A quick hello

Well here it is at last.....my blog.  Having thought about it for a long time, and being constantly pestered by friends, my food blog is born.  For as long as I can remember I have been passionate about food (a bit too passionate at times, hence the expanded waste line) but after developing a string of health problems I decided to set about getting healthy........through food.  For many years now I have been a vegetarian, but that wasn't enough, something else needed to change.  After a bout of problems with tiredness, bloating and horrendous back pain I decided to try going wheat free to see if it would help, and it did.  My new lifestyle of being vegetarian and gluten/wheat free was difficult, but I stuck to it because it was making me feel better, any slip ups and within a few hours would be in pain again.  All this was great but I still had problems.  After having some tests done last May I found out what was causing me most of my problems.....Milk!!!!  I was allergic and intolerant, so when the Dr had previously told me to "cut out the cheese", I should have listened to him, although not in the way he meant it (he was saying I was fat).  So here I am now, a vegetarian who is gluten free, allergic to cows milk, oh and did I mention I am also intolerant to potatoes and sweeteners?  It gets better doesn't it ;).  I have heard all the jokes about "do you eat cardboard?" and "oh that chicken sandwich was delicious"  but hey who cares.  I started a journey of discovery and to be honest I am loving every minute.  Foods which I had never dreamed of eating before have found their way into my store cupboard and fridge and I find myself spending more and more time in the kitchen getting adventurous creating yummy, healthy meals and treats.  Almost all of my diet is vegan now, I still haven't quite given up the eggs but I am getting there, especially as I rarely have them anyway but if I eat out I choose vegan.
I know now to stay clear of cows milk as my allergy is getting worse.  The other day I was out and ordered a soya milk coffee, unbeknown to me I was given cows milk by accident and within a few seconds of drinking my throat started to phlegm up and my lips and face started tingling.  I don't want to find out what happens next time.
So here I am 9 months on, over 2 stone lighter, feeling healthier, and most importantly happy.  My chronic rhinitis is tons better thanks to the lack of mucous producing milk in my diet, my back pain is minimal and for the first time in my life I can run up a flight of stares and not get out of breath................Happy days!!!!