Facebook (8) | Parkside Bed and Breakfast

Our Bed and Breakfast is officially opened. We have named it Parkside Bed and Breakfast, since we are located only a block from Huntley Park and the neighborhood has a very quiet & peaceful atmosphere. There are so many large, mature trees that offer plenty of shade! We've needed that this summer ~ whew! what a hot & humid summer we've had.
Wednesday evening we had our first official BnB guests ;-) They were visiting DeKalb to find out more about NIU and the town itself. It was such a wonderful time getting to know them; I even was able to sit for abit early on Thursday over coffee with the mom. We each shared about our families and life in general. We were blessed to have such perfect guests ;-)

Facebook (8) | Parkside Bed and Breakfast

Gluten free or Anti Inflammatory?

Being gluten free is a real journey. Learning why you react with inflammation is another journey. I have spent hours doing research & talking with people. I'd like to share with you some of what I've learned. If you run across this blog, I hope it blesses you and gives you the "ah ha!" moment, when that light bulb goes off in your brain & you get understanding about your health issues. Then, I feel, and only then, does learning to eat in this new way becomes easier.

I am learning that I need to be more than gluten free & dairy free. This is such a journey to feeling better. I still encounter puffiness & inflammation sometimes and actually have begun to gain weight! I've determined that I have begun consuming too many carbs in trying to replace snack foods, in particular. Rice is something I've switched to (from wheat) and has a very high glycemic value. I need to monitor this better, as well as get more exercise!

Today I decided that I am going to do more research and try to understand where I need to be in a diet. Because there are days I'm more inflamed, it seems like I need to stop eating foods that are not only gluten free, but also some other foods that might cause inflammation in the body. Now you ask... what??? I know, I was there myself not very long ago. How does food cause inflammation, right? And what are they?

I'm now studying about the Paleolithic diet (yeah caveman ;-)) which brings us back to what we originally ate. Does this mean I don't believe in healing? NO! far from it, God is always in the business of healing & I'm believing that I am & will be healed and see that actually happen! BUT for now... following advice of professionals.

If you'd like to check this out and see why so many foods do cause inflammation in the body which then leads to most of our diseases (heart, joint pain, obesity, diabetes, etc) check out these links. I'm offering this information because I know so many of us are being affected unknowingly by what we eat. Hopefully, you can learn a bit and see if you think you might be able to help yourself and change some eating habits.

Yes! It is a process but definitely worth it. Feel free to ask me questions if you'd like. I know somethings, but would help you find out answers if I don't.

Here is a tip I found on an About.com website that I found simple & helpful:
Over all, when you are choosing anti-inflammatory foods to help reduce your inflammation and pain, choose fresh foods instead of heavily processed foods. Here are some tips:

• Breakfast could be oatmeal served with fresh berries and walnuts, with a cup of almond milk.
• Snack on whole fruits, nuts, seeds, and fresh vegetables throughout the day instead of cookies and candy.
• Eat more fish and less fatty red meat.
• Stay away from deep fried foods and bake or stir fry your meals instead.
• Choose green, orange, and yellow vegetables for your side dishes.
• Drink plenty of water, fresh 100% fruit and vegetable juices, herbal teas and green tea.

Six months I've been Gluten Free

Hard to believe but it has been six months since I heard the question: "has anyone ever suggested to you that you eat gluten free?" I remembering wincing inside. Yes, there had been conversations about me perhaps being allergic to wheat, but nothing ever had impacted me enough to want to go wheat free. That sounded like a nightmare and I didn't want to go there. Besides, there wasn't any real evidence that I needed to.

I can tell you that within two weeks of going ahead with a gluten free diet, that I lost so much puffiness; my ankles looked smaller as did my wrists and my face. Also, when I pressed on my calves or shins, it didn't hurt anymore. There was a definite difference.

When I see the outward difference it helps me imagine how much better my internal organs and tissues are!

I am hoping and praying that someday I can return to eating some of my old foods. For now, I am pressing on and continuing with the gluten free lifestyle. I'm continuing to research, find new products I like (and the family) and find recipes that look and taste good. This new diet takes some work and perseverance.

Knowing that the inflammation in my body is decreasing and seeing I'm getting healthier and stronger certainly helps me stay away from "bad" foods. If you have any questions.... leave a comment ;-)

Blessings ~
Pam