I mourn a lot of things these days, my Dad of course, but material things I can no longer have, like coconut oil.

The anniversary of Dad’s passing is drawing near. He passed away this month on the 22nd last year. I mourn his loss daily, but the other feelings and emotions aren’t quite as intense as they once were.

Lately, with my new diet and various ailments, lots of things are off-limits. Coconut oil, butter, and fried foods-which I had mostly given up anyway, fat in general, and popcorn! I’m mourning and missing all those things, but find that I’m still able to eat quite a bit. Peanut butter doesn’t bother me, I found some awesome-but expensive- gluten-free bread, I didn’t have to give up my beloved sweet potatoes, and I’m finding some dairy-free options for yogurt and ice cream type desserts! Anyone for mango sorbetto? Talenti makes a delicious one and they are the same company that makes that awesome gelato!

I’m also missing and mourning no alcohol 🍷 and even when I got to enjoy a glass of wine, I’m not sure it didn’t contribute to some mouth issues soon after. I still haven’t figured out why I keep getting mouth sores and ulcers while on one gram of anti-viral medicine every day!! Any doctors in the house care to explain that one?

If it’s going to make me miserable, I might as well just leave it alone. I have my gummies to replace it, but even those I take sparingly and only 1/2’s or 1/4’s at a time. I have to make them last so I can get to sleep with Dave’s snoring, lol! He won’t try anything to stop it, so I have to do what I can to sleep.

It’s better to utilize what you can instead of mourning what you can’t have. I can eat chicken, turkey, fish, cooked, and some raw, fruits and veggies. Bread, rice, pasta, jello, soup, crackers, nut butter, and sugar-free candy, so I’m not starving. Of course, I try to eat gluten-free bread and pasta, and very little rice, except for Rice Krispies and Cream of Rice hot cereal. I can have bananas again, but she prefers I only eat 1/2 a banana a day. I found some delicious brands of bone broth, which is very good for everyone, and I can have all kinds of tea, and even coffee doesn’t bother me now!

So the bottom line is there’s some things I’ll always mourn, but plenty of things to love that are here to enjoy. ☺️😉