Lynayah

The problem is that ANY book is going to be potentially out of date by the time it's printed. Certainly not worthless, but also not something you could necessarily rely upon solely.

I agree about The First Year book -- didn't care for it. I haven't read the Dummies book yet (I once tech edited a Dummies book and am a big fan) -- I have it on order through the library.

I really liked Healthier Without Wheat by Dr. Stephen Wangen -- it is also good for people who are non-celiac-gluten-intolerant -- it gives a great explanation about how important the Gliadin IgA and IgG test are -- as many of you here already know, a lot of doctors look only at the celiac side of things and not the non-celiac-gluten-intolerant.

I was going to read Hasselbeck's book, but not any longer. It is frightening to think of all the misinformation that might be out there -- I'm still pretty new to all this, so I still have a tendency to believe what I read if it is in a book published by someone who is supposed to be in the know.

Frustrating!

That was the first recipe of Julia's I ever cooked, and it IS fantastic. After that I figured, well, I know how to do this dish, so I cut corners, and it never does come out as good as the original

I've heard the same thing from others -- not the same unless you do it the looooooong, Julia way -- braised onions, the works. It is really worth it.

I just wanted to post that my husband and I made Julia Child's Beef Bourguignon -- we used Better Batter gluten-free flour (which they say you can use anywhere you'd use regular flour) and it was awesome! I imagine any gluten-free flour might be okay.

I've always wanted to try this recipe, and I'm sooooo glad I finally did. Wow - it is incredibly wonderful. An all day job, which is great if you love to cook like I do.

Also, I noticed on the calendar of events section of the board that on April 17 & 18 there's a Gluten-Free Cooking Expo in Chicago -- one of the topics is "Gluten-Free Julia Child

I have another thread going here about the stickers on fruit: safe or not? In the thread, the discussion led to envelope glue, and one of the posters mentioned that envelope glue containing gluten is a myth (thank you to the poster!)

The poster added that envelope information in a recently published book is questionable. (gluten-free Diet)

It make me wonder how many other books out there might not always have the best information or come from the finest research.

My question: Which books do you feel are the best when it comes to reporting the most accurate information?

Hasselbeck's book is not a good source for gluten-free information.

Believe me, we all have a lot more to worry about than stick labels. They are gluten-free.

richard

Thank you, Richard! Might you help: I am working on a project: What is your source for the labels being gluten free? MUCH appreciated.

Very few if any glues contain gluten. The whole glutened by an envelope thing is a myth.

I am SO grateful to learn that envelopes are not made with glue from wheat. Still though, I am not convinced that envelopes are safe for those who are especially sensitive to small traces of gluten.

I for one cannot use corn starch unless it is labeled gluten free, and even then I have problems with some brands. Unless the envelope company is using gluten-free corn starch, there might be problems.

I should add that at work, I was licking multitudes of envelopes a day -- not just one or two. I was sick, but I am not sure if they made me sick since I was still eating gluten then, too. I haven't tried licking an envelope since.

Are there any super-sensitive folks out there who can lick a lot of envelopes without a problem? Or does it make you sick? Please post here! I'd love to know. Thank you so much.

Am having tea this morning -- don't want to risk a "test" with our home coffee. Hoping some folks will reply here. Thanks!

Also, what meds are you taking? I have talked to at least two people who take meds for ADD who have problems with eye twitching when they take it. I would imagine other meds might aggravate it too -- don't know for sure. Just a guess.

Thank you for posting this.

When I get really sick from being glutened, the ringing in my ears increases. I have had ringing as far back as I can remember. Since going gluten-free, it gets much worse when I have been glutened.

For most of my life I've been able to ignore the ringing. However, now when I get a reaction, it gets so loud, it drives me nuts.

I definitely believe there is a connection with gluten.

Gluten aside, I also believe there is a connection with being over-medicated -- the only other times I've had an uncomfortable level of ringing is when I've taken too much aspirin or whatever.

I remember my mother-in-law, after being diagnosed with lung cancer, telling me that her ears rang horribly while on chemo.

I hope others will post here. I know I am probably not alone in having a gluten/increased ringing reaction.

Here is a concern I have:

Some with Celiac are not very symptomatic -- some who have tested positive have no symptoms at all.

So, is it possible that they can eat foods that are produced on shared lines and never feel it, yet they are being glutened to the point where it might cause damage?

I am one of the "lucky" ones. I am non-Celiac gluten-intolerant and VERY, VERY sensitive, so I know right away if something that's labeled as "no gluten ingredients" or "naturally gluten-free food" is not right for me (usually within 15 minutes).

But what about those who have Celiac who don't react the way I do? And what about those who are not under the care of a really good doctor? They may be eating their lives away without knowing it.

I pray that labeling laws in the United States will change. It is so important.

Bea,

The DVD I mentioned is made specifically for people who can't do a lot of moves. It goes slowly and is also good for people who have thrown their back out, etc.

I've used it when I've thrown my back out and it feels so good. If I can't get down on the floor then I do it in the bedroom while still in bed.

There are two routines, each only 15 minutes. The first one is particularly good if you are in a lot of pain.

If you order it from that online book place that everyone knows, you can always return it if you don't like it --

By the way, if you read the reviews there, some folks complain about a background noise on the DVD. It's not background noise or problems with the DVD, it's the sound of ocean waves (this was filmed by the ocean). It is very soothing and relaxing.

Sending love and sympathy.

Has anyone here ever had a reaction to COSTCO whole bean coffee, regular arabica (not decaf), roasted by Starbucks - especially recently?

I am able to drink other brands without an issue, and in the past have used this brand (probably without issue but not sure - I'm still trying to get on the other side of occasional gluten episodes).

Note: It could also be my coffee maker or my grinder. Not sure, so I wanted to check to see if others have had any problems.

Thank you.

I had it with increasing frequency until going gluten-free. I hardly happens at all any more.

I have a DVD that I swear by: Back in Shape by Mimi Solaire.

Thanks so much for taking the time to let me know how it works for you! It sounds like you and I have similar reactions to gluten, and I'd been thinking since I "only" have gluten intolerance I could use it to eat gluten once in awhile, to help side-step the intolerance, but it doesn't sound like it's worth it (I was thinking of it as Lactaid...doesn't sound like that's exactly how it works).

When I eat gluten I am sick for two weeks - body aches, brain fog, bloating, et cetera. Probably no magic pill to help that =)

You are right. From what I have been told, anyone with gluten-intolerance should absolutely not use it to side-step gluten.

Sadly, there is A LOT of misinformation in her book.

Good to know -- thank you.

hello!

really new to this gluten-free Lifestyle, and i havent eaten any gluten food but i also haven't gone to the bathroom in 4 days is there other food to avoid once you first start. trying to be on a high fibre diet but all i get is horrible smelly gas.

eating alot of fruit and veggies. About once in the morning and once at night some gluten-free bread or buckwheat waffles.

not to sure what else to do. Please any ideas would be great.

Thanks so much Mia

Have you talked to your doctor about what you are going through?

I did buy new pots for anything I can eat. Wanted to get red ones so they would look different but didn't like the quality of the red ones I found. Did get red spatulas, spoons, cutting board & even plastic containers with red tops. I use red Duck tape on my jam, etc. This helps because my kids are teens & sometimes fix food. Also, talking (nagging) about pouring out chips, etc so that I can still eat them. No fingers in ice, use dispenser. Nag! Nag! Nag!

Wow -- here, too. My oldest daughter bought me a set of green-handle spoons with the idea being "G reen=G luten-Free.

I found a dedicated counter container for the spoons, and it has definitely helped.

Even with that, I still have to nag, nag, nag, as you say. They mean well, and they try . . . but old habits die hard.

I know, because they die hard with me, too. It is all too easy to make mistakes.

We all grieve the loss of gluten from our diets, and anger is a normal part of the grieving process as you know. You must just encourage her and be supportive. It really does take a while for the gut to heal, and until such time she will continue to experience setbacks and recurrence of symptoms sometimes. Perhaps gluten is sneaking in somewhere, she may be experiencing cross-contamination from some other source. Is she living in a gluten free house? If not, everyone (gluten and non-gluten eaters) have to be scrupulous about cleaning up counters and avoiding cross-contamination in things like spreads, peanut butter, etc. No dipping of knives that have already spread gluten bread back into the jar. The non-gluten eater should really have their own jars of these products clearly labelled and stored separately in a cupboard and on a separate shelf of the refrigerator.

Has she made sure to not use old wooden and plastic spoons contaminated with gluten or scratched nonstick pans? She should have bought a new toaster and colander because these cannot be cleaned of gluten. She needs to eliminate gluten from her cosmetics and personal care products, especially things like toothpaste and lipstick/balm, but also hand lotion and hair care products. It can be really hard to track down all the gluten in our houses because it is everywhere, probably in pet food if she has a pet (she must wash her hands after feeding the pet, and some people even get glutened from petting their animal ) She should also use separate sponge/dish cloths because these can be a source of cross-contamination. You can help her read the labels on all these things and help her organize her kitchen.

You can also tell her that she is very early in the healing process and it does get better. She just has to wait for the healing. Allow her to vent her anger at what she has lost. Reinforce that eating gluten free is really not a choice for celiacs, that the damage from gluten is not just the obvious symptoms she is experiencing right now, but the potentially more serious other autoimmune diseases she risks acquiring if she continues to eat gluten. Some of these are not reversible, like my rheumatoid arthritis. She has already developed the diabetes and she may well notice an improvement in that with a gluten free diet--many do. At least with celiac disease, there are no medicines to take to cure it, it is just the avoidance of gluten.

She might try taking a gluten-free probiotic to promote healing in the gut, and if her digestion is still poor the addition of a digestive enzyme may help her. Has she been tested by her pcp for vitamin and mineral deficiencies which often occur in celiacs because of the inability of the gut to absorb them?

Well done for trying to help your mom. The more you can learn about the disease the more you can help her. This forum is a great place to start (for her too, if you can persuade her).

I enjoyed this post and was able to relate to it on many levels. Thank you.

Hi, my mom was just diagnosed with celiac last month and she is having a very hard time dealing with it. I see that anger and grief are a normal part of dealing with the disease and she cycles in and out of depression and other feelings but my concern is that she was feeling better after a few weeks of eating gluten free but now the symptoms seem to be coming back. This is causing her to see celiac as a choice and she is considering abandoning the gluten free life and just dealing with the crippling repercussions. She is also diabetic so the food restrictions are really making her bitter. Does anyone have any insight into how long until symptoms improve or how to be supportive when she is so very angry?

Please forgive me if this has been posted earlier in this thread. I saw your post and my gut told me to jump right to my thoughts:

Where do you live?

Is there a GIG (Gluten Intolerance Group) support group in her area? Open Original Shared Link

I am a member, and the understanding and support I've been given has been a greater blessing than I can say.

It really helps to be with others who are going through the same thing.

I am so sorry for yours and your mom's experience. Dealing with celiac at the beginning sure is not a walk in the park. It is an entire attitude change about life. I was diagnosed at the age of 50, and my mother was 75. We were so sick that we were simply glad to find the cause and to get better, but I have to say that I went through a great deal of anger. At one point, after listening to me complain for a few minutes, my husband said gently: "Now, I don't want you to get mad, but don't you think you're feeling sorry for yourself." It was the right words at the right time.

I had to decide if I wanted to be healthy, and only I could decide that. No one could do it for me. It is very much like an addict, because in this society we are addicted to eating wheat and fitting in. Did I want to have a life? Being gluten free was the only way. I realized the same for my mother, and frankly, I was too sick to worry about her. I was tempted, when she kept thinking, "a little bit won't hurt me...I'll just take Imodium." She still thinks this way, but I do not. Each has a choice.

CurtissAnn

Bravo. Great post, as are all the posts here. This is a wonderful topic.

After 2 weeks gluten-free & 2 months on massive doses of iron, my husband out of the blue said "you look great!" I was wearing old jeans & a sweatshirt. He said I just look more "sparkly", more energetic. I do feel more energetic until about 7 pm & then I fall flat. May never become a late night, club hopping, partyer. Sigh!

I hope your words will reach those who have yet to realize what is wrong with them. Great post.

I get you about the 7 PM thing. My family keeps joking that if I watch something on TV, I'll have to TIVO it and watch it a at least ten times . . . because I fall asleep after five minutes!

I have finally trained my husband to not put his dishes in the dishwasher so I can wash them first. I quit using plastics and Tupperware for myself. He still uses it for his foods. Is there any chance of my glass dishes and silverware getting contaminated from water dripping off the plastic and Tupperware containers? My guess is that only food that would be stored in the containers would get contaminated. However, I want to be sure.

That is a good question, and I am looking forward to seeing what others here have to day.

I would guess that the answer is no. I agree that only food stored in the containers would get cc'd.

For us (duel kitchen -- hubby and daughter use gluten), the biggest problem is things not coming completely clean. Today, I found a stainless steel pot that still had pasta stuck on the side, despite being put through the dishwasher.

AS SOON AS WE CAN AFFORD IT, I am going to buy a quality, dedicated set of cookware.

In the meantime, I keep on truckin' . . . and watching every dish.

And NO I am NOT pregnant!

LOL!

That said, from your photo, you are indeed very attractive, and you should feel WONDERFUL about the the way you look and feel. Good for you!

Good to learn that cornstarch is in envelope glue. I need to avoid that, too.

Yes, so many of us ere are also sensitive to corn. Good point.