This going dairy free thing is difficult. Not just because I want cream in my coffee! I want a slice of pizza! I want Indian food!, but because it seems milk products hide in almost everything. My list of things to avoid includes most breads, soups, deli meat, breaded and fried chicken, some crackers, cookies, salad dressing—even non-dairy creamer! There are so many foods I missed while pregnant, and now I can’t eat them all over again.

I planned our meals for this week carefully and read all the labels at the grocery store. I made a big pot of split pea and ham soup for lunches this week and was so excited when I didn’t find any “offending” ingredients in turkey ham. I was surprised because turkey ham, well, it isn’t natural you know. It’s processed just like deli meat. I trusted the label, though, and what did it get me? A screaming banshee!

I’ve been keeping a food diary to track how my meals affect Mirabella, and I couldn’t figure it out. Everything was considered safe, but she was obviously reacting to something. Finally, I decided it must be the split pea soup. I skipped it yesterday and made black beans and rice for lunch instead. You know what? We have peace in our house again. Just like that. Curse you turkey ham and your meaningless ingredient list!

I have a new respect for vegans. I mean, how do you trust that there isn’t milk in your bread? Do you read the labels on spices to make sure there isn’t any added whey? Does that mean you never eat another piece of milk chocolate? Do you only use vinaigrette dressing on your salads? In order to go vegan you must have a passion for the lifestyle. How can you not? Eliminating animal products from your entire diet is hard! It takes a lot of work and effort. Personally, I don’t think I could do it. Rice milk in my morning coffee? Forget about it!