Our first Whole Foods shopping trip

Shopping is something I do out of necessity, grocery shopping included.  It is not something that is soothing or comforting in any way.  Once Sophie was diagnosed with Celiac Disease, it became rather stressful.  I basically skipped over most sections of the store, even ones that I know she loves, such as the cheese section.  Even the items I picked up I had to check for gluten or dairy, which come in so many forms it was quite overwhelming.  It took me forever to get through the store the first time shopping at our local grocery store.  I just wasn't able to find so many things I was seeing recommended online for those who couldn't eat gluten or dairy, such as vegan cheese or some gluten-free flours.  I also was trying to find something that Sophie could snack on throughout the day because she's always wanting to eat.  I knew that I needed a better store to meet her needs.  I wanted to visit a Whole Foods store since I have several friends who regularly shop there and I knew they would have so much more stuff Sophie could eat.

Just a few days after her diagnosis, Brandon and I made the hour and 45 minute trip to Houston to go to Whole Foods.  I had never even been to a Whole Foods store before.  I knew they would have many more gluten-free foods for Sophie than our local store, but I didn't expect so much!  It was actually overwhelming at the many, many options of foods she could eat.  We found so many things I had been wanting, such as flours, snacks, breadcrumbs, and even gluten-free dairy-free ice cream!  As silly as it may sound to you, as I walked up to the cheese aisle and saw so many options of cheeses that Sophie could eat, I started to become a bit emotional as tears came to my eyes.  It wasn't finding vegan cheese that did it.  It was so much more than that with a much deeper meaning.  It was finding food that my poor shrinking girl could eat.  It was food that I knew she loved and I had been having to keep away from her for a few weeks since starting her on dairy-free.  It was food that would help lead her back to good health while she was hopefully enjoying it.  It wasn't just cheese to me in that moment.  It was a sign of hope, health, and the possibility of a normal (but slightly different) doable life. 

I have no idea if anyone else has ever gone through something like this, so maybe I sound crazy to you right now.  That's okay, though.  As we left Whole Foods that day, with a lighter pocketbook as expected, I felt like I was conquering this disease and what it was doing to my daughter.  It was so motivating and really helped me to continue on in that moment.  Not every day feels like this, but that trip definitely helped me to see a brighter future.