WEEKLY RAMBLE/CHAT for MAR 7- 14 - Page 3

[evinmom]

Fish is a no go here as well. Okay so far it's soy, dairy, eggs, wheat, corn, peanut, tree nuts, and fish. Poor Everett. He's going to be just like big sis.

[carmel23]

Originally Posted by doclegs

You get Super Kudos from me!

PS... I love, love, love falafel. Yum!!

I'm still off of Dairy too. *sniffle* What I wouldn't give for a big dollop of sour cream on a baked potato right now!

have you tried nutritional yeast as a 'cheesy' substitute? OMG, it is so good, just sprinkle it on a potato, or pasta as 'cheese.' you can also make a really nasty vegan/ soy free cheese 'sauce' for mac and cheese... it it is really good just sprinkled on potatoes, maybe with a bit of olive oil for the fat. (and it has tons of vitamin Bs, all the folates, I think, and tons of protein)

Nutritional yeast and coconut milk icecream, earth balance (although it has soy, but I've heard there is a soy free version, but haven't see it ever...) got me through dairy/soy free. Egg replacer for baked goods.

evinmom, can you eat chashews or are those out too with the nuts?

[cloudbutterfly]

Originally Posted by doclegs

I'm still off of Dairy too. *sniffle* What I wouldn't give for a big dollop of sour cream on a baked potato right now!

Yum, I'll take one. I didn't eat much of anything today because every time I open the fridge, I'm confronted by a wall of cheese, yogurt and kefir. *sigh*

[nina_yyc]

Mandy - shout it from the rooftops! You're inspiring me.

[justmandy]

Originally Posted by carmel23

have you tried nutritional yeast as a 'cheesy' substitute? OMG, it is so good, just sprinkle it on a potato, or pasta as 'cheese.' you can also make a really nasty vegan/ soy free cheese 'sauce' for mac and cheese... it it is really good just sprinkled on potatoes, maybe with a bit of olive oil for the fat. (and it has tons of vitamin Bs, all the folates, I think, and tons of protein)

I've heard this, but never tried it. I'll be picking some up tomorrow. I also need to get some soy milk or tofu to make mayonase. It's funny. I thought I would die with out dairy and never thought of things I eat every day like tomatoes and mayonase. I think there's supposed to be am "i" in mayonase but can't figure it out and am too lazy to look it up.

The dinner had mixed reviews. The falafel ended up being my version of a food i've never had. They were good but I'm sure nothing like they are supposed to be. The kids liked the pita bread.

[ithappened]

I think we officially hit the 3month growth spurt the last two nights. major sleep regression and my nipples are sore for the first time.

[carmel23]

Originally Posted by justmandy

I've heard this, but never tried it. I'll be picking some up tomorrow. I also need to get some soy milk or tofu to make mayonase. It's funny. I thought I would die with out dairy and never thought of things I eat every day like tomatoes and mayonase. I think there's supposed to be am "i" in mayonase but can't figure it out and am too lazy to look it up.

have you tried veganaise? http://vegetarian.about.com/od/guide.../vegenaise.htm

[lalemma]

ItHappened, yet again we're on the same timeline! I think we're in the 12-week developmental leap, too. His nighttime sleep (knock wood) is still good, but there's so much less of it! And his daytime naps have really gone back to catnaps.

Weird question: sometimes when we've gone for a walk (or H. has been in his wrap for another reason for 30 minutes+) and I take him out of the wrap, he bursts into tears. My husband suggests that he basically has the baby version of when you sit in one position for a long time and then move. Any other ideas? Should I be repositioning him during his walk or anything?

[Tattooed Hand]

R does this too. I just thought it was losing the warm snuggly position.

We're doing some growth spurting too. Waking every 2 hours at night to eat and eating all day long. My nipples feel like chewed meat (it's doesn't help that R likes to started biting when she's done eating).

I am really low. We've had a bad week. I am now thinking that wheat is out. I need to try it again later because I ate some cross contaminated food by accident. DH does the grocery shopping because we have no car and I can't carry the baby and shopping (and plus, why should I have to do everything). But I just realized that I've been eating cross contaminated food for a couple of weeks now. Thanks, DH...

Anyway, it's been such a bad few weeks trying out foods, having bad reactions, trying to (unsucessfully) keep up with work. I don't even want to try dairy because I's rather do without than risk another bad few days I can't afford to lose.

So after a bad Tuesday, I had long standing plans to go see some grad school friends. And it was a disaster. R was fine for like 30 minutes and then after a friend held her (who clearly had no idea what she was doing) and R began complaining. Another friend (who has a kid) stepped in to take her and she went into a full nuclear meltdown and would not be consoled. I had to call my DH to come get us because she would not stop crying and cried herself hoarse for a full hour before I could get us home. It was awful and I have no idea what set her off - she was fine when we got home. Anyway, the comments I got from these people were really hurtful - "you used to be a freind, but I see you so seldom these days that you're like an acquaintance" (from someone who has not called once in the last few months) and "oops, sorry about the baby melting down, I guess this means I'll see you in 2011." With friends like these, who needs friends.

Anyway, it made me feel sad and depressed and alone this morning (I was too tired last night to have feelings). Sorry about the pity party, I try to stay positive and suceed most of the time, but not today.

[ithappened]

Tattooed Hand- can we have a pity party together. I read your whole post and have been feeling the same way Our friends here, all but one 'set' has pretty much gone MIA, not even a phone call since I gave birth.. its been really terrible. They are all in their 30s and allergic to kids it seems- its been really rough.. I keep thinking I should find mom groups but I've been too tired to even start looking.

Sore nipples and not sleeping just make it worse. I attempted a nap today and DS started to scream as soon as I closed my eyes.

Next week should be better right?

I wish I had something to say which could work as a pep talk but just know that you aren't alone- Im right here in it with you..

I'll say it again, I really wish we all lived close to eachother, I think it would be so much fun to have a 'mom group'.. this doing it alone thing sucks.

[doclegs]

Originally Posted by carmel23

have you tried nutritional yeast as a 'cheesy' substitute?

I have not, but I will now! I bet I can get it at Whole Foods, and we're heading there today anyway. Thank you for the tip!

Originally Posted by Tattooed Hand

Anyway, it made me feel sad and depressed and alone this morning (I was too tired last night to have feelings). Sorry about the pity party, I try to stay positive and suceed most of the time, but not today.

Momma.... sounds like a very frustrating day. Who does need friends like that?! And that, on top of everything else.... well, just

I agree with ithappened, I wish we were closer IRL so we could support each other and help out. After the initial "let's look at the cute baby for 30 minutes then leave" visits, I haven't had a call or email from friends in at least a month. Even my local "New Mom's Support Group" wasn't very supportive -- the few people I talked to there had older babies and weren't much interested in exchanging phone numbers. Except then I saw a couple of them exchanging numbers after the group... so maybe it was just me. Maybe I had a big booger hanging out of my nose? Or the fact I asked openly about PPD made me the pariah?

As with the diet stuff.... all I can say is it's a good thing I like squash.

[lalemma]

Tattooed Hand - someone kind of did that to me. She had a litany of complaints about how I had "abandoned" her. Strangely, I would consider us much less close friends than she apparently did, so I wound up suspecting that this just played into a story she tells about herself, that people are always mistreating and abandoning her. Maybe the case with your "pals"? (Either way, totally lame.)

I am totally not susceptible to anyone complaining about me not being a good enough friend/wife (not that my husband does that)/whatever at this point. This is the single hardest thing I have ever done, and I consider myself pretty tough. People are lucky that I get out of bed! I am not buying into any kvetching about how I should call them more often. I have a phone and they know where to find me.

[evinmom]

Originally Posted by doclegs

I have not, but I will now! I bet I can get it at Whole Foods, and we're heading there today anyway. Thank you for the tip

The best tasting nutritional yeast is Red Star. It is kinda expensive at Whole Foods. If you end up liking it, I suggest buying bulk online. You can get several pounds of it at once. A vegan friend of mine uses it in everything and goes through 5 lbs every couple of months. I bought 5 lbs of it 2 years ago and still have a bit left. LOL It's really good on popcorn. Oh how I miss popcorn....

evinmom, can you eat chashews or are those out too with the nuts?

Cashews are actually one of the more allergenic tree nuts. My DD was allergic to them as well. After the reactions to almonds, brazil nuts and walnuts, I think I'll skip trying any other tree nuts for a few years. Earth Balance does make a soy-free spread. Although it contains corn so if your baby is corn allergic like mine you can't have that either.

[evinmom]

Mana - If you want to avoid all cross contamination, I suggest you make all of your own mixed seasonings/spices as well. A lot of those contain soy or corn. I've been making a lot of curry, jerk, and mexican seasonings from scratch because of the soy problem.

about your friends. I don't think people who do not have children can possibly understand. After DD was born, I went MIA for 2 years due to severe PPD. I got a couple of calls that I just could not find the time or energy to return. Just last year I finally got around to getting back in touch with some friends. My childless friends definitely have no idea what I've been through, but all the same we were able to get right back to being friends again. That is what true friendship is. Those who will judge you and guilt trip you are not true friends.

[evinmom]

Everett has been up fussing off and on since 7:30am. He finally went down for a nap 10 minutes ago. Then just 2 minutes ago, DS1 and DD come running out of the playroom screaming/screeching at the top of their lungs. DD screams like a banshee. Now Everett is up fussing again. I have a headache. Somedays I wish they were in school.

[justmandy]

carmel, I have heard of veganaise. But I agree with what Di Lihn said about cross contamination and I'm reading Real Foods For Mother and Baby (or something like that) and am trying to make everything we eat from scratch. I was so surprised when I went onthe TED at how much processed food I really ate. I really want to change that.

I'm so sorry everyone is feeling so alone right now. Keep looking into mom's groups until you find a fit. Have you thought about looking for local MDCers?

[Tattooed Hand]

Nutritional Yeast! I will look into that. Of all the things, cheese is the thing I miss most.

I guess the diet is good for something - I am back into my prepreg clothes and have probably not eaten this healthy in my whole life. Though I do hit those Enjoy Life cookies pretty hard... still my stomach far is almost all gone, which is incredible. But should I worry about too much weight loss? I'm trying to eat fats but it's hard...

Yes, we found out the hard way that cashews are the most allergenic - think baby waking up at 5am in a dead scream and then projectile vomiting all over the place for hours. Her reaction was way less dramatic to almonds, for instance.

About friends, I took a proactive approach and just responded to an email from one freind from last night saying "what did you mean by that comment, that you miss me, or something else?" He said he missed me so I invited him over tomorrow evening for some tea. Even though I should be working, this will make me feel better (well, that and a week of sleep, but, in the words of the great Mick Jagger, you can't always get what you want.)

I also just flat out told my mom I was worried about the visit and that I had a hard week and I wanted to come home and crawl into MY mommy's arms and cry. I think that made her feel mushy and that the visit should go OK. I feel less anxious, at least.

Thanks for letting me vent, ladies!

[carmel23]

Originally Posted by evinmom

The best tasting nutritional yeast is Red Star. It is kinda expensive at Whole Foods. If you end up liking it, I suggest buying bulk online. You can get several pounds of it at once. A vegan friend of mine uses it in everything and goes through 5 lbs every couple of months. I bought 5 lbs of it 2 years ago and still have a bit left. LOL It's really good on popcorn. Oh how I miss popcorn....




Cashews are actually one of the more allergenic tree nuts. My DD was allergic to them as well. After the reactions to almonds, brazil nuts and walnuts, I think I'll skip trying any other tree nuts for a few years. Earth Balance does make a soy-free spread. Although it contains corn so if your baby is corn allergic like mine you can't have that either.

that is a bummer, I was thinking that since cashews are seeds they might be okay. to you. that is so hard. I have no problem going without dairy... but love eggs. We avoid soy, but I have to eat nuts! I hope your little guys sleeps better soon (like how about now!)

there is a really good cashew 'creamy' dip you can make that is dairy free...

[carmel23]

Originally Posted by justmandy

carmel, I have heard of veganaise. But I agree with what Di Lihn said about cross contamination and I'm reading Real Foods For Mother and Baby (or something like that) and am trying to make everything we eat from scratch. I was so surprised when I went onthe TED at how much processed food I really ate. I really want to change that.

I'm so sorry everyone is feeling so alone right now. Keep looking into mom's groups until you find a fit. Have you thought about looking for local MDCers?

I have to echo Mandy's suggestion about finding other mom's through MDC. It may seems weird, but I have met the best mom friend's through MDC. People who *I* like and want to hang out with, not just because we happen to have kids the same age.

yeah, I don't eat mayo at all, but my DH likes vegenaise. Scratch cooking is the best, although it takes so much time!

[carmel23]

the loss of friends without kids is so difficult. I'm shocked at how allergic to new life people are, even those who are so 'open minded.'
You would think that they were never kids, that they somehow sprung from their father's heads, fully formed.

One of my friends made a comment about how 'having children didn't harm my intellect,' and I swear I almost punched him.

But at the same time, I have a lot of friends who love my children as their own, and are like aunties and uncles to them. These are the real friends.