Mango04

Y'know I just have to comment on this thread, because it seems I'm on the opposite side of the board from most of the people here. It never once occurred to me to care what people think of my food issues. I've put on different outfits in the mirror, tried different things with my makeup, my hair, I've worn slinky dresses to clubs, painted my nails on occasion, all sorts of girly things I do because I (occasionally) care what people think of my appearance. But I have never once worried what people will think when I bring my own food or say, "No, I can't eat that, thanks." I've honestly never had a mental struggle over how this would 'seem' to someone. I guess that's a really nice place to be, and I can only hope everyone else is able to get there someday.

I never struggled over it either until people started ridiculing me and accusing me of anorexia (which often happens even as I'm eating lots of food - and I'm not that skinny - and by "people" I'm talking about grown adults ). If that's never happened to you I'm moving to where you live. LOL

Anyway it's interesting to see everyone's perspectives on all this.

www.godairyfree.org is a good place to start.

If you type "gluten-free crackers" into recipezaar you'll get quite a few recipes. I'd imagine Lorie's recipe would be pretty good (her bread is very popular).

Oh dear. I'm new to all this, but I read cream cheese was not safe to eat. I don't remember where gluten figures into it, but harder and aged cheeses are supposed to be the way to go.

I miss cream cheese, but I"m not ready to challenge it and get sick again.

Cream cheese should be safe from a gluten perspective. You were probably reading about someone who has a lactose issue (in which case, harder aged cheeses would be safer, as they contain less lactose).

I wonder if you could make a soy-free version w/ raw cashews. Maybe check out some raw cookbooks for ideas, or raw vegan websites.

This is reassuring. I'm a travel junkie, but a bit paranoid about it after my last trip. I had to come home early because of the food situation.

Are hostels with kitchens common?

I'm also interested in programs like couchsurfing.com and Open Original Shared Link but I worry that I might be a rude guest if I don't eat what I'm offered.

I've been to lots of hostels in Australia and some in Europe. They've all had kitchens.

I want to do WWOOF too. I've seen some farms that mention they're "special diet friendly" so it might be possible.

Do you have a Trader Joe's nearby? Trader Joe's or a health food store would be you best bet for stuff to send. Here are some ideas:

Trader Joe's gluten-free granola

Alpsnak bars

Lara Bars

Trader Joe's lentil rice biryani (ready to heat meal)

nuts

tortilla chips

Enjoy Life trail mix

Mrs. May's energy bars

Trader Joe's instant rice noodle soups

Tasty bites indian meals

Thai kitchen stuff (soups, pad thai etc)

Energ bread

Dr. McDougall's instant soups (don't always ship well but you could try)

Enjoy Life bars

Glutino bars

Trader Joe's spanish lentils (ready to heat meal)

Trader Joe's white beans (ready to heat meal)

Mangoo......thank you, thank you, thank you! What a great idea to use coconut milk. I am lactose intolerant, allergic to milk, soy and casein and this sounds like the best substitute. I have tried some recipes using Vance's and Better Than Milk and they were not good at all. My solution at the time was to make meringue and that was the closest I could come.

I've been using a lot of coconut oil (the expensive kind) and it is worth every penney. I hope additional food allergy tests don't come up positive for coconut allergy....that's all I need!

I hope you like it. I forgot to say that I use powdered sugar. Also, a coconut milk with a bit of guar gum in it seems to work well (if you tolerate guar gum). It's best to experiment lots until you get the texture and flavor that you like (I never measure anything).

I made it for dairy eaters last Thanksgiving and Christmas and they loved it. It's awesome on fruit (such as frozen blueberries etc.)

You can put a couple cans of coconut milk in the fridge (make sure it's regular, not light coconut milk). The next day open them up and drain the liquid off the top. Use mixers to mix the creamy part with some sugar and vanilla. It's really good.

Open Original Shared Link

I think I am actually addicted to the "Edel Bitter Ecuador, 70% Cocoa Organic Superior Dark."

. I'm a marathon runner that is why I eat so many calories

It's not the calories that are the problem, but the artificial ingredients, processed chemicals etc. that can be a problem if you're newly diagnosed and still healing.

I've heard people have problems with Hersheys. There are lots of possibilities though.

Hi - and welcome to the gluten intolerant world.

It's hard to say what could have caused your reaction because that's a lot of processed food with a lot of ingredients.

Sometimes it helps to stick to more natural, basic stuff in the beginning, so you can really figure out what's going on with your body, and your body won't have to digest a bunch of chemicals while you're healing.

Also, sometimes you go through phases in the beginning where you feel better for a while, and then a bit worse. You could also have a temporary lactose issue, as you mentioned.

Good luck and hope you continue to feel better.

Based on my understanding, it's possible to have gluten intolerance than hasn't yet caused flattened villi (sort of like pre-celiac), gluten intolerance which will not cause flattened villi but will harm your body in other ways (non-celiac gluten-intolerance), or a reaction to gluten that results from other conditions (for example, some people with Lyme disease can't tolerate gluten).

OMGOSH!!!! One of the new foundation shades is Olive - Light Martian! :lol: A lovely shade of light green no doubt! :lol:

I was going to comment when I saw that, but I thought I must have been confused. Is that really the name of the shade? LOL

They've got 10 new foundation shades up. Darn, I thought I had my cart all set.

Maybe you could bake some gluten-free treats for your son. That way you can enjoy them too.

I had those once and found them frightening. It's a good concept though.

Is this "glutenin" derived from corn or wheat (or something else)? That would be important to know.

Regardless, I take Yasmin with no problems. I've also seen it on many gluten-free lists.

I've been eating hot cereals lately. Rolled rice flakes (like oatmeal, but rice) with raisins, almonds, cinnamon, flax seeds and rice milk.

Possibly but often its just a little wheat flour added. (not that this helps us)

Here in the UK its next to impossible to find a corn tortilla without wheat. There are 4-5 major brands and only one of them has 100% corn in the corn tortilla's. Strangly the taco shells of the same brands use wheat in the tortilla are 100% corn???

I just want to point out that while this may be true in the UK, it is absolutely not the case in the US. Corn tortillas and corn chips are almost always 100% corn (yes, I know it's still important to check and make sure, but a corn tortilla or corn chip featuring wheat flour is not often found).

Shan,

I just found a clue in your last post. Children are extremely perceptive. Perhaps she has heard or seen your subtle clues that you think gluten-free is yucky. Or maybe they werent subtle at all. What little one doesnt want to be just like Mommy?

I thought the exact same thing. Would you consider going gluten-free for a while (at least when you're at home)? It might really help your daughter.

make some fish tacos or enchiladas

(saute fish in coconut oil and garlic, put on taco/enchilada shell (Bearitos brand is good). Add some La Salsa Chilena (yes, it must be this brand , avocado, cilantro, chopped tomatoes etc. Yum.

Coconut oil makes oddly delicious scrambled eggs as well.

Your feelings are understandable...However, I know this might sound harsh, but you really have to get used to situations like that. People are going to be eating food you can't have in front of you a lot. I know it sucks, but the best way to deal with it is to always have some food with you.

I've never had any friends (even my closest friends) who refrained from eating something in front of me because I couldn't have it. People just don't understand, so I've stopped even trying to explain. Just do your best to take care of your own food needs and know it'll get easier with time.

Looking for recipes involving hemp seeds.

I bought them to add to hot rice cereal, but I'm thinking there are more possibilities. Any ideas would be great. Thanks.

"processed in a kitchen that also uses wheat products" warning and let people make up their own minds about whether to eat it or not.

Thanks!

I think this is your best solution. Just make sure people know there is a chance of cross contamination. Maybe getting some dedicated equipment would help too, if possible (especially if you happen to use anything plastic or porous).