Need Some Help

[Mac55]

I'm just coming out of a pretty bad glutening. Last night I was finally able to function moderately after a few days. I can't attribute it to one thing in particular but I know I need to finish the kitchen changes.

This is what I've done so far, checked meds, vitamins and body products, just bought new pots, pans, colander and wooden spoons (this should get me through for now), meticulous about checking ingredients, I don't eat anywhere but home, kids are gluten-free too and I just started a food diary.

I've read many posts on here about cleaning kitchens and tried without much luck to research it externally. Do I need to be concerned about my silverware? What about my crock pot? If those are able to be cleaned, what's the best way to clean them? Soap and water and a clean scrubber? How about counters, door handles, etc.? My husband isn't gluten-free but is trying to be very careful. I just get concerned that if he eats something, then touches something, it's on there. What's the best way to clean these surfaces? I did read a blog post about cleaning peanut oils off of surfaces. She had read a study on it and it was saying that dish soap and water was one of the least effective ways to clean it.

In regards to my husband, he really doesn't eat gluten in the house much. When he does I ask him to wash his hands and be careful. The other thing I hadn't thought of until last night is he'll come home from work and have a couple of beers, which obviously have gluten in them. So, he has gluten on his lips, kisses me, gluten on my lips. What's the best way to get rid of that? Will brushing his teeth, including lips get it off? He did mention last night he'd be willing to consider switching to gluten-free beer. We'll see if that happens.

One other thought, I read so much that people's reactions get stronger as time goes on. Maybe this is what happened? I was honestly knocked on my butt to the point that the past few days are just a hazy blur. Last night, when I was feeling a little better, I even took someone else's shopping cart at the store. I looked down and was shocked. My purse and all my stuff was in the other one. I was SO embarrassed. Any help would be appreciated! I do have an appt set up for the Celiac Center at Beth Israel in Boston in 3 weeks. Looking forward to that!

[sa1937]

I'm sorry to hear about your glutening...I'm not yet gluten free but this will definitely be a concern for me as I so want to feel better. My advantage is that I live alone and can do an entire gluten free kitchen. I've had a blast buying some new things as some of mine are pretty ancient.

Is there any way that your husband will go completely gluten free so the entire family will be? It would make it so much easier. Do you have to cook separate meals or will he eat the gluten free pasta, etc. so you don't have to worry about it. Also what about condiments - peanut butter, jelly, mustard, mayo, butter, etc? Do you have your own or isn't that an issue?

Dr. Peter Green mentions in his book, Celiac Disease, a Hidden Epidemic that he is a strong believer in soap and water - "they may be the cheapest part of the gluten free diet". I highly recommend his book. I plan to give my kitchen a good scrubbing plus clean my oven and have replaced my colander, toaster, cutting boards, strainer, wooden spoons, bought some new non-stick cookware, etc., much as you have done already. I will also go through my entire pantry and donate any items that aren't "safe".

I am not going to replace my crock pots...they are in excellent condition (ceramic/pottery inserts) and are already clean and are not damaged in any way. Same goes for my CorningWare/Pyrex. My Calphalon hard anodized aluminum will be given a good scrubbing with a ScotchBrite pad and Comet cleanser (they're not nonstick and I have no intention of getting rid of hundreds of dollars worth of perfectly good cookware). I'm not concerned about my silverware as it is already clean.

I'm also concerned about the possiblity of cross contamination and that my sensitivies will get worse as time goes on.

[Wolicki]

I think one of the biggest issues is condiments and things in jars- if a gluteny knife has ever entered your PB jar, mark it contaminated and get your own that no one else will use. Same with butter, jelly, etc.

How about your toaster? Microwave? The toaster probably has to be replaced. Anything with a hard surface should be fine with a really good scrubbing.

As for the beer drinking husband, he'll have to either not kiss you or brush his teeth, wash his face and then rinse with Listerine or some other strong mouthwash.

[kareng]

I've read many posts on here about cleaning kitchens and tried without much luck to research it externally. Do I need to be concerned about my silverware? What about my crock pot? If those are able to be cleaned, what's the best way to clean them? Soap and water and a clean scrubber? How about counters, door handles, etc.? My husband isn't gluten-free but is trying to be very careful. I just get concerned that if he eats something, then touches something, it's on there. What's the best way to clean these surfaces? I did read a blog post about cleaning peanut oils off of surfaces. She had read a study on it and it was saying that dish soap and water was one of the least effective ways to clean it.

In regards to my husband, he really doesn't eat gluten in the house much. When he does I ask him to wash his hands and be careful. The other thing I hadn't thought of until last night is he'll come home from work and have a couple of beers, which obviously have gluten in them. So, he has gluten on his lips, kisses me, gluten on my lips. What's the best way to get rid of that? Will brushing his teeth, including lips get it off? He did mention last night he'd be willing to consider switching to gluten-free beer. We'll see if that happens.

My understanding is that if there are no little cracks or crevices, you can get them clean. Like glass or pyrex - you can scrub & there is no porous surface to stick in. Also, vinegar does a good job of "melting" or loosening food & flour in the crevices. Always used it to clean my mixer at the seams.

Husband - glutenous mouth means no kissy, no huggy - if you know what I mean. Men are very motivated by the promise of some lovin'.

[Mac55]

Thanks for your replies everyone! I just finished scrubbing some cabinets and drawers in the kitchen. Good advice all around on the replies. I had just thought about the microwave after reading a post last night. I haven't bought a new toaster yet, dumb, I know. It's not shared, at the moment, but I know there's residual gluten from the past in there. Any jars we have are gluten-free. Husband has his own butter. He eats gluten-free as long as I cook dinner. He doesn't mind it for the most part. I think he's cooked his own pasta once here. The main source of CC is from him bringing home take-out when I feel like junk and can't muster the energy to cook, pizza, subs, etc. I love the ideas of vinegar for cleaning and having him completely wash up. Just the advice I was looking for. I do recall seeing the book, Celiac Disease, a Hidden Epidemic, mentioned on a thread here. That will definitely be my next read! Thanks everyone!!!! I truly appreciate it.

[masterjen]

I have thrown out any plastic, and potentially porous utensils and containers. I've kept those that I've researched that can be sterilized/disinfected in the dishwasher, like glass and silverwear

[sa1937]

I need to go through all my misc. plasticware, too...have lots of odds and ends. Lately I've been picking up a lot of new ZipLoc containers in various sizes. I love how they stack in the freezer for soup, rice, pasta sauces, etc. The small ones are just the right size for spaghetti sauce by filling them about 3/4 full to allow room for expansion when frozen. Hopefully by getting rid of a lot of old stuff, it'll free up room in my cabinets for some of the newer and bulkier things I've been buying lately. I need to freeze things in single serving sizes for just me...nice when I don't feel like cooking.

Oh, I need to clean my microwave, too.