Our Crazy Household
My daughter from a young age dealt with several health complications and irritations. She developed extreme acid reflux, ear infections, high fevers every 23 days along with mouth ulcers, and eczema within the first two years of her life. I became so anxious and worried because I did not understand why she was always sick and having to take numerous antibiotics. When several doctors were unable to identify what was making her so ill, I decided to take control and find out what and why she remained so sick. Hungry to help my daughter have a better quality of life, I started to research on my own and eventually discovered using the elimination diet she could not tolerate milk protein.
Our lifestyle changes have really been a family-wide commitment - cutting out gluten and dairy for everyone. This means we get creative - with sweets, dinners, snacks and eating out. With three children, it would seem that it would be more so complicated as all kids seem to have a desire for candy, sweets, gluten & dairy! However, my children have adapted smashingly well. There was one time when my daughter was at school and cupcakes were being given to the students, which I assume generates the same excitement as audience members lucky enough to be on Ellen’s 12 Days of Giveaways. Instead of downing the cupcake thinking I would never know, my daughter asked to call me for permission, leaving me incredibly proud of my mini me! The permission was not granted, as tough as I knew it may be, I knew that the cupcake would leave her feeling terrible for the rest of the day.
Amidst the kids eating cupcakes and excitement, one single cupcake grazed my daughters arm. Almost instantaneously, according to the nurse, her arm swelled and broke out in a rash. That is just on her skin! Can you imagine what it would be doing to her stomach?!
My children’s adjustments to our lifestyle have impressed me tremendously - they ASK, yes ASK, for cold-pressed juice, pineapple, vegetables, healthy alternatives to sweets like brownies and my daughter even asked, “Can you pack me hummus and carrots?” HEART MELTED. The best part of this is seeing them grow in size, age and knowledge. Even as children they are conscious about their health, GMO’s and preservatives. I only hope that the more we continue down the gluten and dairy free path I can show them how you don’t have to compromise taste, set them on a track to value a healthy lifestyle and allow them to continue making good decisions for their bodies.
