No more moping.

Last week I was handed some good news and some bad news. I had suspected for quite some time that I was allergic to more than just gluten. I was right.

In fact, out of 394 foods I was tested for, I ended up being allergic to 19 including all dairy, soy, garlic, tomatoes, egg whites, shrimp... oh, just everything I was used to eating. While some of these foods will just have to stay out of my diet for 3 months (then we'll re-test them), several others have gotten the boot permanently.
Goodbye cheese...
Goodbye yeast...
I loved you, but you didn't love me back.

This weekend I found myself in the same rut I'd been in several months ago when first discovering my gluten allergy. To be honest, I was moping. Feeling sorry for myself. Hungry. Jealous of my friends (and husband) who could enjoy a slice of pizza or a bagel slathered in cream cheese without even thinking about it. I'd be the girl who just ordered an apple and water for breakfast because it was the only choice.

On Saturday, I roamed the aisles of Whole Foods and studied nutrition labels on every box I picked up, always disappointed when I couldn't find a single thing to put in my cart (other than basic produce, of course). I came home with a few items, but spent most of the weekend moping during meal times, asking Shawn if I could just smell what he was eating (and always being turned down). :)

But on Sunday afternoon, I consciously turned a corner. I thought to myself, "If I'm allergic to 19 foods, that means there were 375 foods I was tested for that I was not allergic to." And I set out to find them to create a yummy, healthy, satisfying allergy-free dinner for us.

The menu: Oven-roasted salmon on a bed of spring mix with goat cheese (I'm still allowed to have that!), sauteed pumpkin seeds, avocado, and a lemon-oil dressing.

We were two tired, but happy, campers.

This one played hard in his first soccer game of the season. I was so proud.

This one stopped moping.

Proud of her, too.

We watched the sun set and felt the air cool and savored each bite, dwelling on God's goodness poured out lavishly on us.

Even though you may read this post and think, "Gosh, I'm glad that doesn't apply to me," I think there's something in this story for all of us. We are all prone to covet, whether it be someone else's bagel or someone else's home. We are all prone to be dissatisfied with what we've been given. It is so easy to forget the thousands of blessings we have been given and chase after the few that God has withheld. Perhaps He's withheld them for a reason. Perhaps they'll hurt us. Whatever the case, one thing I've learned is that gratitude kills discontentment faster than anything. Oh, and gratitude is a choice... a choice that brings true freedom.

"For godliness with contentment is great gain." - 1 Timothy 6:6