Review: The Year 2019

This was originally intended to be a product review.  However, as this is my last blog post of this year and it is already late due to illness, I've decided to make it a review of  my year in 2019.

On many counts, not just my own, 2019 has been a very rough year and one that I'm not sorry to see go.  But it hasn't all been bad, either.  it has been a year of many changes and much growth.

We began 2019 much the way we always do, my hubby and me at home with our two fur-babies.  I honestly couldn't tell you the last time we were actually out for New Year's.  It's a struggle just being able to stay awake until midnight, the older we get.  I think last New Year's we made it up to see the ball drop in Times Square in New York on the tv and counted that, even though we had an hour to go here in Iowa.

My father-in-law, Pete, celebrates his 90th with all original parts!

March was a month of celebrations.  We celebrated my father-in-law's 90th birthday with a party after church the Sunday before his big day.  It was wonderful how many friends and family, including some from farther away, were able to make the trip to celebrate this wonderful man with us.  We also held a small get-together at the nursing home for my grandma's 97th birthday that month.  Many local family members were able to attend and though G'ma had dementia, it was a great day.  She knew everyone (well, almost - she struggled for a moment with my husband, but then told him that he reminded her a lot of her granddaughter's husband), she had a sparkle in her eyes and had an unusually wonderful day.  She was lucid and knew we were there to celebrate her, though she couldn't believe she was actually 97 years old!

My G'ma celebrating her 97th!

Then we went through the next several months struggling with shock, betrayal and pain as my father-in-law's wife (not my husband's mom - she passed away in 1994) of 23 years left him and filed for divorce, spreading horrible rumors and lies about him and about our family.  We stood helplessly by as his health began a rapid decline in the wake of being abandoned.  We all did what we could to be there for him and to help as much as possible, but the shock and sadness he experienced at going through a divorce at 90 years old took its toll.  And, all the while, he never had one mean or cross word to say about the woman who'd abandoned him.  These months were filled with much stress, anxiety and sadness for all of us as we tried to help him adjust.  

G'ma meeting her newest great-grandson.

Early in the morning on August 3rd, my mom received the call from the nursing home that my beautiful G'ma had died peacefully in her sleep.  Our time the next week was spent taking care of funeral arrangements and keeping in touch with my mom's siblings who were both traveling from far away to be here.  Just five days after my G'ma's funeral, my father-in-law ended up back in the hospital (he'd been hospitalized for several weeks soon after his wife left him).  We actually thought we were going to lose him that night, though, thankfully, we didn't.  Over the next few weeks, more arrangements were made and he got to see all of his children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as his only remaining sister and her family.  On Sept. 2nd, along with my husband, his sister and her husband, we had the sad privilege of being with this wonderful man as he breathed his last.

l to r: Cary, Pete, Deb & Dave (my father-in-law and his kids)

So much of this year has been about stress, anxiety and mourning.  But at the same time, I've done a lot of healing and growing.  I've realized that I have actually finally come to terms with the limitations that my health issues put on me.  I still don't like them, but I've finally accepted that this is just part of my life and it doesn't have to be the end of that life.  During all of those months with what we were going through with my father-in-law, I had also been struggling with my own personal anxieties, depression, feelings of worthlessness.  Feelings that I thought I had long ago put behind me, but they have really been pulling me down over the past two years.  Thanks to some amazing and supportive friends, I've learned much about self-care over the past year and that taking time to take care of yourself isn't selfish, but necessary to living a healthier life, mentally and physically.  Thanks to time with my church family, I have grown by changing my focus from my weaknesses and inadequacies to believing in myself and being able to step out of my comfort zone and be there for others in a way I haven't felt like I could in a very long time. 

I have spent since Christmas Day sick with a terrible head cold.  Of course, since I have Celiac Disease and hypothyroidism, it takes so much longer to get over the simplest illness and it takes so much out of me.  My husband has also not been well over this past week.  We are actually taking some personal time off this week, intending to do some down-sizing and de-cluttering around home.  Nothing like illness to halt your plans, right?!  Though last week I was able to do a lot with working as a techie to prepare for and during our Christmas Eve service for church.  I love being so active with my church family, but doing so wore me out!  I'm so glad I got to participate, though!  It makes me feel alive to be able to serve.

This morning I had a dream right before I woke up.  It felt very real.  I was with my mom and we were walking through my grandparents' house.  I think part of what prompted this dream was that my husband and I, along with his sister and her husband recently finished cleaning out my father-in-law's house, the sale of which will be final this week.  The last day we were over there finishing up, as we left, my husband said to me, "This is probably the last time I'll ever be in my dad's house."  So, in my dream, my mom and I were in my grandparents' house - G'ma sold it over 15 years ago, yet I can picture clearly every nook and cranny of the home they'd lived in since before I was born.  In my dream, we walked through each empty room.  As I stepped into each room in turn, though it was completely emptied of all signs of the lives that had been lived there, I could picture each room when it was filled with furniture, plants, family and love.  When I awoke and realized that I fully remembered my dream - not something that happens often with me - it gave me pause.  The first feeling was sadness and the next was realization that I was saying good-bye.  This dream to me, wasn't just me saying good-bye to my grandma, my childhood.  It was saying good-bye to yesterday.  All the yesterdays.  How fitting that I had this dream on the last day of 2019.  While we hold our memories as treasures in our hearts, they are now past and whether the memory and experiences were good or bad, we move forward.  Hopefully, we move forward with more wisdom, courage, determination and focus because of what we have lived through, but we move forward nonetheless.

I know this post has not been a very uplifting one, but if you made it all the way through to the end, I hope that you are able to see what my message is.  I've said so many times this year how I am so over it and ready to move on.  We don't know if tomorrow will bring joy or sorrow, success or hardship, but we do know that whatever it brings, tomorrow is a new day.  Tomorrow is another chance.  Tomorrow offers us opportunities we may have missed today or yesterday.  We can't change what happened yesterday, but we can learn from it, grow from it and move on from it.  After all, tomorrow is another day.

May your 2020 be full of happiness, love and restoration and may you find the strength to face whatever may come your way.

Recipe: Gluten Free Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix

I don't know where you live, but here in Iowa, winters get  very long and frigid.  Who doesn't love a hot, steaming cup of rich, chocolaty hot cocoa to make you feel warm and cozy on a cold, snowy night?  I have many fond memories of making homemade hot cocoa mix with my mom when I was growing up and it was so delicious!  I haven't made any for decades, so I decided that this was the year I was going to do it.  And it was well worth it!

Ingredients:

1 pound non-fat, dry milk

2 cups cocoa powder (I used unsweetened cocoa powder)

1 1/2 cups powdered coffee creamer

2 cups powdered sugar

Stir all ingredients together until well-blended and then pour into glass storage jars or a gallon Ziploc bag.  To use, place 1/3 cup of the mixture into your cup, add hot water and stir.  Mixture may be kept in a freezer bag in the freezer - as if you'll have it around long enough for that.  This recipe is so simple and tasty.  It is a wonderful flavor you won't be able to resist.  I add a peppermint stick or top with whipped cream and cinnamon.

You can double this recipe to split out and give as gifts to family and friends.

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas from Siouxland Celiac!

Gluten in Medication Disclosure

If you have Celiac Disease or are gluten free for other health reasons you know that you have to be on the lookout for gluten not only in your food and beverages, but also in beauty products, household cleansers and even in our medications.

Like many other Celiacs, I also have hypothyroidism.  I was actually diagnosed with my thyroid condition decades before I found out about my Celiac Disease, which I believe I've actually had longer.  I just recently read a conversation thread on a Celiac page I follow on Facebook where several people who also have hypothyroidism were comparing problems they've had with various thyroid medications such as Synthroid and Levothyroxine.  I have been on both of these medications at one time or another, beginning with Synthroid and then the pharmacist switched me to Levothyroxine several years later, well before I was diagnosed with Celiac.  Most recently the pharmacy switched me from the Levothyroxine to Euthyrox, which I'd never heard of.  They didn't tell me when I picked up my refill that they had switched my medication and I didn't look at it until I got home from the store.  My first thought was panic that I had a new medication that I knew nothing about.  I was not happy with that at all, as the pharmacy I use has on record that I have Celiac Disease and didn't say a thing about the new medication.  

The sad truth is that, like too many doctors, pharmacists know very little about Celiac Disease since there is no medical or pharmaceutical treatment available for this disease.  However, I would have thought that since I have to be gluten free, they would have mentioned it when I went in to pick up my refill that I thought was Levothyroxine.  Before I ever took my first dose, I went online to research this product.  Unfortunately, I was unable to even locate any ingredients for this product, though I went directly to the company's webpage https://www.provellpharma.com/  This is very frustrating for me as I NEED to take my thyroid medication daily and suffer when I don't, but I also NEED to be confident that it is gluten free.  After thoroughly searching online to get information about this medication, I finally decided to contact the company this weekend to ask them outright.  I'll let you know what their response is once I hear back from them.  At this time I haven't had any adverse reactions, however, it does make me nervous for prolonged use of a medication that I don't know if it is safe or not.  I asked at the pharmacy to switch me back to the Levothyroxine (by the way, the only brand of Levothyroxine that is gluten free is Lannet brand).  They said that they don't have a good reason to unless I begin to have adverse reactions or my doctor insists that I have to have a specific medication.  They, also, couldn't tell me if the new medication is gluten free or not.  They didn't know.  They were very polite and courteous, but, unfortunately, that doesn't help me with knowing if this medication is safe for me to use.

Earlier this year, legislation was introduced by Representative Tim Ryan on the floor of Congress called the Gluten in Medicine Disclosure Act of 2019.  Unfortunately, no summary of this bill has been posted yet.  Our government moves very slowly.  This piece of legislation was introduced in April, 2019 and they still haven't posted a summary of it.  When they do, you'll be able to read it here.  There is other information available about this proposed legislation, though, that is worth reading.

This is such an important piece of legislation, that, if passed, would hugely impact everyone on any kind of medication who is gluten free for health reasons!

To learn more about this and how you can let your voice be heard regarding this vital matter to our community, visit Beyond Celiac.  Their website is where I first learned of this legislation.  This is your chance to make your voice heard!  As more is released about this proposed legislation I will keep you posted with updates.  

Until this is passed (I'm being optimistic and hopeful here that it WILL pass) we still have to do the research ourselves and hope for the best.  We are our own best advocates and we have to keep fighting together to get what we need in order to take care of our health and well-being.

12/16/19 Update:
I received a call back this morning from Provell Pharmaceuticals.  I was impressed that not only did they get back to me so quickly, but also that they made a phone call instead of just sending an emailed reply.  The representative was very helpful and was able to inform me that Euthyrox is, in fact, gluten free.  This is a huge relief to me and I greatly appreciate the prompt attention and the importance they placed on getting me this information. 

Happy Gluten Free Holidays!

I know it is hard sometimes not to get discouraged and feel isolated when you are living with Celiac Disease or other chronic health issues.  I'm not going to say that it's a walk in the park, because it most certainly is not!  Holidays aren't just for healthy people, you know.  Even we can enjoy the holidays.    

I've had more people than I care to count tell me that they'd "just die" if they had to be gluten free, especially during the holidays.  Ha!  I nearly died BECAUSE of gluten!  I know that people who say things like that think that they are being sympathetic, but it is one of the things I hate to hear the most.  I want to shake them and tell them that you can adjust to absolutely anything that will make you healthier and help you live a better quality life.  My quality of life isn't less than, but it's just different than theirs.  

At this time of the year, people concentrate so much on all of the goodies that abound during the holidays.  Where I work, we get many cookie trays and tins of candy, etc from various vendors, the majority of which I can't have.  In the beginning, when I was first gluten free, it really bothered me a lot that I couldn't partake in these sugary treats.  Nearly 6 years later, it doesn't affect me all that much.  While I still sometimes feel isolated because of my dietary and health limitations, I mostly choose to concentrate on other aspects of the holidays that I can still participate in.

Things such as Secret Santa at work.  I've been on the committee for Secret Santa for many years and always have so much fun with it!  Decorating the house, spending extra time with family, listening to Christmas music.  There are so many wonderful things to enjoy at this time of the year!  My husband and I get to spend time with two of our great-nieces during the holidays.  We wish we could spend time with all of our nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews, but it just isn't possible.  I have my church family that I am very active with and right now we are preparing for our Christmas Eve service just a few weeks away.  Driving around town and looking at the pretty Christmas lights strung on houses and trees is a great way to spend an evening.

This holiday season try to focus on the non-food festivities.  And, by the way, there are a lot of great gluten free recipes out there to try out, too!  When you make those yummy gluten free sugar cookies, don't forget to bake enough to share with others!  I love being able to share my gluten free treats with people who assume that everything gluten free equals tasting like cardboard.  Aren't they surprised when they find out how good gluten free done right can be!

Recipe: Gluten Free Apple Crisp

Autumn is much too quickly giving way to colder temperatures as winter moves into the Midwest.  The cooler temps bring certain flavors and aromas to mind such as hot cocoa, pumpkin spice (you KNOW you crave it!), cinnamon and many more that seem to go perfectly with this time of year.  One of the things I absolutely love is warm, sweet with a hint of tart, mouth-watering apple crisp.  I've played around with and developed this simple and tasty recipe.

This will be my last blog post until December.  Next week, with the Thanksgiving holiday, I will be taking time off to simply be with family, as I am sure most of you will be doing.  This past Thursday our Western Iowa Celiac & Gluten Free Living group celebrated early with a wonderful "Friendsgiving".  Everyone brought a gluten free dish to share and it was so much fun!

Members of Western Iowa Celiac & Gluten Free Living share in "Friendsgiving"

Gluten Free Apple Crisp

Ingredients:
3 medium or 4 small apples, thinly sliced (I used 4 small - 2 Honeycrisp and 2 Granny Smith)
2/3 C packed brown sugar
1/3 C butter, softened
1 C gluten free granola (I used a nut blend granola)
1/2 C gluten free all purpose flour blend (measures cup for cup like regular flour)
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp allspice
1/2 tsp cardamom
1/4 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  In a 9 x 11 inch lightly greased baking dish layer apple slices to cover the entire bottom of dish.  

In a medium bowl, combine  remaining ingredients using a pastry blender, spoon or your hands until mixture is crumbly.  

Sprinkle mixture evenly on top of apple slices.  Be sure to cover apples entirely.  

Bake on center rack between 30 and 35 minutes until apples are tender.  Serve warm with your favorite ice cream or whipped topping.

Wishing you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving from Siouxland Celiac!

Product Review: S2 Soaps Ltd

I've always had very sensitive skin.  Many store-bought soaps would make my skin break out in awful rashes, so my mom was always very careful in what she bought to use.  If it caused me to have a reaction, she wouldn't buy it again.  I think we'd hoped that eventually I would outgrow the sensitivities, but, sadly that never happened.  I'm very particular in what soaps I use.  In fact, I haven't actually used store-bought soap for my bath soap in several years.  Previously, I'd bought from a local vendor out of Vermillion, SD who sold their wonderful line of soap products under the name of God's Green Earth at our local farmer's market.  Through visiting with the owners of this line, I was able to gain a couple of new friends, as well.  I liked their products because they used high quality ingredients and no gluten ingredients, which is very important to me.  Marije, the creator of these soaps and lotions, also used her own products for herself and her family, so she stood behind her work.

Autumn Equinox soap by S2 Soaps Ltd

But, alas, they moved to the West Coast and I lost my friend and soap supplier.  Though I did purchase quite a lot from her before they left.  I've been looking for a new soaper ever since, though.  Enter S2 Soaps Ltd, an Etsy Shop created and owned by Kallie Smirnov based in Colorado.  Full disclosure - over the past few years, Kallie has become a very dear friend of mine, though we have only met via the internet.  She, however, does not know that I am writing this review of her products, which I have purchased from her Etsy Shop, nothing was given to me in exchange for a review.  Though she is my friend, I do promise to give a completely honest product review.

Christmas soaps from S2 Soaps Ltd cut and curing.  Scented in crisp juniper.

Whipped soaps from S2 Soaps Ltd

Kallie has quite a line of products available.  Items from bars of soap, bath bombs, travel soap kit, jelly soap, sugar scrubs and more can be ordered from her shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/S2Soaps  My first order I placed with her, I purchased bars of the 

Life's a Beach, Pink Flamingo and Coffee with goat milk glycerin soaps, as well as the Wanderlust Collection Travel Soap Kit.  I've used the Life's a Beach bar and have now been using the Pink Flamingo bar.  The fragrances are bold and crisp and really help wake me up in the morning.  While I like the scent of the Pink Flamingo bar, I have to say that the Life's a Beach is my favorite so far.  Every time I walked into my bathroom I could smell this lovely, clean fragrance and it had a calming, soothing effect on me.  Each bar is cut thick so they last a long time.

Life's a Beach by S2 Soaps Ltd

Coffee with Goat Milk glycerin soap and Pink Flamingo soap by S2 Soaps LTD

One of the things I hate about store-bought soaps is that so often, they tend to leave a soapy film on your skin that feels like you can never get completely washed off.  Ugh, I absolutely hate that feeling!  With the products from S2 Soaps Ltd, I don't have that.  My skin feels clean and soft after use.  That is saying a lot because of my extra sensitive skin.  While the prices for homemade soap products are more expensive than store-bought soaps, in my opinion, the quality is worth the price.  I know that high quality ingredients have gone into these products and, for me, it is a relief to be able to shower and know that I'm not going to break out in a rash from my soap.

Pink Flamingo soap by S2 Soaps Ltd

On a recent overnight trip I took with my mom to attend a high school musical performed at my old high school, I had my first opportunity to use the Wanderlust Collection Travel Soap Kit.  Yes, hotels most often provide small bars of soap for their guests, and this hotel we stayed at is no exception.  It's always bothered me, though, the waste of the majority of even a small bar of soap.  The majority of the bar of soap gets thrown away.  Not to mention, that I never know if it is a soap that my skin will react badly to.  So, this time I used one of the slivers of soap you get with the travel kit.  It was the perfect size for a single time use!  I had enough for my shower and the small bit that was left wasn't enough to use a second time - minimal waste!  I love that.  I had never heard of this kind of travel soap, but I think it is a great idea.  It worked nicely for me.  The Prospector travel soap that I purchased is an unscented soap by S2 Soaps Ltd.

Prospector unscented single use travel soap in the Wanderlust Collection by S2 Soaps Ltd

I've just recently placed a new order that I am excited to receive.  I'd never heard of jelly soap before, so I decided to try the Jack Frost Jelly Soap this time.  I've also ordered one of the White Tea Pear bath bombs, the Basil Activated Charcoal soap and a bar of the Autumn Equinox soap.  I enjoy that she includes seasonal scents in her product line.  She has new scents coming out soon for Hanukkah and Christmas!  I will add to this review once I receive my next order and use the jelly soap and bath bomb.  

Basil Activated Charcoal soap by S2 Soaps Ltd

White Tea Pear bath bombs by S2 Soaps Ltd

Jack Frost Jelly Soap from S2 Soaps Ltd

Hanukkah soap by S2 Soaps Ltd

I'm very proud of the creativity of my friend and the high quality of her products.  I hope you'll check them out.  In addition to her Etsy Shop link posted earlier in this review, you can also find her on Instagram @s2soaps

11/20/19 I received my latest order from S2 Soaps Ltd today!  I think I like th Autumn Equinox fragrance even more than the Life's a Beach!  Looking forward to using these!!

Dealing with Flare Ups & What NOT to Say to the Chronically Ill

No matter how careful you are to make sure you avoid gluten and do things to try to be healthy, such as drinking lots of water, taking vitamin supplements and eating healthier, sometimes you still end up having a flare up.  Unfortunately, that is simply the nature of life with autoimmune disorders and chronic illness.  Sometimes there just isn't anything you can do to avoid it, no matter how hard you try.

Many things can affect and trigger a flare up.  Things such as changing seasons, stress, illness such as a cold or the flu, time change, unexpected life changes, etc.

This year has been a very difficult and painful year for me and my family, as we've gone through many large and unwelcome transitions.  Since the beginning of August, we lost my grandmother, then my father-in-law only a month later.  Pressures and changes at work for both my husband and I have brought us not only high stress levels, but uncertainty about our future.  With the onset of Autumn came seasonal colds, flu and other illnesses that we've been exposed to out and about.  So many things can trigger a symptom flare up.  These triggers, as well as the symptoms, can be vastly different in different people.  I'm currently suffering through a flare up.  I haven't been glutened (always my husband's first question) and I have been taking my vitamin supplements (his standard second question), yet I am in the middle of a flare up.  The simplest task leaves me feeling completely physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted.  I have been in the bathroom far too much for comfort over the past couple of days with diarrhea and upset stomach.  My head is pounding and, quite honestly, I can barely keep my eyes open to write this post.  My thoughts feel jumbled and, at times, I struggle to find the right word (I swear it is RIGHT on the tip of my tongue!).  My eczema on my arms and behind my ears is aggravated and I just want to crawl under the covers and not come out until Spring arrives!

How do I deal with a flare up like this one?  I'm so glad you asked!  First, know that there is NO magic cure or quick recovery treatment.  Your body has to take as much time as it needs to get over the flare.  However, there are some things you can do to help your body along and make it a little easier for yourself.

1. Stay hydrated!  I sometimes have a hard time with this one, though it is always something I will stress to other people.  It is so important to stay hydrated!!  It will help you replenish your body and will give you more energy (don't laugh - I can hear you now..."Energy?  What is that?!")  I know that seems like a foreign concept to those who are chronically ill because sometimes just the effort of getting out of bed can take every ounce of energy you may have.  But, staying hydrated will boost your energy level, even if it is just a little bit.  After all, every little bit counts when you have chronic illness.  Hydration also helps to lessen or eliminate muscle cramps and spasms.  When I have a flare up, one of my symptoms that gets worse is muscle spasms in my right arm.  I generally have some every day, but usually they are minor and don't cause me pain.  When I have a flare up, however, the spasms are hard and can really cripple up my arm for a time.

2. Allow your body to rest.  Sometimes it can feel like all you are doing is resting.  My work week gets to be long and by the time the weekend comes around I am usually done in.  It is difficult to accomplish things I need to around the house.  I'm learning that I need to do small tasks and take breaks frequently to help prevent from becoming severely drained and unable to function.  When your body is telling you it needs a break - LISTEN to it and obey!  You are not being lazy, you are simply giving your body what it needs.  I know that sleep can be difficult to come by when you are having a flare up due to insomnia or body aches or multiple trips to the bathroom because of gut issues.  Yes, our bodies require sleep.  It is exceedingly vital.  However, I am talking here about resting.  Sit down, lay down, whatever you need to do to allow your body and mind some down time.  For instance, I am writing this post on my laptop while in bed because I don't even have the energy to sit at my desk.  

3. Eat foods that aid in lowering inflammation.  Some good anti-inflammatory foods are bone broth, fish for Omega-3 fatty acids which can aid many health issues, fruits such as pineapple and blueberries, green tea and even dark chocolate.  I know women everywhere are cheering for that last one!  You can research anti-inflammatory foods online.  A really great and informative post about anti-inflammatory foods can be found here.

4. Take a probiotic and vitamin supplements - research to be sure they are gluten free.  My doctor advised me to take a probiotic that is at least 30 billion live cultures per serving.  In my own research I have found that it is generally advised that someone with chronic illness should take at least 50 billion live cultures or more per serving to get the most benefit from it.  To learn more about probiotics and what they do, check out this article.  My doctor also advised me to take prenatal vitamins, though I am well past the age of being able to get pregnant.  He told me that because I have multiple vitamin deficiencies, a prenatal vitamin would benefit me the most.

Now, for those who are not chronically ill, but have someone in your life who is...please never, ever, EVER say any of the following to that person or anyone who suffers from chronic illness:

5. I wish I could just lay around all day and do nothing.

4. Now that you know what is wrong with your health you shouldn't be getting sick anymore, right?

3. You're lucky.  I'd love to be sick just long enough to lose those few extra pounds I've gained.

2. No one could be sick that much, you must be faking it!

1. But you don't look sick!

On any given day, someone living with chronic illness has to push through the pain, fatigue, brain fog, anxiety and more just to attempt to function as if they were a healthy person.  You have no idea how much energy it takes to pretend NOT to be sick!  Just because we are at work, grocery shopping, doing laundry, attending events, do not mistakenly think that we aren't suffering.  We've just become very adept at keeping our suffering hidden.  We aren't trying to get attention.  It may come as a surprise to you, but we don't enjoy being the center of attention due to our health conditions.  We don't want your pity, your scoffing, your disbelief.  We need your patience, compassion and understanding.  What we are going through is difficult, can be isolating and it is an every day battle.  EVERY. DAY.  It will never go away.  This is our life.  For the rest of our lives.

Surviving the Holidays When You are Gluten Free

It is a very brisk Autumn day here in Iowa.  With the arrival of November, the holiday season is fast approaching.  It seems that especially this time of year can get very discouraging and frustrating for those of us who have to be gluten free due to Celiac Disease or other health issues that require a gluten free lifestyle.  Here are some ways I have found to survive the holidays being gluten free.  (read all the way to the end for the Giveaway Winner announcement!)

Just because we are gluten free doesn't mean we can't enjoy ourselves along with our family, friends and co-workers at holiday get-togethers and events!  One thing I learned during my first holiday season after my Celiac diagnosis is not to expect others to cater to my dietary needs.  It isn't fair to them and you will only be disappointed and probably end up sick.  I try really hard not to call attention to my being gluten free other than when I have to.  I have never enjoyed being the focus of attention and this is no exception.  My sister-in-law, having the most space in her home, always graciously hosts the family gatherings for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  We do it potluck style, with everyone bringing something for the meal.  At Thanksgiving, I completely prepare an entire Thanksgiving meal for myself at home, including the turkey (even with meat, you have to watch to see if anything was added to make sure it is safe for consumption when you have to be gluten free).  Yes, my sister-in-law and her husband usually make a turkey, but I don't mind making my own, as well.  I can control what I am getting and I know exactly what has been used in preparing it and my husband and I have left-overs that we wouldn't if I didn't make my own.  My sister-in-law usually provides potatoes, so I don't make those, though I do make my own gluten free gravy and stuffing at home and take just what I need for myself.  Actually, I end up taking a little bit more, as well, because my mom likes to try the gluten free foods I make, even though she doesn't have to be gluten free.  I always try to make a gluten free desert to share with everyone there and on Black Friday - otherwise known as Iowa Hawkeye Game Day to our family, I always bring a snack that everyone can enjoy (including me).  A favorite that is requested of me each year is my spinach, artichoke dip.  Yum!  The nice thing about making my own meal that is safe for me to eat is that, anymore, it is just commonplace and no one thinks anything of it.  I am not the center of attention because of my limitations and I get to enjoy delicious, gluten free foods that I know are perfectly safe.

On my dad's side of the family, there are quite a few of us living with Celiac Disease or non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity, so there are always plenty of delicious gluten free options at these family gatherings!  And, we don't have to worry about cross-contact because everything is labeled with separate utensils and kept away from the gluten-full foods.  While it is sad that so many of us have to avoid gluten on this side of the family, it also feels like I can just enjoy a normal family gathering because I'm not alone.

There are many things you can do to be safe and yet still be a part of the festivities.  Eating ahead of time can help and then just enjoy a glass of wine or a hot cider and good conversation with everyone else at the event, or bring your own food.  The first couple of years after my diagnosis I found kind of depressing as I focused on all of the things I couldn't have instead of focusing on just being with family and friends and enjoying the moment.  Concentrate on the joy and fun of the event and don't let what you can't have get you down.  Be thankful that you know what has caused your health issues and that you are in control as much as you can be.  

At any event where you bring your own food or, if catered and the caterer will provide a gluten free meal for you, there may be some people who ask you questions about your health and about being gluten free.  I've learned to give short, but accurate answers to these questions unless someone really is interested in learning more about Celiac Disease and being gluten free.  Many people, while curious, don't want to know the entire history of gluten, Celiac Disease, etc.  Most are asking to be polite.  Generally, I try to give a short answer and then turn the topic of conversation to something else that everyone can participate in.  That way, I'm not on the spot and the conversation doesn't become all about me and my health issues.  I want to enjoy the festivities as much as the next person.

The holidays can be very intimidating and isolating if you let them.  For me, being able to prepare and take my own food to get-togethers cuts out the intimidation factor and keeps me from being isolated.  I can say yes and attend and be a part of the event and know that I am safe because I've prepared my own meal.  Even though most holiday events center around food, remember that there is so much more to enjoy about life than just the food!  After all, the best things in life are free (gluten free, that is!).  Take a moment this holiday season to really notice and appreciate all of the naturally gluten free things in your life.  Some of my favorites are the sound of children laughing, joyful holiday music, the colorful Autumn leaves, warm sweaters, snuggling with my favorite someone - there are so many beautiful things in this life that have nothing to do with food, but are naturally gluten free.  Enjoy them this holiday season!

Now for the winner of the Autumn Giveaway co-sponsored with my friend, Kallie at S2 Soaps...

ANDREA KESSLER @skessler28

Congratulations, Andrea!!

Recipe: Grandma's Peach Cobbler

When I was a little girl my favorite dessert was my Grandma Orris's peach cobbler.  Truth be told, it remains my favorite dessert!  Flaky pie crust on top of sweet, tender peach slices - this is my ultimate comfort food.  Not only does it taste wonderful, but it transports me back to my childhood and happy memories with my grandma and then my mom, who also made this recipe a lot through the years.

💚🎉 Read all the way down for a special Giveaway contest!🎉💚

Since my Celiac diagnosis and going gluten free I've learned to adjust many of my favorite recipes from gluteny to gluten free by substituting, often just one ingredient.  There are many great cup for cup gluten free flour blends out there that you can use.  I'm fortunate to have some of my friend, Tina's flour blend from her former brand, Better For You Bakery still in my freezer.  While this brand is no longer available, there are many other baking and all-purpose gluten free flour blends out there that work well.  Any of them could be used for this recipe.  It is a simple recipe with tasty results.

Gluten Free Peach Cobbler

Ingredients:

Filling:

2 cans or  jars of sliced peaches in natural juice (Grandma's recipe used the cans with syrup)

Cobbler:

2 C gluten free all purpose or baking flour blend (use a cup for cup brand)

1 tsp salt

2/3 C + 2 T shortening (solid coconut oil would work well for this, also)

1/4 C water

Sugar or Splenda

Mix gf flour blend and salt in a medium sized mixing bowl.  Cut in shortening.  Add water, 1 T at a time, mixing with fork until flour is moistened.  Add sugar or Splenda to taste to sweeten slightly.  Take dough and pat into approx. 2 inch round patties and approx. 3/4 inch thick.  Place peaches along with the juice in a 9 x 13 baking dish, evenly distributed.  Top peaches with the cobbler patties.  Cobbler recipe can be doubled if more of the cobbler is desired.  Bake at 350° until cobbler is golden brown on top, approximately 35 - 40 minutes.  Check if cobbler is baked through by poking with a toothpick.  Toothpick should come out clean.  Cooking time depends on how thick the cobbler patties are.  Serve warm topped with your favorite ice cream, whipped topping or just as is.

Gluten Free Flour Blends:

Gluten Free Mama

Bob's Red Mill

King Arthur Gluten Free Flour Blend

Pamela's Gluten Free All Purpose Flour Blend

Namaste Foods Perfect Flour Blend

This is one of my all-time favorite recipes and I'm so happy to be able to share it with you.  It is a great recipe for fall.  To kick it up a notch, you could add a pinch of cardamom in the cobbler dough or maybe a bit of nutmeg to the peaches to really give it an Autumn taste.

I'm teaming up with my friend, Kallie at S2Soaps for a special Fall giveaway!

🎉🎉To enter this giveaway:🎉🎉

1. Follow @siouxlandceliac AND @s2soaps on Instagram
2. Like the post about this blog and giveaway on Instagram
3. Tag a friend

**Only those in the continental USA are eligible to enter.  Unlimited entries.  Each tagged friend counts as a separate entry.  All entries must be submitted no later than midnight November 1st. Winner will be announced with my November 2nd blog post.**