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