i live with a skin disease called hidradenitis suppurativa, i’ve had it since 3rd grade – going through biopsies, so many dermatologist visits – and years of physical pain. not to mention years in texas avoiding sleeveless shirts, in fear i might raise an arm and draw attention.

it goes in and out of a ‘remission’ state- but it will always be with me, be a part of me, and live to annoy me. i’ve tried numerous precriptions, lancing, heated presses, cold presses, screaming, crying – but they stay or come back unrelentingly.

having dealt with this for 18 years – i’m annoyed and still not used to it. so i’m going to continue ‘experimenting’ with different methods of living. this is why i’m chosing the ‘gluten-free’ route- it’s not cuz it’s trendy or because i want to lose weight ( i do- i really do, but that’s not the point).

the wheat/barley free beer i tried this weekend was – ok. tasted like beer, was bottled like beer, but lacked the alcohol content and the real satisfaction from a tasty lager. Redbridge is the name, if you’re curious.

so i decided this a few weeks ago, and have been playing with the idea- i got rid of processed carbs- in an effort to get this started – because most processed carby things have WHEAT in them.

then friday came and i folded- drinking a few pints, eating some wheat roast bbq - and woke up feeling like a wheat harvesting tractor had run me over. which makes me believe i may actually have ‘gluten sensitivity’

for now i’m still eating meat and dairy – which might change eventually to limit dairy – although truthfully my daily dairy intake is one container of yogurt. but that might be all it takes.

so this is a real good bye – good bye beer!!!- good bye most delicious hamburger buns from my favorite hamburger joints- and many other things i won’t cry about – because their are alternatives – and they are just as tasty.