Ticks, mood swings, and Jesus.

     As most of you know I have Lyme disease which you get from a tick. I never knew I had so it turned into a chronic mess. And Tuesday night I was laying in bed and Patrick noticed a huge tick on the outside of my leg. And I Haden's fully BITTEN me we JUST caught it before it started feeding. That doesn't mean I'm OUT of the woods but it doesn't mean I'll contract anything either. So obviously after everything died down and the tick was off me I was so bent out of shape I couldn't sleep because all I could think of was "here we go again!!! I'm gonna get worse and what's the point of this shit anymore!" I totally went into my OCD ballistic mode. My personality turned into nasty and I was pissed off (rightfully so after what I've been through). I woke up the same way yesterday. I was irritable. I was curing at people on the road. I did not want to be bothered and I just wanted to lay in bed and be left alone. I totally went depressed. I felt my brain switch into its deperonalization mode. (Google it because it's hard to explain lol) 

     So I'm going about my day and I am in RARE FORM!!! I don't feel well I'm physically exhausted from the day before, I didn't sleep well, I'm thinking about this tick, I'm thinking that I have to pack by Friday night, I'm worrying if I'm even gonna sleep to wake up at 3:00 AM on Saturday. I'm worried about how my back is gonna be in the car, how we're driving so long. My agoraphobia... everything I could worry about I worried about. That by 5:00 in the afternoon I had stressed myself out so much mentally that I gave myself panic attacks ALL NIGHT LONG. I was laying there in my depressed and anxious pity, not talking and it occurred to me that during the day I had made a HUGE MISTAKE to how I started my day. 

     Every morning for weeks I've been trying to keep my morning focused on Jesus and thanking him for giving me another day to be alive and saying prayers. That's the first thing I do every morning. I wake up, I roll over, grab my phone, see the time, and open my "verse of the day" on my bible app. And yesterday I did not do that. I started my day with worry, and irritablility because I had so much to do. That it was 2 hours before I even opened the app and by that time I wasn't even interested. (Second mistake) so the entire day was just me feeling mentally and physically shot. I wanted to scream and cry and shake and break down all at once. So I went to talk to my mom and she had a very similar day. Irritable, tired, rare form, cuss words, (which is usually my thing) and I told her we needed to pray and she had also told me she didn't start her day with Jesus and didn't hit the word at all!!! I said "you know when other people are you YALL NEED JESUS?... that's us right now so let's pray". So we got out some blessed water, sprayed ourselves senseless and prayed. It was my first time I felt the urge to "take over" he prayed because usually she does it but I had he urge to speak and I was so proud and grateful!!! She was as well.

     All the good days I've had these last few weeks have started with me in the words even if it's just the verse of the day. And sharing all my Facebook posts. It's SOMETHING. Instead I fell back into old terrible habits, I decided that I wasn't gonna be happy when I woke up. I kept letting the negative thoughts and influences throughout the day get to me instead of putting my heart in Jesus. After prayer I felt so guilty for letting that happen. But I'm not perfect. And I believe everything happens to teach us something. I had a pretty crappy day. but if I didn't have that crappy day, I wouldn't have realized how important and necessary it is to start the day in the word. Because it will completely turn your mood around. It will start your day on the right foot. With a right heart, mind, and soul. So today I did. And I am already having a better and more productive day. That's enough for me to never do it again. 

     The next week I'll be on vacation with my family. It may rain the week were there and I'm gonna make an effort to open my bible every morning. And BE in the word. Because it's the most important thing to do!!! So lesson learned. START YOUR DAY WITH JESUS!!!! 

JESUS JESUS JESUS!!! 

There is power...in the name of JESUS!!! 

Onwards to a better day- Cassie

🙏🏻💚🌸🦋✝️

Jesus Saved My Life and My Soul!

I used to complain all the time about the amount of pain I was in. I would smile through to then go home and wallow in my own pity saying "it's not fair." "I'm too young for this to happen". And even though those things are true. Still to this day. I wouldn't give up those experiences. Because I know they have a purpose in my life. I got through every single day of pain. I went through periods of coming off of a plethora of medications (sleeping and anxiety meds among others) that made me withdraw so much I had sleep deprivation and I couldn't control my body. I begged and pleaded to God to make it stop. It eventually did. But what I didn't understand then was that I NEEDED to experience that. Because today. Just when I think I can't do it anymore and I'm "done", I wake up the next day and continue to live because the grace of Jesus gives my strength. It has not been easy in the slightest. It's been hard. For a long time. My biggest regret isn't that I was/am fighting this internal battle, it's that I let my illnesses and everything wrong with me get in the way of life. I allowed it to control my life. And I'm not anymore. My daddy said something to me one day that really resonated with me. He said "wherever you go, you take you with you." So no matter if I felt really bad or not, I was either gonna feel sick at home and be by myself in my pity party, or go out and have the opportunity to smile and laugh, because I was gonna feel like poop anyway! So I might as well try to have fun. Couple of weeks ago Jesus stepped back into my life after I took a year long "hiatus" from church and study. I really did because I got to a point where I didn't want to be bothered with anything. And Jesus stepped back into my life and brought amazing people into my life to pull me out of my literal hellhole. He spoke through people to me. Those people know who they are, they know that what they said made no sense to them yet they felt compelled and urged to tell me and I obliged. And what they said made sense to me only. I can honestly say I had never felt so loved, and relieved. Because I knew that my Lord and savior had answered my prayers. It's not something you can really put into words. It's a deep feeling of knowing that it wasn't just a random conversation between two people...this was a message. Some people may say I'm a Jesus fanatic, or believe what they want. But I'm here to tell you that Jesus saved my life. He brought me back from severe depression. Severe. He literally and physically showed me what I could be if I tried hard enough in my life. Who I could become. Who's lives I could change. And so here I lay in bed. Wondering where my life will take me. What does my future hold. Jesus already shows me his way and I'll look out for the signs so he can show me mine so that I know what to do to serve him. Wether it be making simple posts like this or singing in church. 

     Tonight I'm watching the Hulk. I had a rather productive day. I drove everywhere by myself which I never thought I would be able to do again. Am I in pain? Yes. Am I sitting here with a CBD version of icy-hot rubbed on the left side of my body? Yes. I smell like a huge jar of Vicks Vapo Rub.  But it works. Nerve pain and joint pain is not a joke. I fell down a flight of stairs and I damaged nerves alone the left side of my body. Recovery from this had been brutal. Physical therapy is hard. But I do it because there are thousands upon thousands of people who have prayed just as hard as me to even walk. To see, to hear, to be able to move on their own, breath, even live. I have these opportunities and I spent too long wasting them. No more. I wear my Jesus saves t-shirts all the time. I wear them proudly because he really does save. He saved me. Even when I didn't want to believe. He figuratively spirit slapped me back into "non pity reality" and I am FOREVER grateful for that. As well as the family he has given me. All of my family. My honey, my church, my parents my brothers and sisters, everyone. I looked out my car window today and saw beauty in the world again for the first time in a long time. I felt free. I was living. I AM living through the great I AM!!!!! 

Jesus saves, I know it as a fact, if you're already low, what have you got to lose?  Even if you're not low, entertain me. Give it one shot. You literally have nothing to lose and only everything to gain. This is not a religious thing, I am non denomination. A beautiful soul at church today, during announcements, said something beyond true. Our church is called the "No Name Church" because the ONLY name we need to know when we walk in there is Jesus. We're they're to praise him. To learn, to get refreshed, to sing awesome music with and awesome band. To fellowship with each other. We have breakfast. It's not a "chore" to go. I grew up catholic. I know the feeling. I get excited to see my family. At 24 years old My mother asked me to come and listen to this guy. And I was DREADING it all day. It was a water baptism at a friends house in a kiddie pool and I was dreading it because it already sounded cult-like (😂) I get there and am literally sitting there laughing with someone who also was "dragged". Then when he starts to talk I couldn't believe the things he said.  It just in general but about me. There's not one person on this earth who would know these private things and thoughts that I have never shared with anyone. That I got creeped out but there was only ONE explanation. 

I. was. never. Alone.   

Jesus had been listening to me all those years. And I got in that kiddie pool SO FAST. And my life was changed forever. And in 2 weeks I'm getting in another pool to do it again. To repledge my life to Jesus after losing my way.

GUYS. I love science, I am a huge skeptic about everything. But I have a general knowledge that nothing is impossible. You need tangible evidence that something existed? Look at me. Look at my family, my father, my mother, the things they do for people. The way their lives have changed. How is that not evidence enough. It is for me. I see it. I feel it. I wish that all my friends and family can feel it too. All I hear from skeptics is "prove it"..."show me"..."evolution". Granted, it's hard to believe something you can't use your senses on. I do get that. But those same people don't have a counter argument when I ask them to disprove it. So many people I know will believe in aliens before they believe in God. And do I think that we're the only life forms in this seriously vast universe within more universes? I think it's a physical impossibility. BUT I believe that God does not need me to know. I don't care if I ever know stuff like that. This world is temporary. Maybe I'll find out in another world. Whatever it may be. Whenever it may be. I'll read the Good book. Live the best life I can. I will NEVER be ashamed of loving Jesus and praising him wherever I am. I do not care what anyone thinks. I'm not here to impress anyone but Him.

When I was 24 I had nothing to lose. And in a matter of 3 hours I had gained everything. 

Are you willing to give it a chance? 

Does your face need a pick-me-up? READ ON

     Do you feel like this when you look at your skin in the mirror? (Heads up never use the magnifying side..it's a self esteem killer) if so, then read on.

     

LOL (best meme ever)

     As someone with serious skin issues, who goes from total patchy Senhorreic Dermatitis, to clear/ some acne/ greasy skin... It's hard to take care of my skin because I don't know how my skin will look when I wake up in the morning. I figured out my favorite group of fave masks. 

     I have always found face masks to be something relaxing, it means your taking time to yourself, and pampering and that is ALWAYS GOOD. I am going to make this post short and sweet. After a LONG day with makeup on and sweat and grossness (lol) I love to wear a mask after removing my makeup. So I immediately go for GLAMGLOW. 

GLAMGLOW is my favorite group of masks. I absolutely love them. There are many different masks to choose from based on what you need, but I choose from these three: 

This is the "YouthMud". It's a great treatment mask for firming, brightening, and getting rid of that excess moisture. It's PERFECT for combination skin. When  applied you wait 10 minutes or until

It's dry. It will get semi hard and flakey. And you wash it off to find it will start to exfoliate. It does feel tingly and burny BUT it will not burn your skin. I have severely sensitive skin and nothing happened to me but brighter more radient skin! Also. It WILL SERIOUSLY MAKE YOUR SKIN LOOK YOUNGER. Who wouldn't want this? Here is the link on Amazon. I find buying it on Amazon is much cheaper. 

LINK:   GLAMGLOW Youthmud Tinglexfoliate Treatment, 1.7 fl. oz. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004TTXMQ2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_2fPBxb4361V2N

 This mask is PERFECT for combination skin as well. And more perfect for dry skin. When my skin was so dry that even aquaphor didn't work, I would slather this on, leave it for 20 minutes and my skin would DRINK it all in. If you have RAW skin it will burn like any mask. BUT will not hurt you. It's cooling, and seriously moisturizing. I also will put it on at night because you can use this as an overnight treatment as a thin layer. Once it's been on to wear my skin has already soaked it up I just rinse my skin and PAT DRY. NEVER WIPE YOUR FACE. (Ruins the tightness and can cause tears and wrinkles. Now you can do both of these masks together. I wouldn't if you have sensitive skin (I still do) But doing them together will give you a nice pampered night in for your face.

LINK:   GLAMGLOW Thirstymud Hydrating Treatment, 1.7 oz. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ISEOY20/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_vmPBxbN0Q26C5

The third treatment I love is for when your having a severe breakout or your face is oily/ acne prone. Made with glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid. You will find that the glycolic acid will restore damaged skin from scars, the salicylic acid minimizes pores which won't allow excess oil and dead skin to enter the pore. That is what creates acne in the first place. And the Lactic acid will tighten the collegen, help with uneven skin tone or the pigmentation, and seriously moisturize. This mask should be done before any follow up treatments. Also this mask should be done BEFORE the thirsty mud mask. Treat the acne THEN hydrate after. 

LINK:  GLAMGLOW Super-MudTM Clearing Treatment 1.2 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009GYVMAS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fnPBxbTR1V5EJ

Now, I am not a doctor I can only speak from experience. But always test these products on a small area before ANYTHING because you never know what your allergic to until your allergic to it. But if I didn't haven't a reaction then your probably won't lol. I love all of them. I will use the clearing treatment as a spot treatment before bed, And I will use the thirsty mud in the most dry places of my face as a spot treatment before bed. My favorite is using the YouthMud before a party, night out, or event. It tightens wrinkles and I mean you will seriously be able to SEE the difference. It's amazing. And it also will even out your skin tone making your makeup products go on smoother. It's all worth the money. 

     There are tons of other products that GlamGlow makes, so either check out their website, look up reviews on YouTube, or go right to Amazon and just trial and error! :) I hope you enjoyed this blog post! 

If you want information on more products I use and my favorites just send me a message on my Controversy with Cassie Facebook page and I will definitely do a video or a post! See you all soon! And remember...LOVE YOUR LIFE! LOVE YOURSELF!

#loveyourself2016

#glamglow

*not at all sponsored. I just seriously love this stuff lol. 

Fathers Day 2016: Why my dad is my hero.

Today is Father's Day. The day we celebrate fathers everywhere. Good ones. Weird ones. Even the bad ones that get thanks for their donation 😉. BUT...today I want to talk about my dad. His name is Anthony. He's most definitely your above average dad. Watches out for his family, does his nine to five, and does yard work and hard. If you walked passed him on the street you would think nothing of this man. If you are reading this blog post about him then you know my daddy, Anthony, is a stunning man. Tony Gatz, today is your day. I'm not one to brag...BUT I have never been more proud of my dad then I am at this point in my life. I'll probably say that a million times more after this. But first, seriously, how handsome is he! Round of applause! 

     

        👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

He may be a lot of things to a lot of people but first and foremost he is my dad. But many of you can say he is a father figure to a lot of you as well. With everything he has done, I think all of us can make a list of his accomplishments. And since it IS Father's Day, what kind of proud daughter would I be I didn't at least brag a little. ☺️😜. 

There is so much you don't know about this guy I call daddy. So let's start from the beginning...of the day! He wakes up at 3:22 AM to go to work. He's out of the house before its 3:30 AM and usually looks like this on the train. 

He goes to work everyday to support his entire family and then some. This is the face of a hard working man. A generous man. A man of God. And a father. He sits on this train for almost 2 hours and comes home after being on his feet all day about 12 hours later. If that's not hard work I don't know what is. There are definitely some perks of his job. For example, when you are on break and you walk into Regis!

Or into some strange barnyard animals?

                         (Sheep?)

                        A camel.

                          A goat.

   

    And even the possessed prank baby!

Aside from his job and many fun pictures he really is a hard working man. But even the hardest working man needs to relax. And I know personally watching someone who could never relax, FINALLY find peace in music and in God, is a beautiful thing. One of his passions he gets absolutely lost in is guitar. 

     If it's playing on a balcony in Jersey.

                        (Shirtless)

          Playing on a bench in Carolina,

                        (Shirtless)

Or literally being the best Naked Cowboy New York has ever seen.

                        (No words)

He is a man who can play guitar beautifully, and has a very beautiful singing voice. And I'm grateful he found peace and found a way to get lost in song. Not many people believe it's possible to learn such a skill when you get older (no offense) but you really can! You are never to old to learn something new!

My daddy, Anthony, is also known better as Tony Gatz, and working and guitar playing is nothing at all compared to why he does for his community. He's also passionate about helping people and life. Tony Gatz is a man who will go above and beyond to help anyone in need. He helps without judgement, he helps without question, and he helps without expecting anything in return. He is the definition of generous. In his quest to learn to love himself, he's learned that loving others and helping others is the goal of his life. He speaks to hundreds of people at a time,

Thousands of people at a time,

Or just loves those heart to hearts with those little special someone's.

     (These are just ridiculously cute. 🤗)

He has helped save lives by speaking to schools about addiction prevention, going on the road in the GatzMobile to personally spread awareness about drugs and alcohol to parents and children alike, and single handedly (with help of course) opening up our counties first opiate addiction recovery meetings. He is literally on a mission to save lives everyday. So from that 3:30 photo to when he finally gets to rest, my dad is helping people nonstop. It's this part of his life that astounds me the most. The sheer power of will, and the will of God that flows through him allows him to preach his own story, the stories he sees, and all while doing this saving lives and supporting his family in the process. I am just so very proud to be the daughter of Anthony Eack. But I'm still not done. 

     My dad is the best husband he can be to my beautiful mother Linda. They fell in love as teenagers, got married at 20 and 21, and are still married today. A relationship that continuously grows each day and learns each day as it should be. My father still looks at her with that glow in his eyes as if he first met her. They laugh and cry. But always come out on top. And they never cease to smile when their next to each other. And that's the truth. Just look at them. ❤️

They are just absolutely beautiful. I have amazing parents. 

Aside from playing guitar my dad is also a tattooist. This is a recent thing but he's always been very good at art. So when he took a swing at it we all knew he was epic at it. A total natural! Check it out!

Really good right? 👏🏻👏🏻👍🏼👍🏼😎🤘🏼🤘🏼

And finally, the entire reason for today's blog post. The person you all see as Anthony, Tone, Tony, Ant, or Tony Gatz...is the same person I will only call Daddy. He is my knight in shining aquaphor and armor, he has always come my rescue, he always there to talk to me, he has never yelled at me or been angry with me. He is the dad of all dads. He's been a dad to more than just me and my brother. And a lot of you reading this today can vouch for the. He is a lover of his family, friends, and has a loving heart like no other. What he has done with his life can't compare to the love he gives our family each and everyday by not only showing it, but by doing what he does on a daily basis. I'm not only proud to be his daughter, I'm honored that I get to say "yea that's my dad." And there no other father in the world that could ever replace him. He's an amazing person. 

He deserves a lot of this, all the time. 

But he will continue to do what his heart tells him to do. Love his family, love his friends, love the loveless. Help every soul in need he can. And be the absolute best father a girl could ask for. To today, Daddy, happy Father's Day. You deserve every award possible. I love you!

Forever, Lizzy Tish. 🤘🏼💚

 

BLOGGING FAIL. BLOG FROM 2014

Hey everyone!

I have been a literal failure when it comes to posting. I have used possibly every excuse in the world not to do anything. But I'm back! 

So this year is been hectic. My Lyme disease came back full force. This time it attacked another system of my body. First it was my stomach and gallbladder but when I got that removed those buggers moved to my brain, bones, and nerves. So as of today I have arthritis, carpal tunnel in my right hand, and severe bone pain. =[ 

I have been going to doctor after doctor. I have gone to the hospital a few times since the beginning of December. I went back on Bicilin shots in my ass. But I do have good news, this Monday I will be going to a Lyme Literate Pain Management doctor in Connecticut. I hope he can help me with all the pain I am going through.

I can't say that all of what I go through isn't mentally challenging. I have had a few mini breakdowns where I just need a day to cry it out. But after those days its all better.  My family and Patrick have helped me get through that. 

I have a jealousy and anger problem with the people that aren't sick like me. I fell like if I had that healthy body, I would do so much with it. Charity, Volunteer work, Plain work, enjoying my life and taking vacations. And when I see people just wasting their physical health because their lazy or unmotivated, I get angry because that could be me. Its wasted physical potential. But this is MY problem. To each their own. One day I will have that. And I will use that to my full potential. 

Another nice thing coming in April is my 3 year anniversary with Patrick. Hes like the best thing that had ever happened to me. I mean that. For him to have stuck by me and my negative attitude most things, he like deserves the medal of honor for best boyfriend in existence. I just can't wait to spend the rest of my life with him. And when I get healthy we are going to do so much stuff. Vacations, museums, DISNEYWORLDDDDDDD!

I can't wait until the day I can walk without pain.

TaTa for now!

❤️

-Cassie

Where have I been?! Total MIA

Dear Readers, 

     I have been completely MIA for 3-4 months. it sucks. I'm sorry. Don't hate me. This is what happened, AND it all happened really fast. SO if all of you don't know my mother and I have chronic lyme disease. The lyme disease caused both our gallbladders to pretty much fail so we went to the surgeon and had them removed. Hers was at the beginning of March and mine was at the beginning of April. We took care of each other so it worked out well. Yea.... It was seriously painful because not only did I have surgery, but I had been sore for years in the same spot. It was like someone punching the worst bruise you ever had, then tattooing it, while you had a fever. (Yea, that bad). The annoying part was that I couldn't lay on my stomach or my side because of the incisions. It took about a week to be able to lay on my side and about 2 months to lay on my stomach. One of my incisions did get infected but it was just a surface infection which is fine. I can't tell you how much better and how much relief I got from surgery alone. The constant nausea was finally gone. I could finally at again without fear! It was such a relief. But I did need help getting around and my family and my boyfriend Patrick god help him how many times he brought me to pee were helping me so much. Fast forward to after recovery. 

     

     About the beginning of May we started to do work around the house. Painting, remodeling, organizing, etc. We have a family member moving in with us so we have much preparing to do. But the time is almost here! Thank God. So that's been happening. Then I am assuming because of surgery my Lyme flared up and I felt very sick on and off. Its frustrating because if I have one bad night I'm exhausted for days. So there are for to few good days in between when I can get things done. I have also been looking for part time employment so I can put money in my pocket. A lot of searching. 

     Fast forward to the end of May. Patrick and I were redoing our closet in the bedroom and needed new shelving. On those shelves we had planned to put baskets with our socks and undies. We were on our way to K-Mart in the rain when we got in a bad accident. Actually it was a 7 car accidnet and a 5 car pile up but we were right in the middle. The first car stopped short and drove away but not before he caused the second car to stop and domino the rest of us. So two cars in front of us and two cars behind us. We were fine and all except for bruises, a sprained shoulder, and a sprained foot. I was on crutches for a few days and had my foot wrapped for a week. Limped for the next three weeks and now I'm good as new!. Except for the migraine iv'e had for the last 8 days. Non-Stop. Its terrible. And my Lyme is really coming out a lot now. I'm tired all the time and my arthritis is at its worst. All this at 23! Lord have mercy on me. 

I'm having a problem thinking of a new blog topic to do so please let me know what you guys would like to read! Talk to you soon!

<3 Cassie

Gluten Free: Now what?

So you made the switch to a gluten free, dairy free lifestyle. Lets all make the same face for a second. 

Losing weight and getting healthy doesn't just mean gluten free. It means making dietary changes to ALL aspects in your life, like carbs, sugar, fats. Yea your taste buds just went into shock right now I feel the pain for you. A lot of the questions I get asked on a normal basis are: " What do you eat for breakfast then?" "How can you live without snacks and BREAD, you're Italian right?" 

Yea, I am Italian. And yes I loved bread. 

Carbs: 

I think anyone can vouch for you that if you want to lose weight you not only have to eat less you have to cut out the sugar and carbs. I am happy to say that if you start to eat a gluten free diet then you probably cut out most of the carbs you were eating! YAY! In reality there are only a few other changes to the carbs you eat. If you love potatoes, switch between white and sweet potatoes. Each is almost the same in the amount of carbs. They just have different vitamins. Don't forget, a lot of what makes our waistlines increase is not what we eat, its what ELSE we put in it. So if you are making your sweet potatoes and you decide to add marshmallows and brown sugar, its completely defeating the purpose. Come on, really? There are plenty other yummy ways to eat carbs. In our household we usually bake our sweet and white potatoes in tin foil right in the oven. We also cut them up and throw them around our meat in the pan! Now a lot of people throw on the sour cream, butter, cheese, bacon "all dat" on those potatoes. BAD BAD BAD. pretend I am a nun in catholic school smacking your hand with a ruler. NO NO NO. Throw it out, no more sour cream, no more butter, no more grease. Just stop. Cold turkey that shit. If you can't eat a plain potato use a little bit of butter and salt. NOT a half a stick. 

Now Rice is a different story. Many people will tell you that brown rice is so much better for you. And while yes, there is a crapload more fiber in brown rice, I find its much harder to digest because it contains bran. There is really no difference in rices which is why I eat my white rice. 

                                                                   Because its awesome.

Brown rice is so hard for me to digest,, it gives me heartburn and stomach pain. And for me that's bad because I have a poopy digestive system (no pun intended). White rice is easier to digest for me. Just like before cut out the extra crap you dump onto the rice, Butter, Gravy, Loads of salt. Instead of using all those things, grab some organic chicken, beef, or vegetable broth, and use that instead of water to make your rice, So much more flavor! BAM. 

PASTA! Oh pasta what will we do. EASY. Half the time we use rice pasta in this house and the people that come over and eat it can't even tell the difference. And they end up without heartburn and the “itis” on Sunday nights. So either use corn or rice pasta, but if you want something close to real than use rice. Its yummy. Corn pasta will always taste al dente and it is very hard to digest. (corn in poop yea..)

Bread is hard to copy. It really is. I have only one bread I can eat but it still contains eggs. But not much so it doesn't really bother me. We have tried tons of different ones but the best we found is Udi's products. So many different versions, hot dog buns hamburger rolls, cinnamon raisin, they even make white bread, bagels, and muffins! Yummy =]

Sugar:

Obviously if you haven't cut out the junk food from your diet you might as well keep your fat pants. Still putting syrupy crap in your coffee? Keep your fat pants. Still eating that ice cream? Keep your fat pants. What did you expect me to be nice? Psh =P

In order to go dairy free there are plenty of different ways to make your coffee, yes they do take time to get use to it I won't lie, but now I cannot have my coffee any other way. I used to be a half and half/ equal user. Religiously. About three cups a day. Today I use Coconut Creamer. It comes in regular and french vanilla. Both taste amazing! My best friend and now sister (=]) Lee, Had to switch to a dairy free lifestyle because she couldn't stomach it anymore. She comes over all the time so we obviously make coffee. She can not drink her coffee any other way now. And she is happy she can have her coffee and still enjoy it. We also do not use sugar in our coffee. We use agave nectar. It makes your coffee taste so much more rich. I HATE sugar because it always made my post nasal drip worse. Yuck. You can use agave in everything as a substitute. It's not that its 100 times better than sugar but I like it better. They will tell you that agave has more sugar than sugar itself (lol crazy I know) But you also need to use less of it then you would normally use if using sugar. So it evens out. All in all, if you love sugar in your coffee. Use sugar just don't over do it.

Dairy:

Believe it or not my biggest problem was getting rid of cheese. Whoa is me cheese =[ I still miss cheese. But lets start with milk. I have found amazing substitutes. If you are just starting out, switch to vanilla soy milk. Its the closest consistency to regular cows milk. I don't think soy milk is the best option because it is a huge mucous producer. So keep that short. If we have to have some kind of milk=type product we use vanilla almond milk. Its a little more watery but it won't leave you with that milk stomach feeling. We also use coconut milk religiously. Just go to your local health food store and ask them what the best seller they have is! As far as cheese goes, I hate to say this but I still haven't found a substitute. Nor am I 100% sure if goat cheese is considered dairy. It still contains casien which I can't have so I never really looked into it. Sorry about the cheese =[ There are a few substitutes but being Italian I can't handle the taste. Nothing liker fresh “mutzadel” Now as far as butter is concerned. You can't have butter. Plain and simple. The best organic/ vegan/ dairy free/ healthy substitute is Earth Balance, Natural Buttery Spread. It just sounds fake. But I loved eating “i can't believe its not butter” (because its not, its made with every fake ingredient possible) And it tastes very similar. I like it so much more. Its so yummy!.

Snacks:

If you love your chocolate and you still need to eat it. I do too! The brand “enjoy life” has made the yummiest cookies you can imagine. I cannot stop eating these when I get them. Once I literally ate 7. That’s a lot of cookies to me. I’ve tried them all they all are amazing. If your a granola bar person the brand “bakery on main” makes AMAZING granola bars. Many different flavors. Also If you need a good snack chex makes gluten free cereals that are so good you won't want to put down the box. I usually eat it out of the box with my boyfriend telling me when to stop (lol) I have no self control when it comes to chex. But you can put them in snack bags to make normal portions. And whats better than Dark chocolate? Not much. There is gluten free dark chocolate and not much dairy so enjoy your chocolate! Yum!

Here are a bunch of pictures of the products our house uses on a daily basis! If you have any questions about anything I wrote today email me at LethalHealth@gmail.com

Thanks! <3 -Cassie Lynn