Roasted salted pepitas are one of my favorite snacks and my favorite way to eat them is mixed in yogurt (besides just popping a handful in my mouth). They add extra flavor and a delightful crunch, however, they are almost always seasoned with wheat and brands without wheat are quite expensive. My new BFF, Google, led me to an easy, tasty recipe and this weekend I whipped up a batch of my own. This new lifestyle is challenging my lack of kitchen prowess, but so far I've been able come up to the plate (no pun intended).
After carefully measuring out a double dose of ingredients, the largish batch came together quickly, filling the whole house with the nutty aroma. This is mighty tasty treat, but next time I'll know to add a bit more cayenne and a touch more temari (my addition was a sprinkle of kosher salt).
For nine years I have had constant pain on the left side of my body. Some days it was mild, other days it would hurt so much I could hardly breath, but it was always there. Over the years I have been sent to physical therapy, told to eat right, told to exercise, told it was fibromyalgia, told to relax... Overall I just dealt with it by ignoring it as much as possible and I stopped seeking a solution. It would not be allowed to rule my life, stop me from living as I wished, or change my daily routine and overall it didn't. After a few days of being wheat/gluten free the pain was gone, it's still gone after 10 days and I expect it will stay away. The discomfort and nausea from eating is also gone. After each meal I wait for the waves of pain, nausea and bloating to come, but they never do. I feel renewed, amazed and thankful.
That's wonderful news. And the recipe looks good too.
Posted by: Marijke | May 19, 2009 at 04:18 AM
Isn't it amazing??? I only have pain in my lower left abdomen when I do have wheat. My body is telling me I'm a doof;--P I'm so happy for you!!!!!
Posted by: cindycindy | May 19, 2009 at 04:24 AM
I am so glad you are feeling better! They look yummy!
Posted by: ann | May 19, 2009 at 04:26 AM
I'm so glad you're feeling better! (Mmm - pepitos!)
Posted by: Nora | May 19, 2009 at 04:27 AM
Wow! Very glad you discovered what it was so you can now truly enjoy life without all that discomfort. Those pepitas look very yummy.
Posted by: Manise | May 19, 2009 at 04:41 AM
Great link btw!
Posted by: Manise | May 19, 2009 at 04:49 AM
Mmm. Those pepitas look delicious and I'm happy to hear you are feeling so much better.
Posted by: Paula | May 19, 2009 at 04:51 AM
That sort of measurable improvement will helpfully make all this a little easier to accept and stick to.
I wish you many painfree days.
Posted by: Viki | May 19, 2009 at 05:27 AM
I am so happy this is making you feel better..it's NO fun to experience what you were dealing with..went through similar issues with Drs. when having gallbladder problems and they refused to listen to me..after being heard and getting that 'sucker' out..I've lived without those pains etc..much like you spoke of..it began to define me which I deplored.
Posted by: Dianne | May 19, 2009 at 05:32 AM
The relief from chronic pain has to be amazing! :)
Posted by: Chris | May 19, 2009 at 06:06 AM
Margene, I am so glad they finally figured it out and you are feeling better!
Posted by: Kim | May 19, 2009 at 06:07 AM
Have you tried quinoa? I noticed last night when I looked at the bag that it's gluten free. And full of protein and fiber. So happy that you are feeling well. :-)
Posted by: Kathy | May 19, 2009 at 06:17 AM
THAT is fantastic news! I'm so glad to hear the new way of eating is helping you so much!!
Posted by: Anne | May 19, 2009 at 06:28 AM
Wonderful news. I have all sorts of digestion issues and am going to give a gluten free diet a try.
Posted by: Barbara Fessler | May 19, 2009 at 06:39 AM
I have my doc appointment Thursday and I'm eating wheat this week so I can demand a test. I hope it's negative, but it would be nice to know if that's responsible for my symptoms. I've been reading that the symptoms in adults vary widely, and therefore it is terribly under-diagnosed. Then again, all this wheat-eating is making me hurt. And I have this new course to start tonight. Gah. It's a bad cycle.
Posted by: Norma | May 19, 2009 at 06:59 AM
That's great that you know what is wrong and can fix it. Those look really good!
Posted by: Jewel | May 19, 2009 at 07:09 AM
That's such wonderful news, Margene!! Mmmm, pepitas...
Posted by: Vicki | May 19, 2009 at 07:11 AM
goddess good !
Posted by: marie in florida | May 19, 2009 at 07:28 AM
good for you! silent suffering sucks!
Posted by: jenny | May 19, 2009 at 07:35 AM
Amazing. I'm so glad you're feeling better!
Posted by: Heather Joins The Round | May 19, 2009 at 07:54 AM
It's amazing that in this day and age, Celiac is so often ignored and/or misdiagnosed by the medical community. My boss was told that his daughter had cystic fibrosis, when she actually has celiac. My niece's celiac was misdiagnosed and her endocrinologist was going to administer hormone therapy for her symptoms (she's 15). Fortunately, my sister-in-law tried the gluten-free diet and all of her symptoms disappeared. I'm so glad that you're feeling better!
Posted by: regina | May 19, 2009 at 07:56 AM
Knowing that you are pain free fills me with such joy.
Posted by: Carole | May 19, 2009 at 08:12 AM
That is just amazing! Glad to hear how well this is working out for you! Pain free is good!
Posted by: Marcia | May 19, 2009 at 09:14 AM
It's wonderful to hear how good you're feeling! And you look much happier, too.
Posted by: Cheryl S. | May 19, 2009 at 09:25 AM
You're going to turn into quite the cook if you're not careful. ;^)
I am so glad that you're feeling better and that your body is telling you that you've made the right move.
Posted by: Cookie | May 19, 2009 at 09:28 AM