Gluten Free is the way to be?

My Gluten dilemma
I'm giving some serious thought into going Gluten-Free or at least minimizing Gluten for about a month to see how many body reacts. I haven't been tested for a Gluten intolerance but I'm curious about the GF lifestyle. I am in no way minimizing the harsh realities of those living with Celiac's disease but I think it would be useful for me in my future career to know what life is like to go GF.

For Women
I also found some interesting articles that highlight a possible link between gluten sensitivity/intolerance and fertility issues. 
http://www.everydayhealth.com/blogs/the-/infertility-and-miscarriage-associated-with-gluten-sensitivity
http://www.gettingpregnantnow.org/Articles/Gluten_Allergy_and_Getting_Pregnant.html

How to go GF
Gluten is a protein found in grains such as Wheat, Rye, and Barley. It's what gives bread its wonderful texture (sigh..) I must avoid all products that contain these ingredients and others such as spelt, semolina, malt, kamut, etc...Oats are safe to eat but some oat products might be contaminated with wheat so make sure the product says "Gluten Free".

What I can eat

• fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices
• meats, fish, poultry
• quinoa, rice, millet, buckwheat, corn, corn meal, corn tortillas, soy
• Gluten-free flours (rice, soy, corn, potato, bean)
• nuts, raisins, seeds
• butter, cooking oils
• honey, jam,sugar, yeast
• whey powder- yay! made from milk so its acceptable
• dairy- milk, cottage cheese, cheese (unprocessed), creme fraiche

Some helpful links
http://www.celiac.com/
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/living-glutenfree-for-dummies-cheat-sheet.html
http://www.coeliac.org.uk/gluten-free-diet-lifestyle/the-gluten-free-diet
http://www.coeliac.org.uk/sites/files/coeliac/Gluten-free_Checklist_0.pdf

Back to FOOD

I had a protein smoothie yesterday afternoon to tide me over from teaching zumba to going to salsa class and then having a late dinner at almost 10 p.m.!! I don't recommend doing that but it just worked for the hubs and I last night. Into the vitamix:

• frozen berries
• almond milk
• agave nectar
• 1/2 a large banana
• ice
• scoop chocolate whey protein powder
• toppings: muesli, dark chocolate chips, crumble of 1 speculoos cookie (goodbye to speculoos on a GF diet!)

Dinner was SUPER tasty last night. T popped in a Waitrose beef with horseradish crumb topping into the oven and dinner was ready! He also made one mean homemade guacamole using my leftover mushrooms and onions as well as other crafty ingredients. It was ammazeballs!

the beef was good but I needed something on the side so I dipped it in steaksauce :-)

we also had some Waitrose ready made cous cous, leftover Mediterranean roasted vegetable pasta, and hummus with vegetables to dip.

GF breakfast this morning!

this almond milk is lightly sweetened by agave- its a really nice almond milk!

I happen to already be topping my protein smoothies with this wonderful tasting GF Muesli. I love Bakery on Main's different GF muesli's!

with sliced bananas on top. My breakfast was really sweet this morning.. not sure if I'm quite a fan but separately, I like all the ingredients.

sliced strawberries for a little fruit action.

Agenda: PUNCH class, study, teach Zumba, relax! I'm fortunate enough to be teaching a class tonight for a really great cause. A girl taking my class asked me if I would take part in a fundraising Zumba event for her climb up Kilimanjaro and I was honored she asked.
http://childreach.org.uk/challenge-events/climb-kilimanjaro-4-kids