Computer going to the Apple Hospital

I am shipping my Mac for a check up today, off to Houston she goes. So I will be off line until next week sometime.
 My husband is having surgery on wednesday, I hope to have my Mac back by then. Perfect time to start blogging again. I have a few easy recipes for you. Looking forward to chatting again!!!

Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!

Please check back at the end of the week for a new post. So many things have been happening here at home. But I will get back to posting, this week!!

Not even a little Gluten!

Well friends the holidays are upon us! This is a challenging time for us. There are just so many danger zones to say the least. I want to remind you that even having "a little" gluten is not good. It is really a poison to your body. Even if your major symptoms dont present themselves, the inflammatory process will ignite in your gut and damage is happening to the only body you have.

In the beginning of my journey, I thought I could have a little and it would be ok. Never wanting to make a fuss as a guest, out to dinner or bring attention to my issue. Sometimes just wanting and thinking it will be alright to have a pinch. Not so................

I have never been one to express my needs, so this has really been a lesson for me and I am still working on it. Probably forever!

We are getting ready for my husbands company Christmas party. We will fly to Chicago in a couple weeks. Its a great time, they host it at a place called Pinstripes. Its an upscale bowling and bocce ball entertainment place. Music, food, drinks, games, food and more food. So last year, I just went thinking I should be able to eat something. Being there for six hours and having cocktails, I really should have assumed there would NOT be anything for me to eat. But I didnt and guess what, other than some veggies, fruit and some cheese that was it. Gourmet pizzas, meat w/ sauces, crusty breads and every kind of dessert I couldnt have. I was so hungry, I scrapped off sauces to just get some protein in me. And you guessed it , I got SICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh big surprise there!

Being that my husband was only six months into this job, I just didnt want to stand out or make special requests. After being unemployed for six months I just wanted to be low key, I guess.

Not this year, Mike asked his bosses, the brothers that own the firm if they would be sure to have some gf options for me. They were very happy to assure Mike that they would make that happen for us. At first I felt a little funny about it, but relieved really!!!!

If I am going to be guest at some one's house, I offer to bring a few dishes that I know are safe for me to eat. I feel more comfortable doing that, than asking for a menu adjustment on my behalf. But my family and friends are aware and now remember more often that its an issue for me. I try not to make it a big deal and fly under the radar but that has backfired to many times. So we have to put ourselves out there for our own well being and we are worth at least that!!!!!

So when some one says.... can't you can have just a little. Remember POISON. You wouldnt eat just a little poison, would you?!?

Reading Labels

Reading labels is now like a part time job. It is so important for your health. I found the easiest solution is to eat clean simple foods. But when you cant or dont, please look out for the following ingredients. This is were things start to be more difficult in buying products not clearly marked gluten free.

Grains are used in the process of many ingredients,  so depending on how they are processed they could be off limits. I now always assume they may contain gluten. Beware of the following terms they may contain gluten depending on what grain was used to process them.

Hydrolyzed Vegetable protein (MVP), unless made frm soy or corn
Vegetable Protein, unless made frm soy or corn
Modified Food Starch, unless made frm corn
Vegetable gum
Textured Vegetable Protein
Malt
Lecithins
Caramel Coloring
MSG
If you see these words on your labels this should alert you to a grain containing gluten has been used
Stabilizer
Starch, unless it says corn only
Flavoring
Emulsifier
Hydrolized
Plant Protein

There is a debate about modified food starch, some readings say that if the product is frm the US it is made frm corn. That said, I no longer risk it.
Also some say that MOST caramel coloring is made from dextrose (sugar) but it can be made from many different grains and mostly barley.

Example Coca Cola says their products are gluten free, they contain caramel coloring. You can always call or look on line for more detail ingredient lists for some of your favorites.
As for myself, I just cant chance it anymore without further investigation.

Some places you might not think gluten is hiding are:
candy
ice cream, popsicles
beauty products (lipstick, shampoos, soaps etc)
vitamins, nutritional supplements
protein and superfood powders
medication

My rule of thumb is if the list contains more than five ingredients I more than likely pass on it. Its just safer, or needs to read gluten free.

So remember to read,read, read. Learn from my mistakes! I would eat something, get sick and think what the heck?!?
After I learned about some of the above ingredients, well that explains everything!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Where does Gluten Hide???

Gluten is a sneak................... and hides everywhere!
However we will not let this intimidate or stop us from enjoying life and MOST of the foods we enjoy.

I still can get tripped up and ingest gluten every now and then. Even though I have been GF for 5 yrs and 5 months.

I was enjoying a visit with my aunt in one of my favorite cities Seattle. I grabbed a bottle of organic, all natural balsamic vinaigrette to drizzle on my shrimp and avocado salad I had made for us. I'm enjoying my salad and my aunts company. I take a look at the bottle to check out the sugar content. Then scan the ingredient list and to my dismay I see soy sauce listed! Who puts soy sauce in balsamic dressing?! Evidently some people.

Many of you, especially my sister are probably rolling their eyes because if I would have just made my own like I usually do, this would not of been an issue. So point being, never assume a product is GF. I will repeat this point many times. I have made this mistake over and over. Sometimes because I assume, or I'm tired, a guest, at a party or for whatever reason.
ALWAYS read labels!
I usually do, but didnt take the time and paid the price in a couple of hours.

Condiments can be difficult. I have seen ketchup with gluten (usually not) but I have. Luckily not often and now you can find it HFCS free too. BBQ sauces, dressings, regular soy sauce, most prepackaged foods have gluten, unless otherwise noted. Most mustards(plain yellow) and mayo are safe.

If its creamy or gravy based more than likely it has gluten. Unless it has been thicken with only cornstarch or from a gf flour.

Most products that contain vinegar are safe. Except when you see the word "malt". Then step away and put it down. Malt vinegar most always means "barley malt". Remember no wheat rye or barley.

Nothing with "malt" listed as an ingredient.

This is one reason why its hard to eat out especially in the beginning. Who am I kidding it is still difficult!

Its not just  bread and pasta but also what your adding and topping your foods with. Another example, of which I have a many is french fries. Without addressing the cross contamination issue. You have to be aware of "seasoned" fries.  ALOT of dry rubs and season mixtures contain a flour as a binding agent! So  you must ask.

Unless its a clean and naked food or something you have prepared yourself, you must put your food detective hat on.
Again read and reread your labels. Rice Chex is now GF but when I first started it contained wheat flour!! So just because it sounds like it should be safe, doesnt make it so.

Don't get discouraged this is so worth the time and trouble, I promise.

Lets say good bye to a whole host of health issues and tummy troubles!!

Let's try this Again!

After more than a few months of inactivity, actually 6 if your counting. I have decided to give this another try.
I admit................. I'm more than a little intimidated by the lack of my writing skills. So if proper english, incomplete sentences or any other inadequacy to the written word annoys you, then this blog is probably not for you.

My intent here is to share my journey, my experiences and thoughts about being gluten free.

So I hope to be of some help. I would love for you to join me in conversation along the way.

Gluten Free Traveling

Its been a crazy, busy 6 weeks. I was in Seattle for a few weeks. Then a grandfather passed and I was in NY and MA. I am finally back home and into my regular routine. Just like Dorothy said, there's no place like home!! I did have a gluten upset, even an experienced gf eater can get tripped up.

Being away from home and on the road is always somewhat daunting. Being prepared is important. While traveling I always carry gf items with me. Glutino pretzels, Think Thin Pnut Butter Protein Bars (20 grams of protein) nuts, fruit, cheese and Glutino crackers. While going through security at the airport I am wondering if they think I'm afraid I might starve to death, carrying all this food! But the gf choices can be few and far between. If you have time to sit and order a meal thats great but don't count on it.


While in MA, I was at a hotel that provided breakfast. Well, I knew there would be very little that I could eat.  The only thing that was safe, bananas and apples. They did have scrambled eggs, but in this situation I assume they are powdered eggs. And even if they were real eggs, the hotel looks to stretch the items to feed many, so who knows what kind of fillers are used. So I ate some fruit and a protein bar. Off to the funeral I go. Afterwards my Grandmother hosted a meal at her favorite Italian eatery. Yikes.... another meal to examine. I was able to have salad, fruit, cheese and some cold cuts.

Beware when eating cold cuts. Be sure it is REAL turkey, roast beef etc. Be careful with any  processed meats. As a matter of fact, just skip them. I was at a party right before I left for MA and had a few bites of Amish trail bologna. I spent the next 24 hrs sick, sick, sick.

A note about cheese..... be sure its just plain cheese. SOME blue cheeses are not safe. Any cheese spreads should be skipped if you cant ask about content.

So preparation is key when traveling. Its always a little scary and I always worry about getting sick. So I carry my maalox and imodium, always!