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

Invited To A Pampered Chef Party


GlutenFreeManna

Recommended Posts

GlutenFreeManna Rising Star

Okay, this is a bit ironic since I just gave advice in another thread about how to go to parties and decline food. However I have been invited to a Pampered Chef party and I'm not sure how to handle it. I have been to one before and everything they had was gluteny. The problem is, I know the woman hosting it, but I don't know the sales rep. I'm also not comfotable eating food prepared by others even if it is something naturally gluten free--I'm sure the item used in demonstration will have been used for gluten stuff in the past. So I'm not going to ask for any gluten free food accomodation. But should I go? I do want some new bakeware (basic things I haven't replaced yet like bread pans and cookie sheets) and it would help my friend get some free things if I go and order some stuff I need anyway. But can I really go and decline every single thing they make in demonstration? I mean I know I CAN, lol, it just seems like it defeats the purpose of the party since I can't eat anything. Should I just look online and tell my friend what I want her to order for me so she gets credit? I'm a little bummed by not going and being social, but I'm also not sure if I can handle sitting through all the demonstrations knowing I can't eat anything and I can't make the recipes later at home. What would you do?


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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



celiac-mommy Collaborator

pick up some yummy takeout, go and have a great time!

GlutenFreeManna Rising Star

pick up some yummy takeout, go and have a great time!

Do you mean to eat at the party or just eat before I get there? I don't want to be too weird, but I guess there's no way around that....

tictax707 Apprentice

My vote is to go. The big picture is to get good stuff for you and to help your friend. Who cares if you do have to decline? Since you know the woman hosting it, you can ask her to put you in touch with the sales rep and talk to her about what is being prepared. I went to a pampered chef party earlier this year, fully expecting not to be able to eat anything, and it turns out the main dish was totally naturally gluten (and dairy!) free. Also, the way the party was run, all the attendees are supposed to get in and help prepare things. So I dove right in the middle of everything so I could be sure to keep an eye on it all. Get in touch with the rep to see what can be done, but it sounds like deep down you want to go and you don't want to let this celiac thing stop you. So, good for you! Have fun. :)

kareng Grand Master

For myself, I wouldn't go. It's a party that's all about food and buying food making equipment. I would order from the catalog if I wanted something. I might come after the food demos to personally order and have a drink. I don't need to torture myself watching and smelling the food I can't eat. A regular party is a bit dIfferent. You can keep away from the food or eat first or bring something.

GlutenFreeManna Rising Star

For myself, I wouldn't go. It's a party that's all about food and buying food making equipment. I would order from the catalog if I wanted something. I might come after the food demos to personally order and have a drink. I don't need to torture myself watching and smelling the food I can't eat. A regular party is a bit dIfferent. You can keep away from the food or eat first or bring something.

Thanks for your honest answer. This is what I am leaning towards. While I know the person hosting it's not like she's my best friend and I might only know one or two other women there. The point of this type of "party" is really the food and sales.

CarolinaKip Community Regular

Thanks for your honest answer. This is what I am leaning towards. While I know the person hosting it's not like she's my best friend and I might only know one or two other women there. The point of this type of "party" is really the food and sales.

Part of me would want to go, but for now I'm still feeling left out. I'm new to this and when I have to bring my food or do without when others are eating I feel left out. My entire grade level plus teachers made mini pizzas Friday at school. I felt so left out as everyone was eating : ( Plus I almost freaked being around so much gluten. I would want to be with everyone at the party, but would feel left out when I couldn't eat what was demo.


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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



kaki-clam Enthusiast

I would go!!! First off, I LOVE pampered chef!!! And the parties are sooo much fun..and the product is awesome! Second....people will understand your food allergies and won't make you feel weird for not eating. I would tell the person who invited you to advise the party rep before hand that you are gluten free....by doing so, the party rep won't make a big deal about you not eating. Also, if another guest asks why you are not eating, you can say something like...." sadly I am allergic to wheat and unable to partake in that delicious looking concoction that (insert name) just prepared. "

If this party is during one of your regular meal times, then bring something to eat, if not, you don't have to..sounds like you have some shopping to do, so while others are eating you can get your order ready, be the first one to submit and then you can leave....

Lastly....Pampered Chef does recognize the gluten free diet....the last party I went to was hosted by one of my good friends. She told the party rep that I was gluten free and the party rep made her food gluten free for me!! It was awesome!! Not only was I able to fully participate, but everyone at the party got a little lesson in food allergies as well as finding out that the gluten free diet is not a death sentence for good food!!

Emilushka Contributor

Make sure the party rep understands what gluten-free is, but then go! Have fun! Bring some food for yourself just in case.

Reba32 Rookie

I would go and just not eat anything. I hardly think if the host is a true friend that s/he would want you to get sick by eating foods you can't have! Go, have a good time, spend some money.

celiac-mommy Collaborator

Do you mean to eat at the party or just eat before I get there? I don't want to be too weird, but I guess there's no way around that....

To take with you to the party. This is what I do for my kids and I whenever there is a party of any kind. I don't expect anyone to cater to us--we all have food issues in our house :rolleyes:;)

mommida Enthusiast

I would go to get some of the kitchen gadgets. I love kitchen gadgets! Eating is not the main purpose of these parties it is showing the convenience of the products. Since going gluten free I do so much more cooking and baking at home. I do feel I deserve to have some "convenience tools".

I do like that odd two ended roller thing for spreading out gluten free dough. It is small enough to do the work inside a pie pan. (not that I have mastered gluten free pie.)

curlyfries Contributor

My concern would be the porous stoneware that she will probably use to cook the food. When I became gluten free I did a lot of searching and couldn't find anything that would convince me that my gluten-used stoneware would be safe.

I ended up getting rid of all my Pampered Chef stoneware because I just couldn't be certain there wouldn't be an issue of cc.

MelindaLee Contributor

Okay, this is a bit ironic since I just gave advice in another thread about how to go to parties and decline food. However I have been invited to a Pampered Chef party and I'm not sure how to handle it. I have been to one before and everything they had was gluteny. The problem is, I know the woman hosting it, but I don't know the sales rep. I'm also not comfotable eating food prepared by others even if it is something naturally gluten free--I'm sure the item used in demonstration will have been used for gluten stuff in the past. So I'm not going to ask for any gluten free food accomodation. But should I go? I do want some new bakeware (basic things I haven't replaced yet like bread pans and cookie sheets) and it would help my friend get some free things if I go and order some stuff I need anyway. But can I really go and decline every single thing they make in demonstration? I mean I know I CAN, lol, it just seems like it defeats the purpose of the party since I can't eat anything. Should I just look online and tell my friend what I want her to order for me so she gets credit? I'm a little bummed by not going and being social, but I'm also not sure if I can handle sitting through all the demonstrations knowing I can't eat anything and I can't make the recipes later at home. What would you do?

I would go. All the parties I have had and been at, the food is at the end when everyone is pouring over the catelog. No one will really notice if you eat, or not. I have went pre-gluten-free, and not ate anything as I was "trying to be good" on my diet (to lose weight). It really doesnt' seem to be much different to me. OR, you could offer to bring a treat to the party. There is always food that is not prepared as part of the demonstration, bring something that can be shared (and, if you have pampered chef products at home, and can use that in the dish...you can show off a bit of your skill as well :D )

MelindaLee Contributor

My concern would be the porous stoneware that she will probably use to cook the food. When I became gluten free I did a lot of searching and couldn't find anything that would convince me that my gluten-used stoneware would be safe.

I ended up getting rid of all my Pampered Chef stoneware because I just couldn't be certain there wouldn't be an issue of cc.

I have continued to use my stoneware, post gluten-free, with no issue. I also an not super sensitive, so consider that in making your choices.

Archived

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

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):





    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):




  • Recent Activity

    1. - knitty kitty replied to Jmartes71's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      10

      My only proof

    2. - NanceK replied to Jmartes71's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      10

      My only proof

    3. - knitty kitty replied to Hmart's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      13

      Is this celiac?

    4. - Trish G replied to Trish G's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      10

      Fiber Supplement

    5. - trents replied to Hmart's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      13

      Is this celiac?


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,363
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Julie Mitchell
    Newest Member
    Julie Mitchell
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • knitty kitty
      Hello, @NanceK, I'm glad you're willing to give Benfotiamine with B Complex another go!  I'm certain you'll feel much better.   Yes, supplementation is a good idea even if you're healing and gluten free.  The gluten free diet can be low in B vitamins and other nutrients. A nutritionist can help guide you to a nutrient dense diet, but food sensitivities and food preferences can limit choices.  I can't consume fish and shellfish due to the sulfa hypersensitivity and iodine content, and dairy is out as well.  I react to casein, the protein in dairy, as well as the iodine in dairy.  My Dermatitis Herpetiformis is aggravated by iodine.   Blood tests for B vitamin levels are notoriously inaccurate.  You can have deficiency symptoms before blood levels change to show a deficiency.  I had subclinical vitamin deficiencies for years which affected my health, leading to a slow downward spiral.  Because the B vitamins are water soluble, they are easily excreted in urine if not needed.  It's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.   Wheat and other gluten containing grain products have vitamins and minerals added to them to replace those nutrients lost in processing.  Manufacturers add cheap vitamins that our bodies don't absorb or utilize well.  Even normal people can suffer from vitamin deficiencies.  The rise in obesity can be caused by High Calorie Malnutrition, where people eat more carbohydrate calories but don't get sufficient thiamine and B vitamins to turn the calories into energy.  The calories are stored as fat in an effort to ration out diminishing thiamine  stores.    It's time to buy your own vitamins in forms like Benfotiamine that our bodies can use well.   Not sleeping well and fatigue are symptoms of Thiamine deficiency.   I'm certain Benfotiamine with a B Complex will help you immensely.  Just don't take them at night since B vitamins provide lots of energy, you can become too energetic to sleep.  Better to take them earlier in your day.   Do keep me posted on your progress!
    • NanceK
      Oh wow! Thanks for this information! I’m going to try the Benfotiamine again and will also add a B-complex to my supplements. Presently, I just take sublingual B12 (methylcobalomin). Is supplementation for celiacs always necessary even though you remain gluten-free and you’re healing as shown on endoscopy? I also take D3, mag glycinate, and try to get calcium through diet. I am trying to bump up my energy level because I don’t sleep very well and feel fatigued quite often. I’m now hopeful that adding the Benfotiamine and B-complex will help. I really appreciate your explanation and advice! Thanks again Knitty Kitty!
    • knitty kitty
      @Hmart, The reason why your intestinal damage was so severe, yet your tTg IgA was so minimal can be due to cutting back on gluten (and food in general) due to worsening symptoms.  The tTg IgA antibodies are made in the intestines.  While three grams of gluten per day for several weeks are enough to cause gastrointestinal symptoms, ten grams of gluten per day for for several weeks are required to provoke sufficient antibody production so that the antibodies move out of the intestines and into the blood stream where they can be measured in blood tests.  Since you reduced your gluten consumption before testing, the antibody production went down and did not leave the intestines, hence lower than expected tTg IgA.   Still having abdominal pain and other symptoms this far out is indicative of nutritional deficiencies.  With such a severely damaged small intestine, you are not absorbing sufficient nutrients, especially Thiamine Vitamin B 1, so your body us burning stored fat and even breaking down muscle to fuel your body.   Yes, it is a very good idea to supplement with vitamins and minerals during healing.  The eight essential B vitamins are water soluble and easily lost with diarrhea.  The B vitamins all work together interconnectedly, and should be supplemented together.  Taking vitamin supplements provides your body with greater opportunity to absorb them.  Thiamine and the other B vitamins cannot be stored for long, so they must be replenished every day.  Thiamine tends to become depleted first which leads to Gastrointestinal Beriberi, a condition that doctors frequently fail to recognize.  Symptoms of Gastrointestinal Beriberi are abdominal pain and nausea, but neuropathy can also occur, as well as body and joint pain, headaches and more.  Heart rhythm disruptions including tachycardia are classic symptoms of thiamine deficiency.  Heart attack patients are routinely administered thiamine now.   Blood tests for vitamins are notoriously inaccurate.  You can have "normal" blood levels, while tissues and organs are depleted.  Such is the case with Gastrointestinal Beriberi, a thiamine deficiency in the digestive tract.  Eating a diet high in carbohydrates, like rice, starches, and sugar, can further deplete thiamine.  The more carbohydrates one eats, the more thiamine is required per calorie to turn carbs into energy.  Burning stored fats require less thiamine, so in times of thiamine shortage, the body burns fat and muscles instead.  Muscle wasting is a classic symptoms of thiamine deficiency.  A high carbohydrate diet may also promote SIBO and/or Candida infection which can also add to symptoms.  Thiamine is required to keep SIBO and Candida in check.   Thiamine works with Pyridoxine B 6, so if Thiamine is low and can't interact with Pyridoxine, the unused B 6 accumulates and shows up as high.   Look into the Autoimmune Protocol diet.  Dr. Sarah Ballantyne is a Celiac herself.  Her book "The Paleo Approach" has been most helpful to me.  Following the AIP diet made a huge improvement in my symptoms.  Between the AIP diet and correcting nutritional deficiencies, I felt much better after a long struggle with not feeling well.   Do talk to your doctor about Gastrointestinal Beriberi.  Share the article linked below. Thiamine, gastrointestinal beriberi and acetylcholine signaling https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12014454/ Keep us posted on your progress!
    • Trish G
      Thanks, that's a great addition that I hadn't thought of. 
    • trents
      Other diseases, medical conditions, medications and even (for some people) some non-gluten foods can cause villous atrophy. There is also something called refractory celiac disease but it is pretty uncommon.
×
×
  • 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.