More Thanksgiving Blues

[T.H.]

Myself and my 2 kids are celiacs, my daughter and myself of the extremely sensitive variety. This year, I knew I had to make everything for us, as it's just too easy to get both of us ill otherwise. The house we're at has 2 kitchens, one well removed from the other, and I thought this would be great. I brought my own cookware, I brought our food, and I got up early and cooked like a madwoman. I made duck and mashed potatoes and veggies and 2 gluten free pies for the kids. Made myself my first attempt at a gluten-free pie ever - crustless sweet potato pie - and the meat and quinoa that I can have.

I had to cook right up until the food was served, so I missed all the camaraderie going on in the rest of the house. I did nothing but lick the spoon I'd used to put the pie in the pan and it made me sick immediately. I was at least hoping the kids would enjoy their food, and instead, they sat at the table and watched people eating 3 kinds of stuffing and 2 different turkeys and ham and breads and cheese...you could just see them wishing terribly that they got to have all these different foods too instead of their limited choices. I felt like I was watching some urchin on the street stare through the window at the bounty they can never have.

But we made it through. I finished my main meal, and within about 10 minutes, I'm sick for the second time today! Currently sitting alone in our room, feeling dizzy and like I have the flu, and so darned depressed about it all. Dang it. I could have made myself sick with a LOT less effort.

So just...venting, I suppose. I had such high hopes this year. The first Thanksgiving in 21 years where I would be completely well, and we'd have great food that we spent so much time and effort on, and it's just down the tubes.

Okay, no, not just venting...I have a question for you celiac veterans. How do you keep your spirits up after something like this? I'm sure it's happened to you before, where you had a big day planned, an important event, and you get gluten sick. Maybe it's just my usual gluten downer moment, but I honestly feel like just flopping on the bed and crying right now. If anyone has something they do to cheer themselves up at this moment, I would really, really love to hear it!

[Sweetea888]

I have had days like this; I couldn't have any wedding cake at my daughter's wedding and, at my niece's wedding, and at the rehearsal dinner and other events on the previous days, I couldn't eat anything but lettuce...although I'd tried to tell my sister that I needed special food. It has gotten better for me as more and more places and people have gluten free food or at least understand that I'm not being picky. I guess it would be a lot harder if I had to worry about feeding kids. So sorry you had a bad time, but I guess I would focus on the fact that you are obviously blessed with friends and family and that many are alone today. Keep your chin up...and just focus on the fact that you are keeping yourself and your kids healthier.

Myself and my 2 kids are celiacs, my daughter and myself of the extremely sensitive variety. This year, I knew I had to make everything for us, as it's just too easy to get both of us ill otherwise. The house we're at has 2 kitchens, one well removed from the other, and I thought this would be great. I brought my own cookware, I brought our food, and I got up early and cooked like a madwoman. I made duck and mashed potatoes and veggies and 2 gluten free pies for the kids. Made myself my first attempt at a gluten-free pie ever - crustless sweet potato pie - and the meat and quinoa that I can have.

I had to cook right up until the food was served, so I missed all the camaraderie going on in the rest of the house. I did nothing but lick the spoon I'd used to put the pie in the pan and it made me sick immediately. I was at least hoping the kids would enjoy their food, and instead, they sat at the table and watched people eating 3 kinds of stuffing and 2 different turkeys and ham and breads and cheese...you could just see them wishing terribly that they got to have all these different foods too instead of their limited choices. I felt like I was watching some urchin on the street stare through the window at the bounty they can never have.

But we made it through. I finished my main meal, and within about 10 minutes, I'm sick for the second time today! Currently sitting alone in our room, feeling dizzy and like I have the flu, and so darned depressed about it all. Dang it. I could have made myself sick with a LOT less effort.

So just...venting, I suppose. I had such high hopes this year. The first Thanksgiving in 21 years where I would be completely well, and we'd have great food that we spent so much time and effort on, and it's just down the tubes.

Okay, no, not just venting...I have a question for you celiac veterans. How do you keep your spirits up after something like this? I'm sure it's happened to you before, where you had a big day planned, an important event, and you get gluten sick. Maybe it's just my usual gluten downer moment, but I honestly feel like just flopping on the bed and crying right now. If anyone has something they do to cheer themselves up at this moment, I would really, really love to hear it!

[CeliacMom2008]

I'm not sure what I can say to actually cheer you up...does a deep GOBBLE! GOBBLE! do anything for ya??

I can tell you that tomorrow will be a better day...and you will have a wonderful holiday...maybe not this one, today, but you'll get one. Next time, for the kids try making them something really yummy and sugar filled that you wouldn't normally serve them - especially for dinner. That should take care of the sad looks!

Are you going to be home for Christmas morning? If so, I have an amazing recipe for cinnamon rolls - NO ONE would ever be able to identify them as gluten-free. I make them up until the baking part Christmas Eve afternoon. Then I put them in the fridge until Christmas morning. I pop them in the oven while we open presents. Add scrambled eggs, bacon or ham, fresh fruit salad and you have a great Christmas morning brunch. Maybe that could be your wonderful holiday experience...

Hope you feel better soon! Try not to dwell on today's down moments and find some good...even if it's just something little...

Hugs!

[kareng]

Are you going to be home for Christmas morning? If so, I have an amazing recipe for cinnamon rolls - NO ONE would ever be able to identify them as gluten-free. I make them up until the baking part Christmas Eve afternoon. Then I put them in the fridge until Christmas morning. I pop them in the oven while we open presents. Add scrambled eggs, bacon or ham, fresh fruit salad and you have a great Christmas morning brunch. Maybe that could be your wonderful holiday experience...

Hugs!

Will you share your recipe? We usually have cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning but this year they would have to be gluten-free. My kids and hub will eat gluten-free.

[CeliacMom2008]

Here it is...DON'T BE INTIMIDATED BY IT! I put off making them for a long time becauce the recipe looked complicated. It's just explained in a lot of detail. They actually go together pretty easily. I only make them for holidays and special occasions - not because they're hard, but because they are very unhealthy! Just like a cinnamon roll should be! Sorry I can't give credit to the website I found it on...it was several years ago...

Cinammon Rolls

Makes 8 or 9 rolls

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons shortening (I used butter)

1/4 cup sugar

2/3 cup of warm milk

1 packet yeast (about 1 tablespoon)

1 egg

1/4 cup canola oil

1/2 cup potato starch

1 cup corn starch

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

2 1/2 teaspoons xantham gum

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

TO SPRINKLE PLASTIC WRAP

1 - 2 tablespoons sugar

FILLING (*see note)

1 cup brown sugar

1 1/4 teaspoons cinnamon

1/3 cup chopped nuts - optional

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Measure warm milk and add yeast to milk. Whisk well to fully dissolve. Allow to

[Yup]

I'm not sure what I can say to actually cheer you up...does a deep GOBBLE! GOBBLE! do anything for ya??

I can tell you that tomorrow will be a better day...and you will have a wonderful holiday...maybe not this one, today, but you'll get one. Next time, for the kids try making them something really yummy and sugar filled that you wouldn't normally serve them - especially for dinner. That should take care of the sad looks!

Are you going to be home for Christmas morning? If so, I have an amazing recipe for cinnamon rolls - NO ONE would ever be able to identify them as gluten-free. I make them up until the baking part Christmas Eve afternoon. Then I put them in the fridge until Christmas morning. I pop them in the oven while we open presents. Add scrambled eggs, bacon or ham, fresh fruit salad and you have a great Christmas morning brunch. Maybe that could be your wonderful holiday experience...

Hope you feel better soon! Try not to dwell on today's down moments and find some good...even if it's just something little...

Hugs!

Thank-you!

[TPT]

Today will be my first official day on the diet. Cinnamon rolls is 1 of my favorite treats that I will miss. I am SO trying this recipe.

[kareng]

Thanks! You should imagine me, hub, 2 teen boys and a black lab eating these on Xmas morning.

[kitgordon]

We also eat cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning; I will be trying these too. Thank You!

[Monklady123]

We always eat cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning also, so I was *just* looking up a recipe in the cookbook I just bought -- and then I came here and read this thread. I thought hmm.. that recipe sounds familiar, and it is! lol.. The cookbook is "The Gluten-Free Kitchen" by Roben Ryberg. It's mostly baking recipes, but she does have some others also. All her baking recipes use only corn starch and potato starch, because she says they are easy to find and not very expensive, unlike most of the other specialty flours that other recipes call for.

Anyway, SO glad to hear that this is a good recipe. I'll be making them on Christmas. In fact, I may have to make them before Christmas as a test. I mean, I wouldn't want to serve something that wasn't tasty to my family, would I?

[Lindsay630]

Hey Shauna,

I am SO Sorry Thanksgiving Day wasn't a happy one! Next year you guys should come to my house! Everything I served was gluten-free... I know it wouldn't have helped you because of your severe restrictions BUT the kids wouldn't have to look at others eating "normal" food! I made an awesome Pumpkin cheesecake! We really need to get together soon! If y need to talk let me know I am around!

Hugs,

Lindsay

[T.H.]

Thanks everybody for the kind words - and the recipe looks wonderful. I'm fiddling to see if I can find a way to make it sometime! :-)

the kids are feeling a little better today, at least - it's traditionally 'pie for breakfast' day, heh, and since I did get them pie, they got to participate, so yesterday's blah time is forgotten. I think next time I'll make all my own food and just bring it with me, even if I have to freeze and thaw it. That way I can check it all, make sure I don't react, and ensure a happy holiday, ya know?

Thanks again. It helped, just to share it and hear from folks.

[T.H.]

sigh yeah - hard to deal with sometimes, ya know? Very glad yours went well, though! You'll have to tell me how you made the cheesecake!

Oh man, I so appreciate the invite! I have a feeling I'll be stuck coming here again - traditional at this point, ya know? But if we don't, I'm comin' on over! At the very least, we need to have you two over for some gluten-free goodies at my house sometimes in the next few months!

I'll call when we get back - sometime this week. :-)