Foods to be Thankful for

I've been feeling a bit at war lately with these new dietary restrictions that I'm on.  Dairy and gluten free  is a hard pill to pop with the holidays coming.  Violet and I made a pie last week, and I thought for two seconds that I could close an eye to the crust and maybe just maybe feel fine, despite the flour, despite the butter (what harm could one little piece of pie do?) -- as a result I ended the evening with that familiar debilitating stomach ache and a migraine.

As I was walking through the grocery store this morning, I couldn't help but think to myself really, this shouldn't be so hard for me.  I have had tons of support--  friends and family sending me alternative recipes for pie, stuffing, cookies, bread, potatoes, etc... that are dairy and gluten free, and I am actually extremely lucky to live in a city that makes alternative food items easily accessible....  So why, still, am I having such a hard time with this?
I think, maybe, it might have to do with the food tradition that surrounds the holidays.  We all have our favorite recipes that we pull out this time of year, and not being able to have them in my kitchen exactly as they have always been is a little like not having some of my closest most loved relatives at the table.  It just feels off.  I miss them.

But, pity party now ending, I am looking forward to trying a few recipes that were sent my way.  I'm not a very domesticated lady, but I have always taken pride in the fact that I can make a pie crust from scratch (thanks, mom!)  However, I think the saving stone in reinventing a few holiday favorites is going to be accepting the help from bakeries and companies who already have a few things-- like gluten free pie-crust-- figured out.
On that note, I'd like to share a small list of foods/companies that I am thankful for this year, unique to these recent health issues:

1: Rice.  Rice in every form.  Rice milk, rice flour, rice pasta.  Rice, you are incredibly gentle and soothing, and I love you so much.

2) Coconut oil.  You give food that richness it deserves when dairy isn't an option.  Also you make my morning oatmeal completely incredible.

3) Quinoa.  My friend Jeremy introduced the two of us many many years ago.  I thought you were just for hippies, but it turns out you're a pretty awesome grain.  Jeremy wasn't kidding when he called you the super food. 

4) Wheatless in Seattle :  Definitely my favorite wheat-free bakery in Seattle.  I don't know how you do what you do, but don't ever stop!

5) Dark chocolate.  I never really had an appreciation for dark chocolate until milk chocolate and I had a falling out.  Dark chocolate is my new late night hero.

6) Aidells. These are seriously good.  And gluten free!  (not all sausages are)

7) These websites:  http://simplysugarandglutenfree.com/, http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/, http://www.godairyfree.org/, http://glutenfreegirl.com/  (Thank you, Stacey!!)

8)  Flying Apron Bakery  : I've had mixed feelings about this place in the past, but I have had a few friends recommend their ready made GF pie crust.  Definitely worth giving it a shot this year!

9) Food Should Taste Good:  This company makes awesome snack-type foods.  When you live with a toddler (at least with my toddler) it's hard to stay away from the string cheese and crackers.  Having an alternative snack in the house makes a DF and GF life a little easier and more fun.

10) Zumba.  Ok, not technically a food....  but it definitely has been nourishing to my body and mind this year while dealing with these recent food allergies.  There have been some days when my time during zumba is the only hour in the week when my body feels good and alive and not in pain.  It has been a great reminder that while, yes, I am dealing with these adult onset issues, my body is still young and strong  (sort of! :)