Simple and Serene Living: goodbye gluten hello new blogging friend

goodbye gluten hello new blogging friend

Dear ~~John~~ gluten,

Thank you for the many years we have spent together. I don't want you to feel that I don't appreciate our time together, but like many relationships, this one must come to an end. I have enjoyed your breads, your cakes, your pastas....... and so much more, but it is time for me to move on. I hope you will think of me fondly as I will you.

With sincere good wishes,
Laura

I wish you could see the ~~soggy old~~ beautiful vintage handkerchief I am using to dab my tears as I write this.

Yes, I am giving up gluten. Last April I developed peripheral neuropathy and they don't seem to know what is causing it. I am taking some medication which makes me groggy, loopy (never mind you can keep those thoughts to yourself) and downright BLEH!!! It wasn't working, so they doubled it. Still isn't working well, just makes me groggier, loopier, and more BLEH!!!

As someone who hates taking any medications, I have been researching alternatives. I am taking vitamin b12 and omega3s, which are supposed to help and I found that gluten intolerance can contribute to the problem. So bye bye gluten.

I recently started to follow a wonderful new, to me, blog, Creative Cain Cabin. How lucky for me that Dawn just happened to share her recipe for gluten free pumpkin pancakes.

I plan to make these for Sunday breakfast tomorrow and thought I would pass the recipe on so you can try them, too. After all, a little less gluten never hurt anyone.

PUMPKIN PANCAKES

4 farm fresh eggs

1/2 C canned pumpkin

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

2 Tbs pure maple syrup

1tsp pumpkin pie spice

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp baking soda

Whisk the eggs, pumpkin, vanilla, and the maple syrup together.
Sift in the pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and baking soda into the wet ingredients.
Melt 2 Tbs butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Make pancakes desired size. When bubbles appear, flip the pancakes once to finish cooking.

I can't wait to try these. If you haven't checked out Dawn's wonderful blog, be sure to pop on over now. I know she'll be glad to meet you.

GinaSeptember 8, 2012 at 7:41 AM
Good luck, Laura. I know that giving up gluten may be difficult at first, but from what I understand when I worked in the health food store, you will feel so much better!
NanaDianaSeptember 8, 2012 at 8:37 AM
I gave up sugar and white flour over a year ago. It feels good- very, very good. I am saving this recipe. I think part of it is finding foods to eat that you ENJOY so you can stay on course. Good luck- you can do this. xo Diana
Sweet Posy DreamsSeptember 8, 2012 at 9:43 AM
Good luck to you, Laura. My mother has neuropathy, so I know it is no fun. She recently started taking Lyrica which she thinks is helping a bit and doesn't make her as tired as her earlier medicine.
thistlewoodfarmSeptember 8, 2012 at 9:47 AM
Laura,

I applaud you! You go girl! I think those pancakes look amazing and none of us will miss a little gluten!

blessings,
karianne

PS You should check out This Sorta Old Life. She has some great gluten-free recipes, too!
DawnSeptember 8, 2012 at 9:59 AM
Thanks for the feature:) I have a friend with many health problems and she has found going paleo also works for all types problems similar to yours. I am Paleo and a book I love is "Practical Paleo" by Diane Sanfilippo. Also a great web sight for recipes is: http://paleomg.com/ Feel free to email me any time if you are looking for a particular recipe, I just may have one. You will be amazed how much better you feel giving up gluten and you should ditch the sugar and preservatives too.
Ricki TreleavenSeptember 8, 2012 at 11:21 AM
I have been gluten-free for about a year and a half, and I feel like a different person! :D
Linda @ A La CarteSeptember 8, 2012 at 11:30 AM
Good Luck Laura! I hope this really works for you! No more Blahs!!
hugs, Linda
oursearskithome.blogspot.comSeptember 8, 2012 at 2:05 PM
Laura,
I can guarantee you will feel better! I'm not gluten intolerant, but cutting out wheat in my diet makes a big difference for me.
Check out Gail's blog, faithfulnessfarm.blogspot.com for gluten free recipes!
renae September 8, 2012 at 5:44 PM
Gluten free me and you! I have to watch it so carefully. I eat Spelt bread instead of whole wheat. magic! I sure hope you get to feeling better and better. You are to talented to be sick. (what?) ya. see ya! :D
RURAL magazineSeptember 8, 2012 at 7:15 PM
For me it's a tough sell, I love baking, but I have been researching the alternatives, and making some recipes without gluten.

There are so many wonderful gluten free blogs out there that it certainly makes it easier to choose what to cook.

Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
UnknownSeptember 9, 2012 at 7:22 AM
We try to limit our gluten, some weeks we do great and others not so much. For those that are sensitive, it makes a huge difference. Good Luck!
Jacqueline~Cabin and CottageSeptember 9, 2012 at 1:48 PM
Oh I hope the change does you good! I don't know why it should be so surprising what an impact diet has on how you feel. But I have been surprised. I have family members that have problems with gluten. My poison is sugar. Feel better!
MichelleSeptember 9, 2012 at 8:46 PM
I've heard that giving up gluten can make such a difference. I hope it helps!
UnknownSeptember 10, 2012 at 11:04 AM
Oh my, oh my. How does life without gluten look like? I've been following a wonderful blog in the past years, which you might be interested to check out: http://glutenfreegirl.com/

I hope you are healthy and happy!