Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

If You Have A "blended Kitchen"

Beth in NC

By Beth in NC
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

Beth in NC Contributor
Beth in NC
Posted

I would love to have a 100% gluten-free kitchen, but I have compromised to have a kitchen cart beside the table in the breakfast nook. That cart and that table is the only place the gluten should be. BUT...I feel like it migrating! Obviously, if the dishwasher is clean and still needs emtpying, my son can't put his dish in there, so it has gone on the counter. I have said in the past to put it in the sink and I would just consider the sink a "contamination" zone. But I'm wondering about when I have a few dishes to wash up...some had gluten on them. Do you have a system for cleaning up? Do you wear those icky gloves? I'm just feeling like the way I used to clean my kitchen isn't enough now. I usually take the cloth I washed dishes with and wipe down the counters. What if the cloth is now contaminated?

My brain hurts from trying to figure this all out!

Don't tell me to make everyone else eat my stuff. We ARE going to be blended right now, so I need to learn the best way to deal with it.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


samcarter Contributor
samcarter
Posted

I have a blended kitchen, and am still figuring out systems.

One tip that has helped me a lot: If i'm making two versions of something, one glutenous and gluten-free, i make the gluten-free version first, and then the non-gluten-free version. That way I'm not cleaning everything, every cooking utensil, et cetera, in the middle of the process.

I think for the dishcloths--and I'm going to start doing this--use a different color for gluten-wiping stuff, and then toss those immediately into the laundry pile when you're done with them. Just use them once for a gluten-wipe down. Have different cloths for washing gluten-free stuff up. OR use paper towels to clean up gluten and crumbs, then you can throw them out and wash your hands.

I would think that while you're washing dishes, you're washing the gluten off your hands at the same time. I wash my hands after handling bread and gluten, always.

Maybe make it your son's job to empty the dishwasher? ;) Or have him wash his own dishes, unless you think he won't do a very good job.

Beth in NC Contributor
Beth in NC
Posted
  • Author

The only thing that gets "cooked" that contains gluten would be a Stouffer's frozen something or other. Goes in the microwave and then the dish gets chunked. Their plates are easy enough to get in the dishwasher. They eat cereal too. Maybe I should get disposibles for them! Then their bowls, etc get pitched! I need to just be better at cleaning up the kitchen after meals, but I still feel like cr@p, so I procrastinate. I might consider some disposable bowls though...he tends to leave that remnant amount of icky milk in the bowl on the counter. If it's in a disposable bowl, he'll have to either drink the milk or dump it down the drain...which leads to...how often do you scrub out the sink? What method do you use?

I think I should have gotten a neat freak gene...would have made this easier. B)

Juliebove Rising Star
Juliebove
Posted

My daughter is the only one who can't have gluten. At first we got rid of it all. But that wasn't realistic. I buy bread for myself and husband. We make sandwiches and toast in our own toaster. I sometimes buy crackers or pretzels for myself. We have gluten containing cereal. Husband gets some prepared foods like meatloaf, sandwiches and pizza. I try to buy as much as I can already prepared, but I have additional allergies so I can't just go buy a sandwich somewhere because I am allergic to most of the bread.

What I do to solve the plate problem is use paper plates and bowls and plastic flatware. These are used for any gluten containing items. Actually for *most* of our food because husband was spreading allergens everwhere. Daughter and I are both allergic to eggs and he was cooking eggs in my Corelle bowls in the microwave with no added fat. The egg would weld to the bowl and I had to scrub forever to get it off. So I suggested the paper bowls.

MNBeth Explorer
MNBeth
Posted

We keep a limited-gluten kitchen - no gluten flours, but gluten cereal and sometimes burger buns. No one in my family was big into sandwiches even before, so the bread hasn't been a big loss for anyone around here.

I have very strict rules about how the gluten items are to be handled in our kitchen, and my husband and 3 non-GI kids have been very cooperative. If we're having burgers, they'll get everything else before they touch their bun, then wash their hands as soon as they're done. Things like that.

I don't worry about mixing dirty dishes, or having gluten dishes on the counter by the sink. I don't actually worry too much about the dishcloths, either. All the dishes that get washed get rinsed last, so even if there was gluten on the dishcloth, I'm not persuaded that it's going to be on a dish after it's rinsed. As for counters, since we don't generally eat food directly off the counters, and I never prep food in the area right next to the sink anyway, I'm not afraid to let a glutened dish touch that area. I wipe it up and move on. Same w/ the kitchen table - the only other area in the kitchen where gluten food or dishes go. I'm just not persuaded that minute traces of gluten possibly left by the dishcloth on the counter or table are going to somehow end up in my food.

To some that will seem lax. To my extended family - even the other gluten intolerants in it - I'm over-the-top fastidious. We're all on the spectrum somewhere. ;)

Chrissyb Enthusiast
Chrissyb
Posted

Beth, I guess I am on the same line you are. I am the only one in the family the it gluten free. My son and husband have their one bread, creal and snacks as do I and the two shall never meet. All the main meals we eat together are gluten free. As for the counter tops and dishes I an not to considerd with so far they have not been a problem. My family is good about cleaning up their own dishes for the most part when they make as mess, so far so good.

Rya Newbie
Rya
Posted

Disposables are a fantastic idea - then you wouldn't have to worry about the sink or dishes you use!!!! :D

The president of the celiac group here in houston told me she uses regular old 409 to clean. Can't endorse it one way or another. Wiping the counter with paper towels might be less worry than a sponge...

Rya

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


LuvMoosic4life Collaborator
LuvMoosic4life
Posted

I'm moving back to my apt. at school this weekend. Unlike last semester I have a roomate this semester so I planned ahead. Obviously it will be impossible for me to have a gluten free kitchen so I am bringing a plasic storage container for all my food and keeping it out of the way. As far as pots and pans/silverware ect.. I'm using my own and washing it immediatly after I am done using it with my own sponge that will also be out of the way of all the gluten foods. I'm keeping a few plates, bowls and silverware for myself to use in a plastic container also. I think as long as I wash my hands before I eat and dont clean my roomate's gluten dishes I will be O.K. It will suck b/c a lot of times I'm in a hurry and leave stuff in the sink, wah it later... that is one thing I wont be able to do anymore with sharing a sink. On the positive side, I have a good excuse NOT to wash my roomates dishes!!! And she definitly doesnt have to worry about me eating her food. I'll just have to make sure she doesnt use my mayo/butter, I'll definitly be sharpie-ing it "gluten-free" haha- you never know who may just stop by and use something of mine <_<

purple Community Regular
purple
Posted
I'm moving back to my apt. at school this weekend. Unlike last semester I have a roomate this semester so I planned ahead. Obviously it will be impossible for me to have a gluten free kitchen so I am bringing a plasic storage container for all my food and keeping it out of the way. As far as pots and pans/silverware ect.. I'm using my own and washing it immediatly after I am done using it with my own sponge that will also be out of the way of all the gluten foods. I'm keeping a few plates, bowls and silverware for myself to use in a plastic container also. I think as long as I wash my hands before I eat and dont clean my roomate's gluten dishes I will be O.K. It will suck b/c a lot of times I'm in a hurry and leave stuff in the sink, wah it later... that is one thing I wont be able to do anymore with sharing a sink. On the positive side, I have a good excuse NOT to wash my roomates dishes!!! And she definitly doesnt have to worry about me eating her food. I'll just have to make sure she doesnt use my mayo/butter, I'll definitly be sharpie-ing it "gluten-free" haha- you never know who may just stop by and use something of mine <_<

Could you put your dirty gluten-free dishes in a bag in your own dish pan/storage container, to protect them until you get back home to wash them after classes? My dd moved to an apt. and lives with a slob. She can't even make something b/c all the pans are in the sink and the dishes in the dish washer...dirty. :angry: I cook food for her and freeze it, then get it to her (over an hour drive) so all she has to do is microwave it. Its fun cooking for her but its not fair b/c I bought all the kitchen stuff and she can't use it. :angry: When her lease is up she WILL have a new roommate! 8 months to go :blink:

Kauk Rookie
Kauk
Posted

I dont worry about that too much............Should I be? I have my own toaster, next to theirs. I have my own butter and boxes of product that they know is JUST for me...but I rarely make stuff...I have gluten free toast in the am..

Should I not be making the kids sandwhiches with their bread and making sure he cleans up? (please say yes) hahahaha...;)

If he makes me pancakes, he makes mine THEN his after. I clean all dishes....

Never really worried about Cross contaminations....Ugh....Maybe I am not doing so good...

Juliebove Rising Star
Juliebove
Posted
I dont worry about that too much............Should I be? I have my own toaster, next to theirs. I have my own butter and boxes of product that they know is JUST for me...but I rarely make stuff...I have gluten free toast in the am..

Should I not be making the kids sandwhiches with their bread and making sure he cleans up? (please say yes) hahahaha...;)

If he makes me pancakes, he makes mine THEN his after. I clean all dishes....

Never really worried about Cross contaminations....Ugh....Maybe I am not doing so good...

If you are using the same pans for gluten and gluten free, that's not good! If he is making pancakes with wheat flour in your kitchen, he is spreading the gluten all around. If you are making sandwiches with regular bread, you are glutening yourself.

Kauk Rookie
Kauk
Posted

Humm..we he doesnt use the same pan, of course. He uses a whole new pan.

I guess have a talk with hubby and explain what and why I can't do these things anymore. Means him being more strick and careful. We have lysol wipes, I suggested he use them after he makes sandwhiches and if he and the kisd have em HE wash those dishes and wash the sick after welll UGH...I am sure he'll love that...

He asked about Gloves? Could I to make the kids sandwhiches?

Chrissyb Enthusiast
Chrissyb
Posted

I make my son and husband sandwhich and I don't seem to have a problem with it. I have my own mayo and butter but as far as touching regular bread no problem I just wash my hands after I am done. When making pancakes I only make gluten free that is the only flour I use any more.

munkee41182 Explorer
munkee41182
Posted

We pretty much are a gluten-free kitchen with the exception of our breads and pastas. We eat my snacks, my waffles, pancakes, bread crumbs etc. In the morning I make my lunch first then my fiance's. I have succumbed to being the only one who cooks when we decide to have pasta. The last time my fiance did...he used the pan I normally use for gluten-free pasta for his glutened pasta, and he cooked my pasta in the pan I use for his pasta. I told him he had to go out and buy me a new pan....he thought I was joking as i just went back on the gluten-free diet....but when he saw me printing out pans and their prices he knew I wasn't kidding. So he bought me a medium sized pan and put a tag around the end so he knows not to use it for his stuff. And for sandwiches, I ended up getting the squeeze bottled mayo so we don't double dip and also so I don't end up using about 6 knives when I need more butter or mayo on sandwiches, etc.

But I would definitely have him be more strict...you can't do this alone...and that's something you should tell him. I know the first time I broke down because of cross contamination I ended up telling my fiance that I can't do this alone.....and he started paying attention more, reading lables more, cleaning up more as well.

kbtoyssni Contributor
kbtoyssni
Posted
Humm..we he doesnt use the same pan, of course. He uses a whole new pan.

I guess have a talk with hubby and explain what and why I can't do these things anymore. Means him being more strick and careful. We have lysol wipes, I suggested he use them after he makes sandwhiches and if he and the kisd have em HE wash those dishes and wash the sick after welll UGH...I am sure he'll love that...

He asked about Gloves? Could I to make the kids sandwhiches?

Why not have the kids make their own sandwiches? If they're old enough, this could be a good chore for them to take over. Although that could result in a lot of scattered crumbs...

LuvMoosic4life Collaborator
LuvMoosic4life
Posted
Could you put your dirty gluten-free dishes in a bag in your own dish pan/storage container, to protect them until you get back home to wash them after classes? My dd moved to an apt. and lives with a slob. She can't even make something b/c all the pans are in the sink and the dishes in the dish washer...dirty. :angry: I cook food for her and freeze it, then get it to her (over an hour drive) so all she has to do is microwave it. Its fun cooking for her but its not fair b/c I bought all the kitchen stuff and she can't use it. :angry: When her lease is up she WILL have a new roommate! 8 months to go :blink:

you know, I never though of that!!! thanks! so far my roomie is pretty clean with dishes, but I will definitly be doing that if there are dishes in the sink. She already took one of my spoons I brought with me here :angry: but oh well, it's just a spoon, I'll make sure to put it them away next time immediatly after washing......grr

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,546
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    KimberlyAnne76
    Newest Member
    KimberlyAnne76
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Beverage
      Diagnosed celiac for 1-2 months ago and everything makes me bloated.

      By Beverage · Posted

      I had a very rough month after diagnosis. No exaggeration, lost so much inflammatory weight, I looked like a bag of bones, underneath i had been literally starving to death. I did start feeling noticeably better after a month of very strict control of my kitchen and home. What are you eating for breakfast and lunch? I ignored my doc and ate oats, yes they were gluten free, but some brands are at the higher end of gluten free. Lots of celics can eat Bob's Red Mill gluten-free oats, but not me. I can now eat them, but they have to be grown and processed according to the "purity protocol" methods. I mail order them, Montana Gluten-Free brand. A food and symptoms and activities log can be helpful in tracking down issues. You might be totally aware, but I have to mention about the risk of airborne gluten. As the doc that diagnosed me warned . . Remember eyes, ears, nose, and mouth all lead to your stomach and intestines.  Are you getting any cross contamination? Airborne gluten? Any pets eating gluten (they eat it, lick themselves, you pet them...)? Any house remodeling? We live in an older home, always fixing something. I've gotten glutened from the dust from cutting into plaster walls, possibly also plywood (glues). The suggestions by many here on vitamin supplements also really helped me. I had some lingering allergies and asthma, which are now 99% gone. I was taking Albuterol inhaler every hour just to breathe, but thiamine in form of benfotiamine kicked that down to 1-2 times a day within a few days of starting it. Also, since cutting out inflammatory seed oils (canola, sunflower, grapeseed, etc) and cooking with real olive oil, avocado oil, ghee, and coconut oil, I have noticed even greater improvement overall and haven't used the inhaler in months! It takes time to weed out everything in your life that contains gluten, and it takes awhile to heal and rebuild your health. At first it's mentally exhausting, overwhelming, even obsessive, but it gets better and second nature.
    • Jsingh
      Protein or fat?

      By Jsingh · Posted

      Hi,  I care for my seven year old daughter with Celiac. After watching her for months, I have figured out that she has problem with two kinds of fats- animal fat and cooking oils. It basically makes her intestine sore enough that she feels spasms when she is upset. It only happens on days when she has eaten more fat than her usual every day diet. (Her usual diet has chia seeds, flaxseeds, and avocado/ pumpkin seeds for fat and an occasional chicken breast.) I stopped using cooking oils last year, and when I reintroduced eggs and dairy, both of which I had held off for a few months thinking it was an issue of the protein like some Celiac patients habe mentioned to be the case, she has reacted in the same fashion as she does with excess fats. So now I wonder if her reaction to dairy and eggs is not really because of protein but fat.   I don't really have a question, just wondering if anyone finds this familiar and if it gets better with time.  Thank you. 
    • Chanda Richard
      High Cost of Gluten-Free Foods

      By Chanda Richard · Posted

      Hello, My name is Chanda and you are not the only one that gose through the same things. I have found that what's easiest for me is finding a few meals each week that last. I have such severe reactions to gluten that it shuts my entire body down. I struggle everyday with i can't eat enough it feels like, when I eat more I lose more weight. Make sure that you look at medication, vitamins and shampoo and conditioner also. They have different things that are less expensive at Walmart. 
    • petitojou
      Frequent nausea after gluten-free diet

      By petitojou · Posted

      Thank you so much! I saw some tips around the forum to make a food diary and now that I know that the community also struggles with corn, egg and soy, the puzzle pieces came together! Just yesterday I tried eating eggs and yes, he’s guilty and charged. Those there are my 3 combo nausea troublemakers. I’m going to adjust my diet ☺️ Also thank you for the information about MCAS! I’m from South America and little it’s talked about it in here. It’s honestly such a game changer now for treatment and recovery. I know I’m free from SIBO and Candida since I’ve been tested for it, but I’m still going to make a endoscopy to test for H. Pylori and Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). Thank you again!! Have a blessed weekend 🤍
    • knitty kitty
      Unusual bright yellow but odourless discharge

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Yes, I, too, have osteoporosis from years of malabsorption, too.  Thiamine and magnesium are what keep the calcium in place in the bones.  If one is low in magnesium, boron, selenium, zinc, copper, and other trace minerals, ones bone heath can suffer.  We need more than just calcium and Vitamin D for strong bones.  Riboflavin B 2, Folate B 9 and Pyridoxine B 6 also contribute to bone formation and strength.   Have you had your thyroid checked?  The thyroid is important to bone health as well.  The thyroid uses lots of thiamine, so a poorly functioning thyroid will affect bone heath.  
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.