Now here's something you'll REALLY like

It was a windy day yesterday. Followed by a windy night. It was tough to sleep - too warm for heat; too windy for windows. Opted for windows nonetheless, but the wind made sleep challenging.

That, and my mind twisting itself into a total state of panic. Some nights are just like that, disconcerting.

There are times when I think that perhaps I will sleep soundly, drifting off quickly and staying that way. Those nights typically end poorly. Like last night. The Universe laughs.

I was achy and sore. Gearing up for this two week fast now made me eat a few seemingly 'healthy' foods - which I should not have eaten. Interestingly, all of the aches, pains, and miscellania that I have thought were "old age" creeping in actually turn out to be food allergies. Having systemic reactions to allergens is much different than having an intolerance or anaphylactic reaction. And, all of my pains and odd ailments, it turns out, are just that ~ allergies.

Those muscle aches in my shoulders? Dairy or corn (two different types)
That itch that won't go away on my middle left toe? Corn - again
The joint aches in my toes and fingers? Eggs and perhaps sugar
Too many almonds or too much shrimp? Vomit (And I used to wonder why I couldn't eat even one FRIED shrimp ~ it's obvious now that I know I have celiac on top of food allergies. Ugh.)

And so forth. Yes, the list is quite long. I often tell people what I CAN eat as the list is much shorter!

It's hard, though, giving up things I really enjoy (like good whole-grain toast!). There are many of them. Being a good cook, so I've humbly been told, makes it even worse. And, oddly, human nature dictates that the craving continues. It is, after all, difficult to cut out 90% of the food in the world. And get enough protein.

I admit there are times I have resorted to animal sources. Being an ovo-lacto vegetarian for 31 years, it's tough to find out now that I am severely allergic to both eggs & (cow) dairy. And, wheat, as well as having the gluten intolerance! (Wheat gluten is the key protein in many "veggie burgers" and meat alternatives. Sigh) It makes that little bit of turkey - one of the few proteins I can eat - seem necessary. Nearly.

Okay, I DID say, after last year, this was the year to get healthy. Having my amazing doctor find out all of these allergies (as well as hypothyroidism!) is key to the issue. But, now, quality of life in terms of ease of just being able to eat where and what I would LIKE instead of what I HAVE to?

Who doesn't love a good challenge??