Sorry for the lack of posting this week (which will probably continue into next week). I’m getting ready to hit the road tonight – Neil and I are driving to Buffalo for my future sister-in-law’s bridal shower. Both Neil’s brother and my brother are getting married this fall, within 2 weeks of each other, and I’m in both weddings so there will be plenty of other events like this in the next few months!
Even with traveling, the dairy-free experiment is going well. Except I have had to pass up z-pizza at a work event, while everyone commented on how delicious it was.
In the almost two weeks since I have given up dairy I have had two stomach flare-ups. The first one was actually the day I saw the doctor. I did not have any dairy that day, but had feta in my salad the night before. The second one was this week when I was in Chicago. We went to get Garrett popcorn because it is pretty much the best thing ever.
I ordered the buttery flavor for myself (ironically that is the only dairy-free flavor) and very shortly after eating a few handfuls I started to feel my usual discomfort. By the time I got back to my hotel room my stomach was in full-on bloat and pain mode. I’d like to note that I’m not pushing my stomach out at all in this picture – told you it looks like I’m pregnant!
There is a very high probability that there was dairy “contamination” because the other popcorn flavors do have dairy and in hindsight I think they were using the same scoop for all the different flavors. But maybe it has nothing to do with dairy at all. I’ll let you know on Monday when I bring back some cheese in my life (mmm pizza). I think the biggest realization I’ve had from all this is that A LOT of people have similar problems, and I really appreciate you sharing your experiences through comments and emails.
Now, for your pleasure, a gluten-free, vegan cookie recipe I made for our road trip. Neil was like “these are really good,” and then I told him they were vegan and he said “these are gross” just because he likes to push my buttons…ain’t love grand? 
Peanut Butter Chunk Cookies (gluten-free, vegan)
Ingredients for 1 dozen cookies:
- 1.5 cups Peanut Butter Flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ cup of sugar
- 1 stick (8 tbsp) of earth balance, melted and cooled
- ¼ cup of maple syrup
- 1 tsp of vanilla
- 1 flax egg (1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water, whisked together)
- optional add-ins to create the chunk factor: nuts, raisins, chocolate chips, chia seeds
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 325*.
- Mix together dry ingredients. Add vanilla, butter and maple syrup to dry ingredients. Lastly, add flax egg.
- Fold in chunky add-ins. I used 1 tbsp of slivered almonds because that is all I had in the house, but I think these would be delicious with peanuts, walnuts and chocolate chips.
- Roll into 1-1.5” size balls.
- Bake for 15 minutes.
- Try not to eat all 12 cookies on your road trip.
A quick tangent story – If you follow me on twitter, you may know that a rat has set up home in our car’s engine. Yes, it is the most disgusting thing ever and yes, apparently it is common in cities. I made the mistake of opening the trunk yesterday to see if it was still there, and sure enough a HUGE rat was sitting on top of this little nest. VOMIT.
So if you don’t hear from me for a couple days, I’m probably stranded on the side of a highway with a broken engine. Gotta love city living!
Ugh, I’m sorry about the rat (and the bloating). Both are the worst.
Have a great trip!
that happened to my roommate when we lived in boston, except it was a momma rat and a bunch of babies and she didn’t drive her car for 2 months so they chewed through some important line. YUCK.
also, your tummy is hilarious, i’m sorry, i know it’s unvomfortable and weird but you look like a cute pregnant person
I am very happy there are no b aby rats yet…I’ve heard it can happen with cats and squirrels too!
And don’t worry, I always laugh when my stomach gets like that because it is too ridiculous not too.
Wow thank you for sharing that photo!!! You really do look like you’re preggers… I can’t believe you’re dealing with that!
Ew! Rats! Gross! And oh my goodness, Garrett Popcorn is my downfall! I love the “chicago mix” – caramel corn and cheese popcorn together! My boyfriend’s mom (who lives in Chicago) sent us a container as a surprise a few months back. We love it!
agh! the thought of a rat gives me the heeby geebies (sp!!?)…
I have major tummy issues and popcorn ALWAYS makes my stomach hurt. I have heard its the fiber? Same with almonds, for me. Sometimes, I still eat it, but its the price I pay. And Garretts is amazing
Ugh, rats are so gross! Although I’m apparently raising a family of squirrels on my patio (inside my seat cushions) so I semi feel your pain!
I have heard of people who experience stomach bloat like your picture. The one gal I knew ended up having a whole boat-load of food allergies! Hopefully you get it figured out because I can only imagine how uncomfortable it must be!
Wow, that bloating looks really painful! Have you considered wheat or gluten allergies?
Sorry, I just realized that you are making gluten-free cookies and your last few posts mentioned gluten so obviously my comment above doesn’t make any sense!
My stomach always feels bloated after popcorn. Luckily I just don’t like it and don’t eat it. I think it’s too airy. I think that picture is cute! In a weird way I guess.
I hope you find the cause to your bloating issues. And that rat…ewwww.
Ah bloating is so uncomfortable…hope you find a good solution soon! The cookies looks delicious – can’t go wrong with peanut butter!
I was just talking to my friend about bloating from dairy products, it’s so difficult! I ate pizza w/ cheese on it today and I am somehow fine!
I can’t believe that rat story, AHHH!
I have weird dairy issues. Usually I can eat things like yogurt, cottage cheese, and pizza (mozz) without a problem, but if I have ice cream and cream sauces I am a mess. I think different dairy products have different lactose levels. Hopefully you get some answers soon. And thankfully you can still have peanut butter! The cookies look great.
bagh. my stomach TOTALLY does that when i eat dairy. though it also does that when i eat any popcorn other than what i make at home — therefore i always sneak my own popcorn into movie theaters
i hope you felt better soon after — and yeah, Garrett Popcorn, i would guess had lactose of some sort in the popcorn. its Chicago after all. there is a definite disconnect between dairy, lactose and butter there. they love their buttah.