Positivity

Being positive in a negative situation is difficult. It's hard to find the glass half full, the silver lining, or the clown that isn't scary! However, it is necessary when dealing with gluten allergies.


We all have those days where we feel down and wonder "why me?", but we can't let those days beat us down.  In order to be healthy all we have to do is not eat foods with gluten. Too simple? Maybe, because it IS hard to do. Especially when we are accidently glutened.


We can however pull ourselves out of the why me funk, and realize that it could be worse. Here are some examples how:

1. We could have horrific chainsaw accidents that leave us with no arms, and we wouldn't be able to feed ourselves at all! (Gee Kelly, you're so graphic!) But, it's true! that would be awful.
2. Badgers could sneak in and steal ALL of our food! (Badgers? really? YES badgers!, sneaky little buggers.)
3. Paris Hilton could come to your work tomorrow and sing to you all day! (How much would that hurt? That would be painful! Imagine if when she finally left the song she was singing got stuck in your head all night! {shudder})
4. You start to believe your family pets are plotting your demise. (Ok, this isn't a good one because I really do think my cat is trying to kill me, but that's another story)
5. Your best friend could start a new hobby where she/he sits in front of you slowly eating cupcakes and giggling maniacally. (she/he wouldn't be your best friend for long I tell you that!)

The moral of the story is to just be happy. Life is too short for negativity, and if those around you are negative set them straight or move along. None of us need negative influences in our lives, our lives are hard enough. Find the funny in everyday life. Seek out happiness. Enjoy the sunshine, sniff the flowers, they at least are gluten free! Yes, I know you are allergic to flowers too! Well suck it up little glutenators! Take a Zyrtec, and keep on keepin' on!

Gluten Addictive?

Did you know that Gluten can affect the receptors in the brain the same way Opium does? I didn't. It makes sense however, who of us hasn't sat down to a fabulously crafted pizza, or a bowl of pasta and felt that lethargy come on? It also explains why gluten / wheat products can be addictive in their own right, making it difficult for those of us who absolutely know, we KNOW we can't eat them, and yet we just can't help ourselves sometimes.

After the last time I made the mistake of thinking one sandwich won't hurt me, I hope to never fall down that slippery slope again.

On a recent trip to New Hampshire, we went to Weir's beach and they have fried dough there. Think of those words... fried...dough. I am proud and happy to tell you I did not succumb to the deliciousness. It was a glorious piece of work much like funnel cake, but larger and covered in powdered sugar. It would have exploded in my mouth with "fabulousness," and in my gut like dynamite.

My skin would have "rashed out," I would have gotten puffy, and "headachy," nauseous, on and on the symptoms would have hit, and yet I wanted one! So bad! Now, as we are planning a return trip to New Hampshire, I know I will be faced yet again with those fried dough plates of gorgeousness and pain.

But I hope to resist them again, and wish all of you the luck to do the same my fellow glutenators, when faced with your gluten filled temptations.

Gluten Allergy: What It's Really Like

I see a lot of stories about Gluten allergies, but none tell the real story. What it's really like on a daily basis to have a gluten allergy. Most people think, Oh well, if you don't eat it you must feel fine.


Not so! We may feel better, but it's a constant battle. We have to be ever vigilant against the threat of cross contamination, of wheat being in our cosmetics, (cosmetics! How insane is that?) of slipping up and having "just a little", of bloating, diarrhea, constipation, or nausea, of skin rashes, puffiness, headaches, joint aches, memory loss.


It's a daily mission to find clothes that somehow hide our bloated bellies, without making it look worse, or without making us look pregnant when we certainly aren't!


The guy at the kabob place that looks at you weird when you tell him not to put the bread in there, that feels great! Not to mention your poor, long suffering friends and family!


My grandma had celiac sprue, she was sicker that a cat with a 5 pound hairball! But, it never seemed as if it was a bad thing, she made delicious food, grew her own herbs, made her own dressing. It all seemed delicious and fresh and fabulous! Oh How I wish I had paid more attention then!


She made it all seem so effortless, now I know better. But, you never think you are going to have it too. So, how do you prepare? Now it's all about finding a happy balance, and taking care of yourself. So here are some tips! Yay!! Tips!


1. Always know where bathrooms are. Seriously, as soon as you walk in somewhere, be it someone's home, a restaurant, the grocery store, ask where the restroom is. You will be glad you did! I don't mean barge in someone's home and blurt our "Where's the John? I may need to drop a bomb on it!" But, being proactive is the name of the Gluten free game!


2. Do not cheat. DON'T! It's not worth it. That little slice of birthday cake, or delicious, delicious pizza hates you. It wants to make you sick. Hate it right back. If people look at you funny for glaring at food tell them you are a spy, and you think there's a microphone in there! People love spies.


3. Even though it's tempting to hoard your glorious gluten free snacks like a happy little miser, screaming "My Precious" over and over, be nice! It's no one's fault that the snacks cost so much, or are hard to find, and are one of the few things you enjoy. ...On second thought, hoard away little glutenators! That's your nom nom, and they should back off of it!


4. Don't be a Debbie Downer. No one wants to hear about how one time you ate at this restaurant before and got violently ill, and had to spend three days at home curled up by the toilet. Especially if the persons(s) you are talking to happens to enjoy dining at that restaurant. Don't say things like.."I wish I could have fried ice cream", while ravenously watching them as they enjoy their dessert. No one will be your friend anymore.


5. Don't be bitter. Even though finding the words 20ppm or less on the side of the box means that the product you have been stuffing down your gullet, while dancing around your living room  singing "I'm eating crackers!", may or may not have trace amounts of wheat in it, and you may or may not be curled up in a ball later, doesn't mean that you get to be bitter! You get to be proud that you didn't hop in the car, and race over to the FDA demanding restitution and throwing things dramatically. Good Job!