Jenny (AZ via TX)

Katydid, please post your recipe. Thanks.

I agree that eating out can be difficult. I've have more good experiences than bad ones. I always ask a lot of questions. As far as chains go, I've had good luck at PF Changs, Outback, Carrabas, Cantina Laredo, Pizza Picazzo. I honestly think it depends on how each one is managed. I've had bad luck at Pei Wei, even though they are owned by PF Changs.

I also agree that the higher end restaurants understand what gluten free means more than the chains or fast food.

I may not have a lot of restaurants that I can go to, but I'm glad there are some out there. It would be difficult for me not to be able to meet friends for lunch or for DH and I to go out.

Thanks for all the replies. Is xanthun gum included in the Better Batter flour? Do most of you buy it from Better Batter or Amazon. Thanks.

I've been using a flour by a local gluten-free baker here and so far things have just been OK. It might be me, but thought I would try another brand.

Against thanks for the replies.

Which do you prefer?

Roda, these sound great! I'm going to make these as soon as my bananas ripen up a little bit. Thanks for posting.

Cold hands and cold feet. Yep, I had that. I had my thyroid tested and sure enough, I'm hypo. My hands and feet still get cold, but not nearly as bad. Get tested when you get a chance.

Katsby, I'm with you on this. Eating out is the hardest part for me. It was such a big part of my social life. Also, it was so convenient being able to eat anywhere you wanted whenever you wanted. Now I have to plan. Calling ahead is the key and unfortunately if I don't feel comfortable with what the manager says, I won't eat. You may be surprised with some of the neighborhood places. Check into those. I'm not sure where you live or if you eat meat, but I've been reading about some of the Brazilian meat places and many do gluten free.

I believe that many of the goitrogenic foods such as broccoli and spinach are OK if they are cooked.

My question is what is considered a soy protein or how will that be labeled on a product.

elspeth,

Maybe your SIL needs to talk about how bad wheat is to convince herself. I agree it's hard to eat out, but you can't expect everyone to change around you. My husband and I eat out and he always eats gluten. No big deal. He can have it and I can't. I have had servers put bread right in front of me even though I am the only one who can't eat it. I just move it.

I have a friend who is celiac also. She told me she went to therapy for grieving. I know some people are really against therapy and I'm not suggesting medication, just someone for her to talk to. She sounds terribly unhappy. Maybe a full blood work done to see if she is deficient in some vitamins.

I applaud you for being so supportive and trying to understand her. How nice for her to have a chef for a SIL and knows what gluten is!

Yep, what JNBunnie says. If made on same equipment, I won't buy it. If made in same facility, I'm OK with it.

My doctor told me to avoid soy since I take thyroid meds. I have since read on about.com in the thyroid forum that I only need to avoid soy protein. So soy lecithin and soy fiber would be OK. Has anyone else heard anything about this?

I believe Victoria's hot sauce actually says gluten free on the bottle. I can't remember if it has vinegar or not.

Mouse,

Yes, please post the name of the neuro opthamologist. We live in Fountain Hills, NE of Phoenix and my FIL has myasthenia gravis and suffers from double vision. He has gone to other doctors when he lived in Florida, but no one could help him. He's 92 and we would like to give it another shot. I think it would improve his quality of life so much.

Thanks.

Dove chocolates are great. Also, you can call them and they have a recording of their gluten free candies!

Ew..Gluten,

Depression and brain fog can be caused by other things, but for many of us, gluten is the culprit. Have you had bloodwork done lately? You could also be deficient in B12 and D3.

Check all of your supplements and meds to make sure they are gluten free.

I also switched my skincare, shampoo etc to gluten free products. Supposedly, you cannot absorb gluten through the skin. But, if you use a lotion that has gluten in it and you still have some on your hands when you eat, you can ingest it that way.

I didn't change all of that at first, but after reading more about it, I didn't want the risk.

Also, did you change your pans out (if not stainless steel), your plastic and wooden spoons, cutting boards, etc. Also, if you have baking powder, baking soda, sugar that you used prior to going gluten-free, you may have cross contaminated them by using measuring spoons that had gluten on them.

If you have a support group, you may want to ask for someone to evaluate what you are doing.

Do you have a shared kitchen?

You probably know most of this, but thought I'd put it out there to see if there is something you missed.

I hope you feel better soon!!!

I am O positive.

emcmaster,

Is the multi from Doctor's Choice made by Enzymatic Therapy?

What is the rule of thumb as to how much xanthun gum to add to flour mixtures? I have some pre-made mixes which already include it, but recently bought some flours that I want to try.

Thanks.

If your sister decides she doesn't want to make her own cake, there is a gluten free bakery in Phoenix. It's called Gluten Free Creations. I'm not sure if they make cakes, but I think they do. I get their english muffins, snickerdoodles and flour mix. Also have good herb baguettes. They are not in the best part of town and are hard to find. My hubby goes for me or I get my stuff at my health food store in Fountain Hills.

Thanks for posting this. It sounds so good I think I'll try to make this week. I finally went and got my tapioca flour so I'm ready to go.

The positive for me is that I feel so much better! My headaches/migraines have improved to where I've only had a few since gluten-free. My depression has improved too. I want to go out and do things again. I'm happier than I have been in a while. Also, I'm not as puffy. I used to get horrible sinus infections and had chronic post nasal drip. Now I don't.

There are definitely times when I want gluten, but I don't do it because I don't want to feel like crap again. As Lizard00 mentioned, we don't have to take any drugs.

I think you are lucky on the aging thing. I think malnutrition ages most people. I look better than I did before gluten-free. My skin is healthy looking, etc.

What a wonderful, loving group of friends you have!

I also had headaches and migraines since I was a child. When my bloodwork was done I had an extremely low ferritin level (iron) and also low D3. Was diagnosed with celiac and later hypothyroid. Celiac has so many different symptoms and many people do not have the gastro symptoms. Many have the neuro symptoms. Since going gluten-free, I have very few headaches and have only had one or two migraines. My quality of life has improved so much!

I'm glad you're getting checked out.

Jason, it's hard when you see someone you love making themselves perhaps sicker with what they eat. Some people will not change unless they absolutely have to (such as a diagnosis). Since your mom is on weight watchers, why not buy her something healthy to eat on her diet.

I understand about wanting to slip up and eat something. Over the holidays I wanted to eat so many of the baked goods my family made. Even though there were gluten-free baked goods, I still wanted the other stuff. I didn't do it. Too scared and don't want to feel like crap again. I've been gluten-free for almost 9 months and still want gluten. It's usually when I'm in social situations.

So glad you're getting back on track!

Good luck with your mom. She's lucky to have such a caring son.

I ate at the PF Changs at Frankford and the Toll Road. Service was good. My gluten-free soy sauce came out separately in it's own container. I had the lemon chicken which came out on the logo plate. (All allergen food should come out on logo plates. Regular food on plain white plates.)

Everything was good.