Gluten Free Update

The first week, I used things we already had. The second week, I bought brown rice flour and a friend gave me some white rice flour. It is amazing what we can cook without gluten! The first thing I "re"made was my scones. Besides needing a little extra moisture and less time in the oven, they were fantastic! Better than the original recipe! Hello yummy!

The second thing I remade was my pancakes, which tasted yummy with 1 c. white rice flour and 1 c. brown rice flour in place of the white wheat flour; but, they stuck more to the pan and were a bit dry. I plan to attempt my pancakes again with gluten free oat flour, which I purchased this week.

I have tried eating gluten a couple of times and I notice it in my body almost instantly. I have more mucous for a couple of days, I sneeze more and I often get pains in my back (gall bladder?) that make it hard for me to breathe. When I consume gluten-free foods, I do not get those pains. I also haven't noticed any of the strange symptoms that prompted my doctor to suggest the change in the first place (itchy hands and feet, mild vertigo, etc.).

Last night, I remade my chocolate chip cookies with oat flour. They were fantastic! But, I do have to fiddle with the baking time a bit.

I think this will work. I think I might like eating gluten free (so, hopefully my family does, too!).

"Stand Up Straight"

I recently thought of something that a friend told me long ago; and, I can relate it to how I would like to raise my children. I was showing a friend some pictures of me with my girlfriends on spring break; and, in the pictures, I was always slouching and leaning down so that I was at the same height as my friends.

He told me, "Why aren't you standing up straight? You should stand up straight and be who you are."

For some reason, those simple, yet poignant, words resonated with me in a big way. I have done my best to "stand up straight" ever since. I like who I am.

There is a lot to be said for dialogue...those all-important conversations when both parties are open and respectful so that it gives each person room to maintain their integrity and "be who they are" and also be open to new ideas and perspectives. Some call it, debating. Sometimes it sounds more like arguing. But, a great debate should make both parties feel good! We should never feel like we have to suppress important feelings and ideas.

We have to choose when to remain silent and when to create dialogue. Truthfully, this is something I am still learning to do. It is really hard.

I hope to teach my children to "stand up straight and be who they are" in pictures and in life. I want them to have room to express themselves but also be open to others' ideas and perspectives.