Have Gluten Free Snacks - Will Travel!

Hello from the Hotel Boulderado in Boulder, CO!  My husband and I are in the middle of a wonderful Colorado vacation!  I have been documenting our trip on instagram (https://instagram.com/siouxlandceliac/) by posting a lot of meal photos.  LOL.  I promise you, I have not just been spending all of my time eating! 

Traveling when you have Celiac Disease is a challenge, to say the least.  I ALWAYS pack a ton of gluten free goodies to take on the road with me, "just in case".  However, unlike last year, I've got a bit more experience with this trip!  Last year's Colorado vacation came just 6 months after my Celiac diagnosis.  I was so lost and ate mostly salads the entire time because I didn't know enough yet about how to find/make safe choices for myself.  I also was terrible about asking questions for fear of "putting anyone out".  I've gotten MUCH better about that - even if it still bugs me.  At least I understand the seriousness of needing to ask the right questions and require things a certain way so that I can be safe from cross contamination or being accidentally glutened.  We've been able to enjoy our travel so much better than last year!

 

 

I love this bag I received awhile back in my monthly box of G-Free goodies from G-Free Foodie!  It holds a LOT of gluten free goodness!!!!!

 

So, here is our trip, so far, in pictures.  Well before leaving for our trip, I did my research so I wasn't going into things blindly.  There are so many resources available online, through smart phone apps, etc.  I searched on Find Me Gluten Free app on my phone for the specific areas where we would be, as well as online for gluten free restaurants in specific towns.  I was able to find a listing online for Boulder Celiacs, which offered a wonderful and extensive list of gluten free restaurants/options in the Boulder area as put together by Celiacs who live in the area.  How awesome is that?!  Don't go into things blind.  Do the research up front.  It will make your trip a lot less stressful and so much more enjoyable!  But - DON'T let your guard down just because you are on vacation!  You still have to stay vigilant.  YOU are your number one advocate!  Don't ever forget that!

 

 Ruby Tuesday in North Platte, NE has an extensive GF menu and is very Celiac Friendly.  I loved my grilled salmon, baked potato and steamed broccoli!

 We had a wonderful evening in North Platte with my husband's cousin, Gary and his sweetie, Jan.

 Breakfast at the Hampton Inn in North Platte wasn't much, but it was gluten free and delicious!

 For lunch in Loveland the next day, my husband's Aunt Joyce took us to Blocky's Eatery that offers gluten free pizza and pasta (only 1 pasta dish, ravioli - they were out, but the pizza was divine!)

 Dave and his Aunt Joyce.

 Yesterday's breakfast was this wonderful gluten free raspberry scone from the Inkwell & Brew in Downtown Estes Park, CO.  YUM!

 We met up with another friend at the Rock Inn in Estes Park last night.  They also have an extensive gluten free/vegan & vegetarian menu available.

 My meal at the Rock Inn - lean buffalo burger on gluten free bread (the best I've had to date!) with yummy quinoa on the side.  Soooooo good!

 Me and my friend, Karen at the Rock Inn.



This morning's breakfast at our hotel in Estes Park, the Rocky Mountain Park Inn.  This was in their restaurant, Longz Grill.  Delicious!  Happy Friday!  Be good and stay #GlutenFree4Life

National Celiac Awareness Day

 

 

September 13th is National Celiac Awareness Day.  My mom and I wore the new t-shirts I just bought for us recently through Vista Print in honor of this day.  My two biggest supporters since my Celiac diagnosis in January, 2014 have been my husband and my mom.  Both of them have worked very hard to find out what Celiac is, how it affects me and what I can and cannot eat.  I'm so blessed to have not only these two amazing people in my corner, advocating for me, but I've got some fantastic and understanding extended family, friends, church family (shout out to my New Hope family!!!  You're the best!  #newhopemovement ) and co-workers. 

 

 

My co-workers and boss have been with me through my health issues of the past few years about as much as my husband and mom have.  All the time I am more and more humbled and amazed by how my co-workers are trying to learn about my disease and they have been so patient, understanding and caring.  They have seen first hand what I've gone through in the several years leading up to my diagnosis.  They've had to cover for me during times that my disease (before and after diagnosis) has gotten the best of me and shut me down for a time.  They've patiently listened to me talk about it and continue to ask questions to better understand it.  I'm always so touched when one of them brings a treat to the office and saves the packaging so that I can read the ingredients and see if it is something that I can have.  Not only my co-workers, but our new receptionist at work has been asking lots of questions, as well.  Her sister is gluten free due to Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity.  She asked me for some gluten free recipes so that when she makes her birthday treat this month, she can have something available that is safe for me to eat, as well.  To know how much they truly care about me touches my heart more than I can express.  #whatyouneedwhenyouneedit #bomgaars

 

 

At church, I've had a similar experience.  These people truly are my church "family".  They have shown me as much kindness, caring, support and encouragement as my family has!  In fact, it was because of several members of my New Hope family that I began this blog in the first place.  Many of them have continued to ask me questions about Celiac Disease and about my health.  Some have put me in touch with friends of theirs who've either been more recently diagnosed than me, or those who think they may have Celiac or Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity.  That is why I started this blog - to help others in their journeys with Celiac.  A while back one of the elders (who likes to be called a "younger" because he's just 30) had shared something that really resonated with me.  It is something I fully believe, myself.  He said that he just couldn't believe that everything happens for a purpose, but he DOES believe that God can bring purpose out of everything that happens.  I fully agree with that.  I don't believe that there is a purpose for anyone to have Celiac Disease (or any disease, for that matter) or for the innumerable horrors that happen all around the world on a daily basis.  But, I do believe that God can bring a purpose to everything we go through.  In my case, not only with having Celiac Disease, but also the past I've had growing up in a single parent home, being a domestic abuse survivor, having miscarried my only biological child - there is no purpose to me having experienced any of that if I don't use my experiences to help others.  That is my goal.  To help others learn about Celiac Disease by sharing my story and to encourage and support others in the Celiac community in their journeys.  #celiacawarenessday #glutenfree4life

 

 

Part of this weekend of Celiac Awareness my mom and I spent by visiting our local Farmer's Market and doing some planning for the booth that we are going to do next Summer for the Farmer's Market.  We even got to talk to a couple of people about Celiac Disease and about our plans for a Siouxland Celiac booth offering nothing but homemade gluten free cookies, bars and breads.  Pretty exciting to be able to share!  I had some fun taking photos while we were there, too.  It was such a wonderful and fun day.  #naturallyglutenfree #siouxcityfarmersmarket

 



 

Life is Precious

This past Saturday my husband's mother's side of the family got together for the first time in 20 or so years.  Sadly, I never met my husband's mom, who passed away in 1994.  But I have had the privilege to meet and get to know her brothers and sisters.  We had an amazing turnout at the reunion, though many family members weren't able to attend, including my husband's Uncle Ab.  He'd been in the hospital and was too weak to make the trip.  During the reunion we posted photos on Facebook so that he could feel a part of the day with us. 

Yes, it is possible to have a safe and enjoyable time at family gatherings when you have Celiac Disease.  I simply made and brought my own food to the picnic.  While everyone else was enjoying their meals, I was enjoying my own and still able to be with all of them and participate in a wonderful day.

 

 

We all had a wonderful time with lots of food, games, visiting and pictures!  It was so nice to be able to get to know some of this side of the family better.  Many are aware of my health issues, and many have gone through different health issues of their own.  One thing each of us has learned, I believe, is that we can get through these things and come out stronger on the other side.  I have to share a few pics from the day. 

 

Group photo by Lloyd Clemon

 

Me and my husband, Dave.  Photo by Linda Reitz

 

Family is so important in each of our lives.  Friends may come and go, but your family is who you really lean on during the hard times and who you celebrate with in the good times.  I've been so blessed with such an amazing family.  Not just my own, but both sides of my husband's family, as well.  I have been met with kindness and compassion from so many.  I know that not everyone has that kind of support and understanding from their families.  I do not take it for granted.  We are there for each other - no matter what.  That's what family should be.

 

 

 

left to right: Ab (Albert), Mary Lou (Dave's mom), Dick, Joyce, Don & Wilma

 

Sadly, early this morning we received a phone call from Dave's sister with the news that dear Uncle Ab had passed away in the night.  While we know that he no longer suffers, it is still hard to let go of someone who was such a loved and important part of the family.  Dave's mom grew up with two sisters and three brothers.  Now there are only two brothers and one sister remaining.  It seems like I've been to more funerals in the past 10 or so years than weddings.  The older we get, the more we realize how precious and short life really is.  Now, it's time to say good-bye to another loved one.

 

The surviving siblings, left to right: Dick, Joyce & Don

 

Rest in peace, Uncle Ab.  We'll miss you!

 

  





 

 



Designs for Life

So, I've finally gotten around to designing an official logo for my Siouxland Celiac label.  So, what do you all think?  Next up will be Siouxland Celiac business cards to pass out at the Farmer's Market next summer when I set up.  I'm thinking I will probably get them before then leave some around.  Any input from my followers would be welcome.

 



I'm thinking I like it!

 

Sioux City Farmer's Market, I'm going to be ready for you beginning in 2016!  The more I think about doing this, the more excited I am getting!!  Last Saturday I spoke with the manager of the Sioux City Farmer's Market.  She told me that a few years ago a guy had tried a stand with gluten free products, but it didn't go over very well.  However, she also agreed with me that there is a real need for it and she believes that it is time to try it again.  She was very encouraging for me to make a go of it next year.  I'm already formulating plans on how I want it to be.  I'll be sure to have some samples and I plan to keep my products simple for the first season.  Yep, I said first season.  Something inside me tells me that it will be the first of, hopefully, many years to come.  Right now I'm thinking of offering cookies, brownies and other types of bars.  Probably some fruit breads, as well.  We'll see what all my mom and I are able to come up with through the long Iowa winter months.  I am sooo excited.  I am also really thankful to all of my wonderful friends and family who have been so encouraging to me about this.  I'll keep you posted as plans progress.

 

I've been playing with designs all afternoon and evening.  I've even designed a t-shirt, ball cap and banner to use for next summer.  I LOVE Vistaprint.com!!  Here are the designs I've come up with.  I can't wait!  I know there is still a lot more planning to do, not to mention prep work, containers and ingredients, etc to purchase over the next 8 to 9 months to get ready for next summer, but, little by little, I'll get there!

 

Farmer's Market

How's this for a new start up??  I haven't posted in months, so you get two-for-one today!  :-)

This will be a short one just to inform you of an idea that I had today.  My husband and I have gone to our local Farmer's Market the past two Saturdays.  While they have a lot of fresh, locally grown produce as well as many arts and crafts to choose from, they also have various stands offering fresh, homemade baked goods.  None of which are gluten free, of course.  Sooooo...I've decided to plan for next year.  I will have to do a lot of research and planning to be ready for it, but my idea is to work up some awesome cookie, brownie, mini banana bread recipes, etc., to make and offer next year at the Farmer's Market.  I also plan to offer free brochures about Celiac Disease and maybe have some little items (magnets, buttons, stickers) at my own Siouxland Celiac stand!  My mom has already volunteered to help me out with it!!  I'm excited!  I know it isn't feasible to do this season, but I plan to be ready for next year!!!  Now, to design a unique and original logo for my Siouxland Celiac.  I kind of volunteered a good friend of mine to help me out with this.  I am very excited and would appreciate any feedback from my readers!!

Sioux City Farmer's Market, June 20, 2015

 

 

 Homemade salsa I made from fresh produce and cilantro I bought at the Farmer's Market this morning.

 

And. . . they had COFFEE!!!!!!  This little coffee station is called Java Hub Jr, a traveling coffee house courtesy of the Java Hub in Correctionville, Iowa.



It's been awhile

 



I know it has been quite awhile since I've written my last blog post.  It felt like my blog wasn't really taking off and getting many views, so I have been wondering if it was even worth the effort to keep it going.  So, I kind of fell away from posting.

I've decided that even if only a few people are reading it, it is worth continuing the blog.  This is about my story, educating people who are either newly diagnosed or just interested in knowing more about Celiac Disease and living gluten free.  So, here I go.  For those who are still with me - thank you!

The past couple of months have been really hectic and stressful as the company I work for has added 8 new stores at once with a 9th new store to be open later this year.  This is on top of the of the 69 stores we already had.  We lost one person in our department just as we were adding an extra person.  Next, we added two additional people and lost our part-timer.  I am the person who trains all of these new hires!  Three new hires within 6 weeks!  Whew!  We have a fourth new hire starting next week, as well.  Thankfully, this will be the last new hire for awhile (we hope!).  While I am extremely grateful to be working for a growing and thriving company, so much growth in such a short period of time is stressful - on everyone at the corporate office and distribution center levels.  Having Celiac Disease really makes things interesting.  Because I already have a compromised immune system, I really have to make sure that I get plenty of sleep, take my GF vitamin supplements and try really hard not to allow the stress to overwhelm me.  I've learned that stress is a trigger that leads to my body simply "shutting down".  By this, I mean that my entire system becomes overwhelmed, exhausted and I just can't go on.  This has happened twice to me in the past couple of months.  Thankfully, I was able to get through the work week before my body said, "ENOUGH!".  At that point, all I can do is do absolutely nothing but rest, drink lots of fluids and stay home.  I always hate when I have to put my life on hold because of this disease, but I have also learned that if I don't, it takes much longer for me to recuperate and it is so much harder on my body and on me emotionally.  Unless you've been there, it is difficult to describe how this feels.  At times like those, I barely have the energy to even get up to use the bathroom, eat, dress myself, etc.  Every nerve in my body feels heightened and overly sensitive to touch.  So much so, that anything, even sheets or clothing, no matter how light the fabric is, actually hurts me - every inch of my body!

See, that's the thing about Celiac Disease.  Even when you're doing everything right, living completely gluten free, taking care of your health by getting plenty of rest, fluids, taking the right vitamin supplements, etc, you STILL have an autoimmune disease.  Your body can still fight you and be uncooperative.  You may feel completely fine one minute and the next you are just completely and utterly depleted and can not possibly go any further.  It is really hard to accept and come to terms with the fact that my body still turns on me, even though I'm doing everything right to take care of myself.  It sucks!  It's hard!  What's the hardest for me is always feeling like I am letting everyone down because I have to cancel plans, often at the last moment because it's not as if I can actually plan and arrange when my body is going to shut down.  I hate that, at those times, my disease is running my life.  I mean, I already have to be hyper-vigilant every moment of every day.  It's not as if I can forget that I have this disease.  It is constantly uppermost in my mind.  But, I HAVE to keep it uppermost in my mind because if I let my guard down for one second it could have extremely severe consequences to my health.  It's exhausting!!!!!

What I am exceedingly grateful for is that I have a husband, mom, extended family and church family who have all been so supportive, encouraging and loving as I have been going through all of this journey.  My co-workers are the best!  They have been there and seen me through some pretty embarrassing and uncomfortable symptoms and worsening health issues before my diagnosis.  Not once has any of them ever said that it's all in my head or belittled what I go through.  They've all been there, watching my back, asking questions, interested in finding out about this disease I have and what my needs are.  I know that not everyone has the kind of support system that I do.  Believe me, I do NOT take a single one of them for granted!  I am so incredibly grateful for the blessings that they are in my life.  Not just in supporting me in my health issues, but just for the wonderful people they are.

LAUGH FOR THE DAY:

 



Celiac & Vitamin Deficencies

Let's talk about Celiac Disease and vitamins.  Before my diagnosis I had been taking vitamin supplements in the form of a multi-vitamin, as well as extra vitamin C, Calcium and Folic Acid.  When I was still in the early stages of learning about this disease that I have and how to live a completely gluten free life I began reviewing the ingredients in pretty much everything I used in the house.  At first it was only my food, but then I realized that many household items contain gluten, including soap, shampoo, face moisturizer, make up, toothpaste, lotion, etc.  I went through all of these products and dumped out a lot of the items I'd used for years.  I never even thought about checking my vitamin supplements!  A few months later I read an article online about hidden gluten in vitamins!!  Wow, was I surprised!  I looked at the ingredients on all of my supplement bottles and every one of them contained gluten!  So, like all of the other products I could no longer safely use - these, too, went into the garbage.

Because of the damage caused by gluten to a Celiac's intestines, we are not able to properly absorb all of the nutrients we need.  This causes vitamin deficiencies.  Newly diagnosed Celiacs are prone to more serious deficiencies because they are just beginning to live gluten free and their intestines still need to heal.  I have been gluten free for just over a year and while my body is still in the healing process (I believe I lived with undiagnosed Celiac Disease for close to 35 or 36 years before finally learning I have this in January, 2014), I've been living gluten free long enough that some healing has occurred and hopefully, that means that I can now begin to absorb the nutrients my body so desperately needs.  Sometimes with all of the things I've been learning in the past year about products containing gluten it can get very overwhelming.  While I've known that I need to be taking supplements, I just didn't have the energy (another sign of lack of nutrients?!) to delve into this area.  Which was self-defeating, I realize.  I now regret that very much.  Having been sick and run down lately, I decided that I have to do something.

Common nutrient deficiencies seen in people with celiac disease include vitamin A, D, E, K, calcium, magnesium, vitamin b12, vitamin D, iron, and folic acid among others according to many online sources, including http://celiac-disease.com/nutrient-deficiencies-and-celiac-disease/ , http://www.medicinenet.com/celiac_disease_gluten_free_diet/page4.htm and http://celiac.org/live-gluten-free/glutenfreediet/vitamins-and-supplements/.  Each of these links will take you to some vital information about Celiac Disease an vitamin deficiencies. 

Okay, I will admit that I haven't yet been tested to see what my deficiencies are.  This is something that is very critical to do and I need to get on it.  In the meantime, I am taking matters into my own hands, as with everything else I have done since diagnosis and going gluten free.  Don't worry, I will follow my own advice.  I know that testing is a very important part of monitoring levels and getting healthier.  I got another eye-opener tonight as I shopped for vitamin supplements to get started on.  Bottle after bottle after bottle that I picked up and reviewed the ingredients showed "Contains Wheat".  UGH!!!!!!!  I FINALLY, after reviewing about 10 different multi-vitamin bottles, found a gluten free multi-vitamin gummy with natural fruit juices.  Score!!!  I know in the past I've have issues with anemia, so I also grabbed a bottle of iron supplements.  Thanks to a couple of co-workers I have learned of a place I can go in Sioux City that will test for any nutrient deficiencies I may have.  I need to make an appointment soon to get this done so that I can continue to be proactive in my quest for better health.

My lesson tonight is in the importance, not only of getting the nutrients my body is sorely lacking in, but also in reading ALL ingredients in ALL products I plan to use before purchasing them.  Yes, this takes a considerable amount of extra time over what a normal shopping trip would take.  But, it is worth it.  Of course, another option is to do the research up front before you even step outside your home to go to the store.  There are so many resources available online for this information.  The links I included in this post are some very good places to look and they can lead you to other information to help you find out about specific brands and what to look for.  Here's to a healthier tomorrow!

 

Watch for my next blog post about gluten in make up and beauty products.

What a Difference a Year Makes

Hello from the frigid Heartland!  Okay, so this photo is a bit misleading.  It was actually taken in June, 2011.  That was an important day in my life.  It didn't seem like it at the time, but that day was the start of some disturbing new and serious symptoms of my as yet, undiagnosed Celiac Disease. 

I'd had other symptoms throughout the years leading up to this, but most of them I never even realized were symptoms.  This day in the above photo, however, was very significant.  For a couple of months leading up to this day, I'd been having problems with hives.  I mentioned them in a previous post.  These hives were not small, itchy bumps, but large, itchy welts.  I pretty much had them nearly 24/7 for almost 3 years!  My poor skin was so raw and damaged from so much scratching.  I tried not to, but that didn't work so well.  Benadryl was every day medication for me.  But THIS particular day, beginning not long after this photo was taken, I had a minor anaphylactic reaction.  I say minor now, but at the time I was scared to death! 

 

 

This photo was taken not 20-25 minutes after the first photo.  Now, I know my sunglasses cover my eyes in the first photo, but you can still see the major difference in how I look between these two photos.  That first time, my husband took me first to the ER where they directed us to Urgent Care because my breathing wasn't affected.  At Urgent Care they gave me a shot of Prednisone and a prescription for a week's worth.  The next time this happened, I went to my regular doctor's office.  My doctor was on vacation, but the doc I saw was very concerned and very helpful.  It was actually amusing to watch the expression on her face as she watched the swelling that had begun at my lips move up my face.  Not seeing this for myself, I picture that I looked like a more mild version of Eddie Murphy's "Nutty Professor" when he transforms from the skinny man into the character's overweight self.  This doctor got me in to see the only allergist in town for testing with him.  He was a joke.  He was rude to me from the beginning.  He treated me as though I was wasting his time.  And, apparently I was, because the poke tests all came out negative.  Though the next day I was extremely ill due to the serums used in this testing.  My regular doctor checked different things.  We thought that maybe my hypothyroidism was causing some of the reactions, but that proved to be a "no" as well.  Three years of back and forth, Benadryl, blood tests, anti-anxiety meds, Prednisone, welts and periodic, worsening anaphylactic attacks.  THREE YEARS!!!!  I can't believe how patient, understanding and supportive my husband was during this time.  He knew I was afraid and frustrated and depressed.  I was having more and more anxiety attacks at the most inopportune times (aren't they always, though?!).  And there were NO answers in sight!!!

 

 

And it just kept happening!  Each anaphylactic reaction was worse than all of the previous had been.  I began having minor versions of these reactions almost weekly with an eyelid swelling or a portion of one of my lips.  I felt like such a freak!  They were pretty much getting used to it at work.  I know that my co-workers were frustrated with and for me that we couldn't get any answers.  Then, exactly one year ago today I experienced the worst anaphylactic reaction that I've ever had.  This one hit hard and fast!  My entire face was swollen, with my eyes nearly completely swollen shut, my vocal chords were being squeezed shut and I began to have difficulty swallowing.  I was able to still breathe freely, but I knew that this time the 3 Benadryl I took weren't going to get me out of this one.  Because I was still able to breathe freely, my husband drove me to the closest Urgent Care, which is about 20 minutes from where we live.  My sister-in-law is a nurse, so he was on the phone with her much of this time as she was instructing him on the best way to take care of me.  She insisted that if my breathing became difficult he should take me straight to the ER.  My breathing was still fine, so we went to Urgent Care. 

 

Once at Urgent Care, I was given a shot of Epinephrine.  I didn't get better.  In fact, slowly, I was getting worse!  The UC doc told me that they'd called an ambulance and were sending me to the ER.  By now I was drooling a little because of not being able to swallow much at all.  Still breathing, though.  I tried to get them to let my husband drive me instead of sending me via ambulance, but she told me that if they did that my chances of making it to the ER alive were slim to none!  That was an eye-opener for both Dave and me!!!  Neither of us, despite how my body was reacting, believed it was as serious as that.  I think my sister-in-law was the only one until the UC staff, to realize the severity of the attack.  In the ambulance on the way to the hospital when we were still about 10 minutes out all of a sudden I couldn't catch my breath!  It felt like someone was sitting on my chest, the pressure was so great and my lungs hurt from trying to breathe!  I couldn't swallow, couldn't breathe, was drooling all over myself and started to panic!  Corey, the paramedic working on me in the ambulance kept his cool, spoke to me in a calm, reassuring voice as he gave me a shot of Epinephrine in my iv.  I quickly felt relief as I was able to breathe and my swallowing was less difficult.

 

At the ER, with the administration of more Epinephrine, Benadryl, Prednisone, anti-nausea meds as well as something to help normalize my heart-rate, I finally started to improve.  The kept me in the ER for several hours before deciding that I was out of the woods and it was safe to let me go home.  So many times in this past year I have thought about that day.  It is still all so clear to me now a year later as it was that day.  This severe reaction, as frightening and awful as it was to go through, was the catalyst to finally getting a correct diagnosis!  My doctor was contacted by the UC staff and the next day his office called me to say that, though they were grasping at straws and didn't want to get my hopes up, there was something that they hadn't tested me for yet.  Celiac Disease.  I'd only ever heard of it because of my cousin and his daughter.  I had no idea that it was hereditary or what, exactly, it was.  A year ago this week the rest of my life began.  It can sometimes be very frustrating and scary and tiring, but it has been and is leading me to a life of health.  As healthy as I can be living with two autoimmune diseases.  Immediately upon hearing even the suggestion that this might be what was wrong with me I began researching.  Now that I know what the issue is, I have power!  I have the power to do something about it.  To take my own health into my own hands and do everything in my power to get and stay healthy.  Of course, living with Celiac Disease isn't as simple as that.  I am hyperaware all the time!  I have to be!  Even then, this is an autoimmune disease.  I can do everything right and my body still sometimes rebels.  I can do everything right and still sometimes accidentally ingest gluten without realizing it.  Short of living in a bubble and cutting all contact with anything or anyone who isn't gluten free, I can't fully protect myself.  But I sure am doing everything I can to keep myself as protected as I can.  A year ago I was full of fear and apprehension and so exhausted from the journey that led to my diagnosis.  A year later I am full of hope for a future, armed with knowledge and tools to be as healthy as I can be.



Original Gluten Free Recipes

Gluten Free Mexican Chicken Casserole:

 

Ingredients:

 

5 to 6 frozen skinless/boneless chicken breasts

2 - 8 oz jars of gluten free chunky salsa (your choice of mild, medium or hot)

1 - 8 oz can gluten free refried beans

1 C finely shredded Mexican blend cheese

1 C (or more depending on preference) gluten free corn tortilla chips, crushed into bite sized pieces

Shredded iceberg lettuce

Diced tomatoes

Sour Cream

 

Put frozen skinless/boneless chicken breasts in 5 qt crock pot and top with a jar of gluten free chunky salsa. Cook on low for two hours, then cook on high for 2 more hours. Remove chicken from crock pot and shred with fork. Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees. Place shredded chicken in bottom of large casserole dish. Top with a jar of gluten free chunky salsa (salsa in crock pot will be too soupy to use). Spread 1 can of GF refried beans on top of the salsa layer. Crunch up GF corn tortilla chips (to taste) on top of all of the three layers. Finally top it all off with 1/2 C finely shredded Mexican blend cheese. Place on top shelf in oven for 30 minutes. Let cool and then enjoy. May top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes and sour cream.

 



Gluten Free Tuna Melt:

 

Ingredients:

 

1 can gluten free tuna in water (drained)

1/4 C gluten free mayonnaise

1 tsp gluten free yellow mustard

2 T fresh chopped chives

1 tsp celery seed

Fresh cracked black pepper to taste

Udi's Gluten Free white bread

Provolone Cheese

 

Blend all ingredients except the bread and cheese in a medium sized bowl with a fork until well mixed.  In a toaster used ONLY for gluten free bread, lightly toast the bread.  After toasted, top with 1/2 C tuna mixture and slice of provolone.  Place in microwave for 1 minute or until cheese is melted. 

 

 



 

 

Gluten Free Strawberry Cheesecake:

 

 

Ingredients:

 

2 - 8 pkgs low fat cream cheese (softened)

1/2 C organic coconut palm sugar

1/2 tsp organic, gluten free real vanilla or almond extract

2 large eggs

Round gluten free graham cracker style pie shell

1 can gluten free, organic fruit topping

 



Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine with blender in medium bowl cream cheese, organic coconut palm sugar and organic, GF real vanilla or almond flavoring. Beat until smooth and blended. Add two eggs, one at a time, beat until light and creamy. Pour into a GF Graham cracker style pie shell. Place on middle shelf in oven and bake for 55 minutes. Cool completely then top with your favorite organic, GF topping.

Celiac and the Holidays

As with all of 2014, the recent holidays were a learning and growing experience for me in the first year after diagnosis.  First thing I have to say is that I have an amazing family and I am so grateful for all of them!

We'll divide this into two categories: Holidays at the Office and Holidays with Family.

Holidays at the Office:
Well, this was a very hard time for me.  I don't imagine it will be any less awkward in the future, but this first year of experiencing it while gluten free was a big eye-opener and not much fun at all!  The company I work for has a Thanksgiving potluck each year.  I have always loved this.  In 18 years with the company, this is the first year I was unable to participate.  I just decided it would be way too much work and the probability of cross-contamination was too great to risk it.  So, I brought my own lunch to eat by myself in the break room, away from where the Thanksgiving celebration was being held.  Even though many of the people at my office are aware of my health issues and the fact that I have Celiac Disease, it still was confusing to many of my co-workers as to why I wasn't participating.  I had to explain several times why I wasn't participating and that, no, there wasn't much I could eat and I'd have to ask people what the ingredients in their dishes were.  Don't get me started on the desserts that would make my mouth water and I wouldn't be able to eat.  Yes, I could have brought my gluten free meal down and sit with everyone else, but somehow, that thought made it worse.  I'd sit there eating my safe meal and watch everyone else eat all of this delicious food that I can't have any more.  That just seemed like unnecessary torture to put myself through.  So, instead I ate in self-imposed isolation.  Not fun, but the lesser of two evils.  A side note here - having Celiac Disease can be extremely isolating at times.  Especially times like these.  The Christmas holiday season hasn't been much better.  Vendors send lots of holiday goodies to the buyers at my office each Christmas season, which are shared with all of the office employees.  Well, almost all of them.  Of course, again, there was very little of these special treats that I could enjoy.  Once in awhile someone would come by every cubicle offering a new holiday treat to each employee.  Each time I couldn't just politely decline, because the person offering the treat would tease that it wouldn't "ruin your diet" or "just one won't hurt".  So, I would have to explain each time why I couldn't eat whatever the treat was.  Some of the treats were very hard for me to have laying around the office because they are treats that I love - for example a box of baklava, Christmas cookies and candies.  It was so hard to be around all of that and not be able to eat it, but having instead to watch everyone else.  Yep, this is my life now.  Most of the time I don't feel sorry for myself.  There are certain adjustments I simply have to make and I have to keep myself in a particular frame of mind.  I have had so many people tell me that they don't know how I do it and that I must have awesome will power to be able to say no to all of these wonderful foods.  Many go as far as to add that they, themselves, couldn't do it.  I maintain that it has absolutely nothing to do with will power and more to do with self-preservation.  I know how my body responds to gluten - it just isn't worth it!  Even the Office Christmas Party I had to forego.  Well, part of it, anyway.  The evening began with everyone getting together at a local restaurant for a light meal and party.  The restaurant is not one that offers gluten free options, so my husband (who is not Celiac or gluten free) and I had to decline that part of the party.  We were, however, able to participate in the second half, which was a Christmas concert at our local Orpheum Theatre.  That was wonderful, but we missed out on the fun everyone else had at the dinner part of the night.  Between Thanksgiving and Christmas was our office Secret Santa.  For quite a few years I headed this up until a few years ago when I partnered up with another woman at the office.  We've had a lot of fun these past few years trying to come up with new ways to make it new and exciting for everyone.  The past couple of years we did small treats for the first two out of three weeks with a Christmas decoration as the final, larger gift.  This year, I had to offer to continue to help organize and plan, but I asked that we find a different small gift theme to do in place of the treats.  I let them know that if we did treats I wouldn't be able to participate due to my dietary restrictions.  I hated that as the only G-Free person I was dictating what we do.  Thankfully, my co-organizer and our HR lady who helps us, too, agreed and so we were able to come up with some different and fun ideas.  I did have to bring my own food to the final luncheon, but that worked out ok.  My department lunch was a bit tough on me as we had it at a pizza place that doesn't offer gluten free pizza.  I had a salad while everyone else enjoyed the pizza and pasta buffet.  But, being gluten free didn't stop me from participating and having fun.  I got through it by making jokes and teasing my co-workers that they had to have extra of everything that I couldn't have "for me".  LOL.  They were actually all pretty great about it.  They were compassionate and understanding.  Of course, most of them witnessed the more severe of my symptoms of the last three years, so they know how my body reacts to gluten.

Holidays with Family:
My sister-in-law graciously hosts the family get-togethers each holiday mostly because she has the largest house to be able to hold us all, but also because I know she enjoys having her family there.  No one in my husband's family has Celiac Disease or is gluten free.  I'm the only person who has to be on this specific special diet.  Rather than put extra work on my sister-in-law, who had enough on her plate as it was, I prepared my own gluten free meal at my house and packed a plate of it to take with me to her house.  This wasn't a big deal, considering we live about a half a mile away from them.  The food was still warm when we got there.  I also made a homemade, gluten free strawberry cheesecake for everyone.  Instead of using refined sugar, I used organic coconut palm sugar with vanilla.  It made the cheesecake a brownish color, but it tasted wonderful!  I also used organic, pure almond extract instead of the pure vanilla extract.  YUM!  Okay, I'm getting distracted here.  LOL  It was actually pretty awesome to be able to eat my own gluten free Thanksgiving meal while sharing and celebrating with my family.  It made me feel normal and not like a freak!  Christmas was similar.  After Christmas Eve services, we all met up at my sister-in-law's for food and gift exchange.  That was a lot of fun!  I did bring my own gluten free sandwich and munchies because the food they were serving wasn't gluten free, but most of the meal on Christmas Day was gluten free, so I was actually able to eat a lot of what everyone else was that day.  Truthfully, the holidays with family really felt normal and not like I was separate from everyone else just because I couldn't eat everything that they could.  My having Celiac and being gluten free was almost a non-issue, which I loved!  That's not to say that people weren't sensitive or aware for me, they most definitely were.  It is just to say that, unlike work where being gluten free separates me much of the time and prevents me from participating in certain activities, with family I was able to just be Margo.  Not Margo with Celiac Disease, which, of course, I am, but it didn't prevent me from any part of celebrating with my family.  Before Thanksgiving I'd been nervous about how the holidays would go.  My family took all of that apprehension away.  In short - I LOVED the holidays with my family!!!!  I couldn't have felt more normal or at home than I did.  For that I am so grateful!  If I was a part of a less understanding and compassionate family, I wouldn't have had that.  I am truly blessed to have the family I do!

Hidden Gluten

Let's discuss hidden gluten in every day products.  I've been eating gluten free since January 13, 2014.  Other than a few minor slip ups where I ingested gluten accidentally, I've done really well being vigilant with eating gluten free.  The more I learned throughout the year about celiac the more foods I've been open to.  Knowledge is power!

The frustration is the hidden gluten. One example from early in 2014 - I was hungry between work and home.  We have a half hour commute and stopped to pick up some groceries on the way home.  I bought a couple of meat sticks thinking that, surely they wouldn't have gluten, right?!  In the car I ate a bite of the meat stick before deciding I really should look at the ingredients.  I should mention that this was before I was in the habit of reading ALL ingredient labels on all products that I purchase.  Sure enough - there was one of the dreaded phrases, "contains wheat".  In a meat stick?  Really?!  I ended up with a few hives for two days afterward!

Another place I hadn't thought to check was my laundry soap and dryer sheets.  One day this past Spring while doing laundry I noticed there were a few Bounce™ Dryer Sheets left in the box.  I had thought they were causing me to break out in hives awhile back, before I found out about having celiac so I had discontinued using them.  That weekend, feeling confident that I was doing so much better I decided to use them again.  I didn't check the box for ingredients, but everything that I wore that was put through the dryer that weekend seemed to be making me break out in hives again.  More than just the few that I'd had before when ingesting small amounts of gluten.  I went to the website to see if there is gluten of any kind in their products, but had difficulty finding any information as to if it does or not.  Meanwhile, I just have to adapt to what my body is telling me and stop using products that cause me to break out.

At times it feels so overwhelming because there is constantly something to be watching for, not just in what I eat or drink.  There is just so much to learn.  I've learned that even a tiny crumb of something with gluten can make my stomach feel like it's going to explode.  That feeling on top of feeling bloated and making many not fun trips to the bathroom can last for many hours or even days!  That is exhausting, too.

Make up and face moisturizers had to be thrown out because of gluten.  I have been able to find gluten free make up and moisturizers, cleansers, etc. through various gluten free sites online.  Amazon is the easiest place for me to find these products because they include a great many different brands of gluten free products!

So, the learning process continues as I removed things from my home that make me sick or gave me hives.  It has been a challenge, but it has been a growing experience for both me and my husband as we've learned to  live within the confines of my disease.  Actually, once you've learned to live with it, it doesn't feel as constricting as it had in the beginning.  In fact, the more I learn about Celiac Disease and living gluten free, the more freedom I have and the more control I have back over my life and health.

Celiac Disease Symptoms

What IS Celiac Disease?

So, just what exactly IS Celiac Disease?

According to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, "Celiac disease is an immune reaction to eating gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye.
If you have celiac disease, eating gluten triggers an immune response in your small intestine. Over time, this reaction produces inflammation that damages the small intestine's lining and prevents absorption of some nutrients (malabsorption)."

CD is an auto-immune disease.  It is hereditary, not communicable.  People who have an immediate family member (parent, sibling, child) who has CD have a 1 in 10 chance of having it themselves.  Often people who have CD also have one or more additional auto-immune diseases, most often hypo or hyperthyroidism and/or type 1 or type 2 diabetes.  People who have CD are at higher risk for colon cancer and should get regular colonoscopies for early detection.  Celiac Disease can cause weight loss, bloating and diarrhea.
There is no medical treatment or cure for CD.  There is no medicine you can take to make it better.  With CD you are literally eating to be healthy.  The absolute only treatment at this time for CD is to live a completely gluten free lifestyle.  This is not only eating foods that are gluten free, but finding out what household cleaners, make up, toothpaste and so many more things we take for granted every day which contain gluten.  

Celiac Disease is not something that you grow out of once you have it.  This is a life-long condition.  If you have been diagnosed with CD, since this is hereditary, as stated earlier, your immediate family members (parents, children, siblings) will want to be aware and watch for symptoms in their own health.  For a list of symptoms, see my next post that lists the most common issues associated with CD.

If you have not been diagnosed, but believe you may have CD ask your doctor to test you for CD.  If your family doctor is not very familiar with Celiac Disease, as many are not since this is a highly underdiagnosed disease and has no available medical treatment, ask your doctor to recommend a specialist for testing.

There are many different websites available for more information on Celiac Disease and testing as well as how to follow a strict gluten free lifestyle.  Here are some that I recommend if you are searching for answers:

http://celiac.org/

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/celiac-disease/basics/definition/con-20030410

There are also many informative blogs out there written by people living with Celiac Disease.  Here are some that I regularly keep up with:

http://jennifersway.org/myblog/
http://glutendude.com/gluten-free-blog/
http://prettylittleceliac.com/
http://celiaccorner.com/

There are so many other great blogs, Facebook pages and webpages for you to check out on your own in your quest to better understand and learn to live with Celiac Disease.