Jenny (AZ via TX)

I ate at Rockfish in Highland Village, TX over the holidays. Food was great and no problems. They have a great gluten-free menu. I had the Tilapia with garlic potatoes and spinach.

Gemini, thanks for the info. I love this magazine, but do not have this month's.

Which gluten free drug list do you use? Is it on the internet or was it something you bought?

I was in Dallas over the Christmas holidays visiting family. Cozymel's was listed on the DFWCeliac.org site so I gave them a call. The person that answered the phone said he believed they had a menu but to call back when the GM was on duty. I called back and they said yes they had a menu and when I got there to ask for Mike McPhail, the GM.

There were seven of us at the table. I asked for the the GM and he came over and explained the menu and offered suggestions. His dad has celiac and he is very familiar with the diet. He supervised my order. I asked about the chips and he said they were in the same fryer as flour so no go. He offered to bake some corn tortillas for me. I couldn't believe it.

The meal was exceptional. I had chicken fajitas with corn tortillas and black beans. The corn tortillas were put in a pan on the stove so no contamination. It was a lot of food and no room for dessert. They did have 2 desserts - banana pudding without cookies or flan. My husband insisted that we get a banana pudding to share with the table. I took one bite - absolutely delicious. The whole table loved it.

If you go to this restaurant, please ask for Mike McPhail, the GM. He was exceptional and made sure my order was gluten free without cross contamination.

I had my first gluten-free Christmas and it was great! I went home to Dallas. I have a very large family (39 of us with grandkids) and we do our Christmas on Christmas Eve. Everyone brings food. I made baked beans so I knew I would at least have that. My sister brought shrimp which was a safe food. Another sister made potato salad. She told me she scoured he pot and even bought a new mayo jar. I also made Cocoa Pebble marshmallow treats so I could have some dessert.

I was actually stuffed when I left. I had cheese, brisket (another sister called to see if gluten-free), potato salad, shrimp, beans and dessert. I was so happy. I went to my brother's thinking I would eat very little. I still can't believe it!

I also found some of the best tortilla chips at Tom Thumb. They said gluten free on the bag and were either made in Dallas or Austin. I know most tortilla chips are gluten-free anyway, but I like it when it says it.

I was so worried about cross contamination, but I feel great.

Celiac-mommy, when using the convection oven do you put the temp on the same as a regular oven? I just got a new oven that has a convection feature but I haven't tried it yet.

Vacation is hard for me too. I live on yogurt (I like the Stonyfield Organic), bananas, nuts, cheese and gluten-free crackers. I go to restaurants that seem "safe" and hope for the best. Always call ahead.

As for cereals, rice chex is gluten-free. I also like Cocoa Pebbles (I know not good for me). I made rice crispy treats substituting Cocoa Pebbles for Rice Crispies. Everyone loves them!

As for bread, most of the pre-made bread is horrible. Fortunately, I live in a city that has a gluten free bakery and get my baked goods there. The downside is that they are pricey.

I also had migraines and now have osteopenia which will hopefully be reversed now that I am gluten free. I have only had one or two migraines since going gluten free (about 8 months or so). Also, and this was huge for me, my sinuses have cleared up substantially. I had chronic sinus problems and most of that has disappeared.

Shay, I'm so sorry to hear this. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your brother and his family. Hang in there. I know this is hard on you too.

Honestly, if this pill is for real, I would definitely take it every time I went out to eat. I would still eat gluten free but would want it for the cross contamination. As mentioned in the article it does not work it you eat large amounts of gluten. When we go out to eat, I ask all the questions and hope that the food is prepared the way it should be. It's a crapshoot. So far, I've been pretty lucky. It would be nice not to worry about cc!

I had breast tenderness too. I'm 48 and according to the doctor, perimenopausal. I am also estrogen dominant so I am on a sublingual progesterone to help even out the estrogen. It has helped me a lot.

I definitely still miss eating gluten. I've been gluten free for about 8 months and have not cheated once. I'm not really tempted, I just miss it. It's usually when I'm eating out or when I'm in social situations. The trade off for not eating it is that I feel so much better. I was never good with diets, but I guess this is not really a diet after all. I would love to get to that point where I don't miss it.

I made these for Thanksgiving and they turned out great. This was the first time I made them gluten free. I've been making them for about 20 years. Anyway, a couple of you had asked me for the recipe so here it is. It's really easy to make. I hope you like it.

CHEESECAKE COOKIES

1/3 cup butter, at room temperature

1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 cup flour (sub your favorite gluten-free flour - I did not use Pamelas because I didn't want it to rise or get biscuit like)

You are so lucky! I want one too. I think I'm going to get one for myself for Christmas too! I've wanted one for so long. So many things I want, a kindle, an I-Touch, etc. Can't have them all. Boo hoo.

Both pinkies are just a little bit below the joint under the nail. I'm glad you clarified that way. At first when you said the last joint, I though you meant the one closest to my palm. When I go home for Christmas, I'm going to look at everyone's hands in my family. I have 6 siblings and no one will get tested! I hope they all have really long pinkies.

I'd say definitely a new toaster. I still use my toaster oven. Everything inside is stainless steel so I cleaned it well (the rack and the bottom piece that is removable) and then put in the dishwasher. Maybe it depends on the type of toaster oven you have. I am the only one that uses the toaster oven and hubby is the only one that uses the toaster. He is non-celiac.

I like the nuts and sugar idea. I may have to try that next. It's called cheesecake cookies because you put the crust on the bottom and then sprinkle the mixture on top of the cheesecake. I made it tonight and it turned out great. Basically just like my gluten version. The brown sugar is great and doesn't brown too much.

Perfect. Thanks. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

One more question. If I do rice flour with potato starch do I need xanthun gum?

jerseyangel, I have rice flour, so I'll sub that. Thanks so much! I'm trying to get the baking part done today since I only have one oven.

Momma Goose - recipe sounds yummy!

Jestgar, thanks for letting me know it may be bisquit like. I love bisquits, but don't really want that texture for the cheesecake.

Missy's Mom - If I use finely ground nuts and sugar, do I need some butter too?

Sorry about the questions, but this subbing stuff is hard for me. Just when I think I have something down I find out I don't know what the heck I'm doing.

I'm making cheesecake cookies for Thanksgiving and I need to make a substitution in the crust. Here is the crust:

1/3 cup butter, at room temperature

1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 cup flour

Sounds yummy!

Jason, please go to your friend's house. Pack up your dinner and bring it with you. Your friends must care a lot about you to invite you over for Thanksgiving.

I'm doing the same thing. We're invited over to a friend's house every year for Thanksgiving. This year she is doing it on Friday. (My first gluten free Thanksgiving) So, hubby and I are cooking dinner for Thursday for his parents including a few gluten things (not for me). I will take leftovers for me to my friend's house on Friday. Hubby will get to eat every thing he wants. I'll also bring lots of snacks so I don't feel deprived when I can't have their gluten desserts. Actually the hardest part is not being able to eat the bread!

But, I will be able to visit and laugh with friends and that is what it's all about. So, please go and have fun.

I bought this too, but haven't tried it yet. MICdenver, I'm so glad you tried it and that it was good. I'll probably make it around Christmas.

We had the best experience at PF Changs. When our waiter came over carrying the tray with sauces, he started to put it on the table. He saw that I had a gluten-free menu and said, "Oh, you can't have this." I was so thrilled. I told him he was right, that I couldn't, but my hubby could. He brought me my own tray of sauces with gluten free soy sauce. I ordered the lemon chicken and the mango tea. YUM. Our server asked if we watched TV and said that there had been an episode on House that mentioned celiac. He also told us how they have different woks for the gluten free dishes.

Also, before I went, I had e-mailed Changs about what type of plate my food should come out on. They told me that allergen food will always be on their logo plates. Non-allergen foods will be on plain white plates.

When they brought my food, the server said gluten free lemon chicken and sure enough, it was on a PF Changs logo plate. I was happy happy!

I felt really good the first couple of weeks too. Then, it wasn't so great. Extreme fatigue. Couldn't leave the house in the morning because I would be in the bathroom a few times. Stools were very soft. I've been gluten-free 6-7 months and my stools are just now looking normal!

Most people give up dairy in the beginning. I did not. I still ate yogurt and cheese. Maybe I would have healed quicker if I had.

Also, from what I've read, many people experience withdrawal symptoms.

Check any supplements you are taking. I made that mistake in the beginning. I thought I was being so careful, but it happened to be in 2 of my supplements.

Hang in there. It does get better. I think it is normal to have ups and downs.

OK, I guessing here, that since you are a student you are in your 20's. (Although I've been a student in my 20's and then again in my 30's) Tempe, just outside of Phoenix, is a big college town. Also, lots of night life, if that's your thing in Scottsdale. From what I hear, Gilbert is a big family-oriented city.

I'm in my 40's and married (17 years) so I'm really out of all of the single stuff.

I grew up in Dallas. We moved to AZ in 1991. I like it here, but would move back to Dallas in a heartbeat. (Tons of family in Dallas and Austin.)

You will love the winters here. Right now, it is in the 80's, but will drop to the 70's soon. The nights are cool so you can sleep with the windows open.

I'm sure there must be others on this forum that can give you info on the single lifestyle here. I have to say that people are pretty friendly in Arizona.

I hope this helps somewhat.

PM me if you have any questions.