You’re singing it, aren’t you??
Yet, catchy lyrics aside, I’m referring to letting go of something else.

I grew up on, and always loved, all things bread and gluten. You too?
I’ve struggled with stomach and bowel issues all of my life. It was chalked up as irritable bowel syndrome, just common constipation, or just being a woman (I know, great “diagnosis”).

It was more recently recommended to me to try to cut gluten out of my diet. My first thought was – how could I do that? I basically eat wheat, and have always eaten wheat, at every meal.
I think it was how many of us grew up.
Cereal for breakfast, sandwich for lunch, and something with wheat in it for dinner.

But, I cut it anyways and just made the effort to see if it would make any difference at all. And it did!
While I wasn’t 100% strict as far as cross-contamination, or if we were out and that was really all that was available, I did keep to it 95% of the time. Because when I didn’t, I noticed that I just did not feel good at all.

My bloating disappeared, and my stomach went down.
I actually did not feel the need to eat as often. (Yet trust me, I love food, so I definitely ate 3 good meals per day, and snacked now and then as well.) I cut my nighttime snack; just didn’t need one anymore.
I didn’t crave sugar!!!! This was a big one!!

I’m still on the journey to figure out if I have Celiac- my sweet sis and nieces/nephew do have it. Yet either way, GF will be the life for me.
If you’ve even toyed with the idea of doing this, I highly recommend it! Then let me know if you have, and how you feel sans gluten.

Check with your doctor, and do it safely, because I’ve learned there are some things you need to add, as far as vitamins and minerals, when you are not eating gluten.

So in a way, I’m thankful for cutting something out of my diet that I thought would be a horrible transition. Because I feel sooooo much better!
This year we had a gluten free Thanksgiving. And let me tell you, I didn’t miss gluten one bit! We are so lucky that there are so many other options now when cooking. Even down to GF flour that can be substituted at a 1-to-1 ratio, as well as almond and coconut flours.

Head on over to my sister’s blog- A Fireman’s Wife -for some great recipe ideas, not only for holidays, but for everyday cooking.
The table décor in the picture is also courtesy of my sis and looked so fab.

We are so gosh darn blessed- including in areas we often overlook. I hope you were able to take time with family and friends and celebrate all you are thankful for. Even if you were thankful for something of which you’ve let go, or are being led to let go.

Embrace Life!