Family Vacation In Obx

[snapple]

Feeling a little nervous about vacation this year . We are going on our annual family vacation to the beach, but this will be the first time I will do it gluten-free. Have I mentioned I'm nervous? I am the only person who is gluten-free in my family, and although everyone has been understanding, I don't know how aware they are of CC and prep and just being careful and alert in the kitchen. I have already sent them a letter outlining the care that needs to be taken in a shared kitchen, but I am just...nervous. I realize that they will not do anything to harm me on purpose, I just don't want to be stuck in the bathroom for half of my beach time, or be bloated and gassy ('cause that is really pretty in a bathing suit

Anyway, my husband has heard all of my concerns over and over and I think I broke his ears! Just needed to get all of this off my chest. If anyone has any suggestions I would appreciate it. I am bringing my own food and toaster, all clearly labeled, and info for them to read if they are interested. I just hope they pay attention with the food and don't go on autopilot. Here's hoping!

Kate

[snapple]

OK, back from vacation. We had a good time, although this year was certainly not as relaxing as in the past. I had a slight reaction the first full day we were there, but it passed quickly and wasn't really too disruptive. I did have to watch my family a lot, and no one seemed too interested in reading any of my info...in their defense, it is vacation and who wants to learn at the beach? Anyway, I was really careful until the 2nd to last day when I was in the hot tub talking with my sister-in-laws and my dad and he wanted a taste of my yummy drink. We ended up sharing the drink, mostly b/c I didn't want to make waves (Dad has been a little hard to convince). Also, I had already had one drink and was feeling a little mellow...hey, I was on vacation! Anyway, I had a nasty reaction the next day and spend half of the day either in the bathroom or in bed. Not a fun way to end the week. It wasn't very easy, but it wasn't as bad as it could have been. The beach was beautiful, my husband was totally supportive and wonderful. I did have a mini breakdown (emotional, not food cheeting) in the middle of the week, but called my best celiac friend and she talked me through it.

I did take mostly all of my own food, ate very little of the community food, and was on constant vigilence against cc. Like I said, not a very relaxing week. I also learned that next year, I will keep all of my food in the seperate kitchenette in the basement (we will have the same house next year), will prepare it down there as well, and am even contemplating eating seperately from the rest of the family just to be on the safeside. On a very positive note, my husband and I made gluten-free lasagne for the whole group one night and everyone loved it! They couldn't believe the pasta was so good . Also, my sister-in-law who lives fairly close to us came by yesterday for a visit and told me that I made gluten-free eating look easy and effortless, and that I did a great job matching what everyone else was eating so that it wasn't noticable that I had different food.

Anyway, sorry this is so long but it felt like a long week, foodwise anyway. I do have to admit that I am glad to be back in my own kitchen!

Kate

[debmidge]

did you go out to eat at all?

[snapple]

did you go out to eat at all?

No, we didn't go out to eat this year. Although I did contact Sunset Grille in Duck before going on vacation and they told me that they have accomodated the gluten free diet before and that they would be happy to work with me if I decided to dine there. We did order in steamed crabs and shrimp! They were delicious. Even though they weren't MD crab, and the spices weren't Old Bay, we still had a good time pickin' crab!

Kate