Oooh LOVE hotel chocolat- will definitely check that one out! Haha thanks!!
And yeah- being dairy free here is actually fairly easy- just hope it is in Canada! Although- apparently their cheese is rubbish and imported European cheese is really expensive so maybe it will be easier because I won’t be tempted! Haha
Will definitely check out the chocolate though- I don’t like dark chocolate at all- I’m getting my chocolate fix at the moment from Bourbon biscuits as they don’t contain any dairy at all. Haha
Look at all these places for dining out! Dairy-free coffee, dairy-free pizza, etc.
http://www.godairyfree.org/dining-out/suggested-restaurants/canada-restaurants-dairy-free
Oooh awesome!! Thank you very much!! 
@curiousseagull this is so good to hear! What a relief it must have been for you to discover your allergy and start to see and improvement in your health.
My mum cannot take anything diary - lactose intolerant - and has been for as long as I remember, (in fact my nan used to say she’d be ill after Cow & Gate baby milk). Many years ago she discovered Lactaid drops which have been a godsend for her. A friend of mine, recently told she needs to cut out all diary products due to IBS issues has also seen a dramatic improvement since changing her diet. She’s found milk that is lactose free (and other “diary” foods too I believe).
Elaine
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Is milk good for us?
We are the only species that drink milk regularly from another animal. We’re the only animal that drinks milk after weaning. Calves stop drinking cows’ milk after 6-8 months old. We’ve been conditioned to believe milk is natural and good for us,and that our teeth, bones and nails will suffer if we don’t drink enough milk.
From that same source, “would you drink milk from a lactating woman?” At which point, my mind drifts rapidly to Little Britain sketches involving “bitty” 
Hmmmmmmmm, thirsty now…glass of milk or glass of wine!!!
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I decided to follow a vegan diet after a number of health problems a few years ago and I can honestly say I never felt better. Unfortunately I fell off the vegan wagon one night (copious amounts of prosecco were involved!) and have struggled to get fully back on it - still predominantly dairy free though - but have promised myself a detox for a week followed by a vegan diet again!
i really believe cows milk is not great for us human folk - especially with all those hormones which are given to cows to increase milk production which then passes through to us. When we do have milk in the house for my husband and boys it is only ever organic milk.
And yes, there are so many dairy free alternatives out there now it is so much easier - one vegan find that excited me beyond belief - Oreos! Yes they are totally dairy free!
Sonia.
Well that is one of the questions. The studies I’ve read say no. It’s an unnecessary part of our diet. We can get calcium from plenty of vegetables, types of beans, seeds etc so we don’t need it. It’s also the most difficult thing for the human body to digest- probably because we were never meant to be drinking another animals milk in the first place.
Like a lot of things we consume- it’ll all come from someone’s business idea at some point and the marketing allowed it to take off and be successful- and we like the taste! It always amazes me how clever marketing can essentially change society.
Slightly unrelated (but related to clever marketing) I read a study the other day just on the BBC about how Gillette were the ones that told women to shave legs/underarms etc. Before that, it wasn’t a thing. But their advertising basically brainwashed women into thinking it should be part of our normal hygiene regime. And it worked! Clever really.
Yeah- I used to buy organic milk but in terms of hormones it doesn’t make a lot of difference. The cows are still vertually pregnant all the time anyway so they naturally have a constant surge of hormones in their milk. It’s been linked to increased breast/cervical & prostate cancer though like most things they’re still doing constant studies- and wouldn’t want to announce that anyway otherwise one of our nationwide businesses would crumble!
Not a fan of Oreos (I don’t like the treacle taste) but it’s always good when you find something like that which you love & can eat!! Haha Bourbon biscuits for me!! Haha
I’ve remembered a horror from the cheese counter at a canadian supermarket (in Victoria, BC) - sticky toffee cheddar. I don’t think you’ll have too many problems avoiding canadian cheese if that is what they have on offer.
Hahahaha yeah that sounds about right! I definitely won’t be hunting for that one!!
I wonder if when friends come and visit they can import some cheese?! Haha
Upto 20kgs of cheese or butter but they may have to pay duty on it if it is over $20 (about £11)
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/food/information-for-consumers/travellers/what-can-i-bring-into-canada-/eng/1389648337546/1389648516990
And if you’ve ever watched any of the border security programs you’ll know its best to declare it on your landing card…
Haha don’t watch anything like that. But I don’t mind people paying the import fees for me for the rare occasion when I can maybe have a little slither of cheese! Hahaha
I’ll have to take a look at that and see what else I might need people to declare to bring over for me. Haha although- there’s plenty of British import shops over there now- just with a hefty price tag.
Glad you’ve found what works for you, and I’m so glad you ignored the advice to get rid of your furry girl! I’d rather get rid of my husband than my bunnies (sorry darling, love you really)
I agree wholeheartedly with the elimination suggestions - I can thoroughly recommend a book called “It Starts With Food” by Dallas and Melissa Hartwig. I recently learned about the Whole30 diet, read the book and have just finished my first 30 days. I took a break over the weekend for my birthday, and I’ve gone straight back to feeling tired and bloated.
Whilst I don’t believe I have any allergies as such, going “back to basics” has been quite a revelation. Giving up sugar, in all its forms (including milk and alcohol - sorry!), has finally stopped the steady weight increase I thought was age- and hormone-related (I’m 47). I now eat spiralized courgettes instead of spaghetti, and don’t miss bread at all. Initially I missed cheese more than chocolate, but have now completely lost the craving for either - I had both over the weekend, and cake. I might as well have been chewing sawdust.
Our diets have changed beyond all recognition in the last 10,000 years but, in evolutionary terms, that’s the blink of an eye - our bodies have not adapted at all. We were never designed to cope with the vast quantities of sugars and cereals available now, nor (as others have said) milk beyond weaning. Call it “Paleo” or “caveman” or whatever, but eating what we were meant to eat, rather than what “progress” offers, can restore the balance.
Sorry, I’ll get off my soapbox now - can you tell I’m a bit of a fan?
Haha I know what you mean. And yep- having our diets change faster than we have evolved to cope with it is causing problems everywhere. Just look at the massive increase in diabetes!
I don’t believe the food manufactures help- as let’s be honest the majority of general shoppers don’t really know fully what they’re buying and a lot of people buy for convenience. Just look at that article in the news the other day about Dolmio pasta sauces containing 7 tbsp of sugar! I’d imagine the majority of people would not have expected that.
So I do agree- simple is probably better. Personally I barely drink alcohol anyway- just out of choice. Haha
It always amazes me how few doctors (well maybe I’ve been unlucky) discuss diet. I’ve had acne rosacea for YEARS. The private dermatologist i paid for actually told me diet wouldn’t make a difference!! I look back now and can’t believe i paid for that advice! I eventually removed dairy and ummm still try not to drink red wine and if i eat lots of veggies my skin looks great (well better)!!
@elliepress
Hi Emma, I was diagnosed with rosacea by my gp years ago. She immediately prescribed Oxytetracycline. Goodbye rosacea.
I still take the tablets as it recurs if I stop. But I found I only need to take 2 a day (my prescription is for 2 twice daily).
Maybe worth a chat with your gp if you’re not happy with your skin.
Funny you should say that- I don’t have acne but at the age of 28 I still think I get far too many spots than I should be getting but I only just realised the other day that my skin is looking so much clearer and smoother! So maybe cutting out dairy is helping my skin too- I haven’t changed anything else in terms of face washes or anything.
Glad you’re finding an improvement in yourself with the removal of dairy- it’s a shame it took so long. I agree though- over the last 6 years I’d seen a few doctors about the same thing and none mentioned diet. But I’m a bit cynical when it comes to doctors as I have a few GP friends and know they often get paid by drugs companies so only want to offer drugs. No money to be made for them in us fixing our problems with our food. 