A New Look for the "From Jaimie's Kitchen" blog

So much time has passed and so many things are now different!!!  Let me start from the beginning and explain where my blogs have been for the past year....

Here's a little background of my "stomach" problems.  Since high school until now I've always had stomach issues.  It started with colitis as a Freshman in high school to being diagnosed with IBS and lactose intolerant at the age of 22.  While being pregnant and after my girls were born my symptoms seemed to die down which was wonderful.  Well, a little over a year ago I started with issues again. Any time I would eat something or drink something my stomach would bloat up, cramp....I will save you on the rest of the details. :-)  I was thinking that maybe a side effect of hypothyroidism was that I couldn't eat certain foods so I went to an endocrynologist and she quickly, in a nice way, told me I was nuts.  This went on for months of literally feeling like I was crazy and just dreaming that my stomach hurt. 

We all know what it's like during Thanksgiving and Christmas....yummy, rich, fattening foods.  Gosh how you dream about these holidays year round to eat the foods you only eat during these times.  Well, that backfired on me!  I was soooo sick and had no clue why.  We thought maybe a bad gall bladder but that was negative.  I went to a gastrologist and did the scope down my throat to see if I had celiac disease but that came back fine.  After getting sick one last time my PCP decided to send me to an allergist.  Low and behold we found the culprit!!!!!!  Sure enough I have TONS...I mean, TONS....of food allergies.  Ready for this???  corn, dairy, casein, soy, eggs, chocolate, peanuts, almonds, and also a sensitivity to gluten.

I know what you are thinking....WHAT ON EARTH DO YOU EAT???  Well, that's what I thought too.  I was so excited to get an answer to my problems but at the same time so scared as to what I was going to do.  My doctor recommended a dietitian who helped me get my feet a little wet on the different foods out there that I've never even heard of.  I was going to Whole Foods all the time just looking at labels, studying the foods, and determining how I was going to cook.  If you aren't a frequent WF shopper you know how overwhelming that place can be!!!  I'm now working with a health consultant who has really helped me find so many different foods and different ways to eat and get the nutrients I need.

So now I'll be posting a ton of new recipes that will make you say "what on earth is that???"  "why on earth is she putting kale is smoothies???" "quinoa, millet, lentils...what's that and how to do I cook that???".  These are all the OVERWHELMING questions I had when I had to start eating this new and improved way.  I'll be revamping recipes and explaining all the new foods I have to substitute for everyday foods.  A lot of my recipes come from Whole Foods, allergy friendly magazines, and from my health counselor who has a fabulous website Better Off Well. (go there....she has wonderful recipes and tips!)

I hope you enjoy the blog the way you did before!!!!  It's been a rollercoaster for me so I'm excited to start sharing everything I've learned!!!!