Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Being Thankful...
I was going to write about something else today. However, as I was looking through my photos of food from the weekend, I realized I had something more important to say. We made it an easy food weekend so we could hang out with our family that came to visit...


finger foods of freshly roasted chicken, fresh vegetables, freshly baked rolls and fresh fruit...


the thoughts that came to my mind...


I feel so lucky to be able to eat these things...


our family has so many things we can't have...


but gosh, I feel so fortunate to be able to eat what I can...


freshly baked gluten and dairy free dinner rolls...


led to the brainstorm of my sister-in-law asking if I could make them in the morning with cinnamon and raisins...


with glaze for some...


Franks Red Hot, I love you! You complete my salads...


Dessert of every fruit we could get our hands on...


cantaloup with orange zest is so good!


my belly was beyond happy. 

We all talk about food all the time. I just wanted to take a minute and say how much I appreciate being able to eat such amazing things. It's easy to get down about food when you can't have certain things. Ask Max (my 11 year old), he went off wheat a week and a half ago. You don't really realize what you would miss until you can't have it. I have found that focusing on what you can have and truly appreciating it helps you get through these food restrictions. 

What's something you are appreciative of? It doesn't have to be food, but obviously food was on my mind... 



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posted by Sarena Shasteen - The Non-Dairy Queen @ 6:00 AM  
17 Comments:
  • At July 11, 2012 at 7:11 AM, Blogger Cotter Crunch said…

    i agree. we are fortunate to be able to make delicious recipes as well. I am thankful for you because you provide them. No missing out!

     
  • At July 11, 2012 at 7:36 AM, Anonymous Amy B @ Second City Randomness said…

    Yay for hot sauce!!!

    I think you guys have done such an amazing job finding out how to fill a table with so many restrictions. There's no time for "woe is me" because you are too busy coming up with the next amazing recipe or side dish. I love it!

     
  • At July 11, 2012 at 7:43 AM, Anonymous Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table said…

    What a great spread! Yes, there is much to be thankful for. It looks like tose rolls with the glaze are a good place to start. :)

    Happy Hump Day!

     
  • At July 11, 2012 at 8:34 AM, Blogger Heather Iacobacci-Miller said…

    Awesome perspective. I have seen my sister have to give up so many things she used to love. But the idea of realizing that you're lucky to still be able to eat such wonderful things (especially when you're an awesome cook/baker) that's important to remember. And I'm thankful for friends like you who take the time to look at the positives.

     
  • At July 11, 2012 at 8:46 AM, Anonymous Anna @ On Anna's Plate said…

    I've been thinking about how thankful I am too, lately. Ryan and I are so lucky to have so much time in the summer with our jobs-- I'm really SO thankful that we've BOTH had the summer as a chance to get to know Lila-- and to get to know each other as parents!!

    Lovely food!!

     
  • At July 11, 2012 at 9:44 AM, Anonymous Claire said…

    I am always grateful for my health and the health of those I love. Even though, there are foods we can't eat, we are happy and healthy. :)

     
  • At July 11, 2012 at 10:05 AM, Anonymous Julie O. said…

    I love this post. Great point. Lately I have been having a hard time with my food restrictions (I'm 8 months pregnant and so have to be especially vigilant about staying away from dairy, eggs, and peanuts), and your perspective is such a good one. I ate a vegan blueberry muffin for breakfast and it was great, and I need to focus on the fact that there are great vegan blueberry muffins, not that I can't eat a regular one. Thanks for this post today.

     
  • At July 11, 2012 at 12:18 PM, Blogger gfe--gluten free easily said…

    Such a great point, Sarena! It truly is when we can look at all we have and not what we've given up that we can thrive living free (of gluten, dairy, whatever we need to eliminate in our diets). I'll be sharing this one, dear--thank you!

    xo,
    Shirley

     
  • At July 11, 2012 at 12:55 PM, Anonymous Paige @ Running Around Normal said…

    Oh me oh my those dinner rolls :) I'd be thankful for those! ;)
    I'm thankful today that my husband was 100% supportive of all the career changes I've been making lately.
    Great post, girl! :)

     
  • At July 11, 2012 at 12:59 PM, Anonymous Kathryn @ Mamacado said…

    Good reminder to all of us! I'm thankful that despite my son's food allergies, he's still a healthy and happy little boy who eats so many other healthy things. Hopefully I can teach him to think this way as he grows older.

     
  • At July 11, 2012 at 1:29 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    what a great spread! i love when family is in town, especially when the cooking is done and you don't have to worry! i'm thankful for my family and friends...life wouldn't be the same without them!

     
  • At July 11, 2012 at 5:38 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Yum! Looks like a delicious summery spread!

    I'm appreciative of my fiance and my family for supporting me through everything, not running away with shame when I get good news and happy dance in the middle of a grocery store and don't think I'm crazy when I take on yet another job :P

     
  • At July 11, 2012 at 8:44 PM, Anonymous Heather @ Better With Veggies said…

    Since I've chosen not to eat dairy, eggs, or meat, maybe it doesn't apply, but I still understand! There are times where I think about a food that I'll never have, and then I realize all the amazing food I have discovered and how awesome it is. It's so easy for us to think about the "can't" instead of focusing on the "can" - a great reminder today!

     
  • At July 12, 2012 at 3:03 AM, Anonymous STUFT Mama said…

    Um... I would like to come over and hang out with your family and eat all of your good food. Okay? :) I love this outlook Sarena. We do talk food alot and not very often are we just thankful for being able to nourish our bodies with good food. :)

     
  • At July 12, 2012 at 10:15 PM, Anonymous Kristina said…

    I love this perspective, Sarena! I am often humbled and grounded by the blessings I do have, they are many. Some people eye roll and say I'm not being real because I won't talk about my issues and diagnoses, but I prefer to not be labeled by that and prefer to put positive vibes out there!

    I love that this is how you see as well - people could complain or focus on the NOT. there are so many GOOD things available to focus on, and Franks is absolutely one of them!

     
  • At July 12, 2012 at 11:43 PM, Anonymous Kim-Cook It Allergy Free said…

    I love this post! You are just so right. Even with many foods that we cannot eat, there are just so many amazing healthy ones that we can!! I am so grateful as well! Sometimes I think these food issues were the best thing that ever happened to our family! :)

     
  • At July 13, 2012 at 5:43 PM, Anonymous purelytwins said…

    love your message with this post, as it is so true! I am so grateful and blessed with what I am able to do in life and what foods I can enjoy!!! always such a great reminder to sit down and enjoy it all!
    hugs
    ~Lori

     
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Sarena Shasteen - The Non-Dairy Queen
Home: Atlanta, GA, United States
About Me: Lactose Challenged
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