Gluten Free

When I was doing my undergrad, there was a point where I was taking a full time course load, baby-sitting, tutoring, working part time selling Cutco (yay for my free Cutco knives!), and interpreting part time. Needless to say, my schedule was jam packed! I was getting 4-5 hours of sleep a night, which definitely wasn't enough. Apparently the way my body responded to that stress was to develop an intolerance to gluten (specifically wheat). So at my Mom's suggestion, I cut wheat out of my diet for about six-eight months and felt much better. I also lost 10 lbs, something I wasn't trying to do but was happy for the side effect!

After about eight months, I was able to return to eating gluten. At the time, I really felt like God had healed me. It was through praying that I even felt like I ought to try gluten again. I hadn't really considered it, but it seemed like it was time again. Our church spent a day praying for people for various things, and I felt like I should get prayed for. After church, I ate some regular pretzels and didn't react. I was quite happy not to have to live gluten free anymore!

A year or two down the road, as I was looking back on that experience, I realized that reducing the stress in my life and staying gluten free to allow my body to heal for a time is what had made such a big difference. I still believe God knew that my body was ready to gluten free and He wanted me to know He knew. While I believe in miraculous healing, I believe that God often works within natural boundaries. Stress out your body, you'll see a reaction. Ease up on it, you'll get better. (At least most of the time!)

In any case, I'm glad I know that about myself now. I have once again started to experience gluten intolerance and have recently decided to go gluten free. It's a pain. It really sucks. It's not near as convenient. And it's expensive if you don't make everything from scratch yourself. But I feel so much better. My stomach doesn't hurt. I don't get as tired as I was getting. My digestive system isn't freaking out. So it's worth it. And I'm in my last semester, so as long as I survive, things will calm down majorly this summer. And my body will heal. And maybe I'll be able to eat gluten again.

But in the meantime, I discovered this little place in a gluten free magazine I was reading last night - I Heart Muffins Bakery.

Don't those muffins look wonderful? And this bakery - I Heart Muffins - is just TWO minutes from Lifetime Wellness Center!

While I was looking for pictures for I Heart Muffins, I came across another local bakery that also makes gluten free products - Hot Chocolates.

While expense might keep these treats to just now and then, I am looking forward to having some delicious options I don't have to make!