I’m pleased to introduce Amy Green of Simply Sugar and Gluten Free to host this week’s “Get the Gluten Out” carnival. Here is the abridged version of her entire story. See the list of all the carnival topics and hostesses here.
My Story: Going Gluten-Free
Being overweight was a way of life for me. From 2nd grade to my late 20’s I went on every diet published. The only consistent thing was that I always gained the weight back and a little more.
My life revolved around food. I ate huge quantities of food, always by myself. I never let anyone else see me eat a bag of chocolate chips or an entire box of animal crackers.
At my highest weight I was over 180 pounds and only 21 years old.
Out of sheer desperation I saw an doctor that practiced alternative medicine. My life and health was a mess. Being fat was just one problem. I was depressed, moody, inconsistent, had persistent headaches, and struggled many days to do what most people take for granted.
After spending some time with me, Dr. Baron told me to quit eating sugar and wheat. His words were, “It’s going to kill you.”
Wanting to be well, I followed his instructions carefully. Difficult didn’t begin to 
explain the change. Gluten-free flours weren’t readily available and sugar is in everything. After a few weeks I started to feel better and life started looking good again.
I was young, though, and not understanding the full implications, I started eating wheat and sugar again. It didn’t take long for my life to unravel. Any weight that I lost was quickly regained and I was binge eating again. Moodiness, depression, and just not feeling well pervaded every part of my life.
Six years later, a girlfriend of mine nervously told me that she had a problem with food, explaining that flour or sugar caused her to develop huge food cravings which always resulted in a eating too much.
I had the same problem. Dr. Baron’s foreboding words rang in my ears.
Relieved and a little concerned, I wasn’t sure I wanted to give up wheat or sugar. No bread. No brownies. No pretzels. I knew I had a problem but, at the time, no flour and sugar was a bigger problem. I decided to keep doing what I had been doing. It worked. Sort of.
Months passed. The day came when I realized that I could no longer manage my food problems. I remember being completely stuffed, my stomach in pain, and I kept eating. I’d lost all control. In tears, I called my girlfriend and asked for help.
When I eat flour or sugar, my body starts to crave more and more. In fact, no amount of flour and sugar was ever enough. This is why I failed at every diet I’ve ever tried. I couldn’t eat flour or sugar without having cravings, which always resulted in too much food. The only option was to let go of the flour and sugar and find another way to eat.
I didn’t eliminate sugar and gluten from my diet to lose weight. I only wanted some peace in my life. But one day, I was getting ready for work and my clothes were loose. I smiled, grateful that I was fully aware of what had caused the change.
It took a lot of prayer, patience, and determination to live a better life. Some days it still does. People always ask how I “live like this” as if it’s a step down. The honest truth is that it’s a step up. For me, there is no bigger prison than living in a body I hated and not being able to get out.
My weight has been constant for almost 6 years, about 110 pounds. Food no longer rules my life. I have a freedom that brings joy and peace. I am healthy and happy with who I am and how I show up in the world today.
So, what’s gluten?
If I had a nickel for every time I’ve been asked this, I’d be really rich.
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. It’s what gives structure and form to our breads, rolls, and cookies. Sounds harmless, huh?
For most people it is. For those with Celiac Disease, though, gluten causes an autoimmune response and the body produces antibodies that attack the intestines. Over time, this can cause a myriad of problems including stunted growth, anemia, osteoporosis, vitamin and mineral deficiency and depression.
I don’t have Celiac Disease so I can’t talk in detail about how it impacts life. The Gluten Free Homemaker is a great resource for anyone wanting to learn more.
Gluten intolerance, on the other hand, doesn’t involve an autoimmune response but still causes gastrointestinal distress and has a significant impact on health and well being. For someone like me, wheat impacts mood, hunger, weight, mental clarity, and general well-being.
Is gluten-free healthier?
Not necessarily.
Many heavily processed, gluten-free shelf products are higher in fat and sometimes sugar to create a consistency like their wheat laden counterparts. Starchy flours like tapioca, white rice, sweet rice, and cornstarch often make up the majority of the baking mix. I’d be a liar if I told you they were healthier.
But wait…
Enter healthier baked goods with brown rice, buckwheat, sorghum, garfava, coconut, almond, and garbanzo bean flours. 
Whole foods instead of processed shelf products. Lots of fresh fruits and veggies. Nutritious whole grains like millet, quinoa, and amaranth.
You may not need to eat gluten-free, but you can certainly improve the quality of what you eat by taking some cues from those of us who do. After being sick for so long, we seem to develop a passion for health and well being. Going to any length to eat well is what we live for.
To be Continued…Practical Steps
Tuesday at Simply Sugar & Gluten Free I’ll have simple ways you can start to make healthier, gluten-free changes in your diet. I’ll also have a Linky up so you can add any gluten-free recipe or related article.
Here’s Katie’s contribution with some basic gluten facts and her personal GF challenge!
Next week’s hostess is Beth Terry of My Free Plastic-Life, and the theme is Getting Out the Plastic Food Storage Containers. Get any posts on alternatives to plastic ready to go!
Isn’t Amy incredible? Her food photos always make me drool! You can bet if you have recipes on your blog, you have some that are gluten free. Take a look. Visit Amy. Link up, gain knowledge, and get a chance to win…
GIVEAWAY: Tropical Traditions Coconut Flour
THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED; THANKS FOR ENTERING!
I hadn’t a clue how to tackle going gluten free, but I thought I’d get some gluten free flour so I had some ammunition for new recipes. Tropical Traditions has the best coconut products anywhere, and I got to try out some coconut flour (you will too!). This is what I made today for “dessert” after lunch:
It was totally dessert, but no added sugar or gluten. It doesn’t even feel like Holy Week! I better find some more terrible tasting GF recipes so I’m really sacrificing! 
Should I share this recipe next week?
If you would like to win a bag of coconut flour from Tropical Traditions, here are 10 ways you can get entries into this giveaway:
- Link up to the carnival at Amy’s post.
- Leave a comment (follow her directions) at Simply Sugar and Gluten Free.
- Leave a comment at this post with any information about gluten or your story.
- Subscribe to the Tropical Traditions sales newsletter to get special offers (and find out when they have free shippping!).
- Subscribe in a reader or via email to Kitchen Stewardship (or tell me if you already do).
- If you have a blog or website, post about this giveaway linking back to this post.
- Follow me on Twitter AND Tweet about the giveaway (just click the button at the top of this post).
- Tell me the coconut flour recipe you’d most like to try from this list of coconut recipes.
- Place an order at Tropical Traditions for anything and leave a comment for a bonus entry. If you’re a first time customer, please select “Referred by a friend” and in the box that says “How did you hear of us?” enter my sponsor ID number… 5503722. You’ll get a free book about coconut oil that is truly fascinating, and I’ll get a good deal from TT too!
- Stumble or Digg your favorite post or recipe at Kitchen Stewardship. (What is Stumble?)
(If you receive KS via email, you will need to click over to the site to leave a comment.) Please leave all your entries in separate comments so it’s easier for me to count.
GIVEAWAY CLOSED; I’m not closing comments, but the winner has already been notified.
I will use random.org’s integer generator to choose the winner. The giveaway is open to U.S. and Canadian residents. Entries will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. EST on Sunday, April 4th, and I’ll post the winners by the following Monday.
Cleanwell Giveaway Winner
The winner of last week’s carnival Cleanwell giveaway is Kristi, a commenter. Congrats!
If you missed the last Monday Mission, click here.
Kitchen Stewardship is dedicated to balancing God’s gifts of time, health, earth and money. If you feel called to such a mission, read more at Mission, Method, and Mary and Martha Moments.
Disclosure: Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product. See my full advertising disclosure here.
I recently subscribed to Kitchen Stewardship and just started using coconut oil. I’m learning a lot!
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No Bake PC Choco Chip Coconut Oil Protein bars. YUM!!!
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I don’t have any problems with gluten but for a while, I started using spelt flour (it has less gluten than wheat flour, I think) instead of wheat flour and I saw a big difference. I lost 7 kilos in that period and I have been able to maintain my weight. I still eat bread and other things made with wheat flour but I try to use a wider range of flours when I bake. I love the results!
.-= kanmuri´s last blog ..Tedious Work =-.
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Thanks for sharing Amy’s story. I’m just learning about reducing gluten in my diet and it’s encouraging to see the difference it can make for some people with respect to their mood etc. and not just their weight. I will definitely visit her blog.
Great looking crepes!
.-= Zibi´s last blog ..Spring Slow Cooker Paella — Take One =-.
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My sister-in-law has celiacs disease, so I’m aware of gluten. I’ve considered cutting out gluten and/or sugar, but am not sure my family would be on board and don’t really know how to do it. I’m addicted to sugar, like most other people I know.
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i am an email subscriber
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I linked up my post on a Yeast Elimination Diet, which cuts out white flour and sugar.
.-= Lenetta @ Nettacow´s last blog ..Yeast Elimination Diet =-.
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I subscribe
.-= Lenetta @ Nettacow´s last blog ..Yeast Elimination Diet =-.
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I mentioned the giveaway in my post and linked here and to Amy’s.
.-= Lenetta @ Nettacow´s last blog ..Yeast Elimination Diet =-.
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I follow and retweeted
.-= Lenetta @ Nettacow´s last blog ..Yeast Elimination Diet =-.
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I signed up for their newsletter.
Thanks!
.-= Jen´s last blog .. =-.
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Reading about this makes me remember when I started adding more meat into my diet. As a result of that I was able to notice a huge difference in my mental clarity. I did not crave carbohydrates in the form of sweets either! That’s the key. I definitely need to revisit this.
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I would like to try:
No-Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Coconut Oil Protein Bars.
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i subscribe via email
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Been gluten free and nearly sugar for over a year now on an anti- yeast diet.
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I have celiac disease, so my approach to the GF diet is by necessity a little more complicated than someone who is gluten-intolerant. I had to throw away half of my kitchen (cast iron, wood, appliances, anything that could hold residual gluten) and scrub down every cupboard and drawer when we went GF. I rarely eat anything that other people cook unless I supervised the cooking or it is a plain whole food, like unseasoned green beans or a baked potato.
I made the rounds of the specialists and medical tests for years before we found out that I have celiac disease. They say it takes two years on the diet for the small intestines to heal up. A little cross-contamination would make me feel ill for a week, but the internal consequences (they say) would take 6-8 weeks to heal back up again. I have been strictly GF for one year and am steadily climbing that hill of healing. So wonderful! My husband is finally getting to meet the real me!
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I subscribe to KS via Bloglines!
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I subscribe to Tropical Tradition’s email newsletter – which is why I now have 3 jars of coconut oil. They run some nice specials!
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I follow you on Twitter and tweeted this post.
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Crispy Coconut Granola Recipe sounds good to me!
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I Stumbled you and follow you on Twitter. Thank you for telling your GFSF story in detail, Now my friends won’t think that I am so far out in left-field !
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I subscribe to TT newsletter. (different email though, let me know if you need it to confirm)
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I subscribe to KS via email. (again diff email.)
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I follow you on twitter and tweeted: http://twitter.com/SoapsbySonia/status/11396911535
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I’d like to try the Best Ever Coconut Oil Waffles, yum!
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I just subscribed!
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I’d love to try the oatmeal pumpkin coconut cookies, and I’d eat them with the coconut hot chocolate! I loooove coconut!
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I signed up for the Tropical Traditions newsletter.
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Amy did a beautiful job sharing her story. It’s so hard to put one’s self out there. I’m totally on board with being gluten free, but getting rid of the sugar part is harder. Still I need to do that, too. So glad you had Amy post. I’ve subscribed to your blog, Katie. I already have done a number of the other things, but won’t enter them all separately. We’ll just see how it goes for the giveaway, but I’d love to try some coconut flour to bake more grain free.
Shirley
.-= gfe–gluten free easily´s last blog ..Eating My Words with Honey-Sweetened Corn Muffins (March Muffin Madness) =-.
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I started Baking on the side to Supplement my income, and it exploded! At Thanksgiving I had 42 Pie Orders! Now I have over 100 Regular Customers, and I am known as ” The Bread Lady” I only sell on weekends, but thats all I can handle right now since it’s just me. Anyway I have alot of customers with different tastes, I have Diabetics that I bake with Honey instead of Sugar, I have Vegan Customers and Customers with food allergies. I have been looking for a great source for Gluten Free Products and now I have found one! Thank you so much for these articles and recipes, I plan on incorporating them into my menu asap! Cant wait to make an order and try these products, will let you know what my Customers think too.
Lori Weber
Lavenders Creations
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I have subscribed to TT’s newsletter.
luvmyspringer at hotmail dot com
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I would like to try the Coconut Flour Baking Powder Biscuits. I love a good biscuit!
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i sub to TT’s newsletter
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i follow u on twitter and i tweeted http://twitter.com/agodlyhomemaker/status/11493532590
.-= Tami Lewis´s last blog ..Another Quickie =-.
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i didn’t realize that gluten was a problem for so many people – i am hearing more about it now.
.-= Tami Lewis´s last blog ..Another Quickie =-.
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the Chocolate Coconut Satin sounds delish!!
.-= Tami Lewis´s last blog ..Another Quickie =-.
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i sub to ya via email
.-= Tami Lewis´s last blog ..Another Quickie =-.
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if it weren’t for Elizabeth Hasselbeck’s The G-Free Diet book, I wouldn’t have known about gluten being a possibility for my health problems. The card that you can tear out helps when I go shopping because some “gluten-free” labeled items also have ingredients that people with celiac disease cannot have, like maltodextrin. Gluten-free has been abused by some marketing schemers just like natural, organic, etc have. Be careful what you buy!
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I already sub to TT’s newsletter
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I want to try the lamb curry stew! mmm
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I dugg the Simple Cabbage Soup with Secret Super Food
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My best friend has a major problem with gluten, and her dad has Celiacs. I am very aware of gluten and I love to experiment with things to make for her
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your email subscriber
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Subscribe to the Tropical Traditions sales newsletter
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google reader subscriber
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follow, tweeted
http://twitter.com/erunuevo/status/11524400231
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i would love to try the Oatmeal Coconut Crisps
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I have stumbled a fav post
erunuevo
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i have also dugg a fav post
erunuevo
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I subscribe to your site and love it!
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