Gluten Free, Organic and Grandma...

  I'm slowly getting the hang of a gluten free menu. The taste not so much, but we're working on that. I can see that if this is going to be his diet I will be doing more cooking than normal. Gone are the rushed morning where he would eat a bagel or dry cereal in the car. This is probably all for the best because I should always make time to sit down and eat a real breakfast with Mason. The frustrating part is that he usually doesn't even want whatever I've taken the time to make him. (Gluten free or not)
  Along this journey I've taken the time to read the ingredients in almost every food I currently have or have picked out in the grocery store. This has been a real eye opener! It has made me realize something I knew but ignored for convince and taste sake. Let's be real, 90% of food in the aisles of grocery stores are so packed with chemicals/acids and other unnatural ingredients it's no wonder so many people are unhealthy. By sticking to the the outsides of the store while shopping you're basically shopping in the produce, meat, dairy and bread sections. I've also been so disgusted with my findings in all this food research that I have been making the change to more organic choices. Especially milk! If you're a milk drinker or your child is I can not stress enough to buy organic! I feel like I've been serving Mason a little bit of poison with each glass before switching to organic. (Ok I may be exaggerating a tad, but not much).  Produce and meat are the next big chemical/steriod holders. It does take more time and it does cost a little more, but in the end you can't put a cost of your family's health.
   I often think of my grandma. She will soon be 89 and is in basically perfect health. Yeah she's a little slow and a little forgetful but she's almost 89! She's never had cancer, allergies etc (knock on wood, i feel like I'm possibly jinxing her).
  Now a days not too many people make it through their life with this good of health. So, what has made her so fortunate? I believe our family can thank genetics for some, but I also think it's something else in particular with her. For most of her life she's had a garden and canned a lot of food. They also use to raise their own beef. She's always been active and a hard worker. Another thing I take into consideration is that there wasn't a McDonalds and Starbucks at every corner offering to serve her a helping of processed foods and chemicals since she was a child. I think she has basically ate natural organic foods without really thinking about it for the majority of her life because that's all there was.
  Yes, you may think I've gone to the extreme on this subject so let me clarify a little. I drink Starbucks more than I should. I still eat things that I know are not the best choice and I used to take Mason to fast food chains. My grandma shops at regular grocery stores and eats things that are not organic or all natural. I just think in comparison we have a lot more unhealthy choices than she did. I also think if everyone could eat homegrown natural food like when Gram's was growing up more people might be as fortunate to have better health like her.
   I can only pray that when I'm 89 I'm doing as well as she is....
   Until then, Mason will continue Gluten Free because his rash has gone away everywhere except one spot on his leg. I will continue to make the transition to organic a little at a time, but I know for now Starbucks will continue to be my guilty pleasure...

Day 3: Gluten Free

    Well day 3 into our gluten free trial seems to be showing some progress. Maybe I'm just hopeful but the rash seems a little less red today. In some spots it looks as though its almost completely faded.

     I'm hoping this trial works, but a little part of me (the selfish part) doesn't want to have to deal with food allergies. He's difficult enough with everyday life, I don't need more added to it. I'm sure once I figure it out it won't seem that hard, my biggest challenge is finding a variety of foods that he will actually eat. Thank goodness he can still eat yogurt and cheese. 

    The hardest part for Mason so far is that he can't have goldfish crackers or "cupcakes". He calls cake pops, cookies, etc "cupcakes". I just try to keep them out of sight, but he's a little smarty. Good thing here in Mac there is a cupcake shop that is all gluten free/nut free and vegan. They also have a great play area for kids and mini cupcakes which are perfect for a busy guy like Mase who although loves them, doesn't have time to sit and eat. They're good for moms too who are trying to watch how many calories we cram in our mouths each day. 

    So gluten free will continue on. Tomorrow is Easter and I got him a little candy for his basket. That wasn't too hard to find gluten/wheat free. He doesn't get a lot of candy anyway. Probably he'll be most excited to be outside and to have plastic eggs and a basket to play with. 

    

Gluten Free, Day 1

  Two weeks ago Mason developed a rash on his face. Then came an ear infection, no cold symptoms, just an ear infection. After "treating" him for a potential yeast infection, eczema, and changing his laundry detergent to "free and clear hypoallergenic", and changing his milk, I am left with a rash that has not gotten any better, and is now on his arms and legs.
  A trip to the pediatrician was a good waste of overpriced diesel and precious time. His regular doctor is out on maternity leave so we got to see the arrogant doctor who never seems to care much about his patients. He told me to pick up an over the counter steroid cream and try that for 3 days, and sent me off with some ear drops for the ear infection.
  No big surprise the steroid cream did nothing. The ears seem slightly better, I'm hoping by day 5 of treatment they will be completely better.
  So, after a whole lot of reading and research I see that there is a high possibilty he has a gluten/wheat allergy. Some symptoms that fit Mason were, eczema and or a rash, ear infections, constipation then diarrhea then constipated again, irritable and whiney, etc. I'm listing these symptoms because I was surprised to find that these could all be pointing to a gluten and/or wheat allergy. It could also be a number of other things, but all I can do is cross one thing off at a time. I do know that he recently developed a ketchup allergy. More likely its the acidic tomato part that he has an allergy to, but I know that ketchup makes the rash worse within minutes.
  Anyway, this afternoon I went to the health food store and stocked up on gluten free/wheat free groceries for Mason. I'm going to give this 2 weeks. In that time I'll be keeping a food diary and be making notes about his behavior and the rash. I'll continue to use the eczema wash and lotion because it won't make anything worse. The lotion is so moisturizing I wouldn't mind using it on myself if it wasn't so expensive. (It's the Aveeno baby eczema moisturizing lotion by the way).
  I'm hoping he won't have to eat gluten free forever. For one, he's already an extremely finicky eater. For two, it's so expensive! A loaf of bread (that he probably won't even like) was $6.99! Just for one loaf! But in the end, whatever is going to make him feel better and get better is worth it, no matter how expensive.
  So, gluten/wheat free......here we come, for the next 2 weeks at least....

Drinks and Eyeshadow

Leaving the gym one morning I decided I would try one of the bottled beverages they sold. Scanning my options, I decided to go with Neuro Energy. It was lightly carbonated and I love carbonated drinks plus it only had 35 calories per bottle. All natural and full of vitamins (lots of B vitamins) I was pleasantly surprised with how good it was. Not only that but it replaced my morning coffee. I never even got a headache and I felt great all day. At $2.50 per bottle this could be a spendy new habit, however it would be cheaper than buying coffee and less calories....I can basically justify anything. Plus maybe I can find coupons for it or buy it at Costco.
My next great find...Loreal Infallible Eyeshadow. I love pretty eyeshadow but hate how it never lasts even 1/2 a day! Even Mac doesn't always last. I decided I'd give Loreal's a try, I had a coupon anyway. It's my new favorite, around $6.00 at Walmart and it actually lasted all day! Not only that but the colors are gorgeous! Seriously worth getting a couple shades and trying it for yourself. I did need a thicker brush and had to be more careful when applying because this stuff is pretty powerful.
So go out, try a new drink and buy some new eyeshadow. You just might love it.

Welcome back to the gym...

There is a gym in town I've had my eye on since moving to Mac in 2010. It's a women only gym, and it offers many different classes, tanning, personal training and of course cardio machines, weights etc. The best part? They also offer child care! The not so best part? It was a lot more than I had ever paid for a gym membership. $60 joining fee, then depending on which you chose, around $50 a month. Childcare is $1.50 per visit.
I'm cheap when it comes to gyms, (and other things), so I just couldn't make myself pay a $60 joining fee. I felt $50 a month was a lot but it did give me access to any/all the classes I wanted.
I decided for $0 a month I could run outside and do sit ups, push ups etc in my living room.
That's what I've been doing until this week...
The gym was having a Valentine's Special!! Nothing says Happy Valentine's Day like a gym membership! Some girls want candy, jewelry, flowers and so on from their man, not me, I want the gym membership! And that's just what I got!! (although he also got me cupcakes, Starbucks cup AND some beautiful flowers). Anyway I was finally headed back to the gym!!
This week I've tried the Core and More class followed by Zumba. Loved it! Then I tried cycling, so hard!! I only got half way through the class though because Mason wouldn't stop crying in the daycare. Turns out he'd rather we were still running outside and doing sit ups and push ups in the living room, where he body slams me and crawls all over me while I'm actually trying to workout.
Anyway, by the 3rd visit Mason was crying in the truck as soon as we pulled into the parking lot! I'd say, " yeah let's go play with some friends!!" he'd reply, " nooo nooo bye!" followed by more crying. I couldn't believe it! He had kids his age to play with, along with tons of toys, balls, movies if he wanted and even crafts and snacks! Heck, maybe I'll just go to the daycare...
Getting worried he would never like daycare and I would never get through an entire workout, I pulled out the big guns. I took a binky, "B" as he calls it, from his bed and put it in my pocket before we left. Mason LOVES his Bs so much, and only gets them in bed, so although I was possibly creating a terrible habit and setting up for bigger problems later, I decided to take it with me.
As usual he cried when he saw where we were, he cried at the front desk, and all the way up the stairs to daycare. He was pretty upset by the time I was signing him in and trying to talk to the teacher, who by the way, looked super NOT excited to see the boy who never stops crying. Then I pulled out "B" gave it to the teacher and told her to just give it to him, show him where the balls are, and if he's still crying in 15 minutes I'd be down in the gym. With that I handed him over, sobbing and all red saying "no no", and headed out the door.
2 minutes later I heard the daycare call the front desk. I couldn't believe they were already paging me to come back and get him!! But I was pleasantly surprised! He had already calmed down and was playing! They just wanted me to know he was doing great and to enjoy my workout!
I felt like I conquered the world! Well maybe not, but I was so happy I was going to be able to keep coming to the gym!
I think I'll take "B" for a few more visits, until he's more comfortable and then hopefully it won't be a problem when "B" stays home in bed.
Here's hoping anyway....

Beating Cabin Fever

As January comes to an end and we head into February I'm quickly growing tired of our Northwest winter and ready to skip spring and just head into Summer.
I enjoy a little rain and the mild winter we've had for the most part but now I'm over it and so is Mason.
There are only a number of things to do indoors with an active/short attention span/too smart for their young age (20 months) little boy.
We have built everything possible out of legos, played more "basketball" than I ever have and played with all the toys from Christmas so much that neither of us care to even get them out anymore.
So I thought I'd change things up, get out of the house...
First stop, "Tiny Tots", an indoor play area for toddlers/preschool kids. This place was great! First visit was free, it was close to home, and there was so much to do! Everything from slides, cars, train sets, play kitchens, houses, tools, mail boxes, babies and cars to ride in! Tons of learning toys, books, balls, etc! Mason (and I) had a blast! I was seriously considering a 6 month membership, (only $45!) until we got home. Mason was suddenly sick! Fever, didn't want to eat, and fell asleep before I even left his room! (from past posts you'll remember he never goes to sleep without a fight). He stayed sick for days!!! Fevers even with medications, wouldn't eat, lost weight and was up all night! The doctor was stumped, we waited it out, then did bloodwork and X-rays to find everything came back normal. Then by day 14 he quit having fevers and started eating a little. Who knows what he caught or if he caught it from there. All I know is he's been healthy until we went there, and we're not going back.
Next, I decided to head to the community pool. Family Swim is a time for parents and kids to swim together so we headed down one evening to try it out. Only $3.75 and we had a blast! Mason loves the water! He "swims" and jumps in and has so much fun. I never let his head go in the water though. He has tubes in his ears and really shouldn't even be swimming but seriously, we're going crazy in the house!
Probably before we visit the pool again I'll get his ears checked and get some plugs because he didn't sleep well last night and today I noticed his ear smelled like an old rotten band aid (so gross I know, I'm sorry).
Hopefully we can continue to swim. And until summer is here, we will continue to take advantage of sunny days outside and play dates with Mason's cousin.

Couponing

So it's been awhile since my last post, what have we been up to? Couponing! Yup, I've crossed into the land of no return...coupon land. I can no longer pay full price for most foods, and baby products. I have a lifetime supply of tampons, pads and razors. I have 5-6 bottles of shampoo and conditioner and tons of bodywash, all of which I pretty much got for free. This is just the beginning....
So, how do you get started? Well, I get as many Sunday papers as possible, actually I just want the coupons. Then you clip clip clip coupons! It's really time consuming and I HIGHLY recommend waiting until all small children are in bed. I then organize them into different categories; Food, Baby products, cosmetics, etc. Then check all your local grocery ads for sales. I've found Albertsons has the best sales, and they also have coupons you can pair with your manufacturers coupons to Double them! Safeway is pretty strict but still worth looking at. Winco takes coupons too, but they don't have sales and you can't double them but their prices are so low on some items it works out. I've found they're the cheapest by far for all Pillsbury items.
Rite Aid and Walgreens are the places to go for shampoo, conditioner, bodywash, over the counter meds, razors etc. Pick one store, sign up for their rewards program, study their ads and get couponing!!
Today I saw Walmart was selling Colgate toothpaste for $0.98, and I have a $1.00 off coupon so I'd be making $0.02 on each tube. Those are things to look for.
You have to clip a lot of coupons and have then easily accessible and be patient. I've found it takes me a few hours to organize my coupons and shopping lists each week. I've been saving about $80 a week and getting more food than I used to. I was always super stingy when it came to buying cereal, chips, fruit snacks, granola bars, etc. Right now we have about 10 boxes of cereal, tons of fiber one bars, granola bars, Nature Valley bars etc., and none of it was more than $0.88 each, some were free.
If you have time and want to do it, cutting all those coupons does pay off. Be careful though, you will cringe when/if you have to pay full price. It's also very addicting. I have to remember my voice of reason (also known as my boyfriend) and ask myself, " do we NEED that?" because you will want everything if you can get it free or almost free.
Oh, you can also sign up for more coupons online and print them off. There's tons of websites, I just use the ones that I can print instantly.
So, if you decide to coupon, good luck and I hope you never feel sadness of missing a sale or finding your coupon has expired....