A time of healing

Dear Friends,

Yesterday I alluded to a post about big changes going on here over at the blog and in my life. After spending such a long time getting to the point where I am now, making change after change and finally getting comfortable with the way I’m eating with no real restrictions other than eating what makes me feel good (and eschewing gluten + dairy), big changes were the last thing on my mind. However in the last couple of months, some things have come up and I decided it was finally time to share them with all of you.

Many of you are aware that I have been struggling with digestive issues for quite a few years- over ten now, to be exact. It has been a long road of struggles, both emotionally and physically. I’ve been at odds with myself and my body, myself and communicating with my doctor, and learning to stand up for myself and my health and be my own advocate.

In the last year I have made what I thought, and what seemed like great strides in my digestive issues- I got to the point where I knew the changes that needed to be made (cutting out dairy + gluten) and implemented them while not feeling restricted or dejected, but empowered. I was doing something good for my health. With these major changes, my digestion improved dramatically and I started feeling much, much better.

But in the last couple of months, my problems have taken a turn for the worst. I started experiencing some scary symptoms that were a red-light for me to go back and see my doctor, these symptoms were not normal. So I went back to see my doctor in Rhode Island, who, concerned, scheduled me for an invasive procedure with my gastroenterologist to finally determine the root cause of my symptoms.

My doctor back home is wonderful, and I’m incredibly lucky to have a doctor who listens to my concerns, takes my thoughts into consideration and is happy to request blood tests when I make a suggestion from a nutrition standpoint. She supports my gluten-free lifestyle and she was the first one to recommend I do an elimination to determine my intolerances. However, as wonderful as she is, there is always going to be some disconnect between what she sees as my ailments and the treatments for them, and how I see it from a nutrition standpoint.

I was diagnosed previously with IBS, a condition that she told me to treat with “Pepto Bismal” and cutting out whatever made me feel sick. Well what happens when, like now, the point comes where nearly everything makes me sick? I have my procedure scheduled for August, but what do I do until then? The answer to me was clear: change my diet.

Over the last month I have been seeing a fantastic therapeutic nutritionist who is assisting me in healing my body and hopefully never even having to see the inside of the medical office building where I am supposed to have my procedure done.

My decision to take the holistic nutrition route for my digestive issues was an easy one. Not only do I know people who have had similar significant digestive problems that were subsequently healed by a change in diet, but my problems all root in the place where the break down of my food occurs: my digestive system. So it only makes sense to focus on healing through food.

On Thursday, the day I left for my work trip, I saw my nutritionist for my program- a bounty of supplements to help heal and repair my poor stomach and intestines; and a list of dietary changes that, in all honesty, left me less than thrilled. However, no matter how un-excited I am about the changes I need to make (which will not be forever and are all geared towards the process of healing) I am willing to do anything it takes to restore my health.

The only reason I am sharing this with all of you is because there will be changes on the blog as I embark on a grain-free, higher-protein diet. I’m not looking for sympathy. I’m staying positive and I want to keep a positive energy on the blog!

Obviously, the foods I make and share will be of a different sort- but they’ll all be the similar veggie-filled, whole food goodness I have always loved and made. They’ll all still be gluten-free. There will be breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks and treats, but they’ll all be geared towards healthy digestion. I’m looking at this as both a culinary challenge and a way to completely take charge of my health. Do it right and hopefully get to the point where I have much more freedom in what I eat.

I hope now you understand a little more about me and my situation, and am so incredibly grateful of all your support over the years. Even if my blogging path changes a little bit, I hope all of you will continue along for the ride. I appreciate each and every one of you, my dear readers.

xoxo

{Tomorrow I promise a much lighter post! Food again, promise!}