Catching Up

Oh, hello there.  It's been awhile since I've seen you.  How have you been?  So much has happened since we last communicated in January, 2020.  Is that an understatement, or what?!  

So, I'll catch you up a bit on what has happened in my world in the past few years.  First, Covid happened to EVERYONE.  Wow did that shake things up and wreak havoc on the world!  As everyone was still trying to figure out how to stay safe during the pandemic, we were dealing with work as usual as the company my husband and I worked for (he's now retired, but I am still working for this company) is considered an essential business as we furnish farm and ranch supplies as well as essential items for home, gardens, automotive, hardware, etc.  While it made many of us nervous to have to still go to work every day because most of our jobs could not be done remotely, we were still very grateful that we weren't dealing with the isolation that so many had to endure.  I won't go into the difficulties we had during the pandemic because they were pretty universal.  Everyone endured hardships, loss and much more during this time.

We're coming up on two years since my husband was diagnosed with Stage II tonsil cancer.  After his treatment began, the oncologist called it, more accurately, neck cancer, as his tonsils didn't have any cancer.  Anyone who has gone through having a loved one with cancer or having cancer themselves knows that the next months were very difficult.  It has been over a year and a half since he finished his cancer treatments, but he still has effects from the radiation, though they are becoming less all the time.  His treatment consisted of radiation five days per week for seven weeks and then chemo once a week for the duration.  The radiation was on his neck so it affected his ability to swallow in a big way.  Much of his taste has returned, though some things still don't taste quite right to him and spicy food, which he has always loved, has been problematic.  He is getting to the point finally, where he can eat a little bit of spicy again.

We are very blessed that every check up he has had since finishing his treatment has been great!  He remains cancer free and we expect that to continue.  Going through cancer during the pandemic was extremely challenging and isolating.  Dave was out of work for about half of his treatment and for around 8 weeks after it ended.  The only places he went was the cancer center and home.  I fought to stay healthy so that I wouldn't bring any germs to him that could be devastating due to his compromised immune system.  We actually did really well as neither of us got Covid - until this past July.  I was worried how it would affect him, but as it turned out, it hit me MUCH harder than it hit him!  But, we are both doing well at this time.  I have had some larger flare ups of some of my Celiac symptoms simply from the stress of everything.  But I am working hard to take care of myself and have learned the benefits of rest and relaxation.

So, now that we have caught up a bit, I'm curious to hear from you and how you have been doing through the past couple of years.  If you have had Covid and have autoimmune issues, how did it affect you?

On to some fun stuff now.  Even though I haven't written a blog post for far too long, I have continued to post content on my Siouxland Celiac Facebook and Instagram accounts.  These posts include many gluten free recipes that I've been making.  One of my most recent recipes that I have made is a spin-off from my Great-Aunt Jean's quiche recipe.  This breakfast casserole is delicious and hearty and makes a big batch.  Allergen Alert: contains eggs and dairy

Hearty Breakfast Casserole

Ingredients:

6 large eggs

3 C milk or milk substitute (I used unsweetened cashew milk)

1 C Gluten Free Bisquick

1/2 C + 2 T Canola Oil or Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)

Salt & pepper to taste

1 pound gluten free bacon - fried or baked (I baked mine - see notes below), then cut into bite-sized pieces

1 C shredded sharp cheddar

1 small package of frozen hash browns, thawed

1 small onion, diced

1 T dried parsley

1 T dried basil

1/3 C Feta cheese crumbles

For your bacon, preheat the oven to 400 and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper (I didn't have any so I just placed it directly on the pan - parchment makes for easier cleanup and cooks the bacon more evenly).  Bake for 45 minutes to an hour, depending on desired crispness.  This will be used in a casserole, so it doesn't need to be very crispy for that.

While the bacon is cooking, combine eggs, milk, GF Bisquick, oil and seasonings in a medium mixing bowl.  Mix together with a wire whisk until blended.  The batter will be a bit lumpy.  In a 9x13 casserole dish, use a tablespoon of oil to grease the bottom and sides of the dish.  Place the thawed hash browns in the bottom of the dish and spread them evenly.  Sprinkle feta crumbles and diced onion on top of the hash browns.  Pour the egg mixture on top of the potatoes, onion and feta crumbles.  After the bacon is finished cooking remove and drain on a plate with paper towels.  Let the bacon cool enough to cut into bite-sized pieces and then place them on top of the mixture so the bacon is even across the entire casserole.  Top with cheddar.

Lower the oven temp to 350 once the bacon is finished cooking.  Place casserole on middle rack in the oven and cook, uncovered, for 45 minutes.  Cut and serve.  My husband loves this topped with some salsa for a little bit of a kick.

This casserole makes some pretty tasty leftovers, too.  I've enjoyed it for lunch a couple of days this week! 

Now it is time for the Catching Up Giveaway!!!  Yay!  I have help from a friend who is sponsoring this giveaway, Kallie at Fantastically Florida!  She has given me several items that she makes for the Awareness part of her online shop.  Here are the items offered in the giveaway.

Celiac Disease Awareness lapel pin, key chain and luggage tag are all provided by Fantastically Florida.  The necklace holds a small ball for essential oil therapy and is from my own label, Margo Makes.  In time for the cooler weather is a tall travel mug with herbal tea bags.  To enter:

1. Like and Share this post

2. Follow Siouxland Celiac on Facebook and/or Instagram (whichever you are on)

2. Tag 3 or more friends.  Every friend you tag is an extra chance to win.

Giveaway offer is open to only those in the continental United States.  Winner will be announced next Wednesday night, November 2nd.

 

Learning Self-Care to Enjoy a Better Life

When I first heard the term “self-care” many years ago, it didn’t quite compute.  If you’re like me, when I was growing up, I was taught to take care of others before my own needs.  It is something that is completely engrained in me and is second nature after more than 50 years of being alive.  I’ve always worked hard to follow that in my own life, sometimes to my own detriment.  I’ve always believed, wrongfully so, that my own needs are always secondary and if I am taking care of myself, I am being selfish.  Just like everything else in life, this area requires balance.  That balance has been and often, still is difficult for me to find.  Yet, self-care is so vitally important to our well-being.  I mean, if you don’t take care of yourself, how can you possibly take care of anyone else?

Anyone who has ever flown has sat through the instructions from the flight attendants prior to take off.  One of the most important instructions they always give is about the oxygen masks that will pop down from the overhead compartment in case of loss of cabin pressure.  What is it they always, without fail instruct the passengers to do?  Put the mask on YOURSELF before helping any small children or incapacitated person near you.  That is because if you lose consciousness, you are incapable of coming to someone else’s aid.  In other words, if you don’t take care of yourself first, not only will you suffer, but so will those around you.  Self-care is important to everyone, but especially those of us living with autoimmune disorders and chronic health issues.  Our bodies require more self-care than most in order to be able to function at any given time.

So, what does self-care look like?  I imagine it can mean many different things to many different people.  Here are some things I’ve learned about self-care along my own journey.

1.      Learn and abide by your limitations

That doesn’t mean, let your limitations keep you from living your life as fully as you can or to use your limitations as excuses to keep from doing things.  It just means that we need to listen to our bodies.  No one else knows your body like you do.  You know what activities require extra energy from you and what activities wear you down.  In my own case, I have learned that I cannot plan multiple activities for the same day or even just one all-day activity.  My body rebels against me when I expect too much from it.  I need to honor that by planning accordingly and resting when necessary.  Yep, it means that often I have to say no to activities and events that I would LOVE to take part in.  But sometimes self-care simply means saying no.  It is ok to say no.  It is not the end of the world.  And it doesn’t mean that you always have to say no.  If I say no to things that I know will prove to be too much for my body to handle, that opens up opportunities for me to say yes to other things I may not have been able to do before.

2.      Get plenty of rest

All of us need rest.  Those of us with chronic illness or autoimmune disorders require more than normal.  Honor that.  Yes, we need to get plenty of sleep at night.  Each person’s needs may be different on how much their body actually requires versus someone else’s needs.  Sleep is not the only form of resting.  Down time, just kicking back with no activities and taking time to relax for a while helps to recharge your body, as well.  My favorite way to relax is to grab a cup of hot tea and a good book and just lounge and read.  I have so many people tell me that they don’t have time to do sit and read.  I understand that.  The busyness of life gets to us all at times.  This is an area of your life where you need to make time.  Carve out in your schedule a little bit of “me” time to sit and relax and rest your body and mind for a little while. 

3.      Hydration & healthy eating habits

Again, this is a vital part of life.  I have a bad habit of drinking one soda per day.  I love the carbonation.  But even one per day is so unhealthy for my body.  And, I’ve begun to notice different things about my body when I drink soda instead of water.  I get more muscle cramps, my joints feel swollen and achy, I end up feeling sluggish and fatigued throughout the day.  When I am drinking plenty of water, I have found that I have more energy, I feel more focused throughout the day and the muscle cramps and swollen and achy joints are no longer an issue.  Making healthy choices for our meals is exceedingly important as well.  I love the summer and all of the fresh fruits, veggies and herbs I can purchase at the local farmer’s market!  When I was first diagnosed, my first response as I was learning to live gluten free was to purchase and consume the gluten free counterparts to what I used to enjoy prior to my Celiac diagnosis.  Sadly, most of that was crap!  The more processed the foods are, the less good they do for your body.  The more you can stick with less processed, more naturally gluten free foods, the better off you will be.  You will feel more energetic and be healthier overall.

4.      Spiritual health

My current personal Bible study is,  "Beautiful Brokenness "

I know this can take many different forms for many different people.  We are, at our core, spiritual beings.  For me, being a part of a church family helps me find my purpose, my joy.  I work as part of the worship and service team most Sundays and I love it!  It has grown me so much as a person to be a part of this great team and to be an active member of this church family.  My time on Sundays as well as the small group Bible study that I help facilitate really help me rejuvenate for each week.  The times that I have to miss for one reason or another, I can feel it down deep in my soul and I feel emptier and miss it so much.  Being plugged in to this church family feeds my spirit in ways nothing else I have found ever has.  Taking time during the week for my own personal prayer time and Bible study just adds to that fullness.  I have dear friends who take care of their spiritual health through yoga and meditation.  Others I know actually feed their spiritual beings through their art.  Whatever form it may take, setting aside time to care for your spiritual self is also very important

5.      Make time to do activities you enjoy

One of my favorite passions and hobbies, photography. 

This photo is two things that relax me, crocheting and snuggling with my kitties. 

This past year has not been a good one for me and my family.  While there have been some very good and enjoyable things about the year, there have been a lot of hardships and some big, painful losses that have really disrupted our world.  For most of the year, the activities that have always given me pleasure have taken a backseat and been set aside.  Some of these activities help keep me centered.  Since I was a young girl I have found release through art and writing.  Even if the only person who will ever see my drawings or paintings or read what I’ve written is me, it is still a way for me to get in touch with my innermost being.  I also enjoy photography.  We have to make time for the things we enjoy as well as those responsibilities we all have.  We aren’t meant to go through life just doing a job.  Yes, we need to work in order to make money to be able to pay for the necessities and extras, but we need to find hobbies that we enjoy, too.

6.       Take time for something silly and fun once in a while

Me with my cousins, Amy & Lori Ann taking some time for fun and just being together a couple of days after our grandma's funeral. 

At our last meeting of the Western Iowa Celiac & Gluten Free Living group, I passed out some little gifts.  Inside each pouch was a small notebook, a pen, a trinket reminding each person to never give up and a small bottle of blowing bubbles.  Yes, the bubbles may seem silly, but it symbolizes to me the simple joys we tend to forget about and set aside as adults.  I, personally, have fun blowing bubbles.  It requires very little from you and you can’t help but laugh and smile while you are doing it.  I’ve found that doing something fun helps ease away the tension and stresses of life.

Is anyone wondering what the small notebooks and pens in the pouches were for?  They were for each person to write down ideas in their own lives for how they can practice self-care.  So, now that you know what self-care looks like to me, tell me how you practice self-care in your own life.

Until next week, be well and be happy.

Raise Awareness Not Tempers

After a brief hiatus, I'm back and ready to get back into the swing of things full force!  Recently I've seen several posts from people who are angry and frustrated with what they call incompetent doctors who misdiagnose or failed to diagnose for too long a period of time before they finally got a correct diagnosis of Celiac Disease. It does on average take anywhere up to 10 years sometimes to get a correct Celiac diagnosis because this is simply not the first thing doctors necessarily consider.  While I fully understand their frustrations, I prefer to take a more practical and logical view of this.

One, I am not an angry or negative person by nature.  I tend to find the positive in even the dimmest, darkest situation.  I think becoming angry about supposed doctor incompetence is counterproductive.  Please remember that there are over 300 hundred possible known symptoms of Celiac Disease, many of which, mimic other health disorders.  For a fairly comprehensive list of the known Celiac symptoms click here. 

Over my life I have presented with 73 varying, chronic symptoms, many of which could also be attributed to my hypothyroidism.  Symptoms for Celiac Disease range anywhere from IBS type symptoms, severe bloating, skin issues, brittle nails, dental problems, brain fog, anxiety, insomnia, paranoia, achy, swollen joints, other health disorders and autoimmune diseases, and in extreme cases anaphylaxis.  If taken separately, each of my 73 symptoms could potentially lead to 73 very different diagnoses.  In fact, it took my doctor 3 years to finally test me for Celiac Disease.  It wasn't because he was incompetent.  On the contrary.  He was searching for answers to my most pressing symptoms, which appeared to be allergies of some kind.  It wasn't until I nearly died from a severe anaphylactic attack that he reviewed my entire medical history and put all of my symptoms together to consider to test me for Celiac Disease.  He worked so hard with various tests and treatments to try to find the right answer.  We were both looking at only the most recent and severest symptoms instead of the whole picture.  Which is logical that a doctor would do that! 

There is no medical treatment or cure for Celiac Disease.  Unless a doctor is a specialist in this area, Celiac Disease is not going to be the first diagnosis on his or her mind.  Again, with such a huge variety of symptoms, many of which have absolutely nothing to do with the gut, it is no wonder that so many people are misdiagnosed, often multiple times, before finally getting the correct diagnosis.  The key isn't to get angry, but to educate!  My doctor doesn't know a lot about Celiac Disease.  He can't treat me medically for it, so he has actually learned a bit more about it from me through the past few years.  I love that he asks me questions about it and that he listens to what I have to say.  He is a general practitioner, not a specialist in Celiac Disease.  And, he is a very good doctor, whom I still see for my overall health and wellbeing.  

Yes, it is very frustrating how long it takes to get a correct diagnosis - if you ever do!  Believe me, I was extremely frustrated, too!  I've never blamed my doctor, though or believed he wasn't doing all he could to find an answer.  The more we can educate people and raise awareness of Celiac Disease, what it is, what the symptoms are and what it truly means to live gluten free, hopefully, the better doctors will get at recognizing and diagnosing Celiac Disease more quickly.  Admittedly, I was frustrated several months after my diagnosis via blood tests and going gluten free to learn that I should have had a confirming endoscopy.  This is where gently educating our medical professionals comes in handy.  My doctor didn't know that I should have had an endoscopy.  He knew which blood tests to order for diagnosis that way, but when I asked if there were any other tests that I needed, he told me no.  This disease is simply one that most doctors have little to no experience with.  If your doctor is open to it, sit with him or her and discuss your disease with them.  Let them know about it, what it is like to live with it, what it means to be gluten free.  I feel fortunate that my doctor is truly interested in what I have to say about it.  He knows I've done my research.  He knows I want to do whatever I can to get healthy.  And he knows it is important for him to know more about it.  Maybe, because of my history and diagnosis, he may recognize symptoms in someone else and be able to diagnose them sooner.

This is one of the biggest reasons I began this blog, am co-leader of my local Celiac and Gluten Free support group and recently built a new website - to help educate and raise awareness.  What can you do to help raise awareness for Celiac Disease in a positive and proactive manner?

For more resources visit:
https://www.beyondceliac.org/
https://celiac.org/
https://westerniowaceliacandglutenfreeliving.com/

Looking Back One Last Time

Here we are on the last day of 2018 - the last few hours before the new year rings in.  I've been considering a lot this past week just what my last blog post of the year would be about.  I don't know about you, but this year has brought some major changes in my life, at work, at home.  Many things stretching me to the point where I thought I may break, yet, I didn't.  I overcame many obstacles and, not on my own.  

The start of this year at work really stretched me close to my breaking point.  In truth, I came really close to throwing in the towel.  But I didn't.  Not because I'm stubborn, though, trust me, I am that (I ain't a ginger for nothing!).  No, if it had just been my own stubbornness, I would have walked away from a job and a company that I've worked at for the past 2 plus decades.  Thankfully, my boss, the HR VP and my co-workers talked me off the ledge.  They showed me support, encouragement and they believed in me and my ability to get through the tough times.  If not for all of them, I would have walked away from a company I love working for.  Their belief in me - even through the meltdowns, and, there WERE meltdowns - brought me through the worst of the stressful times that everyone in the company experienced through the last year of major changes.  I didn't think I could handle the pressure the job was putting on me, that I was putting on myself.  My mental and physical health suffered for it and I know that I'm not the only one who did.  Even when I felt like I was failing, the people I work with believed in me, put up with me and showed me unwavering support.  You never know what kind of a team you truly are a part of until you go through a seemingly impossible situation together.  We weathered through together and not a one of us gave up!  Not on each other, not on the job, not on the company.  And it is beginning to pay off and things are calming down.  I'm beyond grateful to still be with this company that has been so good to me for the last 22 1/2 years!  And it is all because I work with an amazing group of women who wouldn't let me give up, sometimes smacking me over the head with hard truths that I needed to hear.

 What does all of that have to do with Celiac you may ask?  Well, if you are like me, stress can trigger some nasty Celiac symptoms - without the added problem of being glutened!  Even in all of my worst moments of stress and self-doubt, NOT ONCE did I have a full-blown panic attack!!  This is HUGE for me!  And it was NOT because of me!  It was because of an awesome support system I have in the people I work with.  They even love being guinea pigs when I try new gluten free recipes!  LOL  We all need support and understanding in every aspect of our lives.  Because our jobs take up a large portion of our day to day lives, having a great team of co-workers can make such a huge difference!  And, if you can manage the work stress, that will help with mental and physical exhaustion that can complicate your Celiac symptoms.

I also turned 50 in April.  Wow.  I can't believe I am now actually old enough for my very own AARP membership - I have the card, I can prove it!  I thought that turning 50 would depress me, but it is funny - I actually feel more invigorated and alive than I have in a very long time, maybe ever!  January 15th will mark 5 years since my diagnosis and going gluten free.  This past week notwithstanding (I had a migraine that started Christmas Eve and then morphed into a sinus infection later in the week - still getting over it at this time), I actually feel the healthiest I have ever been in my life - overall.  I now not only know what it means to actually feel good, but I have more good days than not good days.

I have grown in so many ways this year and have experienced things I never thought possible.  Mid year the local Celiac Support Group I attend lost it's leader and sponsor and my friend, Susie and I stepped in to keep the group going.  It hasn't been easy and we've had our ups and downs, but we've endured and have kept it going!  We've met and spoken with so many people who have Celiac or have family or friends living with it.  People who were amazed that they weren't alone!  People who wanted to learn more and to be a part of a group of people who are in this journey together.  I think that is what I am most proud of in 2018.  Neither Susie nor I are natural born leaders.  But we both saw the need and felt the urgency to keep this group together and to be able to expand and broaden it's reach to be able to help more people.  We've had some members move away and welcomed new faces as well as those who've been there right along with us.  It has been the most rewarding experience I can remember in a very long time.  

May God bless and keep you as we say farewell to 2018 and greet 2019.  Happy New Year!

The Importance of Family

Family is important no matter what is going on in your life.  But when you have a chronic illness, you really depend on your family being there for you, understanding what is going on or, at least trying to.

Unfortunately, not everyone has the support of their family after being diagnosed with Celiac Disease.  I think a big part of the reason for this is that Celiac Disease is a very misunderstood disease.  There is nothing that modern medicine can do to treat Celiac Disease and there is no cure.  With the only treatment option being to live a completely gluten free existence, many people can't wrap their minds around the realities of it. 

I've heard people say that they think it is a made up disease or a fad because they've read about famous celebrities who went "gluten free" to lose weight.  Because not much is commonly known about this disease, it is easy for people to dismiss it.  They don't understand that the reality is that it is a disease that can wreak havoc with a person's health in many areas and can lead to other illnesses that can cause death.  In my case and others who also have the extreme symptom of anaphylaxis (an allergic-type reaction where the person's face swells up and their airway is cut off because of swelling in the throat) that can kill swiftly.

I feel blessed to have a very supportive and understanding family.  Even those who don't understand the complexities of my disease have shown me love and compassion and so much support.  I don't take that for granted at all.

For the families of someone living with Celiac Disease, ask questions.  Don't just assume that what your relative is living with is minor or made up or not important.  Celiac Disease has changed everything about their life!  Not only have they had to completely change how they relate to food and what they eat, but they've had to give up or become extremely limited at being able to participate in even the simplest social events, such as dining out with friends, attending a wedding reception, birthday parties, work functions, etc.  Having Celiac Disease can be very isolating.  People often assume that you can "just take the bun off" the burger or that "a little bit won't hurt you".  But that isn't the case.  A little bit - as small as a single crumb can do a lot of damage to someone with Celiac Disease.  It isn't just a bad stomach ache or flatulence or having diarrhea, there is so much more to it.  And whether you understand or not, know that the person you care about is going through something very serious and they need your unwavering support and unconditional love and acceptance.

If you are living with Celiac, remember that your relatives and friends are not necessarily facing the same health issues that you are.  They can only understand based on their own life experiences.  Gently educate them when they will let you.  Be patient with them not understanding.  Remember that after your own diagnosis, you didn't learn everything over night.  Neither will they.

**As for the Holiday Giveaway that I first posted about two weeks ago - sadly, there were no entries received, so there is no winner this time.  My next giveaway will be after the first of the New Year.**

10 Celiac Perks

Yes, you read that right - this post is about what I like to call Celiac Perks.  By now, if you've lived with Celiac Disease for any amount of time, or even if you are newly diagnosed, you are well aware of the myriad of Celiac problems.  However, did you know that there are some perks to having Celiac Disease?  I'll bet you didn't!  Well, I am going to share some of the perks I've discovered over the past nearly 5 years of living with Celiac Disease.  After you read this post, I'm interested in hearing from you what are some of the perks you've discovered on this gluten free journey.

#10. Acquiring a new, twisted sense of humor.  The health issues that come with Celiac Disease are serious enough, but the longer you live with this disease the easier it is to have a sense of humor about it.  I mean no one understands the humor of flatulence quite like a Celiac - other than someone who is lactose intolerant, of course.  But then again, many Celiacs are lactose intolerant so...

#9. Having a built-in excuse not to participate in certain social events that you'd rather not attend.  Not being able to eat the food can sometimes be a good thing.

#8. Not putting on the extra pounds co-workers do from all of the goodies around the office during the holidays because 99.9% of them are not gluten free.

Cookies, pies and cakes, oh my!

#7. Being on a first name basis with the wait staff, chef, manager, owner of your favorite restaurant because you are there so often since it's the only restaurant at which you feel safe eating.  When you find that place that educates their staff, understands what cross-contact is and how to avoid it and puts up with you asking about 100 times each time you dine there, if they made sure to note that your meal is gluten free for health reasons (not to mention the other 100 questions that go into placing your order) there is no place else you'd rather be.

#6. Being selfish and not sharing your food with anyone.  Have you SEEN how expensive gluten free food is?!  Yikes! 

#5. The freedom of bringing your own gluten free meal to social gatherings when one is not provided for you.  Yes, I have done this on numerous occasions and I am able to enjoy myself, knowing that every bite is perfectly safe because I made it myself.

#4. The satisfaction of proving to people who think that all gluten free food tastes like shoe leather that there is some really delicious food out there that is gluten free.  Gluten free brownie, anyone?? 

#3. Becoming a part of an amazing, supportive and strong Celiac and gluten free community.

#2. Becoming my own best advocate.

#1. Stepping out of my comfort zone to help educate, encourage, support and advocate for others in this Celiac/gluten free journey.

And don't forget about my holiday giveaway going on right now!  I am taking entries until noon Central Time on December 15, 2018.  To find out how to enter click here.

 

Holiday Season - The Gift of Giving

Yesterday marked the countdown to Christmas as we said good-bye to November and welcomed December in with a snowstorm!  Well, there was a snowstorm in my area, anyway.

In the spirit of giving that abounds especially during the month of December, I will be doing a special giveaway.  Read through to the end of this post to find out how to enter.

Before I get to the entry rules I want to share with you a post that a friend of mine shared on Facebook that I love and I am doing throughout this month.  It comes from the Passionate Penny Pincher and I think it would be awesome if many of my readers would do this along with me.  On the Passionate Penny Pincher's Facebook page, this Reverse Advent Calendar can be found.  I plan to make all of mine gluten free with as much being free from the top 8 food allergens as possible.  People who are gluten free for health reasons or have food allergies can also fall on financial hard times, not just people who can eat anything.  That's why whenever I donate food for food banks now, I always make my donations gluten free and allergen free as much as possible.  For instance, to avoid peanut allergies, you can substitute something non-nut related.

Many people become especially generous at this time of the year, but it is important to remember to be charitable and generous all year through.  This doesn't mean just in giving gifts or donations, but also other things that matter - your time, your talent, your compassion, your kindness.  These things can't be bought with money and end up meaning the world to the person receiving them.

Now, in the spirit of this holiday season, here is my last giveaway of 2018 (the first through this blog - all of the rest have been through my Facebook and Instagram pages).  This giveaway will include several fun items - though, since it is the holidays, I am not telling what they are because that would ruin the surprise!  

To enter:

1. Follow www.siouxlandceliac.blogspot.com

2. Like @siouxlandceliac on Instagram and/or Facebook (not everyone does both, so you only need to follow on one in order to be entered into the contest)

3. Tag 3 friends on the giveaway post on Instagram and/or Facebook

Only those living in the continental US are eligible to enter.  All entries must be received no later than noon Central Time on Saturday, December 15th.  The winner will be announced in my blog post on Sunday, December 16th.

A Whole Lot of Gratitude

I hope that everyone had a safe and happy Thanksgiving with your loved ones!  My sister-in-law and her husband hosted the holiday festivities at their home again this year, as they do each year.  It is always great to spend time with family.  I feel extra blessed that I am able to do so safely by bringing some of my own gluten free meal as well as enjoying other items provided by others that were gluten free.

Food is always such a big and important part of any celebration or get-together, of course, but at times like these I like to focus mainly on other aspects of these kind of events instead of the food.  Don't get me wrong - as my waistline attests - I love to eat!  And I was especially tickled that my mom made my favorite dessert, peach cobbler - adjusting the recipe to make it gluten free.  But the very best parts of the holiday weekend had nothing at all to do with food.

Thanksgiving Day my husband and I gathered together with my mom, father-in-law, mother-in-law, Dave's sister, her husband and their son, Josh who came home for a visit.  We enjoyed good conversation, shared a lot of laughter and I learned how to play a new card game.  Okay, so the game isn't a new one, but I'd never played before, neither had my mom.  Thankfully, everyone put up with my frustrations as I tried to comprehend how to play.  By the second game, I finally understood and was able to relax and have fun with it.  I'm very grateful for family who love me and forgive me even when my frustrations get the best of me.  So, yes, being with family is a HUGE blessing and one I am so grateful for!

Black Friday - or, in our family, Black & Gold Friday (Iowa Hawkeyes v Nebraska Cornhuskers football game) came around and Dave and I were back at Deb and Craig's to watch the game.  We were joined by their daughter, Beth, her husband, Tim and their two little girls.  While we were there, we shared memories by looking at a photo album my niece, Beth found in her parents storage.  I watched (and snapped a few pictures) as my sister-in-law pointed out special ornaments on her Christmas tree to her granddaughters.  And, the girls found some of their mommy's old dance costumes from when she was their ages, so they played dress up and modeled for me.  As you can tell, I didn't get a lot of the game watched.  I usually become the living dress up doll for these two precious little girls and this day was no different.  At fifty years old, getting up off of the floor isn't so easy anymore, but oh, do I have a blast with these two!  My husband and I don't have children so our nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews are extra special to us.  My favorite part of this entire weekend was sitting on the sofa with a 6 year old and 3 1/2 year old snuggled on my lap as I read story books to them.  BEST. THING. EVER.

We don't get to see my side of the family very often, so I miss them terribly - especially during the holidays.  But, I'm so grateful for each and every one of them and for social media, so we can still keep track of each other, even when we aren't able to be together in person.  

Today closed out the holiday weekend with an uplifting and thought-provoking service at my church, New Hope.  I feel so blessed to be a part of this New Hope family and thrive on the love and many hugs, encouragement and support that the members there give so freely to others.

There are so many wonderful blessings in our lives.  Too many to name.  Sometimes it feels like all there is to life is turmoil, struggle and pain.  When things get overwhelming and it feels you have nothing good in your life, take a moment to think about the good things in your life.  Sometimes it helps to write them down so you can look at them when you need reminding.

Oh, and by the way - the Hawkeyes won! :-)