Staying at someone else's house?

[kam00096 1]

I'm getting myself completely stressed out so thought I'd see what folks thought. I tested positive for celiac about 3 months ago and went gluten-free soon after. I moved house around the same time so am pretty confident my kitchen is completely gluten free (I hadn't even used the new toaster and bought new cooking utensils etc).

Trouble is I'm house-sitting for my parents this weekend and just don't know what do about their kitchen. My dad has mobility and coordination issues and so the kitchen is a bit of a free for all as stuff gets spilled quite a lot. My mum kindly cleaned before she left and moved things aroundand out of the way, but there are still crumbs everywhere. And the utensils have been used to cook gluten containing food for years. Even if I avoid the obviously dodgy things like pans and wooden spoons I can't get anything else properly clean. I don't want to bring stuff from my house or buy new as it won't stay gluten-free. 

I've been feeling better overall recently and am completely terrified I'll have a severe reaction as I don't think I've been glutened yet and don't know how sensitive I am to cross-contamination. I'm phobic about throwing up so I'd really really rather not find out. 

I can cook some meals at my own house but I need to be here some of the time and I need to be able to make a frigging coffee without having a panic attack! 

[cyclinglady 1,429]

Well, wash the coffee pot and enjoy a cup of coffee in a clean cup!  

When I first visited my parents post dx,  I purchased a plastic bin and put a few gluten-free utensils, non-stick frying pan, cutting board (or use paper plate), parchment paper, collendar and toaster bags (Amazon.com) and stuffed it in a closet where no one can accidentally use it.  I do not leave my stuff in the kitchen.  I mark with gluten-free too.   It's a good long term investment, and since it's not used all the time, it's cheap goods.   I wipe the counter and place down a paper towel when preparing my food.  I use my parent's pots as they are stainless and go through the dishwasher.  I keep my gluten-free food up high in their pantry.   I get squeeze bottles of condiments.  I also shop for safe gluten-free food.  My parents try to read labels, but are not always successful.  

Keep your hands out of your mouth and wash them before eating! 

You will be fine!  Plenty of folks live in shared homes.  

Edited June 3, 2016 by cyclinglady

[kam00096 1]

 

Well, wash the coffee pot and enjoy a cup of coffee in a clean cup!  

When I first visited my parents post dx,  I purchased a plastic bin and put a few gluten-free utensils, non-stick frying pan, cutting board (or use paper plate), parchment paper, collendar and toaster bags (Amazon.com) and stuffed it in a closet where no one can accidentally use it.  I do not leave my stuff in the kitchen.  I mark with gluten-free too.   It's a good long term investment, and since it's not used all the time, it's cheap goods.   I wipe the counter and place down a paper towel when preparing my food.  I use my parent's pots as they are stainless and go through the dishwasher.  I keep my gluten-free food up high in their pantry.   I get squeeze bottles of condiments.  I also shop for safe gluten-free food.  My parents try to read labels, but are not always successful.  

Keep your hands out of your mouth and wash them before eating! 

You will be fine!  Plenty of folks live in shared homes.  

Thank you for replying so quickly. I'm going to do exactly this. I'll clean surfaces again in the morning and grab some cheap bits and pieces I can leave somewhere out of the way! I'm just feeling a bit overwhelmed (and hungry lol) tonight!

[cap6 89]

My elderly father has gluten from one end to the other.  I scrub on part of the counter, put my food items on paper towels, take my own dish (or use paper) and take easy to prepare or already prepared meals.  Good time to pull out those frozen left overs and take them with you.  I take hard boiled egg for breakfast, salad.....anything easy to transport.  I also put my food on paper towels in his refrig.  Not that anything is going to bother my container foods it just makes me feel better!