Planning A Trip

[K8ling]

My husbands ENTIRE family is going to the beach this year, and naturally we are expected to go. I am freaking out about CC/bringing food/cookware/etc. Because none of his family knows anything about Gluten Sensitivity or avoiding CC. I know that there's one particular cousin that is going ot be a dick about it and insist that "only a little won't hurt".

I was planning on stopping at Whole Foods on the way and loading up on gluten-free breads/pastas/sauces/snacks and keeping them in my room...And I was thinking of bringing my own cutting board and cookie sheet?

I am so stressed out anyway that I would just as soon not even go, but I know husbands family is going to want to see him before the 9 month deployment. Also, it's a free beach vacation.

SO, all you veterans, are there any tips for 1)difficult family members 2)avoiding CC in a house where all plates/bakeware is provided and 3) not strangling anybody?

[ciavyn]

I travel several times a year. Here's what works for me:

I take whatever gluten free staples that can be eaten cold or microwaved: soups, packets of beans (check the mexican aisle) sandwiches, frozen gluten free meals, veggies, fruit, cheese, potatoes, sweet potatoes, etc. Whatever you enjoy. Make yourself some stuff a head of time if need be. Ignore difficult family members and eat only your own food if you have any doubt. Take your own salad dressing when you eat out. and enjoy it. You don't want to be stuck at home the entire summer, and yes, it is a risk...but you can do it successfully. Seafood is often safe, and frequently aplenty in vacation areas.

Good luck, and keep us posted!

[lynnelise]

Pick up some disposable plates, cups, and utensils. In an emergency your intestines are more important than the environment! Definately stock up on supplies at Whole Foods. Keep them in your room, away from the gluten stuff so you'll feel safer. Put foil down on the counters before prepping your food if there are CC concerns. Ignore the nasty cousin or just tell him to mind his own business! Take time to investigate area restaurants for gluten-free options! See if the town has a support group, if so they probably have a website with helpful hints and recommended stores and restaurants! Most of all have fun!

[celiac-mommy]

Slow.....Deep.....Breaths

We do this twice a year with my dad's family. My kids are the only ones who are gluten-free and they've never gotten sick. I plan out all of their meals and premake dishes the week before. I also buy a loaf of gluten-free bread, bring our own containers of condiments, cereal for quick breakfasts. All the women of the family plan ahead of time all of the meals so that we can all pitch in and contribute food, so I will plan the gluten-free meals accordingly to correspond. I will usually make a pot of pasta that they can eat on for a few days, snacks like LARA bars, trail mix, fruits and veggies. Breakfasts are the easiest with bacon and eggs, and since everyone else likes toast, we just put the toaster on a separate counter away from all the other food and designate 1 person to take care of that--keeps it contained. If we decide to to pancakes or waffles, I am in charge of those and they all love my recipe. The only extra gadgets I bring is my electric griddle and my Vitamix (but that's more for our drinks than anything ). I wash everything by hand that comes out of the drawers before I use it. I won't use cutting boards or strainers--BIG risk of cc.

I think you'll be totally fine! Just plan ahead a bit and you should have a fabulous time!!

[foodiegurl]

We have traveled and stayed at my family's beach house - who all eat gluten, but are not there when we go. however it will just be my husband, daughter and I, and we all eat gluten-free at home, so they don't mind eating gluten-free there..so we get there, and I clean the counters, handles, basically the entire kitchen. I bring my own pot, cutting board, dish soap, and some serving spoons.

I wash all plates and utensils from their drawers before I use them. And I definitely stock up on certain things before we get there, especially since things tend to be more expensive in vacation areas. And where we go to Hilton Head, there are not many gluten-free options in the grocery stores like there are in Chicago. We do a lot of grilling (I will put foil down), and I have actually learned that I enjoy cooking our meals better than going out to meals, and having to deal with the crowds, lines, leaving the beach at a certain time to get back to the house to take a shower to make a reservation. Our last trip we had so much fun just staying on our own and away from the expensive touristy restaurants.

good luck!

[StephanieGF]

Hey Anne, we go to hilton head every year too. You are right that they are not very Celiac aware down there. We bought fresh fish at a local fish hut and made it almost every night. It was so good!

I do the same things, bring your own cutting board (I also bring my own salad spinner, which can double as a strainer) and clean everything down. First thing I do when we get into our place is rewash the dishes, flatware and glasses we will be using. Bring as much of your own food as you can. Sometimes family members surprise us and are more supportive than you might think, hope for the best in that regard.

[butterfl8]

My thoughts? Make sure you have the unwavering support of your immediate family. Your husband's support will be the best help in dealing with less than supportive family. Mine has been a champion! Recruit as many others on your side to help with that difficult cousin also. There is much to be said for sticking up for yourself, which we all always do, but with difficult family, sometimes another family member can step in and intervene to difuse a rough situation.

Totally agree with bringing your own food, and even plates and flatware! Protect yourself! If you are comfortable with doing so, you can always just make a comment about being paranoid and just wanting to make sure you can be feeling well enough to enjoy everyone's company. (Inject as much sarcasm as fits your situation!) Can you tell I don't fit well with my family? Oh well!

Just make sure to do what you need to do so that you are comfortable enough to enjoy your vacation.

-Daisy

[K8ling]

My thoughts? Make sure you have the unwavering support of your immediate family. Your husband's support will be the best help in dealing with less than supportive family. Mine has been a champion! Recruit as many others on your side to help with that difficult cousin also. There is much to be said for sticking up for yourself, which we all always do, but with difficult family, sometimes another family member can step in and intervene to difuse a rough situation.

Totally agree with bringing your own food, and even plates and flatware! Protect yourself! If you are comfortable with doing so, you can always just make a comment about being paranoid and just wanting to make sure you can be feeling well enough to enjoy everyone's company. (Inject as much sarcasm as fits your situation!) Can you tell I don't fit well with my family? Oh well!

Just make sure to do what you need to do so that you are comfortable enough to enjoy your vacation.

-Daisy

Well luckily the rest of the family doesn't like him either so I will have some backup lol. I told hubs I would just bring paper everything so I don't have to deal with anything. He laughed but agreed there's probably worse tactics for dealing with it.

[ANGELWINGS]

My son has been gluten free since October 21, 2009 (diagnosed by biopsy & blood work). He's in 4th grade and I have worked VERY HARD to teach him how to deal with his condition. We are on the go a lot (busy @ home and we travel a lot). I purchased him a $25 sandwich press (it's the flat griddle kind) and we take it with us everywhere. I even bought an adapter so I can plug it into my truck if needed. I keep it ready in a picnic basket along with aluminum foil and cooking spray. We use the foil on it to minimize clean up. On the griddle, we can cook eggs, sausage, bacon, grilled chicken, burgers, croutons, grilled cheese, quesadillas. I found him yesterday reheating gluten-free chicken tenders I had prepared and frozen for him. He has always LOVED his food crispy and this little machine really does the trick. He is going off to camp this summer for a week and he will have to "fin for himself" for the week. The plan is Breakfast: Cereal w Bananas or an egg w/ instant grits (he will have the press and a microwave to work with). Lunch: pressed sandwich with Boars Head ham and cheese, Apple with a little nutella or an orange. Dinner will be frozen meals I will prepare for him labeled individually. The boys have a "pizza night" at camp which poses a little challenge (but we have a plan and still have time to practice before he leaves). HERE IS MY PLAN: We are going to practice "toasting" the pizza crust while warming the sauce in the microwave. When the crust is ready, top it with sauce and fresh cheese. Then bring the top down to hover over the pizza to finish melting the cheese. The sandwich presses come in different sizes to suit different needs. this has been a jewel for us so far.

[Reba32]

I would take my own dishes (as an amature environmentalist, I cringe at the thought of using disposable! I would definitely take re-usable picnic plastics!) and cookware, and I would dedicate a portion of the kitchen as entirely gluten free. With tape even if necessary!

As for dick head cousin, I'd take a copy or 2 of the Celiac brochure that tells about the damage that eating gluten can do to your intestines, the pain that it can cause, and the ongoing health problems. Then ask him if you get glutened if he would kindly accompany you to the ER.

[K8ling]

I would take my own dishes (as an amature environmentalist, I cringe at the thought of using disposable! I would definitely take re-usable picnic plastics!) and cookware, and I would dedicate a portion of the kitchen as entirely gluten free. With tape even if necessary!

As for dick head cousin, I'd take a copy or 2 of the Celiac brochure that tells about the damage that eating gluten can do to your intestines, the pain that it can cause, and the ongoing health problems. Then ask him if you get glutened if he would kindly accompany you to the ER.

Unfortunately we have limited space in the car on the way there so paper and plastic will have to work for us. I also don't have celiac (according to my last bloodwork anyway), just a severe gluten allergy. But I do get VERY sick if I eat it so I will use you "ER" line, it's a jewel.