I don't know if I'm just venting or actually wanting advice. I really am just being selfish, but I'm scared of this! Here Goes. So recently (who are we kidding-the past two years, basically) we (Ryan & I) feel like we could do better - what parent doesn't. So Tanner has some behavioral issues - only self diagnosed, mostly parent inflicted, but obvious. We think part of it might have to do with his diet of what he eats.
Backup...Ryan has Celiac to a mild degree, (hence, he eats what I fix/eat, and that includes a LOT of gluten. I love bread with a passion) which means his stomach can't digest gluten (found in anything with wheat, malt, barley, modifided cornstarch, etc.) properly, which also means the felli in his stomach lining lays down to go to sleep and absorbs nothing. This is a hereditary disease, usually passed down from mother, to daughter, and so on (females are more likely to have it, but males get it, too). His mom has it, as do many other relatives, including his sister. Ryan has been tested for it, and his results show he has it, but not to a terrible extent (his felli are working a little bit). This is mostly why Ryan is so skinny - the other reason - he can control his hunger cravings at 11:00 at night, but that's besides the point.
To make a long story short, we got Tanner tested for Celiac about a year ago. His results showed up positive also, but at the same time, his doctor said he would grow out of it with time. I'm thinking, yea, right, Ryan still has this and he's 32! I know I need to just hunkar down and feed these boys right, I just don't know where to start. I've had my mother-in-law give me recipies, and because she lives by the Celiac Diet, she fixes the 'right' foods for Ryan and her when we come. The downside is my father-in-law and myself, who can eat all the grainfields we want get to eat this food, too. Don't get me wrong - it's tastes alright, but it's been really hard for me to adjust to it. The texture is completely different, and just to make gluten-free bread - well, it's almost impossible!
I want an easy out. I want to learn to do this, but how bad? I mean common! I got my degree in doing this kind of stuff - I loved my food science class and learning how that all works, and really thought I could do this, but I'm so overwhelmed by ACTUALLY DOING THIS! I realize I am selfish in not feeding my family right. I realize I just need to do it. I realize I'm not the only one, and that there are others that have figured it out (Bless my MIL's heart and both her kidneys - I sometimes just don't understand the woman or why she substitutes some things, etc, etc, etc... :) )
Does anyone know of an GFA group (gluetn-free anonnymous) that meets weekly? :) I don't know where to start. I've got bags of rice flour, potato starch, xanthan gum by the pound, and soy flour, but am just plain overwhelmed. How do I make this work?
Thanks for reading, and thanks for hearing me out. Maybe that was just for venting. I guess I know what I really need to do. GET TO WORK! & QUIT MOPING about IT! i've got some MAJOR recipe searching and grocery shopping to do. Tomorrow.
9 comments:
Deanna, that sounds so stressful, but it also sounds like you are starting to figure it out. I have heard very little about Celiac. I hope all goes well and you can figure things out that work for your family. Sorry I was no help. I feel for you though and it is good to vent and get things off your chest.
I have a friend on my blog (Lee Ann) who has the same thing. She has a link on her blog (steph the crockpot lady) who also has this and posts daily recipes (which use a crockpot). Maybe you could start with some of her stuff. I also know Lee Ann loves new commentors so feel free to ask her anything. I know that when they go out to eat she'll order a hamburger and then take the bun off and eat a "salad" instead. Diet issues are VERY overwhelming!! I don't blame you for feeling overwhelmed. Not fun.
Oh, and honestly, I don't think Tanner has bad issues. I think he's just a toy year old boy. You're doing great, just relax and enjoy the ride.
Hey Deanna! My little bro has autism and so my mom tried the whole gluten-free diet and it didn't make a huge difference BUT we have a lady back in our home ward that has 3 children on the autistic spectrum and 2 of them (well pretty much their whole fam) is on the gluten-free diet but she would be the one to talk to! I can get her number or call her and find some things out for you from her. I know she uses the grinder you can get at the cannery. Maybe you already have one?! Then for the whole behavioral issues, I think that definitely diet will play a big part! But partly I'm sure is the age, I need to just talk to you!!! Andrew is a handful too and we are slowly working on "behavioral" things too! So maybe we can help each other! I learned a lot from my schooling BUT every child is unique and not always going to be by the book, actually pretty rarely will they be!? BUT it's hard because I think as LDS women, or having some of the school background that we've had (you with cooking, etc and mine in EC/SE) we feel like we should be supermom and that everything should be goin a whole lot smoother! As I get to know you better, I feel like I kind of know how you're feeling (if that makes sense or is okay to say) and I would just love to chat! We will definitely have to get together tomorrow! Maybe I will try calling you later today or you can call me! Whoever gets there first?! All I know is that it is so hard to be a mom! I would never give it up or want it any other way but talk about having to be totally selfless!! Good Luck! I will pray for you and your family that you will know how to best help your husband and son's diet! You are a special woman to be able to do all you do!!! Seriously!!! You are better than you think you are!!! Okay I'm rambling but yeah I'll talk to you more, more about the "behavior things" because I'd love to hear some more ideas of what you have been doing that seems to work! We can collaborate! :)
okay, this will be a long comment, so I apologize now.
Don't sweat the way Tanner behaves. It seriously is two year old boy thing. I mean he does the exact same things Lily does. For example, Tanner was an angel in nursery yesterday, and Lily was hitting everyone on the head with a plastic mallet before I could get it away from her. It is growing thing.
I would guess though, that his celiac probably does make him a little irratible. He probably doesn't understand why he doesn't feel good, so he reacts like a two year old. Hits, kicks, screams, etc. I don't really know any people to talk to about celiac. However, you could check out the VIEW website. I know the Elizabeth lady on it has celiac, and is always talking about it. So maybe she has some links from her site? Just a thought.
I really sympathize with you on the whole getting rid of grains thing. I know this week when I go learn my new diet, that is one thing I will have to cut out. I have been beside myself wondering how I can do this to my family. Russ wants to be supportive (Just like you are being supportive to Ryan), but how do I ask them to give up all that stuff. Also, how can I afford the way expensive "sugar free" stuff. Just like how can you afford the expensive "glutan free" stuff. Interesting we are in kinda the same situation. If you ever need someone to complain about it too, just talk to me. Like I said it some ways we are going through the same trial.
~Jewelle
Oh wow. My family is lucky sometimes to just get dinner. Let alone something "special" for a diet. Sorry, Deanna. I've got nothing, but, Good luck!
Thanks everyone for your support! I just called Tanner's last pediatrician to get a copy of his celiac test results - the nurse helping me over the phone happened to be Ry's Mom's back-door neighbor, so I asked he to describe the results to me, since I couldn't figure out the numbers on Ryans results - she said it appeared to her that if he had it at all, it was really mild, like Ryans, thank heavens!!! She encouraged me to give it some more effort, and thought it might help, but at the same time, he's two. He's learning, he's going to hit, bite and have an attitude like his daddy probably did. That was encouraging!
i'll be in touch with you Amber! And I found on another friend's site a bunch of links for Gluten-Free stuff and connected it to mine - I just have some major reading to do noW!
I will try to relax and enjoy this ride. Thanks, ladies! =}
Hey, just one little aside millet is gluten free and you can cook it just like rice. I actually have some and cook it up every once in a while because I like it. I know you can get some at Fred Meyer in their bins for a really good price. --- Just thought I'd share.
Good luck with everything else! You're doing great! You're not alone! We all feel like failures every once in a while! You're doing awesome!
Oh Deanna!! You seriously don't know what a great mother and wife you really are!! You being stressed and frantic shows that you care a great deal!! I can't imagine how overwhelming it would be to have to change your families diet! i love bread too!! I'll be thinking of you!! I hope yourserach will help you!!!
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