Going Gluten Free

When I first started having the digestive attacks, I wasn't quite sure what to do.  After each attack, I wouldn't be able to eat anything for days without it causing considerable discomfort. I began visiting doctors in the hope that someone could give me some helpful advice and relieve the pain. I still hadn't been diagnosed with Hashimoto's yet. After visiting many traditional MDs, I decided to look into some holistic, East/West and integrative medical clinics.  I happened upon a lovely clinic called the Akasha Center for Integrative Medicine.  I had never quite been to a doctor's office quite like it!

When you walk up to the place, you can hear a little fountain in the midst and lush greenery surrounds you. The waiting room at Akasha was so peaceful and inviting. It certainly doesn't have the frenzied pace and sterile ambiance of a traditional doctor's office.  You're greeted warmly and offered tea.  They make honoring your time a commitment and are not behind schedule for your appointment.  They also meet with you for a 1/2 hour or an hour so you can really discuss all your symptoms and questions with the doctor.  It was considerably pricier than going to the standard doc but I was sold!  For the first time in a long time, I was being heard.  The doctor took some blood (unfortunately, they didn't pick up on the thyroid issue) but she immediately put me on a temporary gluten free diet to see if that would relieve some symptoms and it did.  I still go to Akasha for my annual women's wellness consult.

Anyway, I noticed an immediate change in my digestive symptoms once I went off the gluten.  I would learn later that most people living with Hashimoto's have some sort of gluten sensitivity (more on that in another post!

I'm wondering, how many of you have gone gluten-free?  What has your experience been? 
What is your favorite gluten-free treat to eat?