My 5 favorite gluten free foods that it has taken me 8 years to find

I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in 2003. I thought it was absolutely horrible at the time. I am sure that anyone who receives this diagnosis would feel the same way. You wonder what in the world are you going to eat. Eight years later, I find it much easier to eat like everyone else. I also know that I am eating much healthier than I would if I did not have Celiac Disease. The options are so much better!

I did some gluten free grocery shopping today and that inspired me to create this list. I have eaten some nasty gluten free foods over the years so I am extremely appreciative of the companies who have brought some quality great tasting foods to the market.

Try these out and let me know some of your favorites.

1) Udi's Gluten Free Whole Grain Bread - It's so nice to be able to eat a real sandwich. Crozet Great Valu carries this bread. Here is their FaceBook page Crozet Great Valu You can also find it at Martin's

2) Nature's Path Crunchy Maple Sunrise Cereal - I actually put my cereal in my Oikos greek yogurt in the mornings. I usually get the cereal at Crozet Great Valu or Martin's.

3) King Arthur Flour's Gluten Free Muffin Mix  - No one in my family can tell that these are gluten free. I add strawberries and blueberries to the mix. These are absolutely incredible. I can't rave enough about them. I buy the mix at Martin's.

4) Glutino Original Crackers - These are as close as you are going to get to regular crackers. What I really like about them is that they are not flavored. This makes them great for chicken and tuna salad. I find these at Martin's.

5) Kinnikinnick Pizza Crust - These are frozen so if you are going out to a pizza place you can take one with you wrapped in foil. Most places will make you a pizza with your crust. These are at Great Valu in Crozet as well.

Many of these items can be found at other stores. Kroger usually carries a nice selection of gluten free foods. Unfortunately, there isn't a Kroger near me. I have to say there is a real benefit to having a local grocer like my Great Valu. If I request something they will get it in. My local Great Valu has a nice selection of gluten free foods.

Hard is what keeps out the Riffraff

"Hard is what keeps out the Riffraff" - that is a line from a Hallmark channel type movie that was on the TV the other night as I was cleaning up the kitchen. Not something I would normally be watching, but I loved that line. It reminded me of a chat that I had with a friend a couple of months ago. I was talking with her about something that she needed to do for herself and I said something similar. Now what I said was not as polished as that, but all in the same vein.

This idea is also what had made me so proud about the decision I had made to get myself in better shape and take control over my health. I laughed at myself for how self-righteous I sounded and admitted to those I talked to that talking about it was what helped keep me in the game.

I began by speaking with  Gina who owns her own business, Concierge For Mom. I knew that I was going to need some guidance and I also knew that with a full-time career outside of my home, a husband, four kids and three dogs, time wasn't something I had much of. I believe one of the first things I told Gina is that I will be one of the most difficult people she will work with. I've never known time as a friend. I was very clear that I wanted to make life changes that I could maintain. I did not want to feel like I was on any type of diet. I also had no intention of following a meal plan. I wanted to learn to make healthy choices everyday so that I would not get to a point when I stopped and put weight back on.

I've had some success in the last eight weeks. Here are the positive things I have done.
- I start my day on my elliptical every morning for 20-30 minutes.
- I no longer drink soda or sweet tea. I drink water instead.
- I have discovered coconut water which I love & drink daily (and it helped get rid of my headache today)
- I drink protein shakes to supplement my meals. (okay, it's usually my breakfast)

I have seen some differences in my body. My afternoon headaches are pretty much gone. I feel stronger and overall better.

I could say that I fell off the wagon this weekend at the company holiday party because I ate dessert. Or because I had Mexican for dinner last night. But what I think is worse is that I haven't worked in the time for my workouts. I feel really crappy about it. Gina checks in on me often and responds when I ask her about food choices. She's even created 10 minute workouts I can do. I have to make the decision to make time for the next step. My workouts. It's not happening and I'm disappointed. Gina checked on me today and this blog post is my answer. I know I'll hear back from her. She's very dedicated to making sure I succeed. I was too when I started. I lost some momentum. It's a hard pill for me to swallow because I know I'm not doing it because it's hard. Hard to have the energy. Hard to make the time. I remember my friend saying all the same things and I told her that she had to make up her mind to do it.

Life only moves in one direction and I need to get moving with it.