For those of you not familiar with Threads, it was launched by Instagram in July 2023 and allows users to post text, photos and videos, and interact with other’s posts through likes, reposts, and replies. It’s basically a nicer version of Twitter (aka X). I’ve been over there since the beginning and enjoy reading other peoples Threads. Occasionally, I share thoughts. Or longer Thread stories… which are like free-form mini blog posts (I also curse over there, so… sorry). Anyways, I shared a story last week that kind of blew up.
And by blew up, I mean my account had over 295,000 views. I also had over 600 comments on my various posts, which I tried to keep up with over the few days that things were going crazy.
Anyways, one of those comments suggested that I write this all down somewhere, so I thought I’d add it over here on the blog too! I’ve been posting since before I was even pregnant with Jack, so for me it’s a fun little look back at many of the highs and lows over the past 14 years of my life.
So buckle up… here is the story of The Big Bopper.
In June, I had an EOE flare so bad that it felt like an elephant was sitting on my chest. So yeah, did not enjoy and do not recommend. For those not familiar, Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EOE) is a chronic immune system disease where certain foods can cause your esophagus to become inflamed. It’s kind of like a food allergy’s evil cousin. I’ve known that I’ve had an intolerance to gluten for years, but it amped up out of nowhere and I went from ‘oh, I try not to eat gluten at dinner because it gives me reflux’ to being scared that I was going to have to survive on pudding and jello for the rest of my life.
My new doctor can’t see me until August, so I’ve gone full detective mode… spiraling down the EOE rabbit hole, learning about allergy testing, elimination diets and eating low gluten. Because honestly, nothing says ‘world-class healthcare’ like having to auction off your firstborn for a specialist who might see you sometime in 2027.
So thanks to doctor Google/ChatGPT I had a plan to get through the couple months leading up to my appointment. I really, really, really do not want to go on an elimination diet for a variety of reasons that I won’t go into here. However, I started keeping a food journal after my flare, eating low gluten, and tracking how I feel.
I’m not diving fully into gluten-free life unless it proves necessary long term, but I have reduced gluten since I know it can be a trigger for me. Which means, testing gluten-free options. My sister (who is gluten free) has given me some great suggestions and I’ve also done a little trial and error of what I can find at my local stores.
Here is what I’ve tried and liked so far:
Homemade Rice Krispie treats – naturally gluten free, as they are just rice krispies, butter and marshmallows. It is helpful for me to have a grab-and-go snack that I can eat if I need something sweet.
Bettergoods brand Gluten Free Banana Nut Muffin Mix – I made it according to the directions, but also added one smashed banana and some dark chocolate chips. It was very good and tasted like ‘normal’ muffins!
Miss Jones brand Gluten Free Monster Cookie Mix – This cookie mix was an easy mix and bake GF option. They tasted a little like they were oatmeal cookie based when they were warm from the oven, but they were WAY better the next day after being stored in a plastic storage container. They were still chewy, rather than crispy, and delicious. I had to ban my husband from eating them all.
Barilla Gluten Free Rotini – These noodles tasted almost exactly like the non-gluten version and made for some delicious mac and cheese!
Snyders Gluten Free Pretzels – These taste just like regular pretzels (maybe a little crunchier) and they are great for tzatziki dips.
G.H. Cretors Cheese & Caramel Popcorn Mix – I love a sweet/salty combo and this popcorn mix is gluten free!
LiveGfree Gluten Free Baking Mix – They carry this baking mix at Aldi and it is a base that can be turned into pancakes, waffles and biscuits. It was fantastic as waffles. I also tried it as more of a savory pancake situation (I added cheddar cheese) to take the place of the bread on my tomato sandwich and it was… okay.
There have also been a few gluten free fails. I tried chickpea noodles topped with spaghetti sauce and they were kind of awful. I mean I ate them because I was hungry, but I was mad about it. I also tried to make my normal banana chocolate chip muffin recipe but subbed in almond flour… and it was like a mushy banana pudding situation.
I’ve heard that Trader Joes has some very good gluten free options, including everything bagels and doughnuts. So, I plan to try them soon!
I’m still in the experimenting stage here though, so I can certainly use some recommendations. If you’ve gone gluten free – either by choice or necessity – what are your favorites? I’m taking snacks, baking mixes, bread items that don’t taste like cardboard, etc.
UGH, it’s been so hot and humid here in Maryland. I only went into the office one day this month and the rest have been spent working in my home office. With that being said, I did have a variety of fun plans, including a 4th of July party, girl’s day out with my friend, a double-date for dinner, a niece birthday party at a splash pad, and various errands. So, let’s take a look at what I wore this month….
Office Style
As I said, I went into the office once, so it was the perfect opportunity to wear a new-to-me thrifted vintage skirt. I love this skirt SO MUCH with the fitted waist and roomy skirt. It’s a thick cotton blend, which holds its shape without wrinkling and has some super deep pockets. I’m already planning to style a witchy look for the fall with black tights and black heeled booties.
As for the rest of the outfit, I went with a gingham linen cropped blouse (Poshmark), cardigan (thrifted) and some sweet and comfortable Rothy’s Mary Janes (Poshmark).
Weekend Style
All the Stripes: First up, I have my 4th of July outfit, which is red, white and blue adjacent with coral stripes and a teal skirt. I love this combo and everything in this outfit is secondhand, including the silver Birkenstock sandals. For the second outfit, this was for running some errands and I paired a black stripped tee-shirt with my marigold linen skirt for an easy and comfy look.
Also, now that we have an extra dog it is quite hard to take outfit photos without at least one photo bomber…
Cropped by Me: All three of these tops have met my scissors. The blue top previously lived life as a caftan/dress and I thought it might get more wear as a flowy top. I was absolutely right and I have been wearing this once a week since I made the big chop.
My husband thrifted the Guns N’ Roses top and it ended up being too small for him, so I chopped the bottom and it is one of my favorite throw-on-and-wear tee’s right now. In fact, it spurred on a whole viral-ish situation over on Threads, since my son seems to think I look mean and intimidating when I wear it.
As for the green top, I thrifted it on one of our trips (I think Tuscan?) and it was always very oversized. I took in a few inches on the sides and cropped the length and now I love it so much more.
Out and About: The Popflex by Blogilates running dress was the perfect choice for a 2 year old’s splash pad party, especially because it was soo hot and humid outside. Ironically, my sisters all loved this dress and one said that she ‘wished she could pull it off’, which I find hilarious since she’s much more fit than me (and 13 years younger). So, here’s a reminder for you all… you CAN pull anything you want off. You just put the clothing on your body, wear it, and give no thought to what other people think.
The middle look included my FAVORITE thrifted skirt for a day around town (and the consignment shops) with my friend. And then last look was what I wore for a double-date at a delicious Mexican restaurant.
One last outfit… yesterday morning I had the opportunity to meet BK Borison at the grand opening of our local Barnes & Noble. If you follow along with my Book Lists and mini reviews (you can find them on the right sidebar), you’ll know I love everything she writes, so this was pretty awesome!
