This month marks the 3 year blogiversary for Sing For Your Supper. Pretty exciting, if I do say so! 3 years of good food, lots of growing and learning and lots of truly wonderful readers. It’s amazing to look back and see how far I’ve come since April 2008- my pictures don’t entirely suck anymore, I’ve learned a thing or two about food styling/plating, and I’ve made SO many amazing friends. That’s something to celebrate. I was planning on making a big, gaudy, overdone cake with gobs and gobs of buttercream frosting. Sounds great, right? Unfortunately for me, it actually doesn’t.
See, there’s actually something about me that I’ve never shared with you because I like to keep my blog perky and sunshine-y. But there’s a part of my life that definitely is NOT sunshine-y. For over 5 years now, I’ve dealt with something that has controlled my life. I get sick all the time. I won’t go into detail because this is after all, a food blog; but let’s just say it encompasses all degrees of being sick- both trashcan and toilet. Sometimes I black out. Most times I throw up. But every single time I’m completely miserable for at least a day or two; sometimes a week. And poor Joel has had to put up with me. I feel like every other week he was nursing me on top of taking care of everything else while I was sick in bed. It sucks. This has been my life for 5 years. You may (or may not) have noticed that I haven’t been posting quite as frequently as I normally like to. To be honest, I haven’t cooked. I haven’t baked. I haven’t taken much pleasure in food lately because it always ends up making me sick. I hate to be sick. And no, I don’t have a disease or terminal illness (thank the good Lord), that’s not the problem. The problem is food. Food is the enemy. Or, I guess I should say food was the enemy.
We’ve pretty much figured out that I’m lactose-intolerant. If you know me at all you know how dear cheese is to me (I get cheese in my Christmas stocking, for heaven’s sake!). Cheese, milk, sour cream, butter…all of it. I ADORE dairy. But it definitely does not adore me. In fact, most times, it makes me feel like I’m going to die! Ugh! The pain, nausea and sheer discomfort is too much to bear. So I’ve cut it out. No more cheese. I was sulking and drowning in my sorrows for awhile. I mean, how UNFAIR is it for someone who loves cheese as much as I do to have a dairy intolerance?! But I sat down and really thought about what that would mean for my life- no more headaches, no more unexplained sickness in the middle of the night, no more scrutinizing over every piece of food I eat, no more worrying. As the bigger picture came into focus, a huge, heavy weight was lifted off my shoulders. That’s a pretty good feeling. So I “put on my big girl pants” and dealt with it.
The verdict? I. Feel. Amazing. I have a life again. I know it sounds a wee bit dramatic (and I’ll admit that I’m guilty of an occasional over-dramatization now and then), but I’m being 100% real and drama-free with you- my life has changed forever and I’m thrilled. Sure, I miss my beloved cheese like there’s no tomorrow and a little piece of me dies (ok, now I’m being dramatic) when I walk past the Blue Bell section of the grocery store, but I’ll be danged if it ain’t worth it! 😉
So, there you have it. That’s the real truth about what’s been going on around here. And as for that big, gaudy, overdone cake…I’ll get around to it, I promise! Nothing is going to change here at Sing For Your Supper, so don’t worry. Although I’m definitely going to be testing and trying some new dairy-free recipes to share with my lactose-intolerant readers (I know you’re out there!)- which is actually something I’m really, really looking forward to. Thanks so much for celebrating this 3 year blogiversary with me. I know I didn’t post a happy-go-lucky recipe with beautiful photos and a couple of care-free paragraphs, but to me, this blogiversary has meant so much more! I love sharing my real life with you and am so fortunate to have readers who are so supportive and encouraging! Here’s to 3 more (dairy-free!) fantastic years! Cheers!
You’re right, Marjaana- there are so many of us here in the US who are LI, we should definitely demand more products!
[Reply]
Comment by amy — May 2, 2011 @ 12:48 PM
Happy Blogiversary!
I’m lactose intolerant too. Although, I can have some dairy before all hell breaks loose (you KNOW what I am talking about). I have found that I can substitute soy & almond milk in recipes calling for milk and everything works out just fine.
Do some research on soy. I’ve tried to cut drastically back on that and substitute with almond milk because I read some very interesting things about the effects that it has (particularly on women). Of course I also use lactose free milk. My favorite is Smart Balance. It is fat free and lactose free but it tastes more like 2% milk. The best part is that those people LOVE to give out coupons so I can get it for $.50 a carton after coupon pretty regularly. It also has a waaaaaay extended expiration date so I get several cartons.
Anyway, just some tips from a veteran.
p.s. Borden (not sure if you have them in your ares) and Lactaid make lactose free CHEESE.
p.p.s. The process of making yogurt turns lactose (evil) into lactic acid (which we can process) so even lactos intolerant people can have yogurt! Look into it yourself just to be on the safe side but I always wondered why yogurt didn’t make me sick so I did some research and voila!
[Reply]
MrsD05 Reply:
May 2nd, 2011 at 4:25 PM
and for goodness sakes look at all those typos I made! ugh!
[Reply]
amy Reply:
May 2nd, 2011 at 4:36 PM
Thanks so much, Jenny! I didn’t know that about yogurt! Hallelujah! 😉 I will most definitely look for all of these things- especially the Borden lactose-free cheese!
[Reply]
Comment by MrsD05 — May 2, 2011 @ 4:24 PM
Lactaid makes cream cheese. I’ve never tried it though.
[Reply]
Comment by MrsD05 — May 2, 2011 @ 4:27 PM
I’m sorry to hear that–you sure did a good job of hiding your ailments, I never would’ve guessed! Thankfully there is still SO MUCH you can eat and I have no doubt you’ll keep making and creating wonderful meals!
[Reply]
Comment by natalie (the sweets life) — May 3, 2011 @ 2:56 PM
I feel your pain. Literally. I found out I was lactose intolerant 3 years ago. I’ve found that for me it’s like a roller coaster. Some weeks I can’t eat any dairy at all, other weeks I’m fine. Like right now, I haven’t taken a Lactaid pill in weeks and haven’t really been watching my dairy intake.
I’ve also found that my body does just fine with hard cheeses and goat and sheep milk products. Cream cheese and ice cream are my worst enemies. Luckily there are so many products to avoid dairy, we’re lucky. I can’t imagine being LI ten or twenty years ago.
I have a Goat Cheese tag in my blog and a Lactose Intolerant Friendly tag as well if you want to see some things I’ve posted.
Best of luck as you learn how to deal with LI in your own way. It’s definitely a never ending journey.
[Reply]
Comment by Jen @ BeantownBaker.com — May 4, 2011 @ 9:28 PM
Happy blogiversary !!!
The 29th was my “blog’s birthday” too !!
[Reply]
Comment by Anna — May 5, 2011 @ 11:19 AM
Happy blogiversary girl! I’m sorry to hear about your lactose intolerance but I am so glad that you’re feeling better! You’re so optimistic and happy, I love it! Keep it up! 🙂
[Reply]
Comment by Lindsey @ Hot Polka Dot — May 5, 2011 @ 11:49 PM
Happy blogiversary! Thanks for sharing this intimate part of your life. Hang in there, glad you are feeling better! (Love your blog whether you post frequently or not.) 🙂
[Reply]
Comment by Nikki (Pennies on a Platter) — May 6, 2011 @ 9:50 AM
Amy! No need to apologize for your “picture-free” post — blogs are for sharing your LIFE (of which “food” is only a part.) It’s good to shake things up now and then. 🙂
So sorry to hear about your tummy troubles, but I’m glad you finally know the cause — sounds like you’re making informed decisions!
Looking forward to year FOUR of Sing For Your Supper — CONGRATULATIONS!
Your friend,
Kim (aka Kimby)
[Reply]
Comment by Kimby — May 7, 2011 @ 5:26 PM
Oh my dear! I totally sympathize as a dairy lover/lactose intolerant lady myself. I’m sure I’m not telling you anything haven’t already heard from you amazing readers, but I went through every kind of milk substitute (Rice milk, soy milk, almond dream, ect), and found that I liked the lacaid milk best. It’s a little thicker than normal milk, so since I usually drank 2%, the skim lactaid is perfect. I can cook with it and nobody else who eats it can tell. I know there is lactose free ice cream out there, but maybe you could even make it yourself with the lactaid milk too.
I also use the lactaid pills when I eat out, because you just never know what someone’s going to put into your food. I also use it when I break down and just have to have a slice of pizza, or whatever.
I manage a GI practice (ha!) so I get tons of inside info on lactose intolerance. My doc told me that it’s a cow issue, and that some LI folks (including myself) cannot tolerate red meat easily either. sigh. Although the good news is that goat cheese is no problem!!
I started reading your blog when you were doing Project Food Buzz, and I’ve loved every bit of it since! Congrats on your 3 year milestone! Just think, now you have a whole new world of things to blog about, and I will be anxiously awaiting your lactose free recipes! If you want to try out my favorite lactose free recipe, check out my post for Coke Chicken: http://lizzandlittlebit.wordpress.com/2011/01/20/coke-chicken/
Good Luck, and I’m glad that you’re feeling better!
[Reply]
Comment by Lizz — May 9, 2011 @ 6:28 PM
Hi Amy. I just came over your amasing blog.. Love it. I also have a laktose problem, do not as bad as you. I have found many substitute products, such as non-laktose cream (both vippingcream and foodcream), non laktose cremacheese, vanillacream etc. I live in Norway, and I asume there is much more products in the States then here.. So good luck hunting them down.. 🙂
Best wishes Trude
[Reply]
Comment by Trude — May 26, 2011 @ 4:16 AM
I am realizing I’m a little late to this party, but I must say Congrats… On the 3 years, and a big BOO to the lactose intolerance. I must admit, I found out that I have the same thing… I found out in the middle of my first full-term pregnancy, when my favorite foods were cereal with lots of milk, and fiesta ranch dip with carrots. This wasn’t easy on me to say the least, but there’s help out there…. I know you’ve heard the suggestions, and have probably heard of this but there are Lactaid pills that you take when you eat any type of dairy products… They work like magic, bringing back your favorite foods with out the sickening after mass. I hope you have tried them, without them my meals would be boring. And needless to say, it’s good to know now, because it’s hereditary. I should’ve known long before I did.. signs showed when I was 6.. EEK.. better late than never I suppose.. My dad has it, my sister has it (along w/ a soy allergy), and when my children were younger they suffered from it as well. So when babies come along, and the doctor tells you it reflux.. which is the usual response… change the formula to lactose free first then try soy… I just thought I’d share what I know, a heads up for the future so to speak.. Best Wishes.
~Brooklyn Brandenburg
[Reply]
amy Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 2:00 PM
Thanks so much, Brooklyn! I really appreciate that! 🙂
[Reply]
Comment by Brooklyn B — June 1, 2011 @ 8:49 PM
Happy (belated) anniversary!
In regards to the lactose intolerance- don’t let it stop you! My husband was dianosed lactose intolerant 2 years ago and while the transition was tough, it’s no longer a burden. We’ve found so many great dairy alternatives. Lactaid milk, tofutti cream cheese and sour cream, veggie cheeses, and much more. I can now substitute almost any dairy product and still have great results. It takes a little getting used to, but we definitely indulge in faux “cheesy” meals and love it. Best of luck! 🙂
[Reply]
Comment by Vanessa — June 8, 2011 @ 7:58 PM
Happy blogiversary (much belated)! I have to say, I completely know how you feel! For 10 years, I suffered with symptoms I’m sure you are more than familiar, plus several others, which also affected my moods. Nevertheless, I found out last August that I have Celiac disease, so my blog has turned into a gluten free one because of that (that is if I return to posting). Anyway, I’m so happy for you that you finally know what’s been making you ill as I can completely relate to how horrible that feels. So happy for you! And congrats on your pregnancy!
[Reply]
Comment by Krista — June 19, 2011 @ 1:54 PM