First, I’m gluten intolerant. I made the conscious decision not to undergo testing for Celiac. I put myself on a 100 percent gluten free diet last May. I decided to blog about my experience because there weren’t bloggers out there doing southern comfort foods, which were a big part of my life. That was my start. I also blog on products, issues, etc. And sometimes, I blog just to blog. I find it cathartic. I’ve made a lot of friends. And I’ve learned even more than I knew. THAT has made it all worthwhile.
My true 100 percent Gluten Freedom day was May 17. I felt better by Memorial Day. I have my ups and downs because I also have other gastrointestinal- and diabetes-related issues, but it’s nothing like I felt last year at this time.
It horrifies me that the International House of Pancakes puts pancake batter in its omelets and scrambled eggs. That is the worst. Once, even though I asked them to give me a fresh-egg omelet, they switched me out, and I was sick for a week.
I enjoy agave nectar. I found that because I’m also trying to eliminate as much sugar (especially high fructose corn syrup_and corn syrup) from my diet. I buy a lot of organics, like Laura’s Grain Fed Organic Beef and Tyson hormone free organic chicken. I love Amy’s Kitchen GF products, Lara Bars, and Kind Bars. I think Tinkyada pasta is wonderful, better than whole wheat ever was. And there’s nothing llike a GF Bake Shop Cherry Pie from Whole Foods. It makes me feel so….normal.
Whether Celiac or Gluten Intolerant (or even with other food intolerances) eating out is just risky. My best tips are:
1. Call ahead and check to see who will be on duty and if there’s a GF menu OR accommodation for GF meals.
2. Ask for the manager when you get there, and make sure the server knows, too.
3. Ask ask ask questions. Don’t worry if the waiter seems annoyed – HE won’t be spending the next week sick, now will he?
4. Frequent places that take good care of you (and servers, too).
5. Report places that gluten you -- forcefully.
6. Tip well for good GF service.
At Christmas, my dear husband, Randy, arranged for a friend we were visiting to make me GF Christmas cookies because I’d been whining about them. My friend Melanie of The Gluti Girls blog also gave me cookies because I wanted them. My friends Kate (GF GobSmacked) and GF Steve (of Gfsteve.wordpress.com) and I recently celebrated Gluten Freedom Day together.
My brother in law, Ron, bought me all of Bette Hagman’s books for Christmas. He’s also great about making good GF jokes I can repeat. He helps me keep my sense of humor.
The president of my university has CD, so there is very good GF food available here. I have recently been told by the catering director in our cafeteria that it is NO TROUBLE to get me a daily GF meal. That makes me so happy. She said she was sorry she didn’t know me sooner. So am I.
Jenny Kales author The NEW Nut-Free Mom: A Crash Course in Caring for Your Nut-Allergic Child
Sarah Prye author Food Allergies on the High Seas
Sharon Chisvin author of The Girl WHo Cannot Eat Peanut Butter
Sue Ganz - Schmitt author of Princess and the Peanut: A Royally Allergic Tale
Amy Recob writter of The Bug a Beese Friends with Food Allergies
Heather Mehra and Kerry Manama writters of The No Biggie Bunch
Iris Shamus founder Allermates
Sharon Rosen Live Corn Free Blogger
Douglas Samual Allergy Details blogger
Sarah Hatfield No Whey Mama blogger