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...

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, but Passover noodles, such as the Manischewitz Passover Gold Wide Egg Noodles made from potato starch, are fantastic. Some of the cookies and cakes are a real treat, too! And people with other food allergies, like me, can find some other products,...

I am on the 9AM Pacific time panel.  I will be giving out some GLUTEN FREE Wristbands! Use #gfree to participate! The first 3 people to post good, unique questions, for the party in this article’s comment section, will get a free GLUTEN FREE Wristband! 9AM gfhomemaker – Linda Etherton is a gluten-free wife and mom who enjoys cooking and baking. Her website is The Gluten-Free Homemaker – preparing gluten-free food the whole family enjoys! lend4health – Tori Tuncan runs Lend 4 Health. Lend4Health facilitates community-based, interest-free “micro-loans” as a...

Last night, I read an article about how there is major growth in people gardening at home.  With the downturn in the economy, people are looking for ways to save money.  Fruits and veggies are naturally gluten free, and when grown in your own garden, you know exactly where they were grown and what chemicals they have been exposed to. When I went gluten free, I decided to start out with a very simple diet of foods that are naturally gluten free.  I stuck to meat, rice, fruits and vegetables.  Most people who are gluten free are also very health conscious and eat lots of fruits and vegetables...

When I was in Napa Valley, CA and doing the winery thing… we decided to get lunch at V. Sattoui.  It was very busy and I had to choose something quick that I knew was gluten free.  I asked the clerk behind the cheese counter if they had anything, besides cheese, that was gluten free.  She directed me to these Crunchmaster Multi-seed Crackers.  They were $5 for 4.5oz. They were great!  I love seed/nut products, including Mary’s Gone Crackers, so these were perfect.  I had the Roasted Garlic, so they went great with wine.  I didn’t eat them all that day, so I have kept them...

Over the weekend, I went to the St. Louis Home & Garden Show.  I knew it was going to be a long day and worried about finding something gluten free to eat.  I went to the show with two other gluten free family members.  To our surprise, listed on the menu board at the concession stand was GLUTEN FREE SNACKS $2.  Unfortunately, they were referring to various candy and a couple bags of chips.  Later, when passing a beer stand, we noticed $5 Redbridge beer. This was great to see large vendors offering gluten free alternatives.  I also just heard that Redbridge beer was offered at Blues hockey...

A few weeks ago, I went to Half Moon Bay, California… a half hour South of San Francisco.  This was my first vacation while eating gluten free.  Here are a few short stories about attempting to eat gluten free. Flight to San Jose: I had an early flight so, like usual, I skipped breakfast.  On the first half of my flight on Southwest Airlines, they were offering a variety of snacks.  When the flight attendant came around to my seat: Me: “I can only only eat the peanuts.” FA: “You can have whatever you like.” Me: “I’m allergic to wheat.” FA: “I’m...

Exactly two months gluten free, and I am beginning to feel like a whole new person! Excluding a few minor slip ups in the beginning, I have been gluten free since January 1st.  Last week, I had spurts of clarity and happiness.  Yesterday and today have been great.  I am in a good mood and alive.  I am doing all those little, sometimes embarrassing, things normal, happy people do.  That is all… more to come later.