bigbird16

Ugh. I know the feeling of finding one more thing. Last week I realized sorghum is off my safe list. That means no more Bard's Tale beer (or any other gluten-free beer). May I suggest as a decadent treat, a wheel of Dr. Cow aged cashew nut cheese? On your favorite rice crackers (or as plain wedges) it tastes like the honest to goodness memory of cheese. It has tang and bite like cheddar. It spreads. It contains only nuts, salt, and acidopholus. It's expensive, but sometimes one just plain deserves it. Go get you some cheese for your whine!

I get a pretty quick reaction -- under 10 minutes, starting with a hazy feeling and ataxia and moving on to other fun stuff.

Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers!

Hi, All.

I forgot to update on the office cookie decorating thing we had around Halloween. Now that it's almost Thanksgiving . . .

Unfortunately, my awesome spider will have to wait for another time. The subject of when we'd do the Halloween cookie decorating thing didn't come up again all month, and I got sick the weekend of Halloween so didn't do much of anything. I pretty much assumed since nothing had been said about a staff gathering that the cookie thing had been forgotten. Around noon on Halloween it was announced that we should all gather for Halloween celebrations in the conference room in an hour. Bosslady had brought gingerbread haunted house kits for us to divide into teams to decorate. Joy. I stuffed down momentary panic, assessed the kits and how much of a problem they'd be for me, rolled up my sleeves, tied back my hair, covered my clothes, set to work on one of the houses, and kept my hands away from my face. Our house was, of course, the best. Afterwards, I brushed off my clothes just in case, trimmed my nails, and scrubbed as if I'd been playing in dog poop. It was fun playing in the "dog poop," though. I went home and baked some REAL cookies (almond flour based) for me.

I've wondered if my birth mother's suicide at 45 was in some way related to undiagnosed celiac. She had a wheat "allergy" that she ignored, a strange rash, behaved erratically and violently, was depressed, said the strangest crap, poor memory, had a host of health problems (real or imagined we don't know), etc. In myself, after dropping the gluten I recognized some of the same crazies in myself, including thoughts of offing myself. (The only reason I didn't was because of what it would do to my brother.) And I wonder if she had simply cut those foods out of her diet she might not have been such a fruit loop and if the suicide could have been prevented.

As for research, I don't know of any, but it would be interesting. There are snippets scattered all over this forum regarding folks' suicidal thoughts and attempts, old and new. Fortunately, those people are with us today to share their thoughts and lives. (Raven, I'm really glad you're here!)

Without someone taking offense, racial slurs and hurtful names for those with mental and physical challenges would still be considered appropriate. And where does the misinformation stop?

Ah, if only there was a pill or a mind trick! None of us would choose to live this way if we didn't have to. If I could never worry again about what goes into my mouth, what has been left on the counter or keyboard or door handle by coworkers, what my little niece has stuck to to her sweet little hands and face, what the waiter at a restaurant understands and does when I say, "Please do not put bread on my plate;" if I could chow down at a wedding or party or dinner date just like everyone else; if I didn't have to go through the whole spiel about no I can't pick the ham off a deli sandwich and yes pasta contains wheat every single time I see my mom; if I could in the heat of the moment kiss a guy; if I could fill my kitchen with beautiful home-baked cookies and cakes again that people wouldn't eye with suspicion before downing and then deciding they weren't poison after all -- I would in a heartbeat. (It's taken me three years to get to the point where I finally want to decorate cakes again -- all gluten-, dairy-, and soy-free, of course; I started making gumpaste flowers for my birthday cake last night. They're so ugly! lol) No pill, no biofeedback, no acupuncture, no quantum healing, no nothing other than following a strict gluten-free diet forever will stop this disease. Read all of the real research from Celiac experts (like Dr. Fasano, etc.) and stay up to date on news and breakthroughs from reliable Celiac news sites (like Celiac.com, Celiac Disease Foundation, etc.). A real cure will scream loud and clear like a fire engine in the dead of night once it's found; it will not lurk. There are a lot of crackpots out there who will prey on people who are desperate for normalcy. The good news is that humans are good at adapting, and whatever change you make will eventually become your normal.

You weren't wrong at all. Your house, your rules. I've told guests that they may not bring gluten, dairy, or soy into the house under any circumstances. If they go out to eat, they may not store leftovers in my fridge (eat it all or pitch it, basically). Still, one guest who was staying a week cced me with soy sauce, cooking chicken for me after cooking chicken for her kids and not cleaning the pan well between cookings. She had takeout packets with her, which I found out about later. It ruined Thanksgiving. Your health is non-negotiable, and you should feel safe in your own home.

Yes, I've definitely changed. I've become more like my old self. Years ago before I started going downhill, I always had a can-do attitude, where I could do anything I set my mind to. If someone told me I couldn't or shouldn't, I did just to prove them wrong and thumbed my nose at them. I've always been described as sweet, but I used to have a lot more spice, too. I was easy-going and took life as it came. I marched to my own tune.

Then things changed and I started becoming meek and compliant and listened to the people who said I couldn't. I became depressed and cried a lot, always seeing the bad in situations. My negative reactions to situations were over the top--shaking, crying, erratic, shouting. I was pretty tightly wound, quiet, sullen.

Since making the dietary changes, everyday I become brighter and stronger. Some people that never knew me before sick are shocked at some of the things I come up with now, and some don't like the rebellious streak. They don't like that I will disagree when I feel the need to and won't just nod my head. My supervisor (Miss Doom & Gloom) hates the big streak of sunshine I bring into the office every day. I hardly cry now, except when there's really something to cry about. More rolls off my back, and my reactions are more tempered and easy-going. I roll with life more and make/take the time to soak up the present. I'm back to marching, hopping, and twirling to my own tune.

I put in my 2 cents on their form.

Funny, my eating before going gluten-free was disordered. I binged a lot. I ate and ate and ate. I was very sick for all of the multiple servings per sitting of whole wheat pasta, whole wheat bread, and whole grain cereals that I ate. Now food and I have a solid relationship, and it nourishes me and makes me strong. Eating gluten-free is anything but an eating disorder.

Ok, I haven't tried any decorating post gluten-free - so if you could share your sources for fondant, royal icing, etc. Id appreciate it!

And what cookie recipe do you use?

As I typed this I realized I can't make my grandmother's teacakes anymore. Ouch, that hurts.

Royal icing is naturally gluten-free. I mix up 1 1/2 oz of meringue powder (Wilton or whatever I can find at the grocery), 10 oz water, and 3 1/2 lbs of powdered sugar.

Fondant is also naturally gluten-free. Wilton, Bakel's, and SatinIce are gluten-free. I believe that only SatinIce's white fondant is soy-free; their ivory and chocolate contain soy. I prefer the taste of SatinIce over Wilton. Always check ingredients, even if it's a product you've used before. I haven't checked labels on the fondants in quite awhile and don't have any in the cupboard.

For other icings I simply sub the butter or Crisco with Spectrum shortening and milk with hemp or coconut milk in whatever icing recipe. But those subs are because I can't do dairy or soy. Wilton's buttercream recipe produces reliable results.

Lately I've been using Elana Amsterdam's Gluten-Free Almond Flour Cookbook for cookies. Every recipe I've tried has been divine. I shared a batch of the chocolate chip cookies with a non-gluten-free friend and her husband. The next day she requested another batch.

Adapt those tea cookies! Find a flour combination you like that works for them!

It kinda made me chuckle inside when I was told I could make my own, because every time I've brought a treat into the office, it's gone within a half hour of its presence being announced to the sounds of "mmmmm, so good!" "yum!" "ooo! thanks!" "are there more?" The treats are always gluten-, dairy-, and soy-free and of the muffin, cake, or cookie variety. No complaints yet, only requests for another batch of whatever.

We've started doing these "morale boosting" activities at the office (when what really needs to be done is some manager training, but that's another story). They almost always involve cupcakes and cookies and sometimes pizza. If I know they're happening, I bring something suitable for me and usually don't care what they're eating. Last year's Halloween thing was great -- we decorated pumpkins and no food was involved. Because the pumpkins were deemed "too hard" this year's Halloween activity will be cookie decorating. I offered to make the cookies (to avoid the inevitable crumbs all over the conference room and the cc on the decorating materials) and was told I could make my own. Pretty much figured that would be the answer. I'm fine with that. Just stay away from me with those crumbs. So I'm going to pull out the stops and make my own cookie and bring my own serious decorating supplies (used to decorate cakes) and make the most amazing Halloween cookie. I'm thinking something 3D -- maybe a pumpkin made out of multiple cookies glued together with royal icing or a headless horseman made of fondant with a pumpkin-decorated cookie for his head or a spider up on glass-like sugar legs. It'll go beyond their tube icing and candy sprinkles.

And for my birthday this month, screw their cupcakes that I can't eat. I'll bring in the most fabulously decorated cake ever and make my tastebuds happy.

I grew up with a Southern Mamma, and I love her good old home cooking. Bone Suckin' Sauce makes a good BBQ. It's gluten-free. Collards are naturally gluten-free, and so is everything else that goes into them. I like my mashed taters fresh with skins left in, but for quick mashed potatoes, Betty Crocker's PLAIN flakes--nothing else extra in them--are gluten-free. You can always add garlic or butter or cheese anything else. You can also use the potato flakes as breading for fried chicken or baked "fried" chicken. Plain pork rinds make a good breading or ingredient in breading. Read the label to make sure they're gluten-free! Utz is a good brand available in the mid-Atlantic region at regular grocery stores--dunno how far they're distributed. I just got The Cake Doctor Bakes Gluten-Free cookbook and have made several of her cakes with Betty Crocker's gluten-free mixes. She has some Southern favorites like hummingbird cake. The cakes are tasty enough to please gluten eaters (though the frostings tend to be a little too sweet for me). My cousin reminded me of poke cake recently -- just make it with BC's yellow gluten-free mix and your favorite jello flavor. I haven't tried to reproduce biscuits yet, though Namaste (which you can get usually at Whole Foods) makes a mix that's supposed to be good for biscuits. For thickener for gravies and sauces, plain old corn starch or arrowroot powder are good. I don't trust most grits (Georgia ice cream) for cross contamination issues, but Bob's Red Mill makes Mighty Tasty Hot Cereal that's a mixture of grits, buckwheat, sorghum, and rice and is indeed mighty tasty with butter (or alternative), cheese, and/or garlic.

It does get easier with time. Don't be afraid to experiment, fail, laugh, and try again to eventually find something that works beautifully.

Hi, Melikamaui.

I'm sorry about your migraine. They really stink. Any of those things is a possible culprit. If the baby touched your face after having her fingers in her mouth, if you touched your mouth after touching the baby's hands or face, if you kissed hands or face, if the spit up came in contact with your mouth, if you ate dairy while having an intolerance to it....(One of the signs I've accidentally gotten into dairy is a screaming migraine.) Hope you feel better!

Katherine

Strawberryshortcake, I'm sorry for your situation. You hear a lot of things on this board, because this is a place for celiacs, gluten intolerants, and their loved ones to discuss and to vent (and talk about poop ). In daily life, however, I'm sure that most celiacs do not go around waxing poetic about their latest bathroom accomplishments. I've had friends deathly allergic to nuts and peanuts and can count the number of times in 25 years it's been brought up by both on one hand. The only reason gluten (or dairy or soy) ever comes up with my friends is if it's my first time telling them when the situation requires it (like them handing me a cookie) or they ask if I can have something. I go to food festivals, restaurants, special events, etc. with friends. I just don't eat what's provided. Yes, I get sad and angry sometimes about it, but that can either be vented here on this board or chanelled into something creative in the kitchen. Taking things out on friends is not appropriate. Your friend sounds like an anomaly, and it sounds like she could take a chill pill (provided it contains no wheat starch). But yes, a bite or a crumb or a simple pill can have dire consequences, which can include the vile bathroom things, and for some us neurological issues like dropping things, falling down randomly, and incapacitating migraines. Celiac isn't a quick death like anaphylaxis; it can be a slow one if untreated with the only cure--avoiding gluten,--that manifests in many different ways, internally. Hot water does not kill gluten, because it was never alive. Soap and water can wash it off of dishes, however there are implements and utensils that can harbor stuck-on gluten in crevices. I don't expect the world to conform to me. I must adapt my way of doing things to keep myself safe. No one else needs to understand that, but they do need to respect it. It sounds like your friend needs a reality check. She seriously will drive everyone away by moaning all the time, no matter what the subject. It also sounds like you could use a break from someone who weighs you down. I'll go with you to the summer food festival! I'll take notes and prepare those foods myself (probably better than the originals) and share with anyone who wants some good eats!

Count me in too

Me three!

Strawberry, have a wonderful time! It is truly a delightful country. I lived in Belfast for a year and loved how easy it was to travel by train and bus all over.

I'm waiting for it to get better, but I'm almost four months gluten-free and haven't seen any positive change.

Have you considered the possibility of having other intolerances? Dairy turns me into Crazy Megab**** right before it slam dunks me with a migraine and major GI distress. Soy leaves me blue and foggy and headachey.

Hi, Jessica.

I get migraines, too. About 95% of them cleared up after going gluten-, dairy-, and soy-free, but that pesky 5% that remain are usually brought on by stress. My job runs in cycles of busy beyond belief to thumb twiddlingly slow and back up again, the heavy phases running on for months at a time with no possibility for time off. I've always been a worry wart and perfectionist. In order to retain my sanity and reduce the migraines I've had to make myself stop. I must turn off. I must make time for myself. I must say no to people who want something from me. My set aside time is rarely planned out. I use it for whatever I feel like doing at that time--a bath, reading, sitting and doing absolutely nothing, playing with the dogs, cloud gazing--whatever it is, everything else gets tuned out. I also give myself permission not to care so much about the housework, getting things done after work or on the weekend, etc. I've learned to let go and prioritize because otherwise I'll ratchet myself up so tight that a migraine is inevitable. I must for my health. Yes, I do care if the house is a disaster and needs to be cleaned, but it's not a disaster if it's not done perfectly right now or even this week. Also, a sublingual vitamin B complex and 5HTP supplement has helped some.

Cheers,

K

I haven't been to Tommy Condon's in years and not since going gluten free, but their food was really good, as was the hospitality.

So, prior to this week, I had been gluten free for 6 weeks, and had finally shrugged my symptoms almost 100%. Last week, I used some Swanson Low Sodium Chicken Broth to make some rice, and got glutened from it. A week later, and I'm still feeling the effects, and they're getting worse, today is the worst I've felt in almost 2 months. I'm cramping, bloated, nauseous on and off, constantly feeling like I have to use the bathroom, have a headache and have some body aches.

Hi, Josh.

So sorry you're feeling so bad! Hope you feel better soon. We here do understand.

What kind of pot did you cook your rice in? If it's an old scratched up teflon pot, you may want to get yourself a new pot. Gluten gets stuck in the scratches and can make you sick no matter how many times the stupid thing has been washed and scrubbed. I didn't think about that at first and made myself sick (and frustrated until I figured it out). Changing pots and other kitchen paraphenalia helped a lot.

Feel better!

Katherine

Hi, Claire.

Do you also have problems with dairy? If so, there's lactose in Ocella. I'm not on that one but I was on Yasmin. When I went dairy free, I forgot about checking my meds (which I knew were gluten free). I skipped a few weeks of the pill then when I started taking it again felt wretched. I checked the ingredients, realized there was dairy, stopped taking it, and had no more gastro issues and fewer headaches.

Hope you find out what's bugging your system!

Katherine

I'm allergic to teff. My airways start closing up. Same thing happens with millet. Wish I could eat Udi's whole grain bread. Their white bread I eat with no issues whatsoever. I agree with Skylark, xanthan gum may be more the issue.

Simple real food ideas:

Turnips (or potatoes) O'Brian--sauteed turnip cubes, onions, garlic, and peppers, bacon, and egg stirred in

Steak with grilled onions, baked potato, and sliced beets

Shrimp or scallops with garlic butter over jasmine rice or romaine lettuce

Baked tilapia with dill, garlic potatoes, and green beans

Stew--meat or chicken, carrots, onions, and other root veggies (parsnips, turnips, rutabegas, etc.) slow cooked until tender

Bell peppers stuffed with ground turkey or meat, rice, and tomatoes

Applegate (uncured and nitrate/nitrite free and of course gluten free) hot dogs cut up and sauteed in olive oil with a side of mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli

I'm Lazy, and on a week night, the last thing I want to do is cook an elaborate meal for myself. I won't make anything that takes more than 20-30 minutes to whip up, unless I can throw it in the crock pot and leave it all day.

There are other fish than salmon, and you can do amazing things with eggs, rice, and potatoes that don't take a lot of effort. Adding some bell peppers to your meat can bring it to life. Mix spinach and okra together with a bit of dijon mustard to surprise your taste buds. Toss some Crystal hot sauce into your same old dinner, and I bet it won't be same old. Get some Bone Suckin' Sauce and make some bbq chicken or pulled pork. Get creative with your spices. You CAN do this, and you'll feel so much better if you get some more gluten-free food into you.

Dang it, I'm hungry now!

Man, I wish I had the benefit of not being attractive to mosquitoes anymore! I visited my Grandfather in Tennessee last summer and was eaten alive every time I went outside and nearly went insane with the itching. LOL