Gluten free lunches for the kiddo

I said that I would write a post about Veda's gluten free school lunches, so here it is!  There are some days that weren't pictured because taking a picture of my daughters lunch wasn't always easy for my groggy eyes at 7am haha!

So here we go..

First gluten free school lunch:

2 boiled eggs

sliced cuc's

carrot sticks

mozzarella cheese

rolled gf ham slices

1 tablespoon gf organic ranch dressing

*not pictured is her water bottle*

Luckily Veda loves a variety of food and loves being the girl with the strange lunch.

Day 2:

Veda said she was still hungry after the last lunch so today I added more (growing kid!).

1 Lara bar

celery sticks

carrot sticks

1 tablespoon gf organic ranch dressing

rolled gf turkey and ham slices

mozzarella cheese

popcorn

*bottle of ice water not pictured*

Day 3: 

2 boiled eggs

carrot sticks

sliced apples 

(submerge the slices in cold lightly salted water, it keeps them from browning)

side of peanut butter

gf pretzels

*bottle of ice water not pictured*

Day 4:

ham sandwich on Udi's gf bread

gf pretzels (usually eaten as a snack in class)

sliced apples

celery sticks

peanut butter

*bottle of ice water not pictured*

Day 5:

I know what you're thinking..more boiled eggs?  Well, my kid LOVES them, so it's all good.

2 boiled eggs lightly salted

organic apple sauce

sliced cuc's

mozzarella cheese

1 tablespoon gf organic ranch dressing

gf pretzels for her class snack

*bottle of ice water not pictured*

Day 6:

popcorn

rolled gf ham slices

cheddar cheese sticks

red bell pepper slices

cantaloupe

*bottle of ice water not pictured*

Day 7:

Today Veda asked for crunchy snacks to snack on while they take their state tests.  Thus, the extra food.

organic applesauce

gf crackers

ham sandwich on Udi's gf bread

blueberries

green olives (we call them frog eyes)

carrot sticks

*bottle of ice water not pictured*

Day 8:

Again, extra food because she had state testing and wanted extra snacks.

yogurt

carrot sticks

hummus

grapes

cheddar cheese sticks

rolled gf ham slices

gf crackers

*bottle of ice water not pictured*

Veda's cute little lunch all packed up.

To be honest, making gf lunches isn't a lot different than it was before we went gf.

The only difference is less sandwiches.  Otherwise the sides and extras are pretty much the same.  I always make sure to keep it mostly veggies, fruits, and healthy items.  Veda has an awesome teacher this year who has a "no junk food" policy.  She doesn't allow the kids to eat it in the classroom and discourages it being brought to school.  Much better than some teachers we've had in the past that pass out cookies for snacks..seriously?

I hope this was a little bit of inspiration, that gf lunches can be fun!  Veda feels like she has her own custom "lunchable" every day.

Week three gluten free

Hi!
I am happy to report that after three weeks of being gluten free I am feeling amazing!  
I started this experiment to see if it would help clear up my daughters eczema on her legs, and the mild irritation I have on my hands.  Well, my hands are totally clear and feel so much better!  Veda's legs however, are seeing only a little change..first it was very noticeable, but she keeps itching!  She's a kid.. telling a kid not to itch an itch is easier said than done.  I can see that her legs are only irritated from all the itching at this point.  I wanted to avoid using a cortisone cream, but I just might have her use some in order to get her to quit itching.  After that, I think it will definitely clear up with the gluten free diet. 

Other than that, we are doing great without the gluten!  Within the first week I noticed we were both feeling better all around.  I felt less moody and wasn't craving things that I used to.  I have more energy and I am sleeping better.  The best part?  I've lost 10 pounds!  I had already been working out 5 days a week, but as soon as I cut out the gluten I lost more weight and am much less "puffy".  Ladies, you know how some days you just feel more puffy than other days?  Yeah, that was the story of my life.  I had a feeling I was gluten intolerant because on the rare occasion I drank beer (I'm a cider gal), I would get horrible stomach pains and felt bloated for days.  I am now free from those 'feeling puffy' days!  If you're wondering about what a gf diet could do for you, just try it..you've got nothing to lose.

Veda is also doing great without the gluten.  For her it is a little harder because she can't have the same pizza her sisters get on family night, and she isn't the biggest fan of gf bread.  However, she is a great eater and is always up for trying new things.  So together we have been trying new recipes and ideas.  I have noticed a huge difference in Veda's moods, being a nine year old girl she can get a 'bit' moody at times.  However, now I am seeing less arguing between her and her sisters, less whining, and less mood swings.  She is more emotionally "level" and has more energy.  So even though I am not seeing the dramatic difference I was hoping to see with her eczema, we are going to stick with it and see what other benefits being gf has for us.