Food sensitivities are no joke. And when you’re faced with the “eliminate them or else” scenario, you do what you must. Last year I sat across from the doctor as he handed me a list. My heart dropped to the floor. 25 foods and counting. And not just any foods. Gluten, dairy, and eggs had made the top of the list. But the biggest granddaddy of them all was corn. I remember feeling completely overwhelmed. What was I supposed to eat?? Recommending that I eliminate all 25 foods from my diet (all at once), Doc gave me a pat and a halfhearted “good luck”.
So I did it. A year ago. I went dairy-free, gluten-free, corn-free, egg-free, and everything else free…all at the same time, for a long time. It wasn’t until I started implementing changes that I realized these four foods are everywhere. They’re practically the foundation for all other foods. As you can imagine, I got a little stressed had a complete meltdown.
If you’re like me, there are times you think you might go crazy. Driving by Starbucks makes me a desperate mess (thank goodness for coconut milk)! But you restrict yourself out of necessity. Because you’re tired of feeling miserable and just want your health back.
Today there are good alternatives for those restricting gluten, dairy, and even eggs. But what about corn? Eliminating corn from your diet is challenging. If you don’t see corn on the ingredient list, look again. Like playing a game of hide and seek, corn is an expert at hiding in words like dextrose, maize, sorbitol, zein, zea mays, “food starch” and “natural flavors”. It’s no surprise that corn (and wheat) are the basis of American agriculture. Visit any of the “flyover states” and you’re bound to see endless ears of…you guessed it…corn! It’s even in your toothpaste, lotions, and car tires!
But what if you’re sensitive or allergic? Can you really be corn free in a corn-saturated country and not lose your mind?
The simple answer is yes. It’s a lot of work, but it’s doable. And to get you started, my cousin and I (she with her allergy and I with my sensitivity) have put our heads together to come up with some simple corn-free alternatives! Looking for corn free recipes? Check them out here. Continue reading
If you’re still buzzing from sugar overload and feeling the irritable effect of one too many Christmas cookies, welcome to the club. Pants a little tight? Tired and fatigued? Headaches and mental fog? General feeling of yuck?
Kids naturally love the idea of Santa. I mean, what’s not to love? His eyes twinkle, he brings toys, his favorite snack is cookies, and he lives in a land of magic. There’s a superhero, supernatural element to him. Not to mention you get to climb on his lap, tell him everything you’ve ever wanted, and know he’ll deliver. He’s basically the embodiment of the best grandparent ever.
Nothing says Christmas like cranberry orange bread! Ok, maybe Christmas cookies. And gingerbread men. And those little snowballs. Ok, ok, so maybe there’s a lot that says Christmas.
I may just go insane. It’s December 6th and I’m already starting to panic.
Rachel Boulos 