The Friendship Pie

I'm a lucky girl. I have the most amazing group of friends. We've been through a lot together...divorce, break-ups, kid issues, unemployment, moving, illness, and even death. Yet we have stood by each other every step of the way, listening, supporting and loving. Our bond is hard to describe. It's deep and connected. We "get each other".  I guess the closest word would be soul-sisters.

Women get something special from our soul sisters---it's a unique blend of unconditional love, support, nurturing, caring and understanding. There's isn't anything we wouldn't do for each other. When we're having a bad hair day, our girlfriends will tell us that we look beautiful. When we hate our outfit, they'll rave about it.  When we're feeling down, they'll lift us up.... and when we are on crazy diets, they'll make pie.

I've struggled with stomach issues my whole life. Doctors have tried to figure it out, but chalked it up to IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome).  I live with stomach pain every day. Some days it's tolerable, and other days it cuts like a knife leaving me doubled over.  I've done the gluten free thing, the no dairy thing and just about every type of diet out, there but nothing really worked until the FODMAP diet was recommended by my gastroenterologist  If you also suffer from a stomach condition, please check this diet out...it makes a huge difference. The premise of FODMAP is to cut out all foods that digest in a way that is irritating to the stomach. I've been on the  diet for 2 weeks now (per my doctor) and have been 100% pain free.  Although FODMAP is tough to follow, the benefits outweigh the inconvenience.

Yesterday I had a small cookout with some of my closest friends. Knowing how much I love sweets but how limited my diet is, my "sista" Betsy offered to make a dessert that I can actually eat. She asked me what types of foods I could and couldn't have and then created the most amazing gluten free, corn syrup free, dairy free, blueberry pie. If you've ever worked with gluten free dough, you know how difficult it is to mold and shape..it crumbles and falls apart. Betsy not only researched the best tasting recipe, but also spent hours painstakingly creating a masterpiece that looked as good as it tasted. This pie was truly a labor of love.

This blog is for you Betsy and for all my amazing girlfriends who I am blessed to have in my life.  I can't imagine where I would be without all of you.