So I think it’s a good time to introduce myself, my gorgeous
sister on the other side of the globe and our journey with MY gluten free life.
You see, there are many blogs out there giving loads of information
on how to live gluten free, the miracles of this amazing life and all the
unknown amazing foods we can eat.
Well I'd like to introduce myself, my name is Heidi
Grimwood, im 37 years old and a mum of a gorgeous little 7 year old girl living
in Ireland (I grew up in the UK).
From as far back as I can remember I had weight problems,
undiagnosed skin conditions (spent my childhood at some of UK's best dermatologists)
and constipation that left me with a threat that after numerous surgeries,
medications and diagnosis – I would be carrying a colostomy bag by the age of
30.
I was 21, living the high life as a fitness instructor working
on cruise ships when I had one of my many colon cancer scares; however it wasn’t
cancer just my un-diagnosed constipation.
They told me they had ground breaking treatment for my
constipation and that there were only 2 specialists in the country. I would
have to wait six month but it would save my life in the end.
However I was never a ‘glass half empty’ kinda gal. I was
living an amazing life at 21 already lived in New Zealand, Tahiti, cruised the
Caribbean and USA, and visited goodness knows how many more countries, and they
wanted me to stop?!
NO!!
So I defied all odds and carried on working around the
world, ‘coping’ with my random skin flair ups, occasional hospital visits when my colon just
wouldn’t empty enough and my system was getting too toxic and I have lost count
of the days I was doubled over with tummy craps, unexplained pain.
When I was 32 I had a food intolerance test and was advised
to avoid gluten and dairy. OK ill try this after all I am qualified in nutritional
therapist, how hard can this be right?
WOW it was tough, there were good days, bad days and days
when I said feck it, it’s too tough. I was raising my daughter alone with some
weeks having only a food budget of €10 – I couldn’t do this, right?
So I would get easier options and would get the cramps and
bloating and so much more.
When I was 35 I had to have my appendix removed. But when
they scanned my tum what they told me has never left my mind. They scanned my
tummy for an hour, in the end bought in the top dog to continue the scan. In my
head I said – this is what you get girl for being defiant all these years, this
is it, cancer has arrived.
But what they told me was my intestines were so dangerously
inflamed and asked if I was Coeliac? I said I knew I shouldn’t eat gluten but
you know.............
I had my appendix removed and from that day on and have never looked back.
Now I am no holy saint and would love to say:
‘And I never ate gluten from that day forward’
But I’d be lying to you!
I have had the occasional slip up, I have had days when I
just don’t care anymore for this hard work or a mad pizza or donut craving.
But then I feel the instant effects of even a smidgen of
cheating.
I have discovered it is not worth it.
Do I think I will live a longer life by going gluten free?
NO.
But whatever time I do have I want to feel good.
Now there are even days when my ever so delicate system
doesn’t like anything even though it’s been more than 18 months since I have
had a taste of gluten at all. But I have tricks that make my tum feel better
and I will share all of these with you.
I’m not promising they will work for you. We are all
different after all.
I am gluten free, I am dairy free, you have your own journey
and don’t try to copy anyone else.
How does my gorgeous sister on the other side of the globe
factor into my story of a gluten free, dairy free world?
Well like any of us who have dietary restrictions the one
thing my friends and family always ask when I am visiting is:
‘What the heck do I feed you?’
So you are going to get a perspective from me, a lady who
loves her food, eats out and travels a lot, and is never going to proclaim to
be perfect in this gluten free journey.
And you are going to get a perspective from my sister who
has to cater for me when I visit.
I don’t get asked to dinner much – most are too scared to
ask!!!
Feel free to email me, post questions or positive comments,
myself and Tania are looking forward to taking you on our gluten free journey.
Namaste
Heidi and Tania xx
