As a child I had many stomach issues.  From the time I was 2 until I was 3 I grew in height, but not in weight.  My parents tell me that they could hear my stomach making awful sounds and they knew that I was about to become sick. I never really complained of stomach pain.  My stomach would bloat and become hardened.  The doctors 32 years ago didn’t really know what they were dealing with.  It was thought that I had crones for a while.  I tried various medicines.  I remember my mom crushing the pills and then giving it to me in a spoonful of jelly or applesauce. I was hospitalized several...

digg_url = 'http://switch2glutenfree.com/guest-writers/holiday-fun-for-everyone/'; digg_title = 'Holiday fun for everyone! Non-Gebrokts!'; digg_bodytext = 'This time of year there’s a secret out there that many Celiacs don’t know of in the special Passover food section at their local grocery store. Not all Kosher for Passover food is safe, but that labeled as “Non-Gebrokts” has no wheat or gluten in it and is free of contaminants, as well as pretty darned tasty! The cereals aren’t so great'; This time of year there’s a secret out there that many Celiacs don’t know...

digg_url = 'http://switch2glutenfree.com/mikes-journey/mental-affects-of-eating-gluten/'; digg_title = 'Mental Effects of Eating Gluten'; digg_bodytext = 'I ran across this great article by Linda, "the Gluten Free Homemaker." I can totally relate to this! On the normal lists of celiac symptoms, you don\'t usually find this information.\n\nI don\'t have the typical stomach symptoms of a celiac. A few months ago, I started noticing that I was always very tired and lethargic. It was really affecting my'; I ran across this great article by Linda, “the Gluten Free Homemaker.”...

digg_url = 'http://switch2glutenfree.com/guest-writers/joes-sleepless-nights/'; digg_title = 'Joe\'s Sleepless Nights'; digg_bodytext = 'I love to hear other people\'s stories about how they were diagnosed with celiac.  If you would like to share your story, please email me.\n\nAbout a month ago @Switch2GF on Twitter asked people to share their, "going gluten-free" stories. For those of you who don\'t know, I switched to a gluten-free lifestyle last August. So, why would I do somet'; I love to hear other people’s stories about how they were diagnosed with celiac....

I don’t know if cheese is really an aphrodisiac, but I sure love it and as long as you aren’t allergic to casein or lactose, I think you’ll love this recipe, too.  It’s for Pão de queijo, a Brazilian cheese roll, which just happens to be gluten free!  (And horribly addictive.)  Nothing more romantic than feeding some to your sweetie on Valentine’s Day, or just keep a bunch in your freezer for your next party as a quick appetizer.     Pão de queijo 1 c water 1 c milk ½ c oil 1 tsp salt 1 pack tapioca starch (450 g/1 lb) 2 eggs 200 g grated Parmesan cheese or other grated cheese   Bring...

digg_url = 'http://switch2glutenfree.com/guest-writers/something-for-the-ladies-gluten-free-makeup/'; digg_title = 'Something for the ladies... Gluten Free Makeup!'; digg_bodytext = '\n\n\n\nMakeup is one of those things we celiacs kind of forget about, but it can be a big issue, lots of ingredients, chemicals, and whatnot so how do you know what’s “safe?” After a few too many breakouts and puff-ups after spending a fortune at the makeup counter, I need a consultant!  Luckily I have a makeup artist in the family to demy'; Makeup is one of those things we celiacs kind of...

When I was diagnosed about 4 years ago, the food choices weren’t very good. Most of the stuff was really expensive and tasted like either cardboard or packing peanuts. Thanks to government food labeling and much more awareness there’s a lot more selection now, but I still like to do my own cooking, that way you know what’s in there!!! (Story time: I was lied to by a waitress at PF Chang’s who HAS a GF menu and got REALLY sick. Trust no one, kids!!) So to keep all of you from getting sabotaged by a waitress at PF Chang’s, here are my favorite things to keep in the kitchen: My 3-cup...

Well, I was a normal college student, ate normal college food, drank normal college beer, up until the fall of 2001, the final semester of my senior year.  I actually had minor surgery and afterwards gastro problems hit me like a ton of bricks. 3 gastroenterologists, 1 internist, years of testing… I don’t even remember how many colonoscopies…2 upper GI’s, 2 endoscopies, 2 camera capsule tests, and riding on the train with unmentionable samples for the lab…no diagnosis.  Finally, someone decides to do some allergy testing (only took 3 years…) lactose-negative (and I always thought...