Tag Archive: autoimmune

OH, FORKS! Upcoming Event & Important Nutrition Information Disclosure

OH, FORKS! Upcoming Event & Important Nutrition Information Disclosure

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Busy! Busy! Busy! I’m preparing for this weekend big event with the Jorgenson YMCA in Fort Wayne, Indiana. I’ve almost got the taste testing list solidified (yes, there are still a few last minute decisions, I know, shocking!) and I’m waiting on one of the last table decorations to get here today! This process has been similar to preparing for a book event, but so much more involved! Assuring that banners, signage, and social media postings are done appropriate is a LOT of work! And of course, making sure that the treats I’m making for everyone are P E R F E C T. *wipes the sweat from my brow…* I’m excited to reveal the table décor on our Facebook page very soon!

Now for the serious…

And of course, this morning I had a message from a fellow self-publisher that I needed to check out immediately. The article was from another foodie blogger, who has been threatened with a lawsuit by a reader. Why, you ask? Because the nutrition information they posted wasn’t correct to the recipe the person made. Wow. I had to re-read it four times. You may be wondering if that’s even possible….it is. Unfortunately for people like me.

First, let me discuss nutrition labels. I like them, because it gives those paying close attention to calories and fat the numbers they need for their diets. Second, I like being able to show how my recipes fair in the “health” section. Third, I don’t like to be misleading with my recipes. So, I added nutrition labels in to the OH, Forks!! Cook book.

That said, those nutrition labels are for informational purposes only, and are not “scientifically correct.” Yes, I did use the great website to make them all, and many big companies and places use them, too. Yes, their numbers are correct for the brands, amounts, and products I used in my recipes. However, if you omit something, use a different amount, substitute or what have you…those numbers may change a little.

Being completely honest, I don’t pay much attention to calorie counts, fat counts, or the like. I didn’t add in my nutrition labels to claim “complete health and perfection” with any of my recipes.

I felt the need to post a permanent disclaimer on the nutrition label side of things, if for nothing else, my own protection. In the past few weeks, I’ve taken extra precautions to protect ALL of my work, which for this cook book means the labels, pictures, recipes, words and more. There are a group of people out there that just don’t have enough to do with their spare time, and have taken up stealing author’s work and reproducing it under their own names, profiting all the way. It’s disgusting, and I’m NO FAN of pirating sites, or this type of behavior.

I appreciate those who have stuck by me, supported me, and backed this entire cook book endeavor! I’m hoping it brings you happiness, as well, knowing the project you support is indeed making headway in the public, and has begun doing events!! 🙂

April 20, 2015 OH FORKS!! A Little Bit of Everything and All That's Gluten Free 2015, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 0 Read more >

What if Gluten is as Bad as They Say?

What if Gluten is as Bad as They Say?

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It’s amazing how many people still think the whole “gluten free” thing is a fad. Some sort of crazy behavior, or something that certain people do to be difficult. There was a point in our path down the gluten free road where I did question if being gluten free was really working, or doing anything at all. Not anymore. I’ve spent years learning about the effects of gluten, damage it can do to your body and brain, and how I can avoid it as much as possible. I live it every single day. So does my daughter.

People still argue with me when I tell them that gluten is an inflammatory protein that causes inflammation in any human when consumed. Some humans just tolerate the protein better than others, and some like myself, the inflammation causes a myriad of other issues that complicate the immune system, and weighs the body down. Quite literally.

So, what if, just what if….all of these “crazy gluten free freaks” are right? What if every time you’re indulging in that wheat bread, you’re really inflaming your gastrointestinal tract, and you don’t even know it? What if that pasta dish is silent creating holes in your stomach, intestines, and tricking your body into thinking that you’ve contracted a virus?

Maybe you’re wondering why tricking your body is a bad thing. You’re probably getting ready to talk about bio-identical hormones, and the like. Every time your immune system is turned on to react to an “unknown” agent, particle, germ, or what have you; it takes note of this new “foreign body” and attempts to remove it in a very non-ceremonious style.

This is something that’s become so important to me to remove from my children’s diets. I’m no doctor, but in the research I’ve done, the more of this gets pumped in over the years, (along with GMOs, preservatives, fillers, and toxins) the greater your risk of developing a full blown autoimmune disease, allergy to whatever the item is, or horrible reactions to anything “sort of like that” item you ate.

SO many books out there about this, but the best written, and easiest to read and follow (so far) is the new release by Dr. Amy Myers, The Autoimmune Solution. From the basics of gluten, to the complexities of why it reacts with certain bodies the way it does, plus lots of information on “the Myers Way,” this book is a must own!

Here’s the handy dandy Amazon link for you to check out Dr. Amy Myers The Autoimmune Solution book!

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Even for me, the person who has read hundreds of books of Celiac’s disease, Scleroderma, Gluten Free eating/living/working/life, I still learned a mass amount of information from this book! The recipes included in it are fabulous, as well! Give it a try, it’s so worth it! Whether you’re suffering yourself, or a family member or friend is suffering- get this, and really read it for them! Have faith in healthy food, and hope that it can help heal your body

February 9, 2015 Gluten In The News, , , , , , , , , , , , 0 Read more >

Hey, Surprise! There’s Gluten in Your Meds!

 Hey, Surprise! There’s Gluten in Your Meds!

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I know. And I sort of hope you were sitting down before you read that. It happens less frequently now than it used to, but it does still happen. Whether it’s your prescription, or your favorite over-the-counter box of cold meds, if you’re super sensitive to gluten, you should probably call the company or check out GlutenFreeMeds.com to see if it’s on their list, at the least.

Maybe you’re wondering why there would be gluten in your medication? It’s simple, and sort of the same reason why there is gluten in spices, shampoo, lotions, and makeup. It’s a binding agent in many things. In this case, it helps make your pills stay together.

If any of the prescription or OTC medications you take have any of these ingredients, you may want to further your investigating skills and verify for the sake of your body.

  • Wheat
  • Modified starch (source not specified)
  • Pregelatinized starch (source not specified)
  • Pregelatinized modified starch (source not specified)
  • Dextrates (source not specified)
  • Dextrimaltose (when barley malt is used)
  • Caramel coloring (when barley malt is used)
  • Dextrin (source not specified, but usually by corn or potato)

Pharmacists face many dilemmas in the gluten-free world. There are no requirements for companies to label their medicines as “gluten free,” or just what they contain. In the same breath, all gluten sensitivities are different, and that 1 particle of gluten dust may not do much to Suzy, but it was enough to put Tom in the hospital. It is also true that medications don’t work the same way in a body without a gluten issue, as they do in a body that severely reacts to gluten. I just don’t feel it should be left up to the pharmacist to decipher, and I think that put them into a bad spot, as well.

More and more, we’re seeing the push to ban GMOs, and label things appropriately for allergens. I am hopeful that even more labeling will be approved to fully label prescriptions, shampoos, and anything else that is used by humans containing gluten. I’ve learned through my years of personal experience, and that of my child’s, that gluten, GMOs, and the harsh chemicals in our world ARE affecting our bodies, and creating internal disasters that no one knows how to deal with.

So, just a gentle reminder, fellow Celiac sufferers- CHECK YOUR MEDS!!

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Resources Used:

GlutenFreeMeds.com- linked their gluten free med sheet

 

 

January 14, 2015 Gluten In The News, , , , , , , , , , , , , 0 Read more >

Gluten Free for Me Upcoming Taste Testing & Updates!

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Gluten Free for Me Upcoming Taste Testing & Updates!

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We’re in 2015 now, which means this year we’ll be participating in our first book signings, taste testing, and local events around the area! If creating the recipes, designing the cook, formatting the layout, making the nutrition labels and working on images wasn’t hard enough… now I’ve got to decide which foods to make in mass for people to try at our events!!

For this, I’ve decided to not decide myself, and let my followers and cook book owners help me figure it out! You’ll find a Google Form attached in this blog update (that I will post on our Facebook page eventually, too) that you can fill out to help me with this process! Don’t worry- you’re not signing up for anything at all. Just helping me to choose which recipes to consider for my early 2015 events!

For the first form, I’d like to get an idea of what your favorite recipes in the cook book, on our Facebook page, or from our blog are. If you’ve tried something in the cook book you love, please enter that in this form. After I get a general idea of “favorites,” I’ll then send out one last form choosing the “winners.”

USE THIS LINK FOR OUR GOOGLE FORM! OR, check our Facebook page for the link!!

 

January 4, 2015 OH FORKS!! A Little Bit of Everything and All That's Gluten Free 2015, OH, Forks! A Little Bit of Everything and All That's Gluten Free Cook Book 2014, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 0 Read more >

A Gluten Free Christmas!

OH, Forks!! A Little Bit of Everything and All That's Gluten Free ©2014

OH, Forks!! A Little Bit of Everything and All That’s Gluten Free ©2014

A Gluten Free Christmas!

Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah! I hope you got everything your heart desired! We have had a fabulous Christmas, although completely different than what we’re all use to!

It’s hard to believe that it’s almost New Year’s! I’m running towards that ball drop faster than ever this year. So many great things happened this year, some of them with your help and backing! I’m so thankful to have had created my SECOND cook book, and have it come to print. Thankfully, so far, there have only been a few things I’ve noticed were omitted in printing! Otherwise, I still think it’s a pretty damn great book!

Let’s talk about editing. I’ve paid for editors that have done horrid jobs. I’ve earned free editing services by huge companies, just to get shafted in the end. Because of the wasted money (that won’t happen again) I’ve decided to do things “my way” until I get my base created. I’m sure by now you’ve seen that I’m #allaboutthatbase. (That’s a hashtag I use regularly on social media.) What’s my “base?” It’s the next few publications I’m working on. Don’t worry, the few things I found as “errors” will have a blog page dedicated to them. One is just oven temperature, and the other is temperature and cook time! Coming soon!

2015 will bring book signings, and taste testing’s in different areas of the county. I’m excited to spread the word of gluten free eating in a simple, laid back sort of way. I would love to have more open dialect about how difficult it truly is to live a gluten free lifestyle in today’s world. Even more so living the paleo lifestyle, with children.

Isn’t it interesting to know that no human can digest gluten? Gluten is made to be indigestible by us. Did you know that? Some people just have a strong enough system to tolerate it as it passes through. In any case, it is an inflammatory agent. Inflammatory agents DO interfere with your organs and body, just how depends on your immune system.

If you’re trying to go gluten free, you are gluten free, or you have thoughts on the topic, please feel free to inbox us, or comment! We hope your Christmas holiday was filled with love and traditions!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

December 25, 2014 OH, Forks! A Little Bit of Everything and All That's Gluten Free Cook Book 2014, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 0 Read more >

OH, FORKS!! Here Come the Holidays!! Holiday Packages and Big Order Discount Info Inside!

OH, Forks!! A Little Bit of Everything and All That's Gluten Free ©2014

OH, Forks!! A Little Bit of Everything and All That’s Gluten Free ©2014

OH, FORKS!! Here Come the Holidays!! Holiday Packages and Big Order Discount Info Inside!

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By now you’ve surely heard that our new gluten free cook book, OH, Forks!! A Little Bit of Everything and All That’s Gluten Free is for sale!! Our cook books feature heavy, wipe-able pages (over 200 of them!) made from 100% recycled paper! We have pictures, simple directions, awesome nutrition labels, and an index that keeps everything fancy, and easy to find!

Ingredient flexibility! Our recipes are simple, and ingredients can be found at your normal grocery shopping locations. (We frequented Meijer, Kroger, WalMart. Now adding in Fresh Market, too.) For example, if you’re not gluten free, simply swap your tradition flour for the GF variety on the recipe. Or, if there’s a dairy cheese listed, swap to vegan cheese. No eggs? Egg free scrambles can be used, too. There are MANY ways to make these recipes dairy free, vegan, or geared around your allergy or autoimmune disease. Questions? Just inbox us, or send us a message on Facebook!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

For anyone interested in giving these fabulous cook book’s as gifts for the holidays, I will be offering a Holiday Package. For $35, the package includes one signed OH, Forks!! Cook book, 4 recipe cards, and one fridge magnet, wrapped, and shipped. (Or delivered, if you’re close.)

If you’re not interested in the package, but will need 4 or more cook books, please message me to find out about special discounts for bigger orders!!

And remember, proceeds from these book sales are going to Riley Children’s Hospital, and the Scleroderma Foundation!! Happy Holiday Season to You!!

November 16, 2014 OH, Forks! A Little Bit of Everything and All That's Gluten Free Cook Book 2014, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 1 Read more >

OH, FORKS!! A Little Bit of Everything and All That’s Gluten Free Cook Book is HERE!!!

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OH, FORKS!! A Little bit of Everything and All That’s Gluten Free Cook Book Is HERE!!

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I’m so excited to say, it’s here!! After years, and months of planning, fund finding, and correcting issues…I’ve finally gotten my hands on my first prints of the cook book, and they are selling, selling, selling! I even took my books to my first author event at our local library (Allen County Public Library) this past weekend. We were the ONLY gluten free cook book there, and we talked to many, many people about so many things related to gluten and dietary issues.

Many have asked about the formats of the books, and how you can buy them. I had hardbacks printed ONLY for backers, for now. Eventually, hardbacks will be available for anyone to buy, but they will be more than the coil books. The coil copies are available now, and weigh approximately 1.5 pounds each! For a book, that’s heavy! The pages are thick, 100% recycled materials, and are you can wipe them off if they have drips or spills! There are over 105 recipes, and over 200 pages.

To order these books, one would simply need to message either Gluten Free for Me via web page, or Facebook page, Author Skye Falcon via Facebook or web page email, or inbox my personal page, if you’re one of the few who can. (Insert raised eyebrow smiley face here) Coil copies are available for $30 each, plus tax and shipping if it needs shipped. One can pay via PayPal invoice which is emailed to you, Square marketplace (card reader), or by sending check or money order in the mail.

I am currently working on the e-book format of OH, FORKS!! And also a few smaller e-books that will be connected to the OH, FORKS!! Series of books. At this point, I am hopeful to have this done in the beginning of 2015. (I really, REALLY want and need to push a few hundred thousand words out to print, first. My poor, poor brain this past year….now things will settle, and my fingers will resume their typing fury.)

Print books should be available on Amazon soon, too. In the meantime, if you’ve gotten a copy of OH, FORKS!! Please send us your review! Share recipes made from the cook book with the hashtag #OHFORKS. Thank you SO MUCH for supporting me, and helping me out with the OH, FORKS campaign!

 

PS. Look for this blog to be back on track, and posting regularly again soon!!! Thank you for your patience!

November 10, 2014 OH, Forks! A Little Bit of Everything and All That's Gluten Free Cook Book 2014, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 0 Read more >

Mary, Mary Quite Contrary… How does Your Garden Grow?

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Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary… How does Your Garden Grow?

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Today was my first day back in my garden after nearly two weeks of knocking on Heaven’s door. (Yes, I think it’s a fabulous reference to my illnesses!) The garden beds are all exploding, and we picked our first basket full of green beans, and some peppers today. The sunflower heads are finally blossoming, and I cannot wait to see how big they get, as Darling #1 is really hoping for some awards! There are more tomatoes than I can count, so in a week or two, I’ll be canning like a mad woman again.

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Good news? Yes, there’s a bit. I’m on my way of getting past this last bout of illness, AND I’ve secured the first ISBN numbers for the Oh, Forks! Cook book coming to you in the next few months. I’ve also decided on my method of financial backing for this adventure, too. Just this week, a man was in the news for starting a $10 Kickstarter fund for potato salad. He got his ten dollars, and then $40k more! For potato salad! I’m planning to utilize this feature for a publishing push, in that, I’ll already have the book done. These funds will allow me to pre-print book copies to have on hand to sell! Much easier, and this also allows for the most professional “packaging” for the cook book, as well. If I can get these funds, I’ll also be beginning a campaign with the cook book that gives $1 from each book sale to the Scleroderma Foundation!!! I’m excited about the future plans for the cook book, and can’t wait to make those announcements closer to publication!

Bad news? Yeah, there’s always some floating closely behind me. Many of you know of the circumstances and situations my family is currently facing with my Grandma. On top of that, I’m planning an upcoming Riley trip, we’re dealing with ridiculously immature situations with an employer—due to their anger with others, and illnesses, work, medical bills, and about 500 other things all happening at the same time. I don’t do stress well anymore. Not that I can’t handle it, but my body refuses to. I’m doing my best to slow myself down a bit, without stopping any of the projects I’ve got. SO, my hopes for an August release may be a little overzealous….. but it won’t be too much longer, I swear!!!

Thanks for your patience! Thanks for your support!

July 10, 2014 OH, Forks! A Little Bit of Everything and All That's Gluten Free Cook Book 2014, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 0 Read more >

GF4M: Nutrition Label Hell

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GF4M: Nutrition Label Hell

Now that I’m officially on fire with this new nutrition label program, the perfectionism has stepped in. I think I’ve said before that novel writing is MUCH easier than cook book design! I’m still averaging about an hour per recipe in BOTH programs! Doing the math, that’s only equaled one recipe per night! DISLIKE! Because there HAS to be a better way, I’ve spent the last few days testing out new methods, new ways of creating the most output, with the least input? Bah. I’m losing my mind in calorie counts, and potassium percentages…

I love cooking. I love making super healthy, fresh ingredient food things. I also like to write books, and the stress of the cook book is making me get side-tracked on the novel!! No matter how hard I try to focus on one major project at a time, it never works out that way! I do better with more stress, and pressure, I think. As you can tell, this morning, I’m full of rambling words, well, anything to avoid doing nutrition labels this early in the morning! 🙂

As with my years of learning the gluten free eating style, of course, I’m nowhere near perfect. Sometimes it’s just….inevitable. And like in this YouTube movie….the pressures at times are just too great! Check out this short video, One More Grain by Michael Bihovsky, and get a good morning laugh!

Thanks again for your patience! It won’t be too much longer now!!! Skye Falcon’s Gluten Free for Me #1 will be completed soon! Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook for lots of new recipes, pictures, and more!

June 10, 2014 OH, Forks! A Little Bit of Everything and All That's Gluten Free Cook Book 2014, , , , , , , , , , , , 0 Read more >

14 Things We HATE About being Gluten Free

10 Things 14 Things We Hate About being Gluten Free

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I’m at that point in my gluten free living, where if I hear ONE MORE TIME that I’m doing this as part of a trend, I just may throat punch the person who said it. It’s just going to be one of my new involuntary body actions that happens when confronted with ignorant and stupid. On the flip side of things, while I haven’t indulged in some of my favorite foods for YEARS….the mere sight of them has brought me to tears more times than I would like to admit in the last months. So, here’s my silly little list. (Some of you will truly understand, and agree with many!!) If YOU are gluten free, and have anything to add to my list, please comment with your addition!!

#1- No “fast” snacks are available ANYWHERE while you’re out and about. I know, I know…I could pack my snacks. And I do. But seriously, how freaking easy is it to run into the Marathon station and grab a protein bar and a smoothie? Or a bag of chips? Or cookies? You see where I’m going here. Thankfully, the Meijer gas stations have fruit for these quick snack runs. (But still, where is the excitement in an apple?!)

#2- “Mandatory” dinners with no choice, or gluten free options. Whether it’s a business luncheon, event, or family gathering….it always seems to be an issue. Even if we just quietly sit back, and avoid the foods we can’t eat. Never fails that someone feels that they need to point it out, and push the issue. It’s one thing at business meetings, but a whole other when it’s a family gathering. Shouldn’t family know, ask, or at least pretend to care? Especially when it’s a medical situation, not a diet fad?

#3- Grocery shopping with label reading. I read people complain about taking their kids to the grocery store ALL THE TIME. I laugh at you, people. Try taking your kids, toddler ages even, to the store where you have to pick up EVERY product to check it’s label. In every isle. For EVERY ITEM on your list. Every hour long trip suddenly turns into a three hour tour. That’s how it goes for the new diagnosed Celiac sufferers for the first 6-8 months of the solid diet. Until we’ve managed to memorize the labels. So, have patience with your kids, and be happy you don’t have to label read.

#4- Dinner’s are no longer “quick.” For this one, I’m not really unhappy about. I LOVE COOKING. But, I do have a few gluten free friends who really dislike that they have to make everything from scratch. There are many gluten free products out there, folks…. But have you seen how unhealthy some of those foods are for you, when they leave the gluten out? Pay close attention to that…

#5- Driving can trigger the worst memories! Especially when passing places like McD’s, DQ, Subway, or even the Coney Stand. I cry passing Olive Garden, Casa’s, and Lee’s. Taco Bell and I had a hard divorce, but I’m happy to say I’ve been TB clean for almost one whole year.

#6- The pain of being accidentally “glutened.” It’s often done accidentally. Most of the time by a friend or family member who tried really hard to make something for you, but didn’t realize that even spices can have gluten in them. Those times, it’s okay. We understand, and are thankful that you try for us. However, when someone labels things “gluten free” purposely knowing that there are gluten ingredients in them, and boldly LIES about it…. They are essentially trying to kill us, and we tend to go batshitcrazy for those instances. Some people still think that being gluten free is a simple fad. Many don’t understand that in some people, severe Celiac cases, gluten can lead to the body attacking itself to death. Just saying.

#7- “Oh wow! You really CAN’T eat much, can you?!” “Eating that causes all of THAT to happen to you?” “Are you sure?” Yes, we’re sure. Do you really think we’d go to the extremes going gluten free causes? DO you know that my daughter uses gluten free shampoo and conditioner to avoid body rashes? Even the slightest bits of gluten cause issue in the severe sufferers. This is not true for all individuals. And yes, our diets may be limited, but I promises we don’t need that much attention paid to how much we can’t eat. That only reminds us, and makes us not feel so happy.

#8- Pretending you’re not hungry anyway. This is what happens at those lunches, dinners, meetings, and parties where there just isn’t food. Happens at family gatherings, park play dates- everywhere. Most of the time this is no issue, until hunger strikes. Then, hopefully you’ve brought your snacks, or your family understands the gravity of finding you food you can eat, and fast. No one has time for blood sugar swings!

#9- “Yeah, she’s avoiding the food again, bet she’s anorexic.” THANKS, FAMILY! Yes, I recently heard this at a family event, while I then watched the person who said it “quietly” down a WHOLE GLASS of wine without thought. (Couldn’t help but chuckle at that one….ohh, the irony…) No, jerk…I don’t have an eating disorder, but for the fabulous hereditary autoimmune diseases unwillingly passed to me before my birth that I had no control over. Thanks for making me feel special, though.

#10- No kissin’! Did you know that make out sessions can causes gluten sufferers to flare? That’s right. If our partners eat something riddled with gluten, and we’re too quick to lock lips after, we can be prepared for mouth rashes, and possible stomach upset by the time it all sinks in. SUCK.

#11- Hangry. I love food. I’ve always loved food. When I was younger, I ate 3 or 4 dinners. As a skinny swimmer, I burned it off quickly. Nowadays, my food choices and calorie intake can be tricky. Making sure I get enough calories can often be a problem, actually. So, often, after eating lunch….an hour later I’m starving, and have the angry-hangry’s. This happens to many people in my “Gluten groups,” too…so I thought I’d add it in.

#12- Nightmares of bread. Not gonna lie, I miss bread. I miss slathering on butter, and eating it at every meal. Okay, not EVERY meal…. Some of my worst nightmares, I’ve woken up covering my mouth, hoping to Jesus that I didn’t just eat the 3 feet of subs like I had just dreamt. Or eating the bag of cookies in a sleepy stupor at midnight. Ugh.

#13- The Fakers! Yes, to you, those diet fad-er. The ones who don’t even know what gluten is, or what it does in the body…..but that swear by their “gluten free” diet during the day. Then post pictures of their beer binges over the weekend, in cans that WE all know are clearly not gluten free. We’re on to you, but because we’re too busy label reading, we’ll just ignore your insanity, and move on.

#14- Inevitably cheating, and immediately regretting it. This happens in stressful times. This happens on Mondays. Tuesdays. Wednesdays. Thurs- I Think you get it. It happens more when you’re first starting on being gluten free, and those times it can be more “accidental.” But, like me, years in to eating this way….I absolutely know if I’m doing the wrong thing, and I absolutely know what’s going to be coming sometimes only an hour or so after my indiscretion.

Thanks for reading! Needed a little break from cook book designing!! 😉

 

 

May 15, 2014 Gluten Free Humor. (Because what else can you do but laugh?), , , , , , , , , , , 0 Read more >