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?
