Emily Elizabeth

This is my current favourite so far, I think I may have copied it from this site too lol:

Gluten-Free Flax Bread Recipe

This is my favorite too! For the 1 1/4 cup gluten free flour, I use:

1/2 cup soy flour

1/2 cup buckwheat or brown rice flour

1/4 cup garfava flour (in addition to 1/4 already in recipe)

If you don't have problems with soy, I think it really helps it to fluff up and stay together.

Happy baking!

Emily

1) Do you all take extra fiber? If you do, what is a "safe" fiber? Is adding flax enough?

In addition to veggies and flax bread, I like eating Bob's Red Mill Mighty Tasty Gluten Free Hot Cereal for added fiber in my diet (Yes, that is actually the name!). I add a little salt (really makes a difference) and some cut up fruit (banana/strawberries/blueberries) and sometimes some nuts like toasted pecans or sliced almonds. It has 4g of fiber in just 1/4 cup (uncooked). I add triple the amt of water (3/4 cup water to 1/4 cup cereal) and put it in the microwave on the "oatmeal" setting and it comes out great!

we eat to live instead of living to eat these days.

What a great quote!

Emily

I just thought I would share this gluten free pasta recipe I got from one of Bette Hagman's books since it has brought so much joy to my life lately! I never thought I could make fresh pasta (let alone gluten free!) but it is as easy as mix, roll out, slice and boil. There is no drying involved. Simply boil for 5 minutes or freeze the fresh dough for later use. I have made fettuccine and manicotti (yum!).

Easy Homemade Fresh Pasta

On Recipezaar: Open Original Shared Link

Ingredients

1/3 cup garbanzo flour (or garfava flour - Bob's Red Mill, I order this from a local health store)

1/3 cup tapioca starch (also called Tapioca Flour)

1/3 cup cornstarch

2 teaspoons xanthan gum

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 egg

Directions

1. In a medium sized bowl use a wire whisk to thoroughly mix together flours, xanthan gum and salt.

2. In a small bowl whisk together oil and eggs and pour into flour mixture.

3. Mix until it forms a ball. Be sure to scrape the sides mixing in all crumbs that may be left on the bottom. Dough will be a bit sticky.

4. Liberally sprinkle a pastry cloth, rolling pin and your hands with cornstarch. Knead dough about 20 times, adding cornstarch to cloth and hands as needed. Dough will be a bit tough.

5. Roll out dough on a pastry cloth until it is very thin, reapplying cornstarch to rolling pin and top of dough as needed. This part does require some muscle, dough should almost cover an entire standard sized pastry cloth.

6. Using a knife or pizza cutter cut into desired pasta shapes. Thin strips for spaghetti, thicker for fettuccine or cut into 2x6 squares for lasagna (I have even made manicotti by cutting squares and rolling them into large tubes and sealing the ends together by wetting the end slightly and pressing hard. Don't worry if they do not seal perfectly or if they tear a little, they will still work!).

7. Add pasta to boiling salted water with a few drops of oil. Cook for 5-7 minutes. (You can also freeze pasta for later use).

Pasta Recipes I like to make with this:

Outback Toowoomba Pasta: Open Original Shared Link

KittenCal's Spinach and Four Cheese Manicotti: Open Original Shared Link

(the shells will break a bit when filling, but it still comes out tasty!)

I was very very happy to find this post! I had no idea my hip bones were supposed to show! Wow so I've only been gluten free for a short time but today I kept looking at myself in the mirror thinking somethings different, what's different? Suddenly I realized omg I have hip bones! I haven't seen hip bones since, probably 12 years ago. Glad to see it's NOT just fat yahoo.

Congratulations! That's very exciting! It's great when we can have good things happen (like seeing our hip bones again) considering how much some of us feel we have to give up with this diet. It makes it all worth it!

Emily

Hopefully when your tummy heals you can have coffee again. Sorry for your pain and discomfort, I feel it with you like so many others. karen

Thanks! Yeah, I'm hopeful I can have it again. I hadn't had red wine for a long time and I tried a small amount last night and seem to be okay. Phew! I was worried that was out for good. So hopefully coffee can come back into the diet too!

Welcome to the forum. This place is definitely a life saver. You will most likely find that most of the people around you will not really understand what you are going through, so this is a great place to talk and get advice from people who do. I had a rash on my right leg and on my ankles when I was at my worst. I have to admit, I cried a lot when I was first diagnosed. I was of course happy to finally have an answer as to what was wrong with me, and to find out that it didn't involve drugs or serious surgery, but it was depressing all the same. I think most of us go through a sort of morning period where we morn the loss of our former lifestyle. It is most difficult when you come to the realization that you can never eat certain things again. It was very difficult to handle, at least for me. I have to admit that coping was not easy. Even drinking wine didn't make me feel better or help me to relax (though I continued to try it!). I always have loved baking (which was even more of a blow when I found out that I couldn't bake with flour anymore) so now have taken up the hobby/challenge of baking things as good or better than what I used to make. I have been able to copy some of my favorite dishes at restaurants and my husband has even said he likes my version better than the restaurant. So that has been how I have coped with it. I still get upset, and I'm 10 months out from diagnosis, but I am much better. I also try to do things that relax me and help me to clear my head. Also, I try to focus on other people and not so much on myself! Doing something for someone else and seeing the smile on their face can be extremely uplifting and certainly can get your mind off of yourself and what you are going through. Dealing with this is certainly a test of character. I wish you the best and hope to hear that you are coping well and feeling better soon!

Emily, i was just diagnosed........a few days ago in fact. In retrospect, I've had the same problem. I havn't been on a gluten free diet......in fact......eaten lots of gluten rich food, in paraticular: Pasta.

Have you had the rash on elbow's, hands...etc? I've read thats a possibility too. My "level" was 140 and it should have been less then 20. A little nervous about dealing with this and some of the consiquent differential diagnosis that could result from celiac disease.......its depressing! How are you coping?

Art

That's great to hear. Over the past 2 years-ish I've put on 30lbs. I am extremely active and do my hard workout in the morning (running/weights) when I feel ok and a light swim at night to losen up. But man throwing on that swimsuit in the evening is so depressing. I've had many clients congratulate me on expecting a child.

I have also not been able to loose any weight or build muscle mass despite my extremely balanced diet and super active lifestyle. I think that this issue is causing problems with my bodies absorption of nutrients. I'm just starting to cut gluten out and minimizing my dairy to a yougurt a day. Thanks for this post it gives me a light at the end of the tunnel.

You're welcome! I can definitely sympathize! My husband and I went on a cruise and it was so depressing to have to put on a nice formal dress at night and have a pregnant belly sticking out. My chest has even decreased in size since I went gluten free (not sure why, haven't lost weight) so that just adds insult to injury!

It's difficult to cut out the few things that we still enjoy that are gluten free. I held on to coffee and red wine for a very long time. It's so difficult to figure out what is causing your stomach to be upset sometimes. I wish we had a specific weekly menu that cuts out all known allergens (which would probably mean we couldn't eat anything) and tells us exactly what to eat/drink and when. This would be like a cleansing/healing period. For example, you eat and drink these very specific things until your stomach calms down and is healed and you can add things back in slowly. When pigs fly right?

Mine seems to grow as the day goes on. Of course as the day goes on, I have had FOOD. Since I am still new to this, I have been struggling to figure out what causes the gurgling and gas that seems to build throughout the day. Things that I thought were a problem are not, and things that I thought were ok are killing me. I thought my cereal was ok (it really only said "wheat free") I cut that out, and was a little better yesterday. White potatos seem soothing, until the "gas baby" starts to kick. My biggest problem is probably soda. I love Diet Coke... it does not love me. I am down to about 1 a day in the evening (what else am I going to mix with my rum) . Yesterday, I had one in the afternoon because I was anxious and depressed and just wanted something. Immediate gas baby. My waistt expanded and stomach began the gurgling. I also have a pretty small layer of fat, that I think may go away over time, as I get better at recognizing gluten. It seems to be a defense mechanism. Of course at 45, it just may be the way I am going to be. I have found that exercise in the afternoon does help (but I try to run by ...LOL) I would like to see my hip bones in the afternoon again!

Hi all

I'm new here. This is a great place for information and I was hoping someone could help me out. Last fall, after a big meal I had a very bad panic attack that lingered on for days. The doc gave me meds and more meds because I was hyper sensitive to everything and nothing worked. After a traumatic few months of no relief my hair started falling out by the fistfuls. Now the docs take me seriously that something is physically wrong. I'm not just anxious and by now depressed. I've only had minimal problems with anxiety and no previous depression in my life. When the hair started falling the doc ran an ana test which came back positive but the only thing that showed was possibly celiac. I've had no other symptoms, like stomach, intestinal issues before. No problem eating anything. Can celiac present itself with mental symptoms and hair loss? Up until that point I was very healthy now I can barely move.

Not sure if celiac is the only thing going on because I still have other specialists to see but I was wondering if anyone experienced anything like this with celiac. Waiting around for someone to find out what is going on is torture.

Thanks

I experienced hair loss as well. I didn't really notice it because I have thick hair, but my hair dresser pointed it out because she noticed that I had a lot of new hair growing in (this was after I started the gluten free diet). Then I thought about how much hair was coming out in the shower and realized that it was more than it used to be. I also experienced depression and was very easily agitated. I had never experienced depression before in my life either. If I were you I would ask to have an endoscopy done so that they can tell you for sure if you have celiac. For me, there is no way I could stay on this diet (and be so strict about checking everything) if I didn't know for sure that I have celiac disease. I wish you the best of luck. I know how hard this is to go through and how frustrating it can be to wait for doctors to crack your case. I am about 10 months out from diagnosis and feeling much better. There is definitely light at the end of the tunnel.

I'm wondering if after the gluten is taken out and inflammation goes down and healing begins to take place if the caffeine has a much stronger effect, not only on the bowels but the nervous system.

That's a very interesting thought. I wish there were more studies on these sorts of things. I wonder if we all could have healed better if we went on a specific diet after going gluten free. I wish I had the time to become a registered nutritionist so I could have more tools to figure this all out!

Tannins are in all these foods. I may find later, when my gut has healed that I may be able to tolerate them occasionally but for now they are definitely out of bounds.

I was wondering about Tannins awhile back when I was trying to figure out the cranberries. When I researched it I noticed I was eating a lot of foods with Tannins in them. I must have missed the coffee (or subconsciously ignored it).

Finally feeling better! My stomach is almost back to normal.

I was feeling better after cutting way back on the sugar and the citrus/acidic fruits, and also cutting out red wine and craisins and drinking only one cup of coffee a day instead of two. Then two days ago, I cut out coffee completely (tea instead) and I didn't have to run to the bathroom in the morning (or the rest of the day pretty much!) and my belly was half it's regular distention size in the afternoon. I was actually able to wear a pair of pants yesterday that I haven't worn in almost two months! I drank my coffee black (not flavored - just Folger's classic) so I know it wasn't gluten, just somehow aggravating.

Thank you everyone for your replies! It's so nice to be able to talk with people who understand what you are going through.

Emily

So, I went 2 mornings without & had no problems, 2 mornings with & had the problem!!!

I was having problems for two months, went off coffee yesterday and this morning and I am feeling 10 times better. No running to the bathroom 30 mins after my coffee. I can't believe it took me so long to figure out it was the coffee. I don't think I wanted to even think about giving that up. I'm hoping that once my stomach heals again I can have some once and awhile. I've also cut out citrusy fruits, craisens and red wine. Seems to be helping! Whatever works right?

(gluten free 10 months, antibodies almost back to normal - not sure what caused the stomach upset in the beginning, maybe small glutening)

High-carb, high-sugar consumption is a breeding ground for illness and disease.

Thanks AliB! I do notice that when I start eating less sugar I also start to feel a little better. I'll have to try this and see if it helps - it will take discipline!

My belly used to look 6 months pregnant, I am happy to say it is as flat as a pancake. I'm 54 yrs. old and now have a flat tummy that any 20 yr. old would be proud of.

Bless you for posting this! That is wonderful news! I am now optimistic that mine will flatten out soon too. I'm almost at my 1 year anniversary of going gluten free, so hopefully I will see results soon! Please pass along any advice as to how to do it if there is anything to do other than follow the diet and continue to eat healthy and exercise.

Thanks!

Emily

Can anyone relate to this?

I had the same issues with my teeth and also the joint pain in my wrists. I have been gluten free for 10 months now and don't have anymore joint pain. I assume my teeth are getting better too. I'll have to see the next time I go to the dentist. I hope you start to feel better too!

I finally called Costco last week, because I'm tired of paying top dollar for pecans and they just got back to me today. They said that their pecans and walnuts are gluten free! Yea! Their almonds, however, are processed in a facility that processes wheat and there could be cc.

Was weight gain a problem for anyone when you started noticing your symptoms or could this just be bloating? I cant figure out if i am bloated or getting fat!!!

I know the feeling! If you answer yes to one of the too questions below, then I would say you are not getting fat.

Were you too thin before?

Can you fit in your pants in the morning, just not at night?

If you were on the thin side before and not able to put on muscle due to the damage in your stomach, then you are probably just now starting to do so which is great! That means you're getting healthy! Or, if it is a case of you being able to still fit in your pants in the morning, but not at night, then that is certainly due to bloating.

I started getting my first symptoms when I was 19 too, but wasn't diagnosed until 7 years later. I lost a lot of weight and people thought I was anorexic. Then I got a little better and was just thin and couldn't seem to put on the muscle I used to. After being diagnosed I put back on about 5 lbs and am struggling like you are. My pants don't fit at night so I feel fat. I wish I could get rid of the stomach bloating so I would stop asking myself every evening if I'm getting fat too!

I've just recently started writing down what I eat and writing down my symtoms each day to try to figure this out. For me, if I write down what I eat and I see that it was healthy and the right amount for my weight and activity level then I feel better about myself. If you know you are doing things right, then you will be confident that you are not getting fat and it's something else you are dealing with. If I figure anything out I will certainly post it!

Please, does anyone know if colemans onion gravy is gluten free?

I make my own gravy so I can't answer your question, but here's the recipe if you're interested - you can omit the giblets and replace turkey stock with chicken or beef bouillon. It looks complicated, but it's actually very easy and quick!

Open Original Shared Link

Turkey Gravy W/Giblets (Gluten Free

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter or margarine

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1 tablespoon rice flour

2 cups turkey stock

1 tablespoon turkey giblets, cooked and diced into very small pieces

salt and pepper

Directions:

1) Heat skillet over medium to low heat. Add butter and let melt completely. Then add cornstarch and flour and stir into the butter with a wire whisk making a thick paste (make sure all flour is absorbed in the butter).

2) Add turkey stock and quickly whisk it into the flour paste so that there are little to no visible lumps.

3) Add cooked and finely diced giblets (I prefer about 1 tbsp, but you can add as much or as little as you like) and continue to stir until the gravy bubbles and thickens (To cook the giblets, I like to boil them in water with the turkey neck, or other leftover bones from the turkey so that I get my turkey stock at the same time).

4) Add salt and pepper to taste.

5) Best served immediately, but you can keep warm until it is ready to serve, just be sure to stir often. (You can also refrigerate and reheat for later use)

I was diagnosed with celiac disease September of last year. Just coping with the holiday's was hard enough. I honestly don't think "reality" started to set in until recently. I am beginning to feel more and more isolated by the disease. Friends don't even ask me to go to lunch with them anymore and I never get to participate in the many lunches and celebrations in the office. Of course I can participate, but that leads to disappointment about not being able to eat all the good smelling food or frustration about having to explain why I am eating something different or not eating at all to 10 or 15 people. I don't know anyone else with the disease who lives nearby and although my family is supportive (my sister also has the disease) I don't live near any family. I hope some of you understand when I say I sometimes feel like a "freak." Last problem, I am fairly recently divorced and although I am not yet ready to date again I can't imagine having to explain why I can't go here or there to various restaurants to someone new, talk about a turn off.

I don't want the disease to make me scared to live a normal life.

ANY ADVICE, THOUGHTS, COMMENTS WOULD BE HELPFUL!!

I can't offer much more than my understanding of what you are going through. I go through the same thing at the office. I didn't eat out much for lunch before, so that's not a problem, but having to explain my disease to a room full of people every time there is a birthday or lunch is really wearing on me. Sometimes I'm fine with it, but most of the time I just don't want to talk about it. I get tired of answering all of the questions. People expect me to know everything. I'm not a doctor! I just try to change the subject and talk about how I have really enjoyed learning to bake gluten free and how it's not so bad. Most of the time though, I'll leave the room as the cake is cut or just not go at all. It certainly does change things. Sometimes when I'm tired or just not feeling chipper, people automatically assume I got glutened. Can't I just be a tired/cranky person once and awhile without it relating to my disease? I have come to really not even like to hear the word gluten anymore!

I'm sorry to hear about your divorce. It is certainly difficult to go out to eat and of course that's what you do when you date. Nothing would be worse than getting sick while on a date (maybe drinks, movies, mini golf instead?). I think with the right guy, it won't be a problem to talk about though. If the guy thinks you're odd due to having celiac, then he's not worth it in the first place in my opinion. On the upside, it could be a good screening tool for you!

I used to get asked if I was pregnant because mine stuck out so much on my small frame and I had to buy the next size up to accommodate it so I know what you're talking about. I had mine still the first 2 months into the diet as I was still learning but after that, no more unless I am glutened, which is rare. I also have dairy issues but it doesn't cause my abdomen to be distended like gluten does. Very occasionally if I have alot of gas or am constipated for a day, it will stick out but 90%or more of the time I have my old flat tummy back. When I'm in good shape, healthwise, I have 2 or 3 normal BM"s a day. If I don't, a cup of black tea and tummy squeezes often get things moving. Probiotics or yoghurt can help. Many years ago I read Dr. Andrew Weil's book and if I remember correctly, he said we should be having a BM per meal if we are eating regular meals. I had one BM per day and thought that I wasn't constipated all those years when in fact I was very constipated. I would also recommend re-evaluating what you are eating to be sure that you aren't getting hidden gluten or CC. Don't eat anything unless you've confirmed for yourself that it is gluten-free.

Thank you so much for your post. I am so happy to hear that it is possible that it will go away! I will continue to exercise and eat healthy and pray that I am able to stay healthy for a long enough amount of time to see results. Right now I've been sick for over a month (must have gotten glutened somehow, but I have no idea from what) so it is of course worse than usual. Hopefully once I am well again, I can stay that way, and eventually fit into my old clothes! Thanks for giving me hope.

The top and bottom slice can be used as hamburger bun. With each recipe I get 16 round slices and 2 hamburger buns.

What a cool idea! I'll have to buy some coffee in the metal cans and try it out. Thank you!

Emily

Sorry, I cannot say that I have had that particular issue. But, seems here many have and often dairy is the culprit. Have you tried avoiding dairy to see if that helps?

I was dairy-free for a couple months when I thought I was lactose intolerant and unfortunately the stomach was still there (then I tested negative for lactose intolerance and started eating it again). I may try it again though and see if it helps. Thank you!

Emily

I am gluten free, dairy free, fat free, sugar free, meat free, egg free, nut free, citrus free and I am STILL bloaty Is yours kind of painful? Not only is it uncomfortable but it cramps my style! Haha. Luckily I love wearing "baby doll" flowy tops, but that's all I can wear!

Yes, mine is painful when I'm intestinally "sick" - leaky gut. When I'm not sick though, it's not painful at all, it's just there. I've been leaning towards the more flowy tops now too. It's so frustrating because my entire wardrobe has had to change in order for me to be comfortable. I hope that someone can provide some hope for us!

Emily