I'm going to try to eat sugar, gluten, dairy, and caffeine free for the month of June. Starting this Sunday. I'm going to try to blog about the whole experience, how it effects me, my nursling 6 month old, and the family, and anything else.

I have never limited what I eat on a daily basis. The closest I've gotten was before my wedding I tried to eat just salads for lunch occasionally. I guess I've always had this complex system of withholding and rewards though, like if I finish this sinkful of dishes I can have a cookie; after I put the kids to bed I can eat ice cream. I have never ever gone on a diet, because within moments my desire for something specific to eat overwhelms me and I convince myself that I deserve it.

I have had a long relationship with sugar. Not a day goes by without some kind of cookie or candy. Same with bread, it's part of my blood, heheh. I was at a dinner lately where a woman mentioned how clear headed she felt since being off gluten since November. The thought wormed in that I want to try avoiding certain foods to see how it can change me. I'm a very tired person. Yes, I do have a baby and a toddler and sleep deprivation plays a role. But my health has also been really shitty for the past two years, and I want to see if this will make a difference.

I'm blogging about it because it will hold me accountable, because the desire to post about my success will keep me from cheating. I'm also fully prepared to put caffeine back into the game if necessary. Because I don't have a problem abusing caffeine the way I do with sugar (only one cup of coffee a day and occasional sips of dh's mexican cokes). And I'm too interested in seeing what avoiding gluten does to the system, as well as dairy. But caffeine, I feel that realistically with a baby and toddler I just might need my cup of joe back. Only without the sugar or cream, so that'll be something to consider. (bitter hot bean juice... instead of the creamy sweetness I'm used to.)

I'm gearing up by making lists of foods so I feel that I have options when I get hungry. My bread cookbook has a section on gluten free breads, so if I get those ingredients I can try to make that. And I know that this food will be waiting for me on the other side of June, just as it's always been around.

If you think of any helpful resources, please do send them my way. Wish me luck, I'll be back to post about it.