Perfectly arranged fruit and impeccably stacked vegetables. Whole Foods – the Mecca for all things organic and good for you. There, amongst the bins and boxes of fresh roots and herbs, I find myself yearning for a Diet Coke-free existence. A life of herbal teas, homeopathic remedies, and alternative protein sources. Ah… can you smell it? The air of health and endless dinner possibilities!
I shop there at least twice a week. You see, my husband and three small children all have gluten and dairy intolerances of varying degrees. These allergies are among the most expensive and inconvenient… next to soy and egg (I don’t know how those people do it). It’s hard. Really hard. In fact, at times, it down right sucks. My children are denied pizza and cake at birthday parties. My husband, who travels frequently, is at the mercy of room service and airport cooks who have never even heard of gluten. I pack lunches, frantically sort through Halloween candy, and attempt having my family “fit in” at parties and special events as much as possible.
Home, however, is a safe place. My kitchen is a gluten/dairy-free zone, and I am one bad-ass gluten-free mamma jamma! Enter Whole Foods.
Once I introduced myself to Mecca, I quickly realized these allergies might be the best thing to ever happen to us. Prior to being diagnosed, the kids and I were on a downward spiral of buttered noodles and jelly toast. I believe they call it “the white diet” – rice, pasta, bread, fries, cereal, etc. Filling, yet nutritionally deficient, foods. Something had to change. I knew it and my husband knew it. However, once he was diagnosed, it was as if someone had made the decision for us. It was time to shop elsewhere.
Do you recall the scene from Wizard of Oz when the movie switches from black and white to color? Well, walking into Whole Foods for the first time was kind of like that. It was beautiful. Artistically lit apple displays, every variety of lentil and bean, antibiotic-free meats and poultry, and, most importantly, the promise of children who would gladly eat their organic steamed vegetables and ask for seconds.
When I walked in, my demeanor immediately changed, as though I needed to pay homage to the produce Gods by speaking in a soft voice and walking slowly. It was like church. I was deliberate with my approach. Carefully planning meals in my mind… grilled ginger and gluten-free soy marinated chicken breast, red potatoes with fresh dill, fresh roasted corn and tomato salad, steamed broccoli florets. We were going to be the healthiest family on the planet and this wonderful place was going to help us get there.
Well, did you know certain bakeries have REALLY improved the taste and texture of gluten-free bread? And, the rice pasta ain’t half-bad, either. There’s gluten-free/dairy-free pizza crust, cookies, brownies, cakes, pancake mixes, and incredibly delicious dairy-free ice cream, too.
Yesterday was Monday. My son attends religious education after school on Mondays. We had sandwiches for dinner.
How do you like them organic pink lady apples??
Photo by rkazda taken from www.flickr.com.
