I'm with Stupid

I have to tell you how just plain dumb I feel right now. Remember how I told you I thought I had been really good about not eating gluten? Well it seems I wasn’t doing nearly as well as I thought. As I start to double check at restaurants I go to, it seems that my favorite “gluten free” dishes aren’t gluten free at all. My favorite dish at Mexican restaurants is fajitas most of the time just veggie. Turns out that 4 out of 5 places put a marinade on the fajitas that has you guessed GLUTEN! The corn chips are also not gluten free because they are usually fried in the same oil as everything else. I go to Cheesecake Factory at least once a month for work and order the same salad each time because I was once told it was gluten free. During a dining experience there yesterday, I asked the waiter to double check. He came back and said that none of their salad dressing were gluten free and neither were the black beans that go on that particular salad!!! I smiled and said, well someone here once told me it was all gluten free and he responded with “well if you didn’t have a reaction maybe it isn’t a big deal.” I then smiled and replied “well it is still a big deal because the allergy causes my immune system to attack itself.” Yes, I was Debbie Downer at my group lunch yesterday but I felt that was a very dumb comment for the waiter to make. Just because I don’t immediately break out in hives as soon as it touches my mouth doesn’t mean isn’t causing my body any damage. This salad and the fajitas I have been ordering could be keeping me from restoring my health and that makes me feel so stupid! The waiter made up for the comment by helping me build a safe, gluten free salad that ended up being pretty tasty. Now that I am “double checking” it is getting more difficult to eat out and it stresses my husband out. I don’t even want to know what else I have been eating that has gluten in it. I thought I had been gluten free for a year and a half (except for the accident at my mother in laws where she bought corn tortillas that still had wheat) but it turns out I have only truly been completely gluten free for two weeks. I have to start over and that is frustrating however I do have hope that this was what I was missing. Perhaps my ovaries haven’t completely clicked on because there was still gluten in my system??? A girl can dream can’t she??? Now all I can do is be very careful, exercise and get in the best shape possible and continue to eat superfoods to build my body back up. I didn’t get a chance to read “It’s my Ovaries Stupid” yesterday, I had a long day. I think I might have been a bit hormonal though, after a very unexpected verbal exchange with an extremely unpleasant woman at a gas station, I just started crying. I thought to myself as I drove off “what the hell am I crying for?” Right then I noticed I kind of had cramps and decided that it was something hormonal …although I am not sure what. Whatever it is….I’ll take it. It’s evidence that there are some hormones left inside me. Since I didn’t make it to the gym last night (due to my uncontrolled emotional breakdown), my father in law and husband put together the old family trampoline for me. I had the best time jumping on that thing, I felt like a kid again and even practiced some of my old cheerleading jumps. After about 20 minutes on that thing I was completely out of breathe and in need of a shower. I have to laugh because I am getting excited even thinking about going home and jumping again tonight. Along with emotional breakdown, yesterday also brought with it some stomach issues that I thought were kind of strange. I am going to blame the probiotics I recently starting taking again. I have read that you can have stomach issues when you first start them. It’s the good vs the bad (good bacteria vs the bad). Perhaps though, it is the hatched parasites that Ann told me about escaping since I didn’t take PABA yesterday??? Man, I feel sexy now. Hey babe, guess what, I have hatched parasites, what should we name them???


After our recent move, I joined the gym my husband and father in law go to. My father in law came home last night with a little goodie bag he had gotten at the gym. It was filled with literature, coupons and samples of new organic and some gluten free products. The only items I can’t eat were a nutrition bar with probiotics that had wheat in it and some sample cat food (guess I could eat it but just don’t have the urge). I love that people are starting to realize how important organic and clean eating is. I am going to research the products and possibly put a few on my next grocery list. Well we have plans to go to dinner tonight at a fish place. Hopefully there is something on the menu I can eat. I am going to go online and do so searching so my husband can relax.


I wanted to mention something I found while looking up an Udos product online (to see if it had gluten in it). Just because something is labeled “gluten free,” doesn’t mean it has absolutely no gluten in it. According to Udos response to the gluten free question, anything with below a certain amount of gluten in it, is considered gluten free. How freakin stupid is that. So you are telling me all of us celaics patients out there have to pay double for our food and treats and there is still gluten in it even though we are paying for gluten free?? Are you freakin kidding me? How is the FDA ok with this? It could still be making us sick!!!

My husband and I went to a gluten free food fair today. Here is a list and my comments on products that were there. I just want to say that the turn out was amazing and I was so excited to get to go around and taste things without worrying about my allergies. There another one schedule in a few weeks at a local vitamin cottage, I can't wait to go!!
 
Gluten Free Food Fair – August 29th Jefferson County Fairgrounds

• Bobs Red Mill GF Products – have separate milling & packaging department. Gave out coupons and packet of mighty tasty GF hot cereal. www.bobsredmill.com
o Have a pizza crust, brownie mix
o Pamphlet with huge list of GF products (70)
o Catalog lists books that are continually sought after and use by their customer base. I thought they all looked interesting but here are a few I will definitely be reading
 The Amazing Flax Cookbook – Jane Reinhardt-Martin
 Art of Cooking with Quinoa – Maria Baez Kijac
 The China Study – Most comprehensive study of nutrition ever conducted – T. Colin Campbell
 Cooking with Coconut flour – Bruce Fife
 The Joy of Veagan baking – Collen Patrick – Gourea
 125 Best Gluten Free Recipes – Donna Washburn & Heather Butt
 Babycakes – vegan, gluten free and sugar free recipes from New York’s most talked about bakery – Erin Mckenna (some recipes call for spelt flour which is not gluten free)
 Cooking Free – 200 flavorful recipes for people with food allergies and multiple food sensitivities – Carol Fenster

• Chipotle was there handing out chips and guacamole – their meats are not marinated in gluten and their chips are safe!

• Carinos Italian was there advertising their gluten free menu and handing out a sample of cooked potatoes

• General mills had a booth that had pamphlets explaining how to read labels. They have hundred of gluten free products and are listed at liveglutenfreely.com
o Some brands listed are Larabar, fruit by the foot, chex, Yoplait, progresso and betty crocker

• Cecelias Market Place guid had a booth – website will give you product of the day emails and product alerts – www.CeceliasMarketplace.com

• Bakery on Main – Granola products. Gave out packet of Cinnamon Raison Granola and a peanut butter chocolate granola bar. Have a 34,000 square foot manufacturing facility with in house gluten testing on every batch of products.

• Bard’s beer – founded by celiacs, made it their mission to give beer back to those who are intolerant to gluten. America’s first gluten free sorghum beer and the only beer brewed with 100% malted sorghum. To find the beer visit www.bardbeer.com or call 1-877-440-2337

• On the border was there handing out a copy of their gluten free menu and a coupon for queso. I especially love they list the alcoholic beverage that don’t have gluten :0)

• Local Denver bakery, Delicious, was there. Gluten free baking www.delicious-gluten-free.com

• Diamond Baking Co. – www.diamondbakingco.com – Boulder and Denver Metro – gluten free dessert catering

• Another booth of locals who are about to launch and had an amazing booth full of truly amazing yummy products was toosies. They will be selling products in all local natural food stores. Toosiesglutenfree.com
o Will be selling all purpose flout, bread mix, brownie mix, muffin mix and pancake/waffle mix

• Schar- company that makes gluten free products was handing out free samples or chocolate covered wafers and a food pyramid for celiac patients. To remind us what we need to be eating to stay healthy.

• Barlean’s Organic Oils had a booth advertising their Omega Swirl. Tasted and looks like a smoothie yet provides optimal levels of vital and essential Omega 3 EPA/DHA. I tried the strawberry/banana and is was really good. They are sold at vitamin cottage. Can be taken straight, mixed with yogurt and blended with smoothies or protein drinks.
o Voted best product of the year by Vitamin Retailer Magazine
o Gold metal winner of American Masters of Taste Awards

• Rudis had a booth and was giving out complete loafs of bread to everyone. I had already purchased the cinnamon swirl a few weeks ago and love it. You cant even tell its gluten free. Today I got a loaf of the multi-grain and will have to let you know what I think.
o There slogan is “gluten free doesn’t mean bread free”
o Have original sandwhich, multi-grain and cinnamon swirl bread
o www.rudisbakery.com

• The Organic Dish – pre-made gluten free and other special diet food
o www.theorganicdish.com/menu
o Can shop at their kitchen in boulder or order online for pick up, delivery or shipping nation wide.
o Food comes ready to cook with instructions

• Bready had a booth. An automatic gluten free baking system. Very large and bulky and is $299.99. You can check it out at www.mybready.com

• Simply Boulder culinary sauces – sold at whole foods and vitamin cottage. Very good dipping sauces. Gluten free,agave nectar, dairy free, vegetarian, 100% natural. www.simplyboulder.com

• Gluten Free Oats – www.glutenfreeoats.com – tested at Univ of Nebraska Food Allergy Research a

• Kinnikinnick Foods was giving out packets of information – have bread products, doughnuts, personal size pizza crust, waffles, smores, bread crumbs and oreos.
o www.kinnikinnick.com or goglutenfee.com
o Gluten free never tasted so good
o To provide Celiacs, people with Autism and other people with special requirements with uncontimated, risk free source of food products.

• Glutenfreeda – gluten free burritos, granola and oatmeal.
o All products produced in our own 100% gluten free facility

• Gluten free passport had a booth. You can download an app on your phone will give you a list of restaurants and menus that you can eat from. www.GlutenFreePassport.com

• Jules Gluten Fee – www.JulesGlutenFree.com.
o Had some amazing desserts
o Author and creator of the flour was there
o The flour looks like it would be really great to use has tapioca starch, potato starch, corn starch, white rice flour, corn flour and Xanthum gum. I am thinking of ordering some, then I wouldn’t have to mix all of these together while cooking.
o The author signed by book that I bought
o Can go to her website for some great GF recipes.

• Minnie Beasley’s Handmade Almond Lace Gourmet Cookies – first let me say that the creator of this cookie is a little intense but they are very good. He said that if you google “best damn cookie ever” his will pop up. Very good and they will ship pretty much anywhere.

• Arbonne cosmetics – all products including make-up, moisturizer and shampoo are gluten free. I asked for a catalog but they were out. I am going to email the consultant I met today and have her mail me one.

• Themissingmenu.com – “where the missing allergy-free menu can be found”
o Search local and national restaurants and bakeries
o Search by allergy, cuisine and neighborhoods
o View allergy free highlighted items and menus
o Stay current with allergy conscious community by using our twitter and facebook feeds

• Happy Bellies – the only organic baby cereal with DHA plus probiotic protection.
o Have formula that is allergy friendly
o Fresh, frozen organic baby meals
o Organic puffs

• Beaujo’s pizza – have gluten and dairy free pizza. I got a preferred discount card for 15% off every purchase. I have never tried this pizza but will make a note to do it soon and let you know what I think.

• The Gluten Free Gal Baking Company
o Gluten free, Soy Free,Dairy Free, Nut Free, Yeast Free, Corn Free, Sesame Free and Refined Sugar Free
o www.theglutenfreegal.com

• Namaste foods – contain zero gluten, wheat, soy, potato, corn, tree nuts, peanuts, casein or dairy
o Dedicated allergen free facility
o 15 baking mixes, 3 pasta dishes and all natural
o Also listed on a card I picked up is Bread, cookies, pizza crust, vanilla cake, sugar free muffins, perfect flour blend, biscuits pie crust and more, Chocolate and Vanilla frosting, muffins, brownies, spice cake, waffles/pancakes and chocolate cake
o I have tried the spice cake and I believe this is my favorite GF spice cake mix. I recently made the brownies, I thought it was really good but I added some things to it (organic justin’s peanut butter, walnuts, flaxseed and a bit of soy milk.

• Funky Monkey – fruit snacks
o 100% natural, real fruit, delicious,
o Nothing added
o Gluten Free & veagan
o Raw food
o Kosher
o I received a free bag which I will try and get back to you. They also gave out funky monkey temporary tattoos. I am sad to say I can’t find mine but if I could, would proudly be wearing it right now

• Udis Gluten Free Foods
o Made in a 100% dedicated gluten free facility
o Also dairy free, soy free and nut free
o Shown in the brochure is bagels, granola, pizza crust, sandwich bread, cinnamon rolls and muffins
o I haven’t tried their stuff but I got a coupon which means I will try it soon.

• Celiac Spruce Association – www.csaceliacs.org
o Handed out a bunch of information
o Flyer on “the gluten free diet and celiacs disease” class being offered taught by a registered dietician with over 20 yrs experience working in the field. Diagnosed herself with celiacs and multiple food allergies.
o Class is $45.00 and includes a copy of a list I bought today. A small bound book listing all safe GF products. Designed to take to the store with you and help decifer which products are safe.
o http://www.denverceliacs.org/

 
Hope this helps! I received a bunch of literature which I will work look through this week and share. 

Information Overload and another visit with the "Wich" doc

I have so much to share I don’t even know where to start. First, I finally got the chance to watch the Crazy Sexy Cancer documentary. I loved it, but not as much as I loved the book. The book has so much more information. I loved that she went to an alternative medicine expo where she tried all sorts of natural healing techniques including an ionic footbath. The author goes to a health retreat where they do nothing but focus on healing. When she first arrives, blood is drawn and put under a microscope where it is determined that her cells are sticking together and that her body seems to still be acidic even though she had been taking really good care of herself on a macro biotic diet. She states that she was eating to many grains which was making her body to acidic. Once she arrives at the retreat, she eats mostly greens and takes in wheatgrass shots twice a day. She also participates in yoga and many other healing activities. When she leaves the retreat another blood test is drawn and her cells are not sticking together and no mucus/acidic substance was present. That became her way of monitoring her progress. A few weeks later, she gets another scan on her tumors and they have remained dormant. I decided that this was going to be my goal. To get my cells as healthy as I can. If her cells can help cure her cancer then mine can most definitely fix the damage to my body. Seems like I have a much smaller mess to clean up then the author did. I have been reading “It’s My Ovaries Stupid,” all week. It is a really great book written by another woman who has made women’s hormones and how they effect the rest of our bodies her passion. The intro explains that most of the ailments that women complain about or go to doctors appointments for are caused by ovarian hormone imbalances. The author goes on to explain that most doctors will not test these hormones because one, it is expensive to do so and two, they don’t have the time to do this for every patient. The typical doctors appointment lasts 15 minutes. Doctors of today like to give a quick and accurate (based on facts presented) diagnosis and get you through the door. Not to mention most of the current research done on women’s reproductive systems has been done within the last 10 years and according to a 2001 government survey “it takes an average of 17 years for new research to become commonly accepted in the average clinical practive.” The author states that after receiving treatment to naturally restore optimal ovarian hormone balance, most of her patients ailments disappear!!! The book explains how important each of our ovarian hormones is, specifically Estrodial and Progesterone. Our hormones help each one of our internal organs function on a day to day basis. It is no wonder why women with ovarian disorders or that are in menopause seem to have so many health concerns. The author explains that before ovulation Estrodial is important and after ovulation Progesterone (means pregnancy promoting) begins to rise. If there is no ovulation, then there is no way to produce the progesterone. “Estrodial alone is involved in over 400 functions in a woman’s body.” “Hormones have docking sites we call receptors made of proteins that are located on the surface or inside our cells themselves. All throughout our bodies, the hormones are like little manufacturing plants making chemicals the body needs to function.” As I read this I thought again to myself “this is it, proof that I need to be like the author of Crazy Sexy Cancer and improve my cells!” It’s My Ovaries Idiot also includes a list of estrogen receptors that depend on healthy levels of the hormone to function some of them are our musles, skin, heart and the one the popped out at me the colon. I was also very excited to read that “women who are more physically active and have more muscle mass often have better estrodial levels then less active women with less muscle mass.” Reading this reconfirms my decision on doing some form of aerobic activity for 309 minutes everyday!! The book also explains ovarian disorders such as POF. “Characterized by an FSH greater then 20 (guilty) and low ovarian hormone levels which is a characteristic of menopause (not guilty, hormone levels were high enough that I don’t have to be on HRT). POF can cause “infertility, increase in bone loss, lower sexual responsiveness, insomnia, headaches, allergies and immune changes”…. to name only a few. “The ovaries do not produce the proper amounts or balance of estrodial, progesterone or testosterone needed for your body to function or to be fertile.” One thing I was happy to read (even though I already knew I have eggs) is that women with POF “ still have their follicules, but the ovaries are not working properly. They don’t make optimal levels of hormones, even though follicules are still available to do so.” That means all I need to do is get things in balance. Wish it was easy as balancing my check book! So basically I need to get in a habbit of checks and balances. This book also explains that all of the toxins in our everyday environment (not the first time I have read this since starting my research) causes most women’s ovarian hormone balance to be disrupted….ah yet another reason to stay on my organic and gluten free diet and keep drinking my alkaline water. There was so much helpful information in this book and I have only read two chapters. Don’t you worry, I will continue to right my book report for you. I wouldn’t hold out on you!


Yesterday, while taking a much needed mental break, I was reading a blog on celiac.com between women who had been diagnosed and were experiencing fertility issues. One women raises the question as to whether gluten could be rising her FSH levels which has caused her to miscarry. http://www.celiac.com/gluten-free/topic/21776-infertility-and-celiac/. Another woman who was 36 year old had unexplained infertility. She went gluten free, did acupuncture and took herbs. Her symptoms are gradually getting better. She stated that “From what she understood, in women with celiacs, the body won't absorb nutrients needed to provide enough of a lining in your uterus & you may not even be ovulating.” Another woman mentions that if she accidentally gets gluten in her diet, ovulation is delayed by at least a week. A doctor posts that “two reasons Celiac Disease causes infertility – antibodies in the blood and malabsorbtion of nutrients.” Hmm, I am seeing a definite link here. If this isn’t enough then read this, another article I found on celiac.com http://www.celiac.com/articles/22259/1/The-Celiac-Disease-and-Reproductive-Health-Connection/Page1.html
“This study confirmed the association between celiac disease and pregnancy disorders. However, there have not been enough studies yet to determine the exact correlation between celiac disease and female related reproductive issues. It has been hypothesized that the connection might be due to the fact that celiac disease can cause malabsorbtion and therefore malnutrition in some individuals, which could possibly play a role in ovarian dysfunction. Although from this study and others, the connection between celiac disease and reproductive disorders has been demonstrated to be significant enough that women exhibiting reproductive issues are recommended to undergo celiac screenings.”

Yep, it’s now painfully apparent what happened to my fertility. I was literally starving my body of nutrients all so I could enjoy pizza and beer and all the other treats with gluten.

One last thing, I wanted to share the results of my visit with the kinisiologist. Like always it was an experience but I feel better and I believe in the process.


When I went to see Ann the first time, I had a 100% negative charge. During the testing on the phone today, I had a .08 negative charge so I have been doing some healing. There is no charge on the fungus that my mother passed on to me that caused my celiacs. There was something hiding under the fungus and it was viral. The viral was 3 parasites. The Cranial work Ann did on my last visit attacked the viral but they left behind eggs that have since hatched. Something has been blocking the release of the new parasites. Ann said it was something I was taking. We reviewed everything I was taking and she said it was PABA. She said that I needed to stop taking PABA so I could get rid of the parasites Sensed some with holding from me and asked what went on between my mother and I after my last appointment with her. I explained the situation with my brother and she said that it is an emotional issue my brother has with my mother.I can sense my mother wants me to get better and she wants to get well too. I am to stop taking PABA and wait 6 weeks for this to work. If things are still not working at this point, she wants to see me one last time on Friday, Sept 24th at 12:30. Sometimes it can take up to three treatments for it to work. I have an 87% positive charge for healing just have been withholding for a few days. Don’t give up.
-I know what you are all thinking, and dont worry I am not in full support of the findings of this phone conversation but i do believe I am healing and if not taking PABA could do it more quickly why not try??
To make all you Celiacs patients feel better about having to pass on the beer and order wine instead. Check out this article. http://specials.msn.com/A-List/Lifestyle/Beer-linked-to-psoriasis-in-women.aspx?cp-searchtext=Beer%20linked%20to%20psoriasis%20in%20women. Beer has been linked to cause psoriasis in women. “Women who bend their elbows with a schooner of beer are at a markedly higher risk for developing psoriasis.” The article states the psoriasis is an auto immune disease so I can’t help but wonder if the women being diagnosed with this disease might have celiacs??

Cruising the Information Highway

My cup runneth over with information. I have a new hobby (shopping step aside, I will need to come back to you once the seasons have officially changed). I have become addicted to reading about nutrition, fertility and celiacs disease. I can’t stop reading books, magazines, blogs and anything else I can get my hands on. Don’t worry, I am recording it all so I can share. I am still feeling frustrated because I have yet to find an article or story regarding someone with diagnosed POF who reversed their symptoms on a gluten free diet. Perhaps, I would be the first?? No there is no way, I just think that the link between the celiac and fertility is not where it should be. If you think about it though….why do so many women with fertility issues conceive after taking wheat/flour out of their diets?? No it’s not a coincidence think about it people!!!! Anyway, I don’t need a stinking article to make me feel better. If I will be the first to turn around my fertility diagnosis then so be it. Damned if I am going to let some diagnosis keep me from being healthy and have a child. I the infertility queen hereby vow that I will no longer think of my diagnosis as a bad thing, it is simply going to make me a much smarter and healthy woman who will prove the doctors all wrong and show them that although it appears my ovaries are working below their potential right now they are merely suffering from lack of nutrition and will be back working in no time. During my last 7 days of nonstop research I found a great blog called Gluten Free Frenzy. This website has all sorts of healthy tips, recipes, books to read and even a column from a licensed herbalist who also lives the gluten free lifestyle. On the blog, there is a list of things you can do in your life to be happy. They are:


1. Love yourself, flaws and all (even the stray gray hairs that seem to have snuck there way in.)

2. Help others

3. Find a creative outlet

4. Keep busy – being busy doesn’t allow time to think about my diagnosis. I’m in, new hobbies here I come.

5. But not too busy – leave time for yourself

6. Appreciate what you have - Focus on what you have instead of what you don’t have.

7. Tickle that funny bone – laugh more

8. Have a support network – love my friends and family they are awesome!

9. Forgive yourself and try again - . Everybody messes up, so dust your shoulders off , take a deep breathe and move on.

10. If all else fails, fake it. You’ll even fool yourself. Studies have shown that smiling for sixteen seconds can boost your mood. After a bad morning today, I turned on my favorite morning radio talk show and laughed my whole way to work.



This morning seemed a bit like a comedy routine. I got up this morning a few minutes late and felt very groggy so naturally I didn’t see that dog toy in the walk way which I tripped over but managed to catch myself on the doorway to the bathroom. While in the shower I must have dropped my razor three times and was surprised I didn’t slip as I got out of the shower. I put my robe on and made my way up the stairs (without tripping or falling) so I figured my clutsy moment had passed….well like usual I thought wrong. Today I started bringing my lunch in order to save money and be sure I wasn’t taking in gluten. I went to the fridge and pulled out the ingredients for both mine and my husbands lunch. I decided to make mine first so that the bread for his sandwich didn’t contaminate the lunch making space. I pulled out the GF tortilla, sprinkled some spinach and sprouts, cut the avocado, sprinkled olive oil on top and as I squeezed the bottle of flaxseed oil to sprinkle on top, about half the bottle sprayed on my lunch and I think the other half went all over the stove. I grumbled under my breath as I immediately cleaned the stove and rolled my lunch up in foil. I managed to make my husbands lunch with no issues and moved on to making my juice. It seemed to go by pretty quickly this morning. I rinsed some lettuce and kale off and shoved it in. Next was the broccoli, half an orange and some carrots. I wasn’t even halfway through with my ingredients and I already needed to empty the glass into the blender. I picked up the newly washed blender and poured my juice in. I was shocked as the juice went directly through the blender onto my robe, the counter and my white Chihuahua. As I looked around at the green, sticky mess I had just made I thought to myself “how the heck did that happen?” I looked back at the blender I was still holding in my hands and saw the problem…..the bottom was not screwed on. How do you not notice something like that is missing? I felt super smart as I got down on my hands and knees to clean the floor, wiped off the counter and rinsed the poor dog off. Frustrated and already running late, I put the blender back together, and re-started the juicing process and was done in 15 minutes. I got dressed and was out the door by 6:30 (the time I need to be at work!). I decided that I was just going to take a deep breathe, turn on my favorite morning talk radio and let my morning roll off my back. It worked, I felt much better as I pulled into the parking garage. As I picked up my computer bag it hit my thermos my juice was in, popped the lid open and spilt half of it in the council of my car. Luckily I keep a roll of paper towels in my car so I walked around to the back to grab the paper towels, cleaned up the mess and walked into work where I then realized that I had my juice all over my clothes. Nothing like a look that says “hi, I am wearing my breakfast.” Needless to say, I had a very trying morning but am amazingly able to sit here and laugh about it. I am anxious to talk to Cheri today. I seem to be gaining weight and don’t understand why (no I’m not preggers, I checked). I feel bloated and hungry all the time. I feel like I am missing something with my nutrition and taking to much of something else. I need to get balanced.

I have a follow up phone convo with Ann, the kinisiologist this Tuesday. When she called to set up the appointment she told me that it might take awhile to get better because I didn’t just wake up sick….it took some time to get this way so it will take some time to undo the damage. I accept that is true and although I am just plain tired of paying doctors to have zero results, I am going to meet with her one last time because I am a believer and believe everything I am currently doing is going to help me get better.



Books of the week for me will be:

Super Immunity Foods

It’s My Ovaries Stupid

Feel the Hormone Revolution!

Over the weekend, I spent the day with my mother who had a brilliant idea! She took me to the library to find books on nutrition and fertility. She too has been doing research on nutrition and celiacs and decided that instead of buying the books it would be better to check them out from a library. The woman is a genius! We spent almost two hours looking through the books and making our selections. The books can be kept for 3 weeks and the DVD’s and magazine 1 week. I walked out of there with over 10 books about nutrition, hormones and auto-immune disease. You would think I might feel overwhelmed knowing I have that much reading to do but I figured with most of the books, I would just be looking in the sections that pertained to me and my issues (health issues all other issues can wait for another time). I checked out books with titles like “It’s my ovaries stupid,” and “Auto-immune Disease & Women.” The book I started with is called “Hormone Revolution.” I started it on Saturday and have decided I will be reading the entire book (so much for just looking in certain sections, blew that out of the water with the first book). It is written by a Dr. who has dedicated her life to researching women and the effects hormones have on their bodies and lifestyles. In her lifetime, her menstrual cycle has stopped twice. Each time this happened she evaluated what her body needed and was able to bring back her monthly menses and is currently still having a regular monthly period in her sixties. I figure if she can do it at 60 then I can bring my cycle back at age 29. Along with the monthly cycle, she doesn’t even look close to be in her sixties and her hair is still naturally the same dark brown she was born with (no grays). She wrote the book to help women restore a healthy hormone balance in their bodies naturally but she has recommendations for hair, nails, skin and diet as well so that women who read her book can feel beautiful inside and out. I am about halfway through and don’t worry I am taking good notes. I will be sure to share my findings as soon as I am done. The only frustrating part of the book is that it asks you to confirm if you are low on estrogen or progesterone. I don’t know which one I am because at the time of my last blood test, I was told I was producing enough of each to not have to go on hormone replacement so I guess I am low on both?? Anyway, I decided to record the recommendations on restoring both hormones and incorporate those mentioned under both categories into my daily routine. I know that a high FSH means that there is not enough estrogen production in the ovaries so I am definitely keeping that in mind.




I went into my typical Monday appointment with Cheri with a whole list of supplements I wanted to pick her brain on. After reading only half of Hormone Revolution I had millions of questions and needed someone else’s opinion. I asked her opinion on all kinds of things I had read about and after talking with her, I have decided to not incorporate anymore supplements into my diet at this time (don’t worry I will still share them with you and keep them in my arsenal for later use just in case). Cheri has seen people try all sorts of things to heal her body and swears that the people who have had the most success, heal by cleansing and eating a healthy diet. She said that if I give it a chance, my body will balance itself and that if I fill myself full of supplements, I would not allow my body the chance to work things out. We discussed what I was currently taking and decided that it all sounded like things I could continue to take as they are supplements that are for overall health. So for now it is my prenatal multi-vitamin, royal jelly, PABA, MACA and my organic pregnancy tea (with nettles). I will also continue to add my liquid probiotics, SunWarrior Super Greens and Protein to my juice each morning. I am going to try and incorporate all other suggestions from “Hormone Revolution” through the foods the author suggests. Superfoods such as MACA, Flaxseeds and Oil oil are just a few. I figure if it’s good for me and it’s food, can’t hurt right?? More natural then taking it in pill form. As I read through my massive stack of books from the library, I will make changes with my diet to be sure my body and my immune system (yes I know they are not separate) can get the top notch treatment. I never thought I would be this excited to read and type up book reports but I find myself anticipating the weekend to get here so that I can continue my research!!!



I received an anonymous comment on this blog yesterday regarding the book “The Gluten Effect.” Thank you for this tip, I plan on reading it and the article attached to the link you sent me. While searching for “The Gluten Effect” from a search engine. I also found a great blog called The Gluten Free Frenzee. I haven’t been able to read much of it but what I read seemed very helpful and had a bunch of tips for restoring your immune system such as taking probiotics every day.



Here is the link to the article linking celiac to fertility issues.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38600414/ns/health-kids_and_parenting?gt1=43001

Since reading this article, I have been doing research all week on celiacs and fertility. It turns out that doctors now believe that celiacs is a leading cause of unexplained infertility. Makes sense, an auto immune disease that turns the body against itself…..um I would think that could cause damage to not only your fertility. It’s just that the reproductive system isn’t a necessary function to survive so it is one of the first to go. During my search, I read all sorts of blogs from women on gluten free diets. Most had fertility restored after an “extended amount of time”. That wasn’t good enough, I had to know how long an “extended amount of time” was. It seems that it takes 9-12 months of a strict gluten free diet for most women. I thought I was gluten free and being pretty smart about the way I ate but I was sadly mistaken. When I was going to eat at Mexican resteraunts, I was ordering shrimp or veggie fajitas thinking that had to be safe and gluten free. It turns out most places use a seasoning while grilling that has gluten in it. I was pretty upset to learn that because we go to eat Mexican at least twice a week! Something else I hadn’t really thought about until recently is the chips at all restaurants. Most of them, even if they are made from corn tortillas, are not gluten free. They are fried in the oil that everything else is fried in which contaminates them. I have started taking my own chips when I know we are going out to dinner. I also realized that I was cross contaminating my own food at home. I make my husband’s lunch everyday before I make my juice. Until recently, I wasn’t wiping off the counter in-between making his sandwiches and slicing my fruit. I now wipe off the counter and wash my hands before even getting my fruit out of the fridge. I have also started making his lunch on a different part of the counter then the part I use to slice and juice.

Wine free...no longer me!

I found a great natural fertility website that I wanted to share with everyone. I found it by doing something that is not for the newly diagnosed….I googled. I typed in fertility superfoods and up came http://natural-fertility-info.com/5-fertility-superfoods-you-should-know-about.html. OMG the information on this website is great. I got so excited when the page came up, I didn’t even know where I wanted to start. Once I got my mind to focus and stopped hyperventilating, I decided to start with what I had search for. Natural Fertility Info lists superfoods: Maca, Royal Jelly, Bee Propolis and Bee Pollen and Spirulina. I know what you are thinking what the heck is Maca? Well according to the site ….


Maca has been traditionally used to help:
Balance hormonal levels in women*
Increase libido in both men and women*
Increase egg health*
Increase seminal volume, sperm count per ejaculation, and sperm motility*
Lower FSH levels
This site had me at “lower FSH levels”

How does Maca work?
“Maca is a nourishing food for the endocrine system, aiding both the pituitary, adrenal, and thyroid glands (all involved in hormonal balance.) Maca has the ability to affect key hormones in both women and men without containing hormones itself. Maca helps to stimulate and nourish the pituitary gland, acting as a tonic for the hormone system. When the pituitary gland functions optimally, the entire endocrine system becomes balanced, because the pituitary gland controls the hormone output of the other three glands. In women Maca works by controlling estrogen in the body. Estrogen levels that are high or low at the wrong time can keep a woman from becoming pregnant or keep her from carrying to term. Excess estrogen levels also cause progesterone levels to become too low. Taking Maca may help to increase the progesterone levels, which are essential to carrying a healthy pregnancy.” This was enough for me to leave work for the sole reason of purchasing a Maca supplement but then I read this.. “Estrogen in men produces erectile dysfunction, low/lack libido, low sperm count, and lowered production of seminal fluid. Men who use Maca have been shown to have an increase in libido and healthy sperm.” That’s it, going to vitamin cottage tomorrow after work to see my new and helpful buddy. Do you think he is going to think I am addicted to taking supplements? The site also lists “Who should use Maca?” Maca would really be good for anyone preparing or trying to become pregnant. It is a food, so it is healthy to take daily. But it can specifically help women who are experiencing:

-Poor egg health
-Endometriosis
-PCOS
-Recurrent miscarriages
-Preparing for IVF
-Infertility due to stress
-In addition, hormonal stability sharpens the mind and generates a sense of well-being.

The next one listed is Royal Jelly which I was taking for a long time and stopped in December. I will consider taking it again “Royal jelly is another fertility specific superfood which may help to increase egg health, quality of egg, and genreal fertility. Royal jelly is the food that is fed to the queen bee which is what makes her the queen bee. She goes on to live 6 years and lays up to 2000 eggs per day. Most bees live less than two months.Royal Jelly is rich in vitamins, A, B, C, D,and E. It is also contains minerals including calcium and iron, all of the essential amino acids plus antibacterial and immune stimulating properties.” I didn’t know that with bees, it can cause the queen bee to way out last all of the other bees. Must be pretty potent stuff, like the fountain of fertility youth. Why can’t this stuff come in juice form? I would chug a gallon of it a day. I also didn’t know that it helps the immune system. Why did I stop taking that again…..

Next was Bee Propolis and Bee Pollen. “Bee propollis and bee pollen are two more fertility super foods from our friends the bee. These foods are rich in nutrients. Bee pollen contains 50% more protein than beef and is rich in every vitamin and mineral. Bee Propolis is a powerful immune system stimulant and inflammation aid. It also helps women who have endometriosis. Bee propolis and Bee Pollen are available in capsules or in a base of honey. They can be taken everyday. I like to take all three together in one product.”

Last listed is Spirulina. “Spirulina is a tiny aquatic plant has been eaten by humans since prehistoric times and is grown worldwide as a healthy food. Imagine a vegetable with more protein than soy, more Vitamin A than carrots, more iron than beef, profound source of protective phytochemicals, naturally low in fat, source of the essential fatty acid GLA and is easy to digest.” This is listed in my superfood powder I put in my juice every morning.

This site also has suggestions for a great fertility diet and discusses a very encouraging statistic from a Harvard study on women and their diets. By following a good fertility diet & making simple lifestyle changes, women had an 80% decrease in infertility. Basically you eat healthy and organic, exercise daily, stay away from dairy and soy, drink plenty of water and make sure you eat one of the superfoods I just listed above each day. You can even join a 21 day fertility diet challenge and there is a link for a fertility smoothie book. If you can’t tell yet….this site is my new favorite thing. There is even a reminder list of the things you need to try and eat everyday! There are a few things mentioned that I am currently not taking/eating that I am considering trying. One is eating sea veggies like kelp and nori. They are said to help lower FSH and can be eaten with sushi or in a salad. I will have to see if I can find them at the store over the weekend.

I picked up Gluten Free Living at vitamin cottage earlier this week. It is a great magazine, I am going to subscribe to it. One of the articles in this last issue lists alcoholic beverages that are gluten free. I was shocked and extactic to read that wine “is recognized as an alcoholic beverage that is safe for those who follow a gluten free diet.” There have been some questions raised about the use of wheat to seal the wooden barrels but there is no evidence of this happening. Oh man, I am definitely going to get a bottle of nice red wine this weekend so I can reward myself a few times a week with a drink. Red wine is good for you and it will help me relax. Don’t worry I wont take in as much wine as I do supplements each day. The article in Gluten Free Living also lists brands of Rum, Tequila, Vodka, Gin, Scotch, Ready to drink cocktails, blender drinks and special liquors that are gluten free. A website is provided in the article www.glutenfreedrinks.com. So now that the weekend is approaching, go print out that list and have a good time. Now that we know we can have fun and stay gluten free.

Proud to Be Gluten Free

Ok, so I am spinning out of control! I can’t stop researching infertility and how it relates to celiacs disease. While doing my research I read a book my nutritionist gave me called “Dangerous Grains.” Here is some information that caught my eye.

List of Gluten Associated Medical Conditions:

• Anemia, folic acid deficiency and iron deficiency (along with elevated liver enzymes) – I have been anemic my whole life, I was just put on iron supplements and just received a blood test with high liver readings.

• Calcium Deficiency – on supplements

• Crohns Disease

• Diabetes

• Folic Acid Deficiency

• Food sensitivities to soy, milk – I have always been sensitive to diary

• Premature graying – not yet thank god

• Infertility in both women and men (50% reversal on gluten free diet) – Yeah! I am going to be part of that 50%. At last a statistic I want to be part of.

• Lactose intolerance (50% of celiac patients)

• Liver disease

• Malabsorption

• Menarche delayed - check

• Menopause (occurs 2-4 years earlier)

• Miscarriages

• Infertility & reduced time span of fertility - check

• Reduced pregnancy rate

• Rheumatoid arthritis – my grandmother has this

• Vitamin deficiencies



Here are a few acronyms to look for when looking at good labels.

Acronyms that might spell “hidden” gluten

Fu – dried wheat gluten

HPP – hydrolyzed plan protein

HVP – hydrolyzed vegetable protein

MSG- monosodium glutamate

TPP – textured plant protein

TVP – textured vegetable protein



Here are a few items that may contain gluten that surprised me.

Baking powder

Blue cheese

Mustard powder

Oats

Soy sauce

Wheat grass





For those of you out there who are experiencing fertility issues and/or have been diagnosed with POF, try taking gluten out of you diet. It is suggested in many of the books I have read to be one of the top things you can do to improve chances of conceiving. You don’t have to have full blown celiacs, some people just have difficulty digesting gluten which can cause you to become malnourished and then affect your fertility. Below are some common signs that you may have an issue digesting gluten. These are just some that I have experienced that were mentioned in the book.



Common Signs & symptoms of celiac disease

Constipation

Depression

Early menopause

Low iron

Kidney stones

Chronic fatigue – I still have this even though I am on a glutten free diet.

Amenorrea caused by nutrient deficiencies



Good news to all of you who have celiacs and are experiencing fertility problems. Maintaining a strict gluten free diet can reduce infertility effects. According to the article found at http://ezinearticles.com/?Celiac-Disease---Infertility--You-May-Have-it-and-Not-Know,-Find-Out-Why-Its-Important!&id=2281732 “It is noted that 'infertile' women often go onto delivering healthy babies, assisted by eating a strict gluten free diet. In Australia the typical method of resolving infertility issues is to see a naturopath, take lots of vitamins and then see an IVF specialist. The reality with this is that these methods are very costly and time consuming and if you have celiac disease and don't know it, it is likely that your chances of conceiving will not increase any. While none of this data proves that celiac disease causes infertility, it strongly suggests that people diagnosed as celiacs are likely to have more difficulty conceiving and they can massively improve their chances when observing a strict gluten free diet.” I am going to continue to do research to try and find some cases of women who have been diagnosed with POF that have healed their bodies and restored their fertility.



I have started to look up and make sure other products I used on a daily basis are gluten free. First on the list are my make up and my shampoo. Below is what I found from research other celiacs patients have posted.

A lot of the Pantene product's contain wheat protein's

Bare Escentuals: The Minerals line has some products that are gluten free, not the Bare Escentuals products.
All gluten free:
-Bare MInerals Foundation
-Bare Minerals Blushes
-Bare Minerals Eyeshadows, Glimpses, Glimmers
-Bare Minerasl Multi-Tasking Bisques
-Bare Minerals Buxom lip gloss.
-Bare Minerals Mascara

Almost all of MAC’s lip products are gluten free

http://www.carefreebeauty.us/face - this is a great gluten free brand that is like bare minerals

Well that is it for me today. I ate two tablespoons of flaxseeds with my juice this morning, my gluten free lunch at PF Changs and my dinner. My husband worked with me at the gym this evening on weight training. I am getting healthier and stronger by the day. I feel like Rocky in the first movie when he starts running and trying to make it all the way to the top of the steps. Don’t laugh but I kind of played the theme song in my head while I was working out. I feel great on my new supplements: my multi-vitamin is Super Nutrition Prenatal Blend Antioxidant Rich Multi-Vitamin (for post and prenatal women) the packaging suggests to take 6 a day but I am taking 4 a day right now. My PABA and L-Lysine are made by NOW. My tea which I drink three cups of each morning is made by Traditional Medicinals Organic Pregnancy Tea (their website states that only one of their products contain gluten and this tea is not the one with gluten so drink away). Last but not least the multi vitamin I bought for my husband is Rainbow Light Men’s One JustOnce Energy B Complex & Probiotic (on sale at vitamin cottage for 19.99 right now). Hope this helps.

Last but not least just wanted to remind everyone that if you are a celiacs patient and are going to incorporate flaxseeds and/or wheatgrass into your diets. Please check the labels. Certain brands can contain gluten so be sure to check the label on your flaxseed and ask the juicer about the wheat grass better safe then sorry. I will share some news about wine and the fact that most is completely gluten free tomorrow. I am so excited at this news, maybe I will have to start having my one drink a day now :0)

Tip Top Fertility Shape

What is an autoimmune disorder that can cause skin blisters and affects 1 in every 133 Americans? If you guessed Celiacs Disease give yourself a pat on the back. The past few days I have been doing a lot of reading on Celiacs and how to improve your immune system. I know that I have been diagnosing the cause of why my reproductive system shut down but here is the latest and greatest. After looking through old test results from last year, visiting a few Celiacs web pages and re-reading “Making Babies”, I know believe that my Celiacs and the birth control pill were both responsible for my current situation. I also believe that I had more organs approaching shut down mode and am lucky that I received my diagnosis when I did and choose to finally take my allergy seriously and make the diet change. Having read just about every book on naturally healing your body, I am positive that my body will be back to monthly visits from Aunt Flo and feeling better in no time. On the websites I have been looking through, Celiacs is said to be caused by an environmental trigger…..hmmm could this be the fungus that Ann, my kinesiologist, was talking about? One of the other things I read about was that Celiacs can cause skin blisters known as dermatitis herpetiformis (DH). DH is an associated disorder of Celiacs and looks like a skin rash. I glanced at the picture of an example and realized that the small, read itchy bumps/blisters are what I had on my face for two years before taking Gluten out of my diet and life completely. Around fall in 2006 they just started showing up. Having had no skin problems for quite some time, I was horrified at the skin change. Naturally, I would first try to squeeze and get rid of them thinking they were pimples but started to notice that they didn’t go away and that they really itched. Eventually in December 2006 I went to the dermatologist and was put on some medication and some cream. Most of it cleared up but I noticed that at any given time, I had at least one still on my face. I also noticed that I seemed to have flare ups of more then one on my face around each holiday. Up until a few days ago, I thought it was just the stress of the holidays that brought on the lucky visit to my face but now I realize that I must have been eating and cooking with gluten around each holiday and that is why they would show up. I am proud to say that I no longer have any on my face which is just proof that they were associated with my Celiacs. Here is a picture of what Dh can look like. Please don’t be afraid, this is a really bad case but one of the only pictures I could find. This one was found on http://www.csaceliacs.org/celiac_defined.php.


I have been wanting to re-read “Making Babies” for awhile so that I could be sure I was doing everything I could for my body and to see what nutritional changes I needed my husband to make. After finishing the book for a second time, I have our supplement list locked and ready to go to Vitamin Cottage after my visit with Cheri this evening. I have so much I want to share today but first I wanted to share a great story (well I think it’s great, and this is my blog). A few days ago, my family and I attended a professional baseball game which I fully expected to have to sit through sipping water and eating peanuts the only veagan and glutten free food typically served at baseball parks. As my husband and I were quickly trying to find our section, we walked by a Gluten Free booth and we both just stopped dead in our tracks, looked at each other and smiled. We found our seats and just about every five minutes my husband would ask me if I was ready to go get something to eat. Finally at the end of the 4th inning, I was ready to get my food and we walked over to the Gluten Free booth. I was surprised to see there was a really long line. As I got closer to the front, one of the other customers pointed out that they had brownie samples. I grabbed one and to my surprise, they were really yummy! The customer smiled and said “isn’t it nice to be able to eat something like this at a baseball game?” I nodded and then the chef started talking to me about my choices. I ordered a chicken sandwich on a bun, a cookie and a beer. The stand had all organic condiments so I was able to put the chipotle mayo and ketchup on my sandwich without having to think twice about it. Food on a bun was something I had given up a long time ago, especially when I wasn’t at home. The experience of sitting at a baseball game eating a sandwich and drinking a beer (my first one in over a year) was so great. My husband said it felt good to be married to someone who could drink beer again.

Starting today, Monday, August 2, 2010, I will be sticking to my diet and starting tomorrow my hubby will be starting his supplements and eating fertility friendly foods while at work. For all of you women out there who make the lunches and/or the dinners. You have complete control over what is going not only into your own mouth but also your husband’s. If you read “Making Babies” you will see that your husband’s diet and lifestyle also need to be in check in order for you to get pregnant. Both of you need to lower the alcohol intake to one per day and even lower if you can (“even low levels of alcohol can cut fertility by as much as half, and alcohol is one of the most common factors affecting fertility in men”). “Making Babies” states that women shouldn’t have more then one small glass of wine or beer a day and men should have no more then two small glasses or one mixed drink. You both need to take a multi-vitamin and for those of you diagnosed with POF, you need to find one with a bunch of anti-oxidants in it. The book also suggests that both the man and woman take folic acid. For a woman, Folic Acid “lowers the risk of ovulatory infertility and also helps mature the egg before ovulation and helps the ovary respond to FSH”. In Men, “it improves sperm count, quality and function. Can increase their sperm count by 74%.” Other things the book suggests are to make sure that you are drinking plenty of water. If you are dehydrated, your cervical mucus will be affected. Adding flax/flaxseed to your daily diet is also very good for fertility (two teaspoons everyday, do not cook it because like veggies it looses most of its nutritional value that way). “Flaxseeds are powerful packages for balancing hormones and boosting fertility. I put flaxseeds in my smoothies in the morning, sprinkle them on my salad at lunch and sometimes put them on my dinner. They don’t have much taste but are packed with nutrition and are considered to be a fertility superfood. The book also mentions Para-aminobenzoic Acid (PABA). PABA “ has been proven to correct certain aspects of autoimmune conditions that can affect fertility.” As soon as I read this, I put PABA on my grocery list. This could help me heal the damage from my Celiacs :0) “Making Babies” is full of great advice for lifestyle and nutritional changes in order to get your fertility in tip top shape. After an appointment with Cheri last night, I had a great list to take to the local vitamin cottage. I love my appointments with her. My colonics go pretty well, I get to meditate and relax on the mignun bead and I am always curious to see what results I get from my foot baths but she always has great advice for me and last week was a shoulder for me to lean on after receiving my high FSH results. Last night during my foot bath, we chatted about all of the things I had read about in “Making Babies” which all seemed to correlate with the changes she had already asked me to make. For example, drinking one gallon of water a day. I am not there yet but not only does water have healing properties but I have recently learned it also helps with cervical mucus. Another thing we talked about is flaxseeds. She had already asked me to start taking flaxseeds with my meals to improve digestion and then I read that they are a fertility superfood. These are just two examples that connected my treatment with Cheri to the information I have read. This makes me feel great because I feel like I am on the right track. Cheri also suggested I take Lyzine (3-5,000 mg a day for 6 months). Lyzine helps with the liver and by looking at the results of my food bath and the fact that I was on a medication for 10 years straight, my liver could use some help. We also talked about nettles tea. Nettles tea is a good supply of Iron and according to “Making Babies,” Iron “plays a key role in DNA replication and in the maturing of the egg in advance of ovulation”. Cheri told me I could find Nettles tea at any of the natural grocers. For my husband, she also suggested Food for life bread. This bread is supposed to be jammed packed with nutrients. Feeling relaxed and that I had just received a series of great cleansing treatments, I was on my way to Vitamin College. I will say I received the best help ever when I got there. The young man that helped me knew his fertility stuff and got my in and out in less then 20 minutes. He helped me find a men’s once daily vitamin for the hubby (with folic acid), 1000 mg lyzine supplements, a great prenatal antioxidant vitamin and a PABA supplement. Next we went to look for the nettles tea and instead of handing me the plain nettles tea (not much taste), he suggested I use the pregnancy tea that also had nettles in it. He explained that the tea was jammed packed with things women needed to get pregnant and then maintain a pregnancy. I left vitamin cottage thanking God for showing me that there was still such a thing as customer service and started my trek home. I woke up this morning, made my juice with flaxseeds and took my antioxidant vitamin. I will take my lyzine and PABA at lunch. I packed my husband breakfast and lunch with fruits and veggies and included his daily vitamin. We are on our way to getting in tip top fertility shape! I will share the brands of my supplements and tea tomorrow….I forgot to write them down last night. :0) While at the store, I picked up a gluten free magazine and read some pretty exciting stuff which I will also share tomorrow. We will also start exploring healing properties of foods you eat everyday….get excited!