K60, Robin, sugar free people?

[Jenne]

Mikie, I give up sweets and sugar for Lent and I go all the way. No sweetened cereals (I end up eating a lot of old-fashioned oats), no artificial sweetener (because I gave up the sweet taste as well.) I don't eat enough peanut butter for it to be an issue, but I think I would allow it (no jelly, of course!) No graham crackers because I consider those cookies. I do NOT give up milk. I do eat fruit. Lent seems to be the only time we consistently eat fruit.

The first year it was tough and I lost 5 pounds as an added bonus. The past few years, there has not been a weight loss and it has been easier, but I still think it's good for me spiritually. I normally try not to talk about it unless someone is trying to force me to have "just one slice of cake" or something.

Immediately after Lent, though, we go back to our old habits, though as each year goes by, we have better and better self-control when it comes to sweets.

Jenne

 

[JamminX3]

RE: Edith

Question: Why omit wheat/gluten? Is it just cuz you have allergies to it? Just wondering.

Robin http://www.smilies-world.de/Smilies/Smilies_klein_1/flower.gif

 

[paidhi]

RE: Edith

Jillybean, I'm assuming you have quinoa grains. It also comes in the form of flakes and flour. Here's how to cook the grains:

QUINOA

Pronounced keen-wah, this grain comes from the Andes Mountains in South America where it was once a staple food for the Incas.

Quinoa has a delicious light, nutty flavor. When it cooks, the grain opens up to make tiny spirals. Quinoa contains all eight amino acids and therefore has better protein value than most grains. A nutrient-dense grain; perfect for those who have elevated needs, such as pregnant or nursing mothers. Link here for tips and tricks on how to cook this nutritious grain:

1 cup quinoa
Pinch of sea salt
1 3/4 cups water

Rinse quinoa well with warm water and drain. Quinoa has a natural coating called saponin that repels insects and birds and can create a bitter taste. Rinsing with warm water removes the saponin. Place rinsed quinoa, salt, and water in a pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer 15-20 minutes, until all the water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork before serving.

Preparation time: 20-25 minutes
Makes 2 1/2-3 cups


JamminX3, yes, most people omit wheat as a result of an allergy to gluten (celiac disease)

Lisa

 

[jillybean]

RE: Edith

That would be wonderful thank you!!!

 

[briee]

RE: Edith

Yes wheat and gluten are two things that MANY people are allergic too and sometimes don't even realize. I use spelt instead of wheat and try to work in "non-grains" like buckwheat. As someone up there pointed out, you can become obsessive about what you eat, but some people are just so sensitive that they have to be extremely careful about what they eat. Then there are others that seem to not be bothered by anything. I equate it to cars - some run fine on almost any kind of gas, cheap stuff etc.... others must have high octane or they ping and knock, run rough, etc........does that make sense?

Briee

 

[StepEdith]

RE: Edith

Robin:

I'm not allergic to gluten or wheat but at age 17 I was diagnosed with advanced stage Celiac's Disease unfortunately.

It was a tough battle the first few years and then I got better into a remission. I was fine up until 1989 when I become extremely ill again up until 1996. Now I'm doing quite well once again. I have to snatch what living I can during the full remissions (which tend to be long) I guess you could say.

Part of the treament for Celiac's Disease is a gluten free diet (and that can be all that's needed during remission or if diagnosed with Celiac's at an early stage) Also sadly steriods are too and I gained a ton of weight from the 89-96 period on them. I've lost a whole lot of it now which is good.

Thanks for the offer for cooking ideas, very thoughtful of you guys to think of me, but, my house is full of books on gluten free living and I could probably write one myself by now. Although I surely will not because I find the whole thing very mundane now days.

I have a lot of what seem like silly restrictions such as not being able to lick an envelope because the glue has wheat in it and not being able to use shampoos and soaps that have wheat, barley or rye grain in them and the list goes on. I'm used to it now but other people think I"m a strange bird.

Love
Edith

 

[StepEdith]

RE: Edith

Briee that's one nice thing about being "allergic" to wheat or gluten is being able to have the spelt. With Celiac's Disease spelt can't be included in the diet.

I understand it's a great grain and really expands the possibilites of a well rounded diet a lot.

Edith

 

[StepEdith]

RE: Edith

Briee that's one nice thing about being "allergic" to wheat or gluten is being able to have the spelt. With Celiac's Disease spelt can't be included in the diet.

I understand it's a great grain and really expands the possibilites of a well rounded diet a lot.

Edith

 

[JamminX3]

RE: Edith

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Jan-23-03 AT 00:10AM (Est)[/font][p]Thanks for answering my question, guys. It seems to me that omitting wheat is the new diet talk out there, just for the sake of being a new diet...if you know what I mean. I'm pretty sure I don't have an allergy to wheat, and am thankful for that. Esp. since I can't imagine how difficult it must be to avoid ALL wheat, at least till you get used to it. (Who knew it was in shampoo?).

Edith, I remember in nursing school, (so long ago), I had a patient with Celiac Disease. It's so rare, I couldn't find ANY literture on it.

Lisa, thanks for posting the quinoa recipe. I'm really interested in expanding my grain horizons, and my family's.

Robin http://www.smilies-world.de/Smilies/Smilies_klein_1/flower.gif

 

[robyn6002]

Hi!

I went sugar free last year - gave up refined sugar and you know what it was EASY! It was black and white - no should i or shouldnt I! I didnt check the label on everything so I wasnt really extreme!

When I did have sugar I got a HORRIBLE headache! I was doing it mainly because my daughter was and I wanted to support her. We also gave up white flour.

She lost 12 lbs and I wasnt really trying to lose weight but did look good (at least it looked that way in summer pics!)

Anyhow we have just started back on it - BTW starting now makes Easter a LOT easier!

Good luck!

 

[StepEdith]

RE: Edith

Yes Robin your right it's rare. Why so many used to not and probably still not diagnosed with it as soon as they should be. I know people who are diagnosed in the early on stages of it do very well. But who would ever think to check and see if someone has celia in their small intestine. I mean that's standard part and parcel body parts ya know. I almost passed out when I heard the biopsy for it was done THRU THE MOUTH, YIKES !!!!!!!!!!! Oh well that's been many years ago ha ha.

I'm doing extremely well at this point and actually plan to continue that way (positive mental attitude here)

Edith