BONUS!

So it has officially been one week without dairy products. A short recap...

Little B is a rock star. I was moments from a heart attack on Monday morning when she took off her jammies to reveal a blue and purple bruised belly. Seriously, folks, I think my left arm started to go numb. I thought my good intentions were causing my baby to bleed internally. Little B backed away slowly, then admitted to coloring on a paper plate and putting it up her dress at church on Sunday. Lovely. She progressively had more BMs (you'll figure it out) up through day 5. However, there has been little action in that area on days 6-7. The weird thing is that her belly isn't distended at all. Previously, she'd go one day without a BM and look like a pregnant preschooler. She did have a bit of a runny nose on Thursday morning, so I'm thinking whatever she snuck at our church's picnic Wednesday afternoon could possibly have been dairy laden. Grrr. (Beware: I'm a nutritional conspiracy theorist.) BONUS: Little B is begging for more non-dairy mac.

Mr. B is my hero. He went all week and didn't have a single complaint. He did get a smidge crabby Thursday night, admitting that he was craving a Blizzard of enormity. He did not succumb, but it was a very quiet ride home from the library. He may have eaten an entire package of graham crackers when we got home. He told me over breakfast that he was really needing something sweet. Did I forget to mention that I wasn't using any sugar either?

Oops.

A light bulb went off. He figured the milky-sweetness he was craving was due to the 'milk' part, not the sugar. This seemed to raise his spirits. BONUS: he was stoked not to have eaten out for 8 straight days. Home cooking is definitely the way to this man's heart, even if it is dairy-free.

As for me, I am loving it. I haven't had any cravings and I feel great. I did have to endure one less-than-supportive comment from my mother-in-law, but at least it wasn't in regards to Little B not getting enough calcium. (That's another post, for another day.) In addition to the no-dairy business, I haven't had any sugar or aspartame either, which I believe is contributing to the feeling of superbness. BONUS: I actually lost a few pounds, too. But I attribute that to eating better in general overall...and not putting 1/2 cup Vanilla Caramel creamer in my coffee each morning.

My week was made when I woke up this morning to Little B calling to me from her bedroom.

"Mama," she said, "Can I have some more of that banana awesomeness you made yesterday?"

Your non-dairy wish is my command.

Banana Awesomeness

2 bananas, mashed

3 T. egg substitute

1 c. unsweetened applesauce

1 c. whole wheat flour

1/2 t. baking soda

pinch of salt

Mix wet ingredients and dry ingredients separately. Combine. Pour into a pie pan coated with non-stick spray. Bake at 350* for 30 minutes.

BONUS: It's even better the next day.