The Beginning

This blog is about my new life, on about 10 different foods, and what that means for me.

I haven't started my new diet, yet. I just found out from my doc on Tuesday how critical it is for me to be strict about my diet. No cheating. Ever. So, I decided I needed a few days to wrap my head around it...and CHEAT. A lot. I'm eating everything I'm not supposed to, except gluten. That allergy is too serious. The rest, I can get away with for a couple of days. I'll start the diet on Tuesday, when I'm back at work.

I think I want to rename it, though. It's not a "diet." It's a new way of living. It's the new me. I had my pity party this week about losing so many foods I enjoy. I have a fabulous friend, (foodallergyqueen.com) Kishari, who is going to help me think up recipes with foods I can actually still eat.

I'll post my recipes. I'll post my frustrations. I'll post my triumphs. I'm hoping there are far more triumphs than frustrations. I've been through enough in the past 12 years. It's time for the triumphs.

Along with this diet, I'm embarking upon a new lifestyle with workouts, too. Gone are the days of running races and kickboxing (at least for awhile), and the years of couch-potatoing from being too fatigued. Now, it's thai chi, qi gong and meditation (flow) yoga. Along with the allergies, I also have fibromyalgia. These exercises will help with the extreme pain and fatigue and strength I've lost.

It'll be a whole new me. Still irreverent. Still bratty. Still smiling. And, maybe, just maybe, a lot happier and at peace in my own body.

So, feel free to watch. Comment. Laugh with me. Laugh at me. Enjoy my recipes...or not. If you are also one with allergies or illnesses that limit you, and you've found ways around it or through it, feel free to comment about what has worked for you.

Thanks for being here.

Strictly Sandi

PS - My friend Elaine gets the credit for the name Strictly Sandi. It's an awesome name. Thanks, Elaine!