Hi, it’s me and a gazillion letters of text!
You may have noticed that I’ve been making a lot more gluten-free recipes over the past couple of weeks and I thought I would talk about why I’ve been doing this.
It’s sort of a long story!
Luckily, I’m jacked up on caffeine right now.
I’ve been experiencing some strange health symptoms over the past 4-6 weeks. For example, I’ve had bad stomach bloating to the point where I look 6 months pregnant (I’m not). I’ve always had bloating on and off all my life, but this is much worse than the normal bloating I’ve experienced in the past. I’m also experiencing bad stomach pains in my abdomen area, round-the-clock lower back pain, fatigue, and pressure in my pelvic area, among other things. The pain in my abdomen and lower pelvic area gets much worse after eating and I often feel really full after eating a normal-sized meal. Lately, I’ve been waking up with mild stomach pain too.
Several years ago, I was diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (which I’ve mentioned on the blog a while back) and for most of my life I’ve struggled with stomach pain, headaches, and GI discomfort on and off. My stomach is very sensitive to certain foods like dairy, nuts, soy, and beans. I never really know how it is going to react. Sometimes a handful of raw almonds can set it off with pains, while other times it’s fine. IBS is also strongly associated with our emotions, so it’s not surprising that my anxiety manifests itself through my stomach and digestive system.
Since I’m divulging my life story, another thing I’ve struggled with health-wise is my reproductive system. Specifically, my ovaries.
In 2009, a pelvic and transvaginal ultrasound revealed that I have multiple cysts on my ovaries as well as an enlarged (they called it ‘bulky’) right ovary. In addition to my regular yearly pap test and physical, I also go for a yearly ultrasound to monitor the cysts and make sure that they aren’t getting larger. Keepin’ an eye on things. Basically, I’m on watch for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).
I had another ultrasound in March 2011 and it revealed that my right ovary decreased in size from 17.7 ml to 10 ml. My left ovary is also smaller in size. Apparently, this is encouraging news, but I’ll be the first to admit that I haven’t really received a proper explanation. I’m thinking about asking for a referral to a specialist soon.
Fast forward to the symptoms I’m experiencing today. They could be the result of a mild or more severe illness, like most symptoms. And trust me when I say that I’ve Googled them all! I think Google has told me I’m going to die of a horrible illness about 654 times during my life, so I’m trying not to self-diagnose or draw any conclusions until I have the proper tests done. It could be something as minor as an ulcer or as major as Ovarian cancer. That’s why I always say it’s important to listen to your body and be your own health advocate if you think something is abnormal for you.
This brings me to tomorrow, my next ultrasound appointment. I pretty much had to beg my doctor for this ultrasound since my last one was only 6 months ago, but I’d rather ruffle a few feathers than to have a health issue go undetected for months. Bring on the 5 large glasses of water and bladder-bursting hour wait time!
The results of my ultrasound will determine my doctor’s next steps. I had blood work done in May which all came back normal, but I will probably have to get my blood checked again.
So, this brings me to the gluten-free recipes.
My doctor suggested that I try eating gluten-free for a while to see if I have any relief in my symptoms. I really do not think it’s gluten causing the issues, but I’m willing to try anything at this point. I’m also going to see a naturopath on Tuesday for a general consultation and food-sensitivity testing the following week. I’ve heard from many people who have had great relief from their digestive issues when seeing a naturopath, so I figure it’s worth trying out.
At this point, I just want to get to the bottom of this as quickly as possible, but in all likelihood, it could take a while to figure out. I will try to post an update or two on the blog as I get more information.
PIZZA makes everything better.
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Gluten-Free Almond & Buckwheat Flour Pizza with Roasted Tomato Basil Pesto
A thin, crispy, flatbread-like crust filled with a nutty and lightly sweet flavour that will keep you coming back for more and more. Top it with Roasted Tomato Basil Pesto, some fresh herbs, Daiya cheese, and roasted tomatoes for a pizza that will be gone before you know it.
Yield: 3-4 servings
Inspired by Roost.
Pizza Crust:
- 1.5 cups almond meal (155 grams)*, made from ground raw almonds
- 1.5 cups raw buckwheat flour (205 grams)*, made from ground raw buckwheat groats
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 2-3 tbsp chopped fresh herbs (I used oregano, thyme, parsley)
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 flax eggs (2 tbsp ground flax + 6 tbsp water, mixed)
- 2-3 tbsp water, as needed
- 2 cloves roasted garlic, optional
Notes: I ground raw almonds in my blender to make the almond meal. You can also use a food processor. To make the buckwheat flour, I ground raw buckwheat groats in my blender. I strongly prefer the taste of freshly ground buckwheat flour to the store-bought kasha flour.
1. Preheat oven to 350F. Mix flax eggs and set aside for 5 mins. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a non-stick mat.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together dry ingredients. Add wet ingredients and mix well with hands until you can form a ball.
3. Place ball of dough on a non-stick mat or on parchment paper. Place another mat or more parchment paper over top. With a rolling pin, roll out the dough until it is as thin as you can get it. Transfer to baking sheet (dough may rip a bit and that is ok). Gently patch rips of dough with fingers and spread on a couple cloves of roasted garlic (optional). I left the crust looking very rustic, so don’t worry it’s not supposed to look perfect!
4. Bake in the oven at 350F for 15-17 minutes until golden along the edges. Remove to cool slightly. Set oven to broil on medium heat setting.
Pizza:
- Pre-baked crust (above)
- 1.5 cups Roasted Tomato Basil Pesto
- Daiya cheese, as much as you want
- 1/4 cup fresh finely chopped herbs
- 3-4 leftover roasted tomatoes
1. Spread the pesto onto pre-baked crust. Sprinkle on cheese, fresh herbs, and chopped roasted tomatoes.
2. Broil for 2-3 minutes over medium heat (3), watching very closely so you don’t burn it. Slice and serve immediately. I served this with a big salad to round out the meal.
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This crust turned out much better than I expected. The dough tasted amazing!
I spread on a couple cloves of leftover roasted garlic before baking.
After pre-baking, I spread on the mouth-watering pesto.
Followed by Daiya cheese, chopped roasted tomatoes, and fresh herbs.
Then I broiled it for 3 minutes over medium heat.
Crispy, ultra-thin, packed with nutrients, and oh so good.
This pizza did not last long!
If you are a thin-crust fan, you will love this pizza.
The crust is one of the most flavourful crusts I have tasted and the toppings went really well with it, but of course you can top it with whatever you see fit.
p.s.- See my new Fall header image? Hold down Control + F5 to refresh the page if you can’t see it.
p.p.s.- I have an exciting mushroom challenge & recipe post coming up Monday! If you love pesto, you will go crazy for this recipe.
We’re off for a day of hiking on this gorgeous Fall day…have a good one!
I love your new fall header…it is beautiful!
Can’t wait to try that amazing pizza recipe.
Good luck with your ultrasound and finding out what is going on…hope it all works out for the best! :)
The header won’t come up yet, I’ll have to check back!
I hope your test goes well and that you get some relief from your IBS symptoms. I’ve been struggling with IBS for awhile now and I can not get the bloating under control. It’s very disturbing to feel so full from such a small amount of food, especially when I’m very early into my own recovery from an eating disorder. Like you said, it’s linked to anxiety and emotions so all we have to do is relax! It’s so simple! :)
At least there is pizza now.
Angela, I felt like I was reading MY story when you were talking about your IBS symptoms. i have also been diagnosed with IBS and have experienced most days with bloating, abdominal and pelvic pain, urgency and frequency to go to the bathroom, etc, etc,. The exact same foods you described aggravate my IBS, but I have yet to find a diet that actually leaves me symptom-free… please keep blogging about this issue – I would love to hear what works for you. Good luck with everything! and keep us posted.
As I am potentially the token man, I am experiencing serious trouble here.
OK. I went through the comments to find something I could work with. I like your new header too.
After two marriages and bringing up daughters and having granddaughters, I believe there is little I have not encountered. So, no problem with me. What concerns me is that some young man might accidentally stumble in here looking for a healthy recipe and sustain serious, long-term emotional damage.
I suggest the following. Put the recipe first. Publish a warning and disclaimer prior to Part 2.
I am, of course, kidding. I hope you have those health issues resolved soon. In the near term, I suggest no-one stands directly behind you. Dear Lord! I can’t stop myself. Get well soon. Shut up, Barry.
I’m sending you healing and correct-diagnosis vibes. I think the naturopath is your best bet. I know from experience that having anxiety is just about the worst thing to combine with an unknown bodily condition. Good luck! Maybe more yoga could help while you wait.
Yum! Thanks for creating a delicious and gluten- free pizza recipe. Gluten intolerance is very popular right now, so it’s nice to see recipes you love turned GF. I can’t eat wheat myself, so this comes in great timing as tomato season is coming to a close!
Hope you figure out your GI problems!
I really hope you get answers soon I understand waiting can be frustrating but you’ll get through it! You’ll see my story on my blog, but I’ve been diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis for ages. I’m in remission now but I’ve been testing the waters with various foods for as long as I can remember to see what works and what doesn’t. Although I’m in remission I still get the discomforts of IBD (bloating, pain etc.), but I can almost always appoint it to a type of food I ate. Coffee (this one’s a biggy), dairy, processed foods, sugary foods (not real sugar like fruit) and any white flour products are huge red flags for me…I know you are vegan and don’t touch most of that stuff but thought I’d share! :) Feel better soon!
Hey Angela,
The pizza looks AMAZING!! I’m sorry to hear about the health issues. You could also try evening primrose oil-its a really great supplement for the female reproductive system. Best of luck to you.
Hey love,
Thanks for sharing your story. We’ve all been there, in some form or another. After three years of battling poor digestion I finally resolved my health issues, with the help and guidance of my naturopath. I had several food allergies that weren’t agreeing with my sensitive tummy. I’m off grains and sugar and feel a million times better. You’re on the right track in actively seeking answers :)
Hang in there beautiful!
Hi Angela,
I’m so sorry to hear about your health problems. I recommend trying Gluten Free Girl’s GF all purpose flour (since nuts seem to bother you these are nut free) http://glutenfreegirl.com/gluten-free-holiday-baking-2010/
I was diagnosed with a wheat allergy in 1996 but was told I could eat small amounts of heavily processed white flour (wrong). After slowly eliminating my wheat exposure I foolishly ate white bread one night and was sick for a week. That was my wake up call and I have not had any wheat in a year and I feel great!
I really hope you find out what is making you ill soon,
Best of luck,
Lauren :)
I had the same side effects as you and finally when I went to the doctor found out that I was allergic to wheat :( It’s no fun, but it’s SO worth it once you start accommodating your new eating habits
This looks awesome– kind of like a flat bread!
Hi Angela,
You are in my thoughts these next few days! Fingers crossed you get to the bottom of this soon. You are amazing, and your recipes are brilliant. I love your blog and your commitment to wellness and self care is inspiring. Thank you, thank you, for all that you do!
I haven’t had the severe bloating and pains, but I’ve had digestive issues (related to dairy and gluten), and getting hydro-colon therapy was a near religious experience. I felt amazing, it took pressure off my low back. I literally felt like I could run a marathon afterwards. I had the best yoga classes immediately following my hydro colon cleanse session. Not sure if you’ve tried it, but you may want to give it a shot.
Hi there Angela,
Thanks for all the great ideas…
After reading the symptoms you wrote about — I wonder if you could possibly have Celiac Disease? A lot of my clients have been diagnosed with celiacs – through diet change they have recovered! No soy, gluten, dairy, animal products of any kind, no sugar….. And adding in digestive enzymes, high doses of pro-biotics, large doses of vitamin c, 1 T raw coconut oil, 3T apple cider vinegar, etc.. Anyways, I’m happy to hear that your going to a ND doctor, this will help a lot, I’m sure! Keep us posted on how your feeling!
Ps. “Forks over Knives” is a great movie – a must see!
I am so sorry to hear about your health concerns..hoping all goes well tomorrow!
I second the naturopath motion! I suffered from EXTREME (as in, crippling ) stomach pain for a year. My doctor told me I too had IBS and had to “deal with it”. I went to a naturopath, who diagnosed me with a dairy intolerance (as well as a mild refined sugar intolerance). With the help of some supplements she provided me with and cutting out dairy/refined sugars for a month or so, I was symptom free. Now I can even enjoy sugar with no problem, and dairy every so often in small amounts.
I wish you luck in finding the root of your problem! <3
Love the header! And thin crust pizza, I love when I have all necessary ingredients on hand. I hope everything gets figured out with your GI and reproductive systems, keep us posted!
Wow, really interesting post Angela. I’m learning that food intolerances are a lot more common that we realize. Also, gluten sensitivity can be present with no symptoms at all! You’re wise to explore the issue but don’t let it overwhelm you. Most likely, the doctors will not be able to give you a clear answer so you’ll just have to experiment as see what works for you, which is sounds like you are doing. Good luck!
hey angela,
i have the same problem as you. i am lactose intolerant, however i’m usually ok with cheese and yogurt but it’s more with whole cow’s milk. but i do get stomach aches/gas/cramps etc every evening/night. it totally sucks. i’m not vegan but i do have 80% vegetarian/vegan/pescatarian diet and occasionally other meat stuff (usually during family gatherings). anyway, i’m going to go gluten free to see if it has something to do with gluten. just sucks having this stomach ache basically every night!
wishing you the best and sending positive vibes your way xoxo
I made your creamy roasted garlic and tomato soup! its one of the best soups I have ever made. Thank you! Its because of your delicious recipes I went from vegeterian to full fledged vegan. I feel terrific! thanks! I hope they figure out your stomach issues. STAY OFF google-lol.
Kasia (Chicago)
Love the new fall header!
Sending healthy, healing vibes your way :)
Hey! I read your blog all the time, and never comment :-( However, I do suffer from PCOS and I will be crossing my fingers for you. Not only is it physically painful, but mentally and emotionally as well. I hope you continue to share as to what WILL make you better :-)
Holy smokes! I hope you find some answers soon. The waiting is always the hardest part but we’ll all be thinking of you. It sounds as though you are staying positive through it all :)
Hello!
I hope you get to the bottom of this! I know its not fun… I notice you have been using Daiya cheeze in your recipes lately and for some time. I was having the same problem that you are and was considering getting tested for IBS and celiac (I have a casein allergy and my sister has a wheat allergy so this would not be far off). But, after some time and thought and elimination, it turned out to be DAIYA! I am not sure what it is, perhaps the tapioca flour or something, but I googled this and found several other people commenting about severe abdominal pain and swelling (similar symptoms) from this. I stopped eating it- at all and every bit of the problem went away within a short time! I just wanted to share this with you since I am sure you are exhausting every option, but for me it turned out to be a very unlikely culprit. Thanks for all the delicious vegan recipes and inspiration and I hope you feel better!
Wow that is good to know. I aactually had a big salad the other night and threw in Daiya (which I normally don’t do) and I had really really bad bloating afterward and couldnt figure out why as it was ‘just’ a salad. Interesting. Thanks for passing that along.
I wonder if its the xanthem gum. I know I put that stuff in a smoothie once and just about died from gas pain and had severe bloating. Elise from Hungry Hungry Hippie is doing a series on the low FODMAP diet, which if you have IBS could help.
You’re welcome, I hope you feel better!
Good luck to you!! I also get crazy bloating like that!
Love the new fall header!
I have experienced bloating and tummy discomfort as well for many years. It got a little better when I first went vegetarian. But after awhile it actually got worse. I have been experimenting and decided to strictly avoid grains/legumes and I can confidently say I think I found them to be the culprit. Even my beloved oatmeal, I gave it up. The bloating has really gotten better and I wake up with so much more energy than I used to. However that meant I needed to reintroduce organic meats into my diet a couple of times a week. As much as I didn’t want to, my body feels incredibly more balanced.
I hope you find the solution! It can be very frustrating to not know where the problem lies.
If nothing else, it is SO COMFORTING to know that other extremely health conscious people sometimes experience health concerns. Sometimes I feel mad at my body for having issues (a flu that wouldn’t go away for 2 weeks, ovarian cysts, etc.) because I think it ought to be functioning perfectly. I feel embarrassed sometimes to tell people about my issues because it’s like a bad advertisement for healthy living. “She’s a whole-foods munching vegan who exercises and she’s still not in tip top shape!” But it’s really helpful to see you being open about this. Thank you!
Thanks Katie! I can relate to how you feel. As my husband put it the other night, ‘Ange, everyone has health issues they struggle with…everyone.’ That really made me see it in a different light.
That looks so good! I should try it but I am so bad at making anything with dough. But practice makes perfect!
I am in love with your new header! It is so beautiful and makes me so happy that it’s fall.
I hope you get to the bottom of your symptoms soon. I am glad to hear your are pushing to get to the bottom of it. I think you will also have luck with a naturopath. I saw one a couple years ago and it was the best thing I ever did. Good luck with everything!
I hope you figure out what is making you feel so bad and that you get better soon. I know how frustrating it can be to deal with unknown stomach issues.
Hey Ang! I also have IBS and had severe stomach bloating for many years even on a vegan diet. I know this is now what you probably want to hear but all my stomach issues/bloating vanished when I went primal. That means avoiding grains, beans, soy, dairy and processed foods (including fake/mock cheese and meat as well as sugar) I love to read your blog and adapt the recipes to my lifestyle but I’ve never felt sicker than when I was vegan and eating a carb-heavy diet… Now I’ve given up my morning oatmeals and bean salads in exchange for fresh fruits and vegetables, organic and pastured meats, wild fish, nuts and seeds, organic farm-fresh eggs and loads of healthy fats (coconut, evoo, avocado..etc) I dropped body fat and water weight instantly and I have so much more energy these days. I also can go longer without meals than when I ate grains…I was hungry every couple hours and breakfast never seemed to fill me up enough…now I can even skip breakfast some days and be perfectly satisfied for hours…I don’t crave sweets anymore either..which is a miracle.
Whatever lifestyle choices you make, I hope you find relief from your problems and quickly. Not everyone HAS to suffer from health maladies.
This sounds amazing! I love thin crust. I’m going to have to find some buckwheat groats somewhere, pronto!
The roasted tomato pesto keeps reminding me of refriend beans, which makes me think Mexican pizza. Now I seriously want Mexican pizza.
Ange, we are all with you through this! <3
Been going through something similar myself lately, in the form of bloating/abdominal and back pain plus eczema. Finally trying to cut gluten as a last ditch effort. It's hard to have something amiss with your health and not be able to figure it out. I hope it comes to light for you as soon as possible.
Ang, you are my hero yet again for being so honest and real to us all. I think it is so important you speak up and this allows for so much more to come up for others to share. I want to tell you that I have had oviarian cysts too (and many friends and family members) and they have all gone away. I know you are going to be just fine and I wish you all the positivity in the world.
By the way I adore this recipe and the new header. ;)
Good for you to be so on top of your health, no one else will do it for us. :)
Angela I hope you get answers! good luck tomorrow
my sister and I going through another bad health spurt, and we read a new book called Diet Wise, and it has opened our eyes to hidden food allergies. we have been trying our best to follow an elimination diet, but it has been hard. we are not sure where we stand on everything, as we have not seen major improvements. I feel like a failure, but trying to keep learning what works for my body. it can be tough.
thinking of you, HUGS
Michelle
Please make sure you are comfortable with your physicians answers regarding what is going on. I highly recommend second / third opinions as necessary. I’m sure yours is probably nothing too serious but in the event it is you want to know sooner than later. My husband was told he had an ulcer and was treated for it for 1 year before we found a doctor / surgeon that was able to diagnose and operate in time. Not to scare you but his ultimate diagnosis was devastating and we only wished we received the right answers a year earlier. The GI system is mysterious and Dr. Google can be scary. Good luck and hope you feel better soon.
hi there – you might also want to have your pelvic floor checked out. i have had major bloating, abdominal pain, constipation/loose stools…finally saw a GI doc who specializes in motility and it turns out your pelvic floor can be so tight that it interferes with elimination and then you get all backed up with no where for food or gas to go. even if you are eliminating some every day, the symptoms can be severe. and then your digestion and colon can slow way down because your body becomes confused about the need to go. and ibs, crohns, fertility disorders, etc. can cause those muscles to become tight the the original problem and symptoms and the pelvic floor problems become intertwined. i am starting an intensive physical therapy program in a week to help treat it. but since i never would have figured my internal pelvic floor muscles could become uncoordinated and cause all of these seemingly unrelated issues, i thought i would share. i wish you the best, and hope your doctor is open to exploring the pelvic floor as a possibility of your trouble. a manual exam and a motility test will tell you what you need to know.
Is there any way to resolve these issues without physical therapy or doctors medications/invasive techniques? This sounds like me. Is diet a problem? Im not vegetarian, but don’t really want to be. I feel extremely backed up with gas and elmination for me is fluctuating and frustrating. I’m low weight though, so I can’t intentionally eat less. So I feel pounding in food makes it worse…but I have to gain weight. Thoughts? Please email me or respond if you can. Thks.
Hope you feel better!! Given that your bloodwork came back normal, I think going to the naturopath will be really beneficial. Since they take a much more holistic perspective than do allopathic doctors, I find that they’re much more open-minded to possibilities of what might be out of balance instead of honing in only on their specialized area (though it sounds like the doctor you’re seeing is great and is offering you good options). In any case, sending you positive thoughts!
Love the new banner or anything fall for that matter:) I really understand what you are going through and I’m sorry to hear about it. Since April I have been through test after test for my abdominal pain. It can be so frustrating! Hang in there and I agree, listen to your body, you know it best!
I’ve always been a bit of a skeptic about it, but I had a lot of success with working with a naturopath when I was having digestive issues and unexplained hives. Gluten was the issue for me, and I feel so much better after cutting it out, but I don’t know that I would have had the knowledge or patience to figure it out on my own. Good luck!
I am sorry you haven’t been feeling well!
I’m sorry to hear you’ve been feeling off and can completely relate. I’ve had very similar issues to yours for the last couple of months and have found the most improvement when I cut out grains, dairy and raw foods. I’ve been to see a naturopath who prescribed probiotics and suggested cutting out the above food stuff. She said at this stage my body simply cannot digest salads and raw vegetables :(. My next step was having a food intolerance test but unfortunately this didnt help much: out of the 45 food items tested they all came back positive other than chicken. Normally a couple of items are supposed to be the culprit it is then pretty easy to cut those out. In my case I am focusing on cutting out the ones with the highest scores. Good luck with your tests!
Oh Ange, I am so sorry to hear about your health challenges of late :( The stress and turmoil those sorts of experiences bring is massive. I really hope everything goes well tomorrow and that you can get some answers soon. Thinking of you!
Hey- don’t usually comment but I’ve got both PCOS and IBS and recently i’ve been doing an elimination diet (with help of nutritionist) based around the FODMAPS school of foods which I’ve found really helpful dealing with the horrible IBS symptoms- its a weird bunch of different things including wheat, onions and garlic, legumes, high fructose (like apples and pears, mangoes and honey) and polyols (stone fruits, avocados, mushrooms). Slightly depressing to cut them all out then introduce them one at a time, but generally people who are fodmaps sensitive are worse with some stuff more than others (i’m sensitive to wheat, polyols and legumes, unfortunately for a vegan, but high fructose and onions/garlic were fine). Heres a link if you want to have a read:
http://ibs.about.com/od/ibsfood/a/The-FODMAP-Diet.htm
Good luck with the PCOS too :)
I see the fall header with Explorer but It doesnt come up on Google Chrome (even if I press Ctrl. F5). Have you tried taking a bit of pure unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar? It might help, you might want to look into it. I really hope you get better soon. I was in for my pap last month and after we left the doctors office my husband told me that he said my right ovary was enlarged!!! I live in Italy and although my Italian is pretty good for medical things I have a hard time following what is being said and my husband just casually mentioned this after we left the office. Now I know nothing more then that and of course its too late to ask questions so I have been a bit freaked out ever since and Google isnt helping! I am anxious to hear what you find out about yours (if anything).
Hugs,
Sabs.
Hi Angela!
I’ve been following your blog for quite some time and also ordered your bars a few times. This is my first time posting, I felt a strong urge to comment today! I suffer the same symptoms you do and thought maybe my story can help you? Actually I’ve been having stomach pains since college and wasn’t diagnosed with ibs until this past may. I’m a dentist myself but ended up going to a naturopath for help. It might be tmi for other bloggers, if you want, please email me and I can tell you more. So far everything is getting better! My email is [email protected]
Angela, I’m so sorry to hear about your discomfort. That must be so frustrating to deal with on a daily basis – especially because you simply don’t know when it will strike.
On a different note, my mouth is watering and that pizza looks to-die-for. On my list of things to make!
Ooh – I hope you are feeling better and can get some answers – it is hard enough when you have all kinds of symptoms, but not knowing the cause is so frustrating. And yes – the internet can make us all nuts (and terminal!). The pizza looks great – can’t wait to try it on Friday – pizza night! Good luck today :-)