On one of the many forums I participate in, there is an ongoing thread discussing blogging. One of the guys there recently wrote:
“… If I “blogged” about our travels constantly I would feel we would just look like a self absorbed couple bragging about our adventures and that very few would really care to know a day by day account of our travels. A few close friends and family do care to occasionally know where we are so we just e-mail them maybe once a month or so to let them know we’re OK but they really don’t care that today we hiked on the so and so trail or to see our latest picture of a canyon. A blog that would be informational about an issue might be different…”
And that made me wonder…Do I sound like that? Obviously, “I” don’t think so. But that comment made me think about what my purpose is here. What message I want to send to the world.
After much thought, I think that what I have to say is, if you are gluten intolerant or have Celiac Disease, you are not limited. Period. Yes, there are things you can’t eat, but you can go out into the world and not be afraid of getting glutened. Living my life in a travel trailer, moving about whenever I want to, working in remote locations, and eating well along the way, is just proof of that. I can. You can, too.
Yes, I have days when I don’t have many options. Times when I get some gluten and feel the effects of it for days. Occasions when I either don’t go to the party or take my own food. But I also have a wonderful time along the way. I venture out to do new things, eat at new places, meet new friends. And I want other gluten intolerant people to know that they can, too.
So, with that in mind, I am going to start a weekly feature here where I will be interviewing one gluten intolerant or celiac person each week, who has been eating a gluten free diet for at least a year, and introduce you to them here on my blog. I want people who are new to eating gluten free to see that you can have a good life, go fun places, have great adventures, and still be healthy. I’ll go first, because I can answer my own questions. If you want to be featured here, leave me a comment and I will send you an email with a questionnaire.
FabGrandma is Gluten Free and Loving It!
1.How did you discover that you were gluten intolerant?
When cousin was diagnosed with Celiac Disease, he sent an email to all of his relatives to let us know. His list of symptoms sounded like mine, so I decided to try eating gluten free.
2.What were your most prominent symptoms?
Look the other way if this is TMI, ok? My most obvious symptom was chronic diarrhea, but I also had lots of gas and bloating. My legs and feet hurt all the time, and I had tingling and numbness in my feet and ankles. I experienced lots of headaches, and sometimes felt like I was in a fog.
3. Do you have an official diagnosis of Celiac Disease?
No. I do not have health insurance and by the time I had the spare cash to get tested, I had been eating gluten free for over a year. I do not want to go back to eating something that is toxic to me just to get a diagnosis.
4. How long did it take for your major symptoms to disappear when you started on a gluten free diet?
The diarrhea went away after about a week, and most of the other ones were gone with a couple of months. Now I can tell I have been glutened because I get a headache and my joints feel swollen and inflamed.
5.Do you have allergies or intolerances to other foods?
None that I know of. Maybe milk. It could be that I just don’t like milk.
6.Are other members of your family gluten intolerant?
My cousin, and one of my daughters. I suspect others are, but they say they aren’t so that is that.
7.What do you miss the most since starting to eat gluten free?
I miss the freedom of ordering just anything on the menu when we go out to eat. And my mother’s chicken and dumplings.
8.What is the hardest part for you about eating gluten free?
Trying to explain to other people that while it is not like an allergy that will kill me instantaneously, I will feel sick for days if I eat whatever it is they want me to “just take a bite of.’
9.What is your favorite restaurant?
Picazzo’s Pizza in Flagstaff, Arizona. They have the best menu, including gluten free beer and gluten free desserts.
10.Do you have a favorite gluten free recipe to share?
I have lots of recipes here on my blog, but my favorite of all time is Lemon Merengue Pie. If you live near a Whole Foods you can get a frozen gluten free crust there.
11.What are your hobbies?
Sewing, quilting, fishing, hiking, reading, cooking, making jewelry, travel, and sightseeing with my husband.
12.Where did you go on your last gluten free vacation?
Because I live on a vacation, we went home to our hometown in Georgia. We had the best time! Our daughter got us a room at a swanky hotel in downtown Atlanta and we went to the Zappa Plays Zappa concert. So fun! We ate dinner at a Thai food restaurant across the street from the venue.
Who wants to be next?
Geogypsy says
Great idea Karen!
Sure hope blogging about travels isn’t too boring.
Keep up the good work.
Marilyn says
Great post today. I also like all your posts. I for 1 enjoy the variety of things discussed in your posts. Just keep on keeping on.
diane says
Mmmmmeveryone enjoys different types of blogs. Personally I enjoy reading other people’s journals and finding out about other people’s lives. Where they travelled and what they did. These blogs can also be informational, especially travel blogs. There are other blogs that are more serious and informational but I’m not into deep and meaningful blogs. If I want information I go to google or wickapedia. If you want a deep discussion well you can join discussion groups. My idea of blogging is to be sociable, light and informational as an aside. I am mor interested in your travels and sewing rather than celiac support because I am not a celiac. But it is a good idea for those who are.
Cathy says
Karen, I would LOVE to be one of your many featured guests. There are so many of us living gluten free but also living good lives. Your blog was one of the first I found when I started blogging and I have enjoyed each and every story you have shared both about gluten free living and your travels. I often share your stories with my kids.
Linda says
Those of us who also travel read your blog for travel tips. Please, don’t stop writing about your travels.
Susan Adcox says
I enjoy all the aspects of your blog! The photographs, the travel stories, the sewing projects, the family stories and the recipes. I’m not eating gluten-free, but I have learned a lot about celiac disease from your site. So don’t let anyone make you feel guilty about blogging! It is good brain exercise for you, good information for your readers and a way of keeping in touch with family. What’s bad about any of that?
Jody Brown says
I love your blog and I get along just fine with gluten and have not been more than 150 miles from home in years. I think you post on an interesting variety of topics. You may, or may not know, but your blog is what inspired me to start mine.
p.s. I got McCalls 5598 today for 1.99 but I have only sewn three times with a “pattern” and Mom helped me with one of those. It looks like it should be simple but just trying to read the pattern Confused me no end. Any tips???????
p.s.s. And what the heck is buckram?
Judy Bell says
I think people read blogs for all sorts of reasons, not just to get serious information. I have always kept a journal, and blogging is just a different medium for me to do so. I don’t read your blog because of the celiac information, but just to enjoy learning about other folks. Keep on blogging!!!
mike dupuy says
It’s great that we could actually listen, and understand what our bodies are tring to tell us. Even better when we can do something about it in such a simple way.
Alice Workentin says
Karen
I so enjoy your blog. I don’t know if I am gluten intolerant or not. I have decided to try new recipes and some of them have been yours…I do still have tummy problems but they are usually related to eating something with high fat…I don’t have a gallbladder anymore. I love reading about your travels, your days at the Rim, your new treats you receive and what you think of them. Keep up your blogging.
Jason says
I never once felt like you were just bragging! And even if you were…so what? How often to people get to do what you do? I think part of blogging is sharing what you’re doing, so others can live vicariously through you.
I do like your new look, though. Very nice. And I look forward to reading here at fabgrandma.com!
Fab Grandma says
Jason, you are such a sweetheart! thank you.
Pennie says
Karen i enjoy reading your blog, i also enjoy all the different things you write about. I enjoy reading about your travels, your life and i love seeing what you’ve created next. Please keep doing all these things.
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Lisa Cox says
Thank you for starting this section of your blog. I’m a fairly newly diagnosed celiac, been gluten-free since May 2009, and am still having various problems. Knowing how others make life work is a big help.
But even without the celiac connection, your blog is well worth reading!
Lisa
Fab Grandma says
Thank you so much for the compliment, Lisa! that made my day today.
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