This story will have three parts just to save you from reading the world's longest blog post. Today I want to reflect back on life before anaphylactic shock.
I have always been an everything in moderation type of gal. Yes, I would indulge in chocolate and other treats but I aimed to be healthy 99% of the time. This wasn't always the case as my quest for health has been ongoing throughout the years and has been inspired by just wanting to be the best me I can be. I have never done any crazy diets or anything like that. I would rather incorporate excercise and a well-balanced diet to achieve my fitness and health goals.
With that said and done, on June 20, 2013 I took a leap I never thought I would. I was going to ban a food group from my diet. Now don't get me wrong, this is the first time I banned something. The first was my mission to never consume fake sugars again. Bye bye diet coke. But this dietary trial was different. I was going to go dairy free for a couple of weeks.
June 21st marked my first day without dairy. On June 22nd I ate a bowl of cinnamon chex with soymilk and felt stuffier within minutes. I found out later it had dried milk in it. On June 23rd I woke up less stuffy and by the next day, my head was draining like crazy. Later in the month, or perhaps early July as I wasn't taking notes anymore, I got a soy chai tea latte from Starbuck's but once I looked at the cup later I realized they gave me skim milk...not soy. My stomach was bloating up and I felt an odd sensation in my chest. It made me worry a bit but I calmed myself down and finally burped a few times. I felt much better.
My doctor knew of my dairy free challenge and supported me in the mission. She suggested after going the 14 days without dairy that I do the real challenge and consume some to see what happens. I don't know if it was the reason for the tummy issues or just a coincidence that it was resolving when I was embarking on this challenge. I did know that I liked being able to breath and not waking up stuffy every single day. I was convinced this was a better path for me. I was going to stay dairy free.
It isn't easy saying no to things you once ate and to look at what really goes into the food. I commentend to a good friend that it was indeed hard to not have my bagel with cream cheese and jalepenos or other dairy treats. She supported me and I found comfort in that I was doing this by choice and that it wasn't imperative for my health. I knew some people out there had to avoid foods due to allergies. I was on a mission to just feel better with what I ate....and to be able to breath through my nose!
Daily Gratitude: I am thankful for Bucky Joe - our new family parakeet!
Daily Affirmation: I am at peace with myself.