Adapting to Life as a Celiac... The Silver Linings You Might Have Overlooked

As you can see from my post dates, it has been quite some time since I brought anything to the table. We'll just call my sabbatical as being "blind-sided by life" and blogging ended up being last on the list, and then not on the list at all of 'things to do'. Sometimes things just take your breath away and it takes time to get your breath back after being winded. Celiac disease can have that same effect on a person's life too- and it hits you right in the gut!

As much as one would like to take a break from life or Celiac Disease it just isn't always possible. But sometimes, it is a matter of shifting your perspective- realizing that you can't change being a Celiac, and looking instead for a silver lining. Once you get past all the things you feel that you have been deprived of and are off limits, a whole new world of understanding and possibility of being gf can happen. Focusing on the "can't haves" will only make you feel worse about something you can't change, and you'll just be more miserable for it.

So here are 5 Celiac Silver Linings for you to consider, before you let yourself dip into the "poor me" handbook of woes.

Silver Lining #1:
Since my daughter has been diagnosed with Celiac Disease, we have become a much more health conscience family. While my daughter is the only family member who eats completely gf, the rest of us are I believe healthier for eating less amounts of gluten since major meals are always made gluten free in our house. Although I have always been fairly health conscience, Celiac Disease has forced me to act on things I would have normally said someday to.

Silver Lining#2:
Kicking the fast food habit! Let's face it- fast food isn't doing anyone a favor. And though my family didn't consume alot of junk food, less or none is better.

Silver Lining#3:
The gluten free fad is your friend. In the 5 years of my daughter being diagnosed as a Celiac, there has been a lot of growth in the food industry. Having become popular amoungst celebrities and health gurus, eating gluten free has become easier even in just the 5 short years my family has adapted to the diet. Just last week a major name brand pasta had a gluten free version on our grocery store shelf that was fabulous. (I will post later about my discovery.) But aside from products now hitting the mainstream, there is so much available now for recipes too. Almost anything you could imagine or crave is out there on the web, has been developed by a fellow Celiac with a discerning palate. Just visit Pinterest for example and you will be amazed! (You can follow me on Pinterest here http://www.pinterest.com/zomongo/. I have a "Gluten Free Goodness" board- I have tried some of these recipes, while others I have pinned for future reference to try out.)

Silver Lining#4:
This is silver lining is related to the previous one, but focuses on the "where do I buy that?" question. For a time I had to visit specialty health food and organic stores to find the gf food items I needed. But now, not only can I find gluten free foods more readily in major grocery store chains- there is so much on the internet. Gf grocery shopping is now a mouse click away. Specialty gf flours that you might otherwise never try can be easily found and ordered online. This is also a great way to shop for your gf items if your local area stores do not have a great supply of gf groceries. Buying online just makes sense in a lot of ways too. You save the gas and time running around from place to place looking for what you need, not to mention the frustration that is avoided. And what could be easier than having your groceries delivered to your door?! When you tell your friends how you have streamlined your life I'm sure they will be kicking themselves that they hadn't thought of that (Or feel jealous that they don't have the health excuse to take that leap! Lol). http://www.amazon.com/Gluten-Free-Foods-Diet/b?ie=UTF8&node=2204829011

Silver Lining #5:
Being catered to. Who doesn't love that?! Yes eating out can be a challenge...however, it can be a terrific experience too. My daughter for example attended her Christmas staff party recently that was held at a restaurant. She was greeted with servers that were already alerted to her condition and appropriate menu suggestions were made to her. However, when it came to dessert she was offered an off menu item. To the servers surprise the whole table decided that my daughter's dessert choice sounded better (Gf Chocolate Ganache Tart with ground nut crust vs Apple Crisp). When dessert arrived, my daughter waited politely and then was about to dig in when the final plate was brought out to be served... and it was announced that it was for the individual with the "allergy"! (Yes there was a brief moment of panic, and then the relief of having dodged the gluten bullet.) When the server was asked if there was gluten then in the rest of the tarts, the answer was "No. They are all made gluten free. We just have a policy to wash our hands before serving allergies." The whole table clapped! But aside from this experience my daughter has had other fabulous meals made by caring chefs who made her complete meal off menu. Who wouldn't want to be asked what they feel like eating and have it whipped up by a chef? Now you have the pull!- who needs star power when you have Celiac Disease?!

Hopefully, I have got you thinking a bit differently about being a Celiac after reading this post. Have you discovered a Celiac silver lining that you may have possibly shrugged off or overlooked? Leave a comment. I would love to know what you have discovered!

Cross Contamination Cont...Eating Away from Home

When my daughter was diagnosed as a Celiac, it was a while before she gathered the courage to eat at a restaurant or even a friend's house. She is a particularly sensitive Celiac, so the thought of leaving her meal in someone else's care was scary...at first.
The easiest transition for my daughter was having a meal at a friend's house. Her friends became advocates for her, informing parents of her dietary needs. As an adult however, the only advocate we are likely to have is ourselves. Though you may feel at first that your are imposing on your hosts with your gf needs, don't fret. You can't help that you can't ingest gluten- so why feel guilty?
Any gracious host will be more than understanding and accommodating. Just don't spring it on them when you arrive at the door. Because if you leave your host in the dark, the only one who is going to suffer is you- being stuck with carrot sticks or ingesting gluten. Instead make a courtesy phone call, thanking them for the invitation and explain your gf needs. If they balk at this, then they aren't likely worth your time.
If your host is unsure about what to avoid in the kitchen, offer emailing a list, or direct them to a web listing of what to watch out for. Living Without magazine also has a list of foods to avoid in every issue near the back. In addition, ask the host if they are unsure whether an ingredient used is gf or not that they allow you to read the label. That way you can enjoy your meal in confidence, lacking the nagging worry of how you will feel in the coming hours.
Another tip- serve yourself first, or ask your host to allow you early entry to the kitchen or table. There may be things like bread being served, and crumbs (or serving spoons) can travel to undesired destinations such as your plate. With practice, you and your host will continue to have an open dialogue about avoiding gluten- but be their polite gentle informative guide.
Next stop on the GF Culinary Tasting Tour...Restaurants! Understandably, eating at a restaurant (whether 5 star, fast food or mall food court) can be distressing for a Celiac. There are so many more elements involved- I'm starving, where can I eat right now? Does the chef and staff truly understand what Gluten Free means? Is it a busy restaurant/time where mistakes are more likely to be made?
To get yourself started and back to enjoying eating out, refer initially to your regional celiac association. They will usually have restaurant listings that are gf friendly, and in most cases the staff are well trained in gf awareness. Plan ahead by choosing a restaurant on the list. Then call to see when they tend to be less busy, making a reservation if necessary. When you are seated, ask if a gluten free menu is available- if not, then tell your server that you are a Celiac and ask what they recommend that can be made gluten free. Remember, just because a restaurant is on a gf friendly list doesn't mean it waves your responsibility of informing staff of your needs. Very few restaurants exist that are completely gf.
When you order be very clear that your meal needs to gf, but be polite and make a point of saying thank you. I have found that politeness helps to further keep gluten at bay because your server is more inclined to be more vigilant. Simply being polite, I have had servers catch kitchen errors before the meal even reached the table. However, don't be so polite as to not question your meal when it comes. If it looks suspicious, ask. Send the meal back if needed, requesting a freshly made one.
Here are a few additional things you can do or look out for when out and about and eating gf:
1) Is it deep fried?...I have encountered a few restaurants that recommend items that are deep fried, but do not have a separate fryer for battered foods. This is not gf eating- you cannot cook gluten at a high temp to neutralize it, nor is the gluten going to stay in the oil and not your food. McDonald's is one place that does have a separate fryer for french fries vs. other battered/coated foods.
2) When there is doubt about an ingredient in a meal you would like, avoid and choose something safer, or when possible ask to read the label. I have had many places graciously pull out big jugs to let me read ingredients.
3) Avoid buffets. They are usually not gf, and if there happens to be gf items the likelihood them remaining gf is nil.
4) Avoid hard ice cream and stick to soft serve or frozen yogurt. Hard ice cream is exposed to cones that are not gf. Soft serve ice cream on the other hand comes from a dispenser keeping it gf. (Still ask about ingredients when in doubt though.) Then...ask the server to remove the nozzle on the dispenser and clean it for you- because the nozzle has come into contact with cones and other non gf ingredients. I have visited Dairy Queen on numerous occasions with my daughter, state that she is a Celiac and that ingesting minute amounts of cookie, cones, etc will have her doubled over in pain in an hour. 99% of the servers have be fantastic about cleaning the nozzle. Only one told me to "get over it".
5) Beware of sauces. Ask about ingredients. I have had many servers happily ask the chef on our behalf. When in doubt though, omit or or order a different meal.
6) Ask if your meal can be brought out separately. Some servers like to stack plates on their arm- however this increases your risk of non gf items making their way to your plate.
7) I often stress that my daughter is highly sensitive to gluten, and that croutons cannot be picked off if placed in error- that a single crumb will cause hours of torture. At times I state that she is allergic, though this is a lie- but it seems to get the point across since many are ignorant of what gluten or a Celiac is. And I am descriptive. I tell people anything with bread, cookie, cracker, etc is toxic to my daughter.
8) Ask if it is possible for a special meal that is not on the menu. Sometimes it may be a bowl of fruit, or a lettuce salad with chicken. But understand that it won't always be possible. On a number of occasions, my daughter has been made to feel like a queen- being told they would make her her own special meal.  Once, the chef came out to greet her, telling her he would make anything for her that she wanted, on or off menu- even bread. None of these places were listed on gf recommended restaurant lists, and in fact were in out of the way places. Only one was a four star establishment.
9) Have a back up plan. This means carrying a gf granola bar or other gf snack that can be easily carried with you. This is not ideal, but it prevents you from passing out from hunger in case you cannot locate a place that can be accommodating.
Now what are you waiting for?... Get out there and eat!