You are mad at me!

I have suffered from migraines since I was in the first grade. I have tried just about anything anyone has ever suggested to get them under control. The remedies seem to work for a while, but always the headaches return. In addition to migraines, I also have horrible allergies which also give me sinus headaches. If it isn’t one, it is the other! So, about 6 months ago, Todd heard a speaker talk about gluten free diets being a cure for migraines. I was skeptical, but after he wouldn’t let up about it, I decided to try it.

I gave the diet a half-trial…really just giving up bread and things I knew were made of wheat. You know what? My allergies were better and I didn’t get a headache at all. When I would cheat, I would get a headache again. One night I cheated with a delicious cookie ice cream sandwich and a couple of other things I shouldn’t have been eating on the diet. The next day, I got a horrible migraine. So, eight days ago I bought a book about what it means to be gluten free and I started the diet in earnest (I cheated today for the first time). You would not believe how much I can’t eat! I am living on veggies and grilled meat and a couple of cheeses that I know are safe. I have to make all my own food, because very little take out is free of wheat and gluten. I have been so grateful for my garden full of veggies!

Today, after running around doing things for other people, I came outside to see a garden salad spread across the road outside my house. It turns out my children’s friends thought they should have a farmers market with my produce. When no one bought anything, they decided that a food fight would be even more fun. The food I was supposed to be able to eat for the next few days is now covering the asphalt outside my home. To say I was upset would be an understatement.

My children and their friends saw how mad I was. They all heard how mad I was too. And my children’s response was to ask “why are you so mad at me?” Are you kidding me? The friends were lucky enough to be able to dash for the safety of home.

Once I calmed down, I realized they really can’t understand why I am so mad. They don’t like vegetables. And, they aren’t living on veggies and grilled chicken. For if they were no longer able to eat waffles, crackers, Cocoa Puffs, PB&Js, ice cream treats, birthday cake on their birthday, cookies, and even blue cheese (ok, they don’t want to eat blue cheese ever, but that was my staple 8 days ago!). When I explained what the garden produce means to me, they really did feel bad. It was a good opportunity to talk about what happens when your friends do something you know to be wrong and how to handle the situation better next time. But, oh my, am I ready for school to start!