, giftedness, appendicitis, and many more hypothesis with no conclusion throughout her entire life.

Tessa, although, much healthier and heftier in appearance, and with the least amount of symptoms, has it the worse. For about a year we have dealt with chronic constipation. And that feels like an understatement. Not to get into the gory details, but we have to plan our schedule around her bathroom problems. She will *try* painfully for DAYS to do what should come naturally to her on daily basis. She has hemorrhoids, and stomach pain constantly. She is TWO. We have made many attempts to correct or at least lessen the problem for the past year. Again, to no avail.

There is light now at the end of the tunnel! We have recently discovered some wheat/gluten intolerances/allergies in our family, which could be celiac disease. It is hereditary. While reading about the signs/symptoms it was like a breath of fresh air! This truly fits both of the girls symptoms and attitudes. While I am definitely NOT hoping the girls have celiac disease, if they do at least we have found the problem and can work on a REAL solution.

So while we are waiting on test results, we have decided to begin a gluten-free diet anyway to see if it makes a difference in our sweet girls...

Gluten is in EVERYTHING (not literally but close to it) so this will be a challenge for me, as I already struggle budgeting/cooking/cleaning for 5 already, but time will make it easier!

Some changes around our dinner table ..

Things we are avoiding: (unless specifically made gluten-free)

Packaged foods/meats/cheeses
Lunch meat
Sausage
Instant cocoa
Canned soup/broth
Pizza
Fried foods (including french fries...Haven will DIE)
Pasta (AGH!)
Wheat, rye, barley, and most all other grains and things made with them (basically everything we love)
Yogurt (some do not contain gluten)

Things we will be eating aLOT of:

ORGANIC, ORGANIC, ORGANIC
Fresh fruits and veggies..I just invested in a juicer so fresh juice for everyone! Yay!
Nuts
Meats (no breading, marinades, or commercial seasoning {unless gluten-free})
Things made with cornmeal
Corn tortillas
LOTS of homemade gluten-free bread/brownies/cookies

Although I have always strived to be healthy, I now have a great reason to be even better. I am looking forward to seeing the changes in everyone's health.

It will be challenging, but I am psyched to start making my own juice, making lots of our own food, growing a small garden, and getting the girls their own cute little Hello Kitty toaster. (to avoid cross-contamination of course) ;-)

If you have any tips for dealing with Celiac Disease or have any great healthy recipes, please share!!

Have a blessed day!!

Abby