10 Days Milk Free

We saw the allergist last Friday and a milk/soy allergy was ruled out by pricking Rowan's arm in 5 places. I am not sure what kind of quack-doctor invented the torture devices that are used for allergy testing, but I would be willing to bet the doctor was NOT a mother. He screamed as the doctor broke his skin in 5 places on his forearm. I wanted to cry along with him but, I stayed strong and pinned his arm down like a good (bad?) mommy. I am very glad that he doesn't seem to be allergic but he could still have a sensitivity. As such, I am still on the milk/soy free diet until the 15th of December or so when I start re-introducing them back into my diet. If he reacts poorly to the milk or soy, I will go off them again for at least another month and try again later. The diet has been good for my weight loss (I am down to 164lbs) but I am very hungry all the time. It is very time consuming and difficult to eat this way. I would kill for chocolate or a big fat piece of cheese cake right now. But, like I said in my last blog entry, the diet is worth it if he feels better and so far, he seems to be very good. Here are a few changes we have noticed since I went off the milk/soy (which by the way is in EVERYTHING):

• Only 3-4 poops per day
• Poops are less runny
• Poops do not cause him any distress. In fact, the grunting and groaning has been reduced substantially
• Less gas overall
• He has slept over 8 hours straight at night
• His demenour is a lot more cheerful
• His nose isn't as stuffy
• His skin doesn't seem as rashy
  

So far the Organics name brand by PC seems to be the safest bet when shopping even though I am reluctant to by anything "organic" simply out of principal. Doesn't anyone find it strange that eating "organic" is a big craze when all food is organic? I mean hell, who is eating a chunk of lead or steel anyhow? Yes, I know-- "organic" is supposed to mean chemical-free among other things. But, it DOES NOT in all cases. It means that there are no man-made pesticides/fungicides/insectices on the food. Guess what, some of the naturally occurring "ides" are worse for you than any of the synthetics and they are being sprayed all over crops these days. How else do you think you get a fresh strawberry in the middle of a Canadian winter???. I believe in buying local. I believe in buying free-range because of the cruelty to animals but I do not believe in paying a premium just because the word "organic" has been attached to the goods. Yes, some "organics" might be better for you, but some may not. I have to admit that the "Organics" name brands seems to be made of less ingredients (and appears to be closer to the "Source") than most other brands but I'd be a fool to believe that the ingredients were not grown with some form of chemical treatment. "Organic"="Ergonomic"= Potential YARN as in Wool-over-your-eyes.

Who says I am not opinionated? Oh, and of course there is the whole argument that we should want some of our foods to be sprayed with chemicals because they prevent nasty toxin-releasing-moulds from growing. Things like peanuts need chemicals otherwise you might be ingesting carcinogens such as aflotoxin. If you don't believe me, look it up. Nature is better at chemical making than man that is for sure. Now, if only we could harness the super-glue made by water dwelling creatures--that would be something I would pay a premium for!