Going On A Retreat

[Chrissyb]

I am going on a Womens Retreat Weekend and I am a little nervous. I filled out a fourm letting them know that I can not have wheat, rye, barley oats, you know all gluten containing foods. Spelled out that I have Celiac Disease. Wheat and Gluten where on there list of food to check if you were allergic to I added rye, barley and oats to be on the safe side. All this being said there is still cc to be worried about, I paid for this retreat which includes meals so I do not want to have to take my own meals for Friday-Sunday. So my question is what should I take to be prepared just in case I should get zapped. I really don't want to spend the weekend suffering.

[ShayFL]

There is NO GUARANTEE that this will help you at all if you get some gluten, and a Celiac should NEVER use this in order to eat gluten on purpose, but you could buy some Glutenease or another similar product (there are several out there I just dont know the other products names). With this said, you could get sick. So if it were me, I would pack some dried fruit and nuts to keep in my purse if a meal looks suspicious or they cannot assure me that my meal is gluten-free. Also maybe take along some of those individual tuna's with the pop top so you could eat that with a salad. Maybe a handful of gluten-free bars like Lara bars or others to keep in your purse or pocket.

I know you paid for it and no one wants to waste money. But is getting sick worth it? It wouldnt be for me. I would want to actually enjoy the retreat.

[mamaw]

Hello

I would try to contact the person in charge or the place where the retreat is being held & speak directly to a live person & ask questions. I would take some snacky things but you don't want to take gluten-free expensive food if they have you covered. No use in wasting.

I think the good sign is that they up front was even asking about gluten issues. It's a step in the right direction.

If after you speak to some one & they don't make you feel safe I would ask if there is a place to store & keep fresh gluten-free food that you want to bring to feel safe. It may mean you must cook it yourself but still that beats getting ill...... and of course you still may get sick......

I hope you enjoy your retreat.

blessings

mamaw

[kbtoyssni]

Unless I had a chance to talk with the chef about what was being served and how they were going to take precautions to avoid CC, I would not eat the food beyond the obviously gluten-free stuff like apples and individually packaged chips and things like that. Depending on what type of retreat this is, you may have a proper chef who understands or it may be someone like the organizer of the retreat or volunteers cooking meals and in the latter case I wouldn't attempt to eat the food. Maybe you could ask if you can get a discount for not eating the food.

I go on a ski trip with friends and my one friend is fantastic about making a gluten-free dinner, but I ALWAYS make sure I have enough food with me just in case something goes wrong. I bring those Thai Kitchen "ramen" noodles that are easy to cook up, a few servings of frozen chili, some eggs that I can boil or scramble, some fruit, individual string cheeses, some cereal. Stuff that won't go back if I have to bring it home with me, but I like to know I've got it with me just in case. I do not want to get hungry!

[Mango04]

I agree with the idea of bringing all your own food. I've done it many times on weekend trips (it's not too hard if it's just a weekend). It might seem like a hassle but really beats getting sick.

[Chrissyb]

Thank you all for your suggestions, I will call the retreat center today. To answer you question it is a womens church retreat with aprox. 200 women. If it is like others I have been on I know I will not be allowed to use the kitchen to cook my own food so we will see what happens.

[Blessings]

I just went to one day of our ladies retreat. I brought AMY's frozen dinners and lots of snacks. This is the first time I didn't feel left out since diagnosed in March. Bring fruit snickers cips I even had 1/2 a piece of Cheesecake factory Godiva cheesecake. Find something for all your taste buds needs. The only thing they had that I could eat was m&ms. The retreat facility was wonderfuol to put my stuff in the fridge and freezer. I cooked my lunch and the cook actually cooked my dinner and brought it out. He also made a baked potato wich I declined. It was easier to stick to my plan. I have been in tears so many times since March over church functions, bbqs and picnics. This was the first no tear event. From this site I learned plan and prepare. It will help.

Have lots of fun.

God bless,

Vicky

[Blessings]

Chrissy

Are you going to Women of Faith in Denver? I am taking my daughter. I finally decided today that I was going to try it. I'll bring my own food and snacks. Have fun on your trip!

God Bless,

Vicky