Holiday and "special pizza"

Hello to all of my Lactose Free Followers,
I am thinking of all of you this Holiday Season.   It is difficult to avoid milk, cheese, and butter all year round, but this time of year seems to be the worst for me.  The other day I was invited to a dinner party where pizza was being served.  I am not able to eat it even if the cheese is removed, presumably due to the diary in the crust I assume.  So my hubby came up with a great idea to contact a local general store who carries a crust that I am able to eat. It does not have dairy.  Then, if you order a few toppings, minus cheese, you have a pizza that will be flavorful and not make you look like a social outcast by not being able to eat traditional pizza.  It seems like when I have brought my own food to other events people question it and being someone who does not like to be the center of attention, it can feel strange to draw so much attention to myself.  This gathering was all family who know that I have the issue, but it was nice not to have to watch people enjoying food I like and not be able to indulge.  I don't know about you, but it makes me crazy!  There are times that there is so little that I can eat at a party that I am frustrated. 

Beware of the Veggie Burger

I recently decided to eat healthier in hopes that my Endometriosis, which recently started to rule my life, would in some way be less painful. The veggie burger seemed like a logical choice for me. 

Beware of the Veggie Burger Part I

I did not realize that the veggie burgers at the college cafeteria  have cheese and milk in them.  It was not until I ordered one at a college picnic and saw the obnoxious orange chunky protruding from the burger, that I questioned it. My friend the cafeteria worker, looked at the ingredients and we both were surprised.  Thankfully, someone in line in front of me took the burger so it did not go to waste.

Beware of the Veggie Burger part II

I was attending a concert and ordered a veggie burger for $5.00, there was a price for a veggie burger with cheese listed for $6.00 so I assumed I was safe ordering a veggie burger  .I was charged $5.00.  I sat down ate about half of it and realized it looked like the college barbeque reject burger. 

The Moral of the Story

Be careful and find out what is in your burger.

Note:Amy's frozen barbeque veggie burgers are dairy free and tasty. 

Digestive Advantage

I have been neglecting this blog since my Endometriosis has become so painful and unbearable that I can think of nothing else.

One thought...
If you are taking Lactaid pills with each meal, ask your health care provider about Digestive Advantage.  I love it.  It is easier to take one pill every day than many pills all day long.  However, my Endometriosis effects my bowel too, so it is hard to determine what works for me and what does not, but so far this one pill a day method is working.  Be sure to ask your doctor first though :) Good luck!

Being Lactose Intolerant is a daily challenge for me.  For those of you who do not know exactly what Lactose is, it’s a sugar that is present in dairy products like milk, cheese, and butter. As people age, sometimes their bodies stop making the enzymes necessary to tolerate Lactose resulting in awful bowel related issues.  It has been said that people stop producing this enzyme around 6 years old in some cases.

 I started to have symptoms when I was 23 years old but did not realize it was dairy related until I was 31.  I was mislead because I would eat ice cream and be fine the day I ate it, but be very uncomfortable and have diarrhea the next day.  I did not realize that foods stay in your system for a couple of days.  In my case the symptoms would last a day or two and I would blame a flu bug or something of the sort. 

It is easier to avoid lactose when you stay home because you can buy foods that are Lactose free but it is very difficult to avoid lactose at a social function.  Fortunately, there are Lactose free foods available at the grocery store. Unfortunately, it is very unlikely that the host of a party will be serving lactose free food.  I have gone to people’s homes and there was nothing I could eat.  It is very frustrating.  Even when people are aware of the problem, they tend to forget and put cheese and butter in everything served.  I find that I can tolerate a little butter if I take a Lactaid pill beforehand.  Sadly, the pills only work for small amounts of dairy and lasagna is a no-no unless I make it at home. So what's next?  I like to find creative ways to enjoy great foods.