Newb From Sd

[elleystar]

Hi everyone!

I've been haunting the forum the last couple of months, ever since I realized I needed to go gluten free. I'm finally jumping in and hoping to join the conversation. I live in the Black Hills of SD. My health has been going down the tubes the last few years and when I finally reached my breaking point and saw a doctor, it all spiraled into thyroid ultrasounds, a specialist, and finally autoimmune Dx of Hashi's and celiac. At least now I know why I have felt so bad for so long. It's been a real challenge learning how to keep my kitchen safe, with my gluten-eating husband and 4 yr old sharing it with me, and starting all over on the basics of cooking and eating out.

I've already learned so much from reading here, so THANK YOU, and I look forward to getting to know everyone and learning even more!

[bartfull]

Ellystar, I just wrote to you in the other thread you have posted on, but I forgot to say, "WELCOME!!" I'm sorry you had to join our "club", but it's good to know I have a neighbor I can actually meet up with sometime. I LOVE Spearfish! Not just the beautiful canyon, but the town is great too. You guys have some great restaurants. I used to really enjoy Roma's. Of course I doubt THEY have a gluten-free menu, being an Italian restaurant.

You guys have a Safeway up there, don't you? The one by Bakken Park in Rapid has a HUGE organic section and they carry a ton of gluten-free items, so if your local one doesn't have much, it's worth a trip down. I never used to like grocery shopping, but when I go there I have a ball. "LOOK!!! I can EAT this!!"

Let's stay in touch.

[elleystar]

Yes, I used to enjoy Roma's now and then, but I really don't think I should go near the place now! Even though they do a few non-pasta things.

Barbacoas was a pleasant surprise last week. Almost the full menu is gluten free, and the two guys who worked on my food went through about 5 pairs of gloves, and even threw away the first bowl of rice and beans. They must have realized they CC'd it somehow, but I didn't catch it, as I was busy perusing all the veggie toppings at that moment.

The Bay Leaf went above and beyond to ensure me a gluten-free bison ribeye with vegetables, caramelized onions, and chilled gazpacho as well. I am going to team up with a local blogging friend of mine who is Primal and gluten-free. We are going to line up interviews with the managers, try to get a quick tour of the kitchens, and then eat a meal, and blog all about it. So I'll be sure to share with you when we do. We hope to do the same all around the Hills!

We do have Safeway but I have heard the one in Rapid City is way better. I was just there today on a whirlwind trip with DS and couldn't stop in. I'll be going back soon though. With a cooler and ice packs!

I actually work at the health food store here so I'm pretty spoiled, I get a nice discount and they really take my suggestions for products.

[NickMcKinnis]

Hello Elleystar! I am pretty new around here but I'd like to welcome you nonetheless. That's really cool that you work at a health food store, I'm jealous.

I can definitely understand the difficulties of staying gluten free in a household that consumes gluten. I live with two roommates, both of which eat gluten. Before them I lived with my ex girlfriend who actually worked at a bakery. Patience is easily spread thin in that environment until you find your own methods of keeping everything safe. I hope your efforts are going more smoothly than mine did.

[elleystar]

Ellystar, I just wrote to you in the other thread you have posted on, but I forgot to say, "WELCOME!!" I'm sorry you had to join our "club", but it's good to know I have a neighbor I can actually meet up with sometime. I LOVE Spearfish! Not just the beautiful canyon, but the town is great too. You guys have some great restaurants. I used to really enjoy Roma's. Of course I doubt THEY have a gluten-free menu, being an Italian restaurant.

You guys have a Safeway up there, don't you? The one by Bakken Park in Rapid has a HUGE organic section and they carry a ton of gluten-free items, so if your local one doesn't have much, it's worth a trip down. I never used to like grocery shopping, but when I go there I have a ball. "LOOK!!! I can EAT this!!"

Let's stay in touch.

You mentioned the gluten-free fest in Rapid City in your other thread, and I wanted to tell you. My endocrinologist in Rapid is great. He is very knowledgeable and kind of specializes in celiac. He travels around to med schools trying to educate them on it and teach them how to look for it. My cousin's husband (a dr. getting his endo specialisation right now, who lives in NH right now!) actually knew the name as soon as I told him, he'd met him and really respected him. Anyway I know the celiacs group in Rapid works with him and tries to get him to participate in events like these. I wonder if he had the time this go-round.

Hello Elleystar! I am pretty new around here but I'd like to welcome you nonetheless. That's really cool that you work at a health food store, I'm jealous.

I can definitely understand the difficulties of staying gluten free in a household that consumes gluten. I live with two roommates, both of which eat gluten. Before them I lived with my ex girlfriend who actually worked at a bakery. Patience is easily spread thin in that environment until you find your own methods of keeping everything safe. I hope your efforts are going more smoothly than mine did.

She worked in a bakery? I don't know how you survived. Truly.

I used to bake so much, OH MAN I loved to bake. I could make anything. Now I can't do it anymore, not like I used to, know what I mean? It's sad but I try not to dwell on it. I can't give away my cookbooks yet though.

[NickMcKinnis]

She worked in a bakery? I don't know how you survived. Truly.

I used to bake so much, OH MAN I loved to bake. I could make anything. Now I can't do it anymore, not like I used to, know what I mean? It's sad but I try not to dwell on it. I can't give away my cookbooks yet though.

It was extremely challenging, everyday she made a beeline for the shower. I'm sure I was glutened more than once from it, but she took every precaution she could. Sometimes she was even more careful than I was. I would keep the cookbooks, you could always substitute! I know it's not the SAME but I have had a few times where it actually improved a recipe.