Almost at my 1st halfway mark *update*

**Update #2: I did it.  Today we 'weighed-out' and I did it.  I lost the 1lb and officially at the 20lb mark. So from Monday til today, I've lost 3lbs in 4 days.  Now I will work on my next 20.  I'm waiting for one more person to 'weigh-out' before I can say who the winner is...so far I'm #1.  Wish me luck.  I need the money....our vet bill is over $800.00 so...it will help.**


I'm telling you...no i'm preaching to you....Gluten free is working.

I've been committing myself to it and this morning when I weighed myself, I lost 2lbs since Monday.  I am officially in another bracket xx9.8 lbs to be exact. So what if it's .2 away from where I was at.  It's whole 'nother number. =)

I have 1lb to go by tomorrow (hopefully) to be at minus 20 for our weight challenge.  I know if I would have worked out as I plan to in my head....i would've blown away everyone else and lost a lot more.  But that's okay.  I still have made huge progress.  Another girl told me she lost 24 as of Monday.  BOO! haha

For myself, changing my eating and sticking to what i am suppose to stick to is priority #1.  There's no sense in workign out and having a crappy eating habit.  For myself, I have to get into my routine and make sure I stick to it or I end up craving all the bad gluten-laden foods and sabotage myself and my thyroid.

So here are some of my competing priorities (because they all one day will be grouped under #1).

1. Commit to being Gluten Free, Soy Free
2. Drink a minimum of 100oz of Water per day
3. Eat more organic (I have started this already with Eggs, Milk, Chicken)
4. Workout a minimum of 5 days then increase to 6 days (this is a need)

 That little list of 4 things will be the foundation of me getting to my goal.

So we shall see who is tomorrow's winner.  Of course, I hope it's me because I can use that scrilla!

Gluten, Gluten, Gluten...

Although the following section pertains mainly to GI and Celiac Diseases, there are persons who have not been tested to be Celiac.  There is also Gluten sensitive/allergic persons.  It can range from mild to severe.  Persons with other Auto-Immune Diseases (Hyper/Hypo Thyroid) who remove gluten from their daily intake show alleviated symptoms to their conditions.  I myself have done this and my thyroid symptoms improved dramatically.  Gluten is so over-processed and in virtually almost all of your foods as a filler that I believe your body doesn't know how to process this chemically engineered wheat product aka Gluten.


From Jackson | Siegelbaum Gastroenterology http://www.gicare.com/diets/gluten-free.aspx 6/16/10

Purpose
Gluten is the protein part of wheat, rye, barley, and other related grains. Some people cannot tolerate gluten when it comes in contact with the small intestine. This condition is known as celiac disease (sometimes called non-tropical sprue or gluten sensitive enteropathy).

Of great concern and interest is the fact that nine out of ten people with celiac disease do not known they have it. A simple blood test can give the physician the first clue to this disease.

In patients with celiac disease, gluten injures the lining of the small intestine. This injury can result in weight loss, bloating, diarrhea, gas, abdominal cramps, and/or vitamin and mineral deficiencies. When patients totally eliminate gluten from the diet, the lining of the intestine has a chance to heal.

Prebiotic Plant Fiber
A prebiotic is not a probiotic, which are beneficial bacteria taken by mouth. These probiotics are present in yogurt, other dairy products and pills. Prebiotics, on the other hand, are the necessary plant fibers that contain both oligofructose and inulin. These two fibers are the main nourishment for the good bacteria that reside in the gut. These fibers are rich in chicory root, Jerusalem artichoke, leeks, asparagus and others. Gluten containing wheat and barley also contain these prebiotics

Health Benefits from Prebiotic Fibers

There is now ample information in the medical literature to indicate that a prebiotic rich diet leads to demonstrable health benefits. These include:

• Increased calcium absorption
• Stronger bones and bone density
• Enhanced immunity
• Reduced allergies and asthma in infants and children
• A lower blood triglyceride level
• Appetite and weight control
• Lower cancer factors in the gut

Celiac Wheat-Prebiotic Dilemma
Nature has played a trick on celiac people. Wheat and wheat products provide over 80% of the prebiotics that North Americans ingest. Yet, celiac patients must assiduously avoid wheat, barley and rye. How do they then feed their good colon bacteria and get the health benefits, as outlined above? They must favor the other vegetables and fruits, as listed in the prebiotic section below. Additionally, they should consider a gluten free prebiotic supplement such as Prebiotin.

Special Considerations
Removing gluten from the diet is not easy. Grains are used in the preparation of many foods. It is often hard to tell by a food's name what may be in it, so it is easy to eat gluten without even knowing it. However, staying on a strict gluten-free diet can dramatically improve the patient's condition. Since it is necessary to remain on the gluten-free diet throughout life, it will be helpful to review it with a registered dietitian.

The person who prepares the patient's food much fully understand the gluten-free diet. Read food labels carefully:

• Do not eat anything that contains the following grains: wheat, rye and barley.
• At one time, oats were thought to contain some gluten. It has now become apparent, however, that oats frequently were processed in machines that also processed wheat. Most manufacturers no longer do this, although if there are any questions, a person should get reassurance from the manufacturer by mail, email or phone.
• The following can be eaten in any amount: corn, potato, rice, soybeans, tapioca, arrowroot, carob, buckwheat, millet, amaranth and quinoa. (Millets are also a mild thyroid peroxidase inhibitor and probably should not be consumed in great quantities by those with thyroid disease, this includes soy, soybeans which are linked to be Isoflavones which may affect fertility.  Buckwheat in sensitive people can be fatal, it provokes IgE-mediated anaphylaxis)
• Distilled white vinegar does not contain gluten.
• Malt vinegar does contain gluten.

Grains are used in the processing of many ingredients, so it will be necessary to seek out hidden gluten. The following terms found in food labels may mean that there is gluten in the product.

• Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (HVP), unless made from soy or corn
• Flour or Cereal products, unless made with pure rice flour, corn flour, potato flour or soy flour
• Vegetable Protein, unless made from soy or corn
• Malt or Malt Flavoring, unless derived from corn
• Modified Starch or Modified Food Starch, unless arrowroot, corn, potato, tapioca, waxy maize or maize is used
• Vegetable Gum, unless made from carob bean, locust bean, cellulose, guar, gum arabic, gum aracia, gum tragacanth, xantham or vegetable starch
• Soy Sauce or Soy Sauce Solids, unless you know they do not contain wheat  

Any of the following words on food labels often mean that a grain containing gluten has been used.

• Stabilizer
• Starch
• Flavoring
• Emulsifier
• Hydrolyzed
• Plant Protein

How to Kick Start Your Metabolism: Gluten Free Yes, No and Alternamtive Foods

Simple Ways to Kick Start Your Metabolism Detox Diet

Recommendations:

Pay careful attention to labels, buy foods which have minimum processing and preservatives.

Avoid anything which has a hydrolyzed ingredient, MSG, yeast extracts, corn syrup, evaporated cane juice etc.

 Again check labels for amounts of added sugars. Don’t eat while dehydrated….drink water first. This will help you from slipping and eating something sweet or from the “no” list.

If you have a thyroid problem, I suggest staying away from Soy and Gluten as much as possibe.  I was reading up on this (because I have a low metabolism due to underactive thyroid) and click on the following:  Article #1  and/or Article #2

Now, I'm not saying I have Celiac Disease but I feel a lot better Gluten free, my skin is clearer, I'm less bloated, I have more energy and i lost a lot of weight.   Also I will be posting something on Edocrine Distrupters AND Goitrens. BAD BAD BAD! for Thyroid issues or persons with any other Auto-Immune Diseases.

Foods prohibited on a gluten-free diet:

Any bread, cereal or other food made with wheat, rye, barley and oat flours or ingredients and byproducts made from those grains.

Processed foods containing wheat, gluten-derivatives, or thickeners. These foods include hot dogs, ice cream, salad dressings, canned soups, dried soup mixes, non-dairy creamers, processed cheeses, cream sauces, and hundreds of other common foods.

• Alcohol
• Any breads or wheat products such as wheat tortillas
• Anything that does not say GLUTEN FREE on the packaging
• Barley, bulgur, couscous, kamut, Oatmeal/oats, rye, spelt, wheat, sprouted wheat
• Beef (all kinds)
• Butter
• Caffeinated beverages (Soda’s of any kind, & Coffee)
• Canola oil
• Cheese (all kinds)
• Deli Meats
• Dried Fruit
• Fruit Juices, all fruit juices
• Ham
• Hot dogs and buns
• Miso
• Oatmeal/oats
• Peanut Butter
• Pistachio’s and Peanuts
• Sausage
• White Flour Foods – Pasta, Bread, White Rice

  

YES FOODS

BEANS & GRAINS – All Beans, Amaranth, Brown & Wild Rice, Brown Rice Pasta, Buckwheat, Corn Tortillas, Edamame, Millet, Quinoa

BEVERAGES – All Unsweetened: Water, Soymilk, Rice Milk, Green & Herbal tea, Coconut Milk/Water

DAIRY – Eggs, Milk (Fat Free – 2%), Yogurt (Plain, Low/Non Fat & Unsweetened) ( I Love using Greek Yogurt Fat Free Plain from TJ's and I have recipes for dips too.)

FRUIT – Berries (Fresh & Frozen good for shakes & Breakfast Options), Fresh Fruit (all kinds; keep Grapes & Watermelon to a minimum due to sugar content)

PROTEIN – Chicken Breast (Organic, No Skin), Cornish Hen, Lamb, Fish/Seafood (Any kind), Turkey

SNACKS – Hummus, Gluten & Wheat free bars, Gluten & Wheat Free Cereal (WF has a great selection of Gluten Free Cookies, especially the Pecan Cookies)


SPICES/EXTRAS – Almond Butter, Dark Chocolate (1oz & must be over 80% Dark), Flax Seed, Honey, Nuts (Fresh & Raw only...NO Peanuts or Pistacios), Olive Oil, Salsa (Homemade, if store bought make sure it’s wheat & gluten free), Sesame Seeds, Vegetable Soup, Wheat & Gluten Free crackers

VEGETABLES – All, Avocado, Edamame, Olives

 NO Foods Alternatives:

Alcohol

  Well there is no alternative so just stay away from the hooch.

Any breads or wheat products such as wheat tortillas
  Whole Foods has Brown Rice Tortillas and Gluten Free Bread (it's kinda dense so I just stayed away from the bread period).  If I did have an urge, for a burger I'd use the Ezekiel 4:9 Sesame bread which is really good and you can freeze portions you do not use.  Corn Tortillas are the best and are on the YES food.  GF Bread options are not available yet at Trader Joe's. 

Anything that does not say GLUTEN FREE on the packaging
  Just stick to Gluten Free.

Barley, bulgur, couscous, kamut, Oatmeal/oats, rye, spelt, wheat, sprouted wheat
  I've used a mixture of Amaranth & Millet as an alternative to a nutty flavored kind of breakfast meal.  You can also use Quinoa which is high in Calcium (1 Cup cooked is equivalent to the calcium in 1 gallon of Milk.)

Beef (all kinds)
  I know, I know but just stick with this.

Butter
  I sometimes would use Vegan butter.  It's not processed and still taste really good. I use Earth Brand or Earth Something from Whole Foods.

Caffeinated beverages (Soda’s of any kind, & Coffee)
  I kicked the Soda habit long ago but Coffee was hard but it's better you have less of an addition to it for the mornings.  I switched to Tea and used flavor infused honey sticks (from Target) for my tea or Agave Nectar as a liquid sugar substitute (you can get this for $2.99 approx at Trader Joe's).

Canola oil
  Not a problem since I love Extra Virgin Olive Oil so much that I take 1TBSP with lemon juice in the AM when doing gluten free.  Helps your digestive system and your skin looks FABULOUS!

Cheese (all kinds)
  Two words: Whole foods.  They have vegan and Almond Cheese (cheeder, Mozzarella and American).  You really don't notice the differnce.  It may take a little longer to melt but the taste is really the same and it's NOT PROCESSED like other cheese.

Deli Meats
  Anytime I want Deli Meats, I just think of how Head Cheese Deli Meat is made.  Processed and chopped.  Not for me.

Dried Fruit
  Fresh is better.

Fruit Juices, all fruit juices
  I admit around the time I have my montly visitor I CRAVE all the bad things.  So i do splurge in the occasional Orange Juice to calm down my cramps.  But during Gluten free times....I measure my cups.  I dont chug it out of the jug like a sailor.


Ham
  I love me some ham..Ham Sammich's, hambones, hamhocks.  JK.  I do like ham but I don't love it like a newborn baby so go without it.

Hot dogs and buns
  Well there goes my bread pudding.

Miso
  I love me some Miso Soup, but stick with the plan man!

Oatmeal/oats
  I switched to Amaranth and Millet.  It may be an acquired taste but it's really good and filling!

Peanut Butter
  Almond Butter, Cashew Butter and other butters (but not butter butter) seemed to work for me.  I would spread 1 TBSP Almond Butter on a Brown Rice Cake (TJ's and WF) with fresh fruit is a good snack.

Pistachio’s and Peanuts
  I never liked Peanuts anyhow and Pistacio's hurt my braces.  I buy the snack packet sized nuts from TJ's in Almond or Walnut and I don't have to measure and they are not on the NO list.

Sausage
  I will keep my dirty mouth shut.  I love sausage though.  (I willl keep my dirty mouth shut).  I switched to sticking to Turkey. Turkey Sausage, Turkey Bacon, Turkey Ground.

White Flour Foods – Pasta, Bread, White Rice
  Pasta: Brown Rice Pasta, Corn Pasta, Quinoa Pasta (WF and TJ.  TJ has cheaper Brown Rice Spaghetti Pasta, Fusili and Penne).
 
  Bread, this was covered earlier.  They need to come up with a not so dense form.  HOWEVER, however, they do have these AWESOME "Cream Biscuits" at WF that are great to crumble up as an alternative to mashed potatoes, or you can split in half and toast it and taste great with vegan butter or plain or as a bkfst sandwich with turkey and eggs/egg whites. 
 
  White Rice well, I swtiched to Brown Rice and Quinoa.  I have a great recipe for Carmalized Onions with Spinach and musroom that goes great with Quinoa or Brown Rice.  Plus no need for Soy Sauce so less sodium in your diet! YAY!