Challenges of living Dairy Free...

Hey guys,

While I was making a million peanut butter cups, I was thinking about how I haven't really written much on living dairy free, and the challenges of it.  I thought it might be a good post, even if you don't live with any allergies!

 

I also decided to randomly put in pictures from our trip to the Okanagan this summer, as I don't like posts with no pictures! It was pre-bloggy days, so why not!!

My allergy is by no means TERRIBLE - I don't have to carry around an epi pen, or go to the hospital, but I get terrible stomach pains, a few un mentionables and am usually completely drained of energy for a few days after.  So it's not terrible, but it's not fun either.  I'd rather avoid it at all costs.

 

At Quails Gate Winery in Kelowna, BC

So here are a few of the challenges.

#1 - Eating at catered meals - conventions, weddings etc.  - where you have no choice what you eat. Usually you are able to mention to someone on the RSVP, but there are those times when you can't -  Prevention - Eat a meal before and pack some snacks.

#2 - Buffets while traveling (think all inclusive) at weddings or luncheons - there is usually no one around that is able to tell you what has butter, cheese or milk - I once had a dinner with the mayor, a bunch of students I work with and their parents.   When dinner came, I went up to the buffet and came back with a piece of bread and a small salad - with no dressing as they all looked creamy.   I got a bunch of funny looks as everyone was eating salmon (in butter) and prawns...  I was starving and really didn't plan ahead... silly silly me.  I ended up being able to explain my situation to everyone and didn't feel so silly.

 

On a hike at Kettle Valley, Kelowna BC.  This is one of the places that burned during the huge forest fires.

These lovely ladies are my "little sisters" not by blood, but because of the amazing friendship that grew

when I moved to Kelowna and knew only my parents friends, they took me in and an extended family grew!

  These are their lovely daughters! 

#3 - No deserts at restaurants or get togethers - they usually all contain dairy...   Dave

 took me to a restaraunt one time and they had Vegan Chocolate cake - I actually almost cried and it was sooooo good.  I was tempted to order at least 10!

#4 - Trusting people- well not trusting people, but because it's not something they usually do, dairy sneeks through in the stranges places... I've left a few places with a bad stomach, followed by a very bad night, and I can't blame anyone, I miss stuff too some times.  

Second part of trusting people = restaraunts and coffee places -  I have caught the fabulous starbucks crew making skim milk many times for my drink, I've also thrown out many cups of steaming fun drinks because I didn't watch them make it, and swear it is milk. .   Also restaraunts are hard because even when you tell them, it still comes with feta, butter on the bread a little cheese sprinkled on the tops - I don't like to send back a meal, so I usually just don't eat that part, but sometimes it's impossible.

Easiest solution - eat at Asian places- they very rarely have dairy!! 

Also another solution for that, is call ahead to check, so you don't have to be a big pain in the butt during ordering.

Dave and I at my favorite "duck pond" in Kelowna.  Very cute place.

#5 - Being in a hurry - especially when grocery shopping - I usually check every lable - and get Dave to double check for stuff with long lists.   When I'm in a hurry and forgo this... trouble... It usually ends up at the food bank (which isn't a bad thing I guess!)   We don't eat much processed stuff, but there are some things.  Crackers - crackers almost all contain dairy or whey! 

#6-Being a pain - Everyone swears to me it's not that bad, but I really dislike having to constantly remind people if they invite us over for dinner.  We travelled a bit this summer and did a bit of friend's bed surfing (eek that sounds bad.. haha..  friends SPARE bed surfing- hehe)  everyone was wonderful enough to cook us wonderful, fantastic meals (love you guys) and when they asked what we wanted for dinner every time I had to say "I'm a pain because I can't have any dairy."  It doesn't by any means mean I want them to make the meal dairy free, but just to take out a bowl of salad before putting on dressing, no sauces on my meat. 

Dave at Mission Hill Winery - Westside BC

Funny enough I usually travel with my earth balance and almond milk - dorky!   Traveling to Newfoundland next year for a few weeks will be fun!!  haha - I will probably bring a whole suitcase full of my dairy free food!!

Anywhoo.. I hope I don't sound crazy after this post... and this wasn't too much reading for you!!  haha..

I also hope you enjoyed the radom pictures!

Watch for a post from me later!!

Ciao for now,

Jessica