Sharing Gluten Free Advice

A friend had asked for any words of wisdom I had in going gluten free. The email be came quite lengthy, and I thought other people may find it helpful.

Email:
The first step in going gluten free is to understand what gluten is. This list: http://www.celiac.com/articles/182/1/Unsafe-Gluten-Free-Food-List-Unsafe-Ingredients/Page1.html goes through all the names gluten can be hidden under. Be very suspicious of anything with "natural flavors". If your friend has a smart phone, I recommend downloading an app like evernote, and saving this document there. When reading the ingredient list in the store, and I come across unfamiliar items I search the document to see if its gluten-related.

Next, I suggest your friend go through the cabinets, fridge, and freezer and identifying what has gluten in it. I put stickers or a mark on them to signify which aren't safe. Depending on how much processed food there is, she may find lots or little gluten. She also has to look through her make up, lotions, anything that can go in or on her body. I have been glutened from face cream, mascara, lip gloss, and its a dickens of a thing to figure out.

The key to being successful at living without is to focus on what you still can eat. Lots and lots of fruits and veggies! All fruits and vegetables are naturally gluten free. Alternatives to wheat, like rice, or quinoa, milk, eggs, butter, coffee. Every GF-er has product preferences. I prefer Udi's gluten free products (bread, granola, etc), Tinkyada Pasta Joy (aka the GF pasta with a bunny on it), and King Arthur's flour/mixes. It is very expensive to replace "regular" foods with GF alternatives. For example, the cheapest I've found Udi's bread is $5 per loaf, and the loaf is smaller than traditional packages. Its seems much smarter to me to find breakfast alternatives. My favorite breakfast is rice, beans, a touch of cheddar, a sunny side egg and some avocado.

Eating out can be difficult, she has to be a staunch advocate for herself. Allergyeats.com is a great website (and app) to navigate peer reviewed restaurants. I find the most success, with restaurants that don't have GF menus, to review the menu to find the most likely GF items, and then review with the server what my needs are. Often the manager comes over to clarify, and will typically bring my plate. The best chains I can suggest are Not Your Average Joes, Joe's American Bar and Grill, Wagamama, and the hot food bar at Whole Foods. Remember, its her health, she is the only one with something to lose in the process.

I would also recommend collecting data. There is a bias that can occur when we try new diets that documentation can clear up. I would recommend starting with a summary of symptoms, including duration, in as much detail as possible. I came to be gluten free through a juicing diet. I had been feeling miserable for years, and had developed acute symptoms. Once I started reintroducing foods I found the symptoms to reappear with gluten, dairy and soy. Many people who have gluten intolerance/allergy often have multiple food issues (my mother has Celiac's disease, as well as intolerance for fish and sea food, but my grandmother has just Celiac's). If your friend has some remittance of symptoms but not a full recovery after a month of clean (no accident) GF living, she may want to look at these other allergens as well. The top six allergens are gluten, soy, dairy, fish, tree nuts, and peanuts.

I hope this information helps your friend. Its not an easy transition, but I do believe it saved my life. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help!
/End Email

These are my suggestions, and should not replace medical advice.

Thankful for: A vigilant partner

I try not to speak often of my personal life, but my recent experiences regarding food intolerance finding answers has been a major source of "everyday beauty" for me. Today, as ever, I am thankful for my vigilant partner. He has been with me through this with every step, my biggest cheerleader and the other voice at my (countless) doctors appointments.

This week I have not been feeling well, but intermittently. I couldn't figure out what it was; it wasn't my diet, I hadn't made any major changes... except, this wonderful man pointed out, two new lip gloss. Lo and behold both contained versions of soy: lecithin and soy bean oil.

Here is looking to feeling better soon!

Alternative treatment

For eight months I have been falling asleep every few hours, had tremendous fatigue in my arms and legs, a strange rash only on my joints, and accompanying headaches. The only thing that has brought me any relief is BodyTalk. I see Angela Scala, typically once a month, and feel more at peace every time. I have a session today, and have been looking forward to it since Wednesday. Today, I am thankful for people willing to help, for alternatives to traditional medicine, and the ability to access the services.

212. Freedom of Speech

There was a protest in Harvard Square, Cambridge, today. People asking, where is my vote, in response to the election results released by the Iranian government. I don't claim to know whats right or wrong, but this employment of the right to free speech was a thing of beauty, particularly on this rainy sunday. Things were clearly quite different in Iran.

165. Talking about it

This photos is from the Boston Globe via Reuters. Found here.

By no means am I thankful for AIDS/HIV. I am thankful that we can start these discussions, talk about prevention, support and treatment.

I am thankful that I can hope, someday, December 1st will only be the day Rosa Parks was arrested for not giving up her bus seat.

163. A Bicycle Built for Two

I saw a bicycle built for two in Cambridge as I was headed to study. They looked like they were having so much fun! Unfortunately I couldn't snap a photo since I was driving. Instead, a photo

from a website.

162. Election day

Admittedly, I'm a political/news junkie. I read multiple news sources each day, and my radio is consistently tuned to the local NPR station. This is like my super bowl. Of course I have opinions, but the most exciting fact, regardless of who wins, is that so many people are involved.

I'm hoping for an accurate election as I sit and color in my map.

Happy election day, everyone!

147. Bright green pants

This tourist has a lot of hutzpah and a strong personal sense of style.

120. Relaxing when (and where) you can

There was a couple struggling to raise this hammock, which ultimately would give a taste of suburbia in a more urban setting.

115. Community Garden

114. Community Engagement

The fellow in the chair was sitting alone fishing, and after catching a fish, he also seemed to have caught a friend!

108. Acting your age, not your shoe size

These teenagers took a breif moment to act their shoe sizes, not their ages. It sure looked like they had fun!








And a very happy birthday to The Bantering Bookworm
Happy last birthday as a "single" woman!

98. Squirrel watching people

This wee squirrel fellow was watching this lady read...



And then he got bored. :]

81. Senior Centers

The Newton Senior Center is particularly beautiful, with a lovely facade and out door sitting area.






My favorite aspect, is the filled bike rack. :]

80. Pro-person signage

Think about the wheel chair accessable signs you usually see. Its a person like figure, sitting above a circle, waiting for life to come and act on it. Now look at this picture:












Look at the action in this figure. In mental health we talk about pro-client language. A person with bipolar disorder instead of a bipolar person. This signage gives the client agency in an very uncommon way. Gold stars to the Newton Senior Center!

76. Little old lady friends

These two cuties on the T were sporting matching outfits. I love it.

75. Non-destructive pranks

I saw this one morning in the parking lot at work. No permanent damage to the car, but it sure gave me a chuckle.

74. Other People's Voicemail Messages

I'm currently doing some apartment hunting, so I get to listen to many different styles of voicemail messages.

The best I have heard thus far was yesterday where I was advised to "make it a great day". Not have, but make it so.

Make it a great day.

65. Crazy hats!

People in DC sure worse some crazy hats!

63. Acts of Kindness

This fellow helped a random stranger by holding a door. It warmed my heart.