Eat, Drink and Be Merry!

Bonjour!  (And, that is the extent of the "non dirty" words I remember from French class!)
But, anyways...Last week, we found out that our poor little Hogan has a milk protein allergy, and more than likely a Soy allergy.  How did we find this out? He had blood in his poop!  BLOOD!  I was on the verge of a mommy panic breakdown, guys! I called our pediatrician and assumed that she would tell me to rush him to the ER, ASAP!  But....she just calmly said that he probably just has a milk protein allergy, and as long as he has no fever, his tummy isn't hard, and he is acting normal, it wasn't anything to worry about immediately, and to bring him in the next day to her office.  PHEW!

I took him in the next day, she examined him and took a look at the poopy diaper, and said that it looked to be what she thought.  She said that if I wanted to keep breastfeeding, I would have to cut out dairy (Casien & Whey) as well as Soy (to be on the safe side). If not...I could give him this formula that costs $36 a can!  I LOVE breastfeeding my son, so naturally I decided to cut dairy and soy from my diet so I could continue to breastfeed him.  I thought that it would be a piece of cake to find foods without dairy and soy in them...and generally it is. But it is insane to see where they sneak soy and dairy in!  Like tortillas!  I can't even eat 3/4 of the food in our house right now.  I need to go grocery shopping.  Also, my sweet tooth is running overtime from breastfeeding, and everything that I want has butter, or milk, or cream, or soy in it.  I found some peanut butter without soybean oil in it and tonight I ate a spoonful out of the jar just to curb my sweet tooth.  Haha. Don't get me wrong, I am so totally happy to do this for Hogan.  I just didn't think it would be like this.  I thought it would be easy peasy to give up just like that, but it's not so much.  I have been looking for recipes for Paleo foods and have had a decent amount of luck, even some cookies and stuff that I can make for when my sweet tooth tempts me. (Just to be clear. I'm not all about the Paleo "Eat only (mostly) meat and veggies!" train of thought, they just have some yummy looking recipes that, say, substitute butter with coconut milk...etc.I'm just looking at Paleo foods for inspiration, and ideas)

This time of year is especially tempting to my sweet tooth.  I made the mistake of going to a candy & cookie making party with my mom, aunts and grandma...Never has my will power been tested so greatly!  We made fudge, and caramels, and cookies, and turtles before I finally had to just leave. Haha.  I will admit I had one bite of fudge, and I licked my finger after I was done dipping turtles....and felt like a total asshole for it!    So now I have cookies and fudge and caramels sitting on top of my fridge waiting to be set out tomorrow night at our Christmas party and they have been mocking me all day...but I have not given in!  I WON'T give in!  I will beat my addiction to sweets! 

On the up side...this has forced me to take a better look at what I use to fuel my body.  Instead of grabbing a pop tart for breakfast, I eat a banana, or an apple with peanut butter, or make an egg.  I found a coconut milk creamer for my coffee (Thank You!), and am finding that chocolate coconut milk is WAY nummier than chocolate cow's milk...and better for me too.

And Now for Something Completely Different: (Thank you Monty Python!)

As stated earlier, our Christmas party is tomorrow (Saturday) night!!!  I have wanted to have one since we got married but we haven't had the space (in our last home) or the time (since we moved) until this year!  I am so stinking excited!  We have about 20 people coming- that I know of.  I am making some yummy food (most of which, I can't eat, haha) and hot cocoa,(for which I made peppermint Vodka for) egg nog, champagne punch, and regular punch (for the kiddos :D) As well as a stocked bar for people to choose a beverage from. I really hope everyone has a good time and can take home some fun stories.  Last time we hosted a party the last of the crowd filtered out at about 2:30AM after a rousing tournament of Mario Kart.  I am hoping that things don't last quite that long this time, just because Hogan will be sleeping, but if they do, as long as nobody gets too rambunctious it should be fine.

Well I have rambled on quite long enough!  Have a beautiful weekend everyone!



 
In Strength, Love & Faith, Thanks for Reading, Charity