little_c's Blog

Well, it's here. This will be my first holiday season going gluten-free. I took on cooking the thanksgiving dinner for 11 so I could control the gluten. That's really easier in some ways than going somewhere else. My family has been good about accommodating me, but it's hard to trust that someone else's cooking is not cross contaminated. My sister's OK, but my mom does not get it at all! All she keeps saying is 'you can't eat anything anymore.' Well that would be true if I ate like she does.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A13):
 

As far as thanksgiving goes, it's really not that bad to modify. I'm using a Food TV recipe from Giada for Turkey w/citrus & herbs de provence. The turkey's stuffed with lemons, oranges, onions & herbs. Sounds like it will be juicy. I was never a big stuffing fan anyway, so I won't really miss it. I was going to make gluten-free stuffing, but decided I'd save myself the trouble. The family's bringing Stovetop so all I have to do is make sure it doesn't touch anything on my plate! They're also bringing green bean casserole for themselves and I'll be making steamed green beans as another alternative. I have a gluten-free pie crust from Whole Foods for the pumpkin pie. I've been making my own pumpkin pie filling for years, and am glad I can still follow that recipe. It's so tasty. There are a couple of other naturally gluten-free veggies and sides on the menu. I'm sure I won't feel deprived. One of the things I'm thankful for this year is that mashed potatoes are naturally gluten-free!!

Christmas cookie baking is a tradition that I'm sorry to have to give up. That was one of my favorite things about the holidays. I haven't even tried making any gluten-free bakery yet, and I doubt if I'll try this year. I have my son recruited to mix dough for the regular cookies that I'll bake. I will use them for our open house and my family. I'm the only gluten-free one in my entire extended family. I get sad when I think of all the traditional cookie favorites that I can't eat anymore. I know I can try to adapt them, but I'm just not up for it.

So it's like having a first holiday after someone dies. You are sad that it can't be the way it was and miss them. I'm trying to stay positive, but I have my down moments. I'll have to start building new traditions. I wish I could have chosen to change my traditions instead of doing it because I have a disease. Oh well, that's life. The trick is to roll with the punches and adapt to change.

Here's to another new stage in learning to live with "little c."

Cheers.