• Pain is My Middle Name

    My IBS pain ended up with me in the walk-in. Since IBS has never caused me that much suffering, I thought maybe it was a bladder infection. Josh said, “Oh it might be an infection…or one of your million of other ailments that cause you pain”. And I thought, “Yup, Pain is my middle name”. My gut has caused me so much trouble that it is time for serious measures. I thought I had it licked with the Gut Makeover, but it seems like I need a more life-long solution. The Low FODMAP diet may be my saving grace. To…

  • Surviving Gluten-Free Life (Not a Love Story)

    Let’s be honest. Being gluten-free is hard. Being gluten-free, dairy-free, and gut-friendly is harder! I know it’s easier than 10 years ago, but I still have little tantrums about it.  I’m sick of buying “all” produce, not being able to have a burger on a gluten-filled bun, and ALWAYS PAYING MORE. Not fair that I have to pay extra for dairy-free milk at coffee bars, guys. Some days, I sit daydreaming and I become sad that some of my food dreams will never be realized. I will never have a traditional croissant or brioche in France. My fried food tour…

  • When You Become Gluten-Free & Your Whole Life is Food.

    I  have a confession to make. I’m sick of being gluten-free. But I have no choice, which sucks and there is nothing I can do about it. My whole life is thinking about food. Being gluten-free isn’t a lifestyle choice but a necessary part of my health. I became gluten-free a few years ago when I had food poisoning so bad that it ruined my gut. So what happens when I eat gluten and become “glutened”, as I put it? Horrible things. You don’t feel slightly sick. A lot of people have asked me if it is a similar feeling…

  • Affordable Gluten-Free Shopping

    I have to eat gluten-free, due to a severe gluten-intolerance. Eating gluten-free isn’t cheap, so here are three quick ways to shop more affordably. Here are my three easy tips to save while shopping gluten-free: Buy frozen!! Frozen is cheaper, lasts longer and is quick to prepare. Often picked at the peak of ripeness and flash frozen, they are just as nutritious (sometimes more so) than fresh. We love frozen veggies, fruit and fish. Shop at the end of the day. Sometimes when you shop after 6 p.m., things like meat are usually on sale. I buy hormone AND antibiotic…

  • What I Learned Eating Whole Food For One Month

    When I started a month ago, I had no idea if eating whole food would make a difference. Fortunately, it did! I thought that eating no processed food would be really difficult, but with just a little bit of planning ahead, I was easily able to avoid it and eat whole food instead. Now, I don’t crave the chips, sugary snacks and crackers I used to. Instead, I started to reach for fruit or veggies, homemade hummus or nuts as a snack. At first, I was very gassy! I think just the rapid upping of fiber intake hurt me a…

  • Strangely Good Stir-Fry Recipe

    It started with shrimp. I had a package of defrosted cooked shrimp to use up and was going to use it in a salad, but made a last minute decision to make a stir-fry. It was one of those nights where everything was rushed. As usual, I started supper late and Hunter had gymnastics that night, so I had to whip up something fast! (Why do we have to eat three times a day?!? So annoying, right?) Using what was on hand, plus a couple of surprising choices, I made this delicious concoction that had the kids making satisfied noises…

  • Whole Food Diary: April 9-13

    It is week 2!! I am working on eating whole real food and cutting out processed food or added sugar. I’m more focused and determined this week. I am keeping this food diary to keep me accountable and let you know what I ate in those weeks. Hopefully I can give you some gluten-free and gut friendly meal ideas as well! So here we go….   Week Two Monday, April 09 Morning:  I woke up feeling terrible since my cycle had begun. Once the Tylenol kicked in, I felt that I could eat. I ate some Stoked Oats with banana…

  • April Eating Challenge Food Diary: Apr. 02-08

    Hello beautifuls. As I stated in this post HERE, I have decided to get my food choices back on track for April with an eating challenge. I’m being quite restrictive for this month, but there are no hard rules, more like guidelines. I promised to keep you updated on my progress, so here goes!! Monday April 02: I did NOT stick to my own “wish list” and here is what happened- change of plans! When I decided that April would be the month to get back on track, I was at my mom’s house in Saskatchewan (Hi, Mom!) but the…

  • I’m Sick of Feeling Sick!!

    You guys, I don’t know why I do this to myself. I get my health back on track and feel great, then I backslide. WHYYYYY?! I’m so sick of feeling sick. I did an 8 week stint of eating clean and slowly adding foods back into my diet.  I felt awesome. I wasn’t bloated, addicted to sugar, snacking mindlessly or lacking energy. Things were great. Things were so great, I forgot how bad they had gotten. So I added chocolate back in. And some dairy. And the occasional gluten-free snack (I’m looking at you GF crackers). And 1 cup of…