Here is Debra’s personal story via her answers to my list of gluten free questions for the Mary’s Gone Crackers contest. 1. What are your favorite restaurants? Are these different than before you followed the diet? I’ve always liked different ethnic foods so many of the same restaurants are fine (e.g., Indian, Mexican, Japanese, Thai). I now also go to steakhouses since they tend to have the fewest dishes with gluten. 2. Are food industry workers knowledgeable about Celiac disease? Not very many are but I always ask for recommendations from the chef and often the chef will even come out...

Here is Amy’s personal story via her answers to my list of gluten free questions for the Mary’s Gone Crackers contest. What are your favorite restaurants? Are these different than before you followed the diet? My favorite restaurants are ones that I know are very aware of the gluten-free diet.  I enjoy Maggiano’s because the chef always comes to your table and talks to you.  I also like P.F. Chang’s. Are food industry workers knowledgeable about Celiac disease? I think they are becoming more knowledgeable about the disease.  I always have questions regarding the menu when I go out...

Here is Sarah’s personal story via her answers to my list of gluten free questions for the Mary’s Gone Crackers contest. Hi Mike, I found your blog and the contest via Twitter. I really like your approach, and can appreciate the guts it takes to go GF when you don’t have terribly severe symptoms. Here is my interview entry for your contest! What are your favorite restaurants? Are these different than before you followed the diet? Back when I was only lactose-intolerant, Asian food was my standby since they use very little dairy. Now that soy sauce is a no-no, I’ve had to rethink...

Here is Laurie’s personal story via answers to my list of gluten free questions for the Mary’s Gone Crackers contest. What are your favorite restaurants? Are these different than before you followed the diet? We tend to eat at the same independent neighborhood eateries. I have avoided chains like the plague, but I am encouraged by the thought of GF menus in more “big name” places. Are food industry workers knowledgeable about Celiac disease? No. Nope, and just plain “not even close”. The staff at any restaurant turns over too fast for there to be any lasting impact...

Here is Janelle’s personal story and answers to my list of gluten free questions for the Mary’s Gone Crackers contest. What are your favorite restaurants? Are these different than before you followed the diet? I never ate out much, I have always cooked.  I have had to adjust almost every recipe I use and it was very overwhelming at first.  I have finally gotten to the point that I feel like I can make all the things I used to make for my family but in a safe, gluten free way.  We eat at Chipotle when we go out ten times for every once we go to another restaurant.  They have safe food...

Here is “Velmoose’s” personal story and answers to my list of gluten free questions for the Mary’s Gone Crackers contest. What are your favorite restaurants? Are these different than before you followed the diet? Outback Steakhouse and a local Mexican place.  I’ve always loved Outback. Are food industry workers knowledgeable about Celiac disease? Sometimes, I’m finding more and more servers and so on who know more about it, usually because they have a family member with celiac. Do you trust that the food you receive from restaurants/friends/family members is gluten...

Here is Bella’s personal story and answers to my list of gluten free questions for the Mary’s Gone Crackers contest. I hear similar diagnosis stories from people of that generation.  My grandmother and father were both misdiagnosed for most of their lives and found out they had celiac after they were 50. What are the foods you missed the most? Crackers, chips, most breads. If you initially did not follow the gluten free diet.  What made you change your mind? I’m going to add this addendum to say I am almost 60 and didn’t know I was allergic to gluten until I was about...

digg_url = 'http://switch2glutenfree.com/gf-recipes/free-mgc-giveaway-contest/'; digg_title = 'Free MGC Giveaway Contest'; digg_bodytext = 'I can\'t "love" many of my favorite foods anymore, but after switching to gluten free, there are two things I do love: Mary\'s Gone Crackers and hearing other people\'s stories.  For the next month, I am able to combine the two!\n\nThe Contest: Answer as many, or as few, of the following questions as you wish.  EMAIL your answers to me.  I will pos'; I can’t “love” many of my favorite foods anymore, but after switching...