summerteeth

If anyone lives near a Woodman's store (Northern IL/Wisconsin grocery chain), they now stock gluten-free Rice Krispies (in the 'regular' cereal aisle for $2.99) and the new Udi's hamburger buns (freezer, $3.99/package).

I've been a migraine sufferer since age 5. I only get them now when I ingest gluten - it is actually one of my later symptoms. They really aren't nearly as severe or long lasting as they used to be (pre-gluten free). I remember they would last for days and would get so bad I would vomit. Not anymore - they rarely last longer than one night (I usually need a lot of sleep for them to go away).

I'm thinking your migraines are gluten-related, also.

I'm 5'6", which is about average for my family. Interestingly, the only other person in my family with a diagnosis is my grandma who is about 4'10".

I will be staying in Jacksonville, Florida from Jan 24 - Jan 28 for a work function - any dining and/or grocery shopping suggestions? Thanks!

I actually lost weight - and fast. I had always been really skinny, but in the 6 months before diagnosis I gained 40lbs (up to 155 lbs - I am 5'6"). Then when I was diagnosed, I lost about 20 lbs really quickly. Since, I have still been losing steadily and am now at a healthy 123. I think I have clothes that range from size 2 to size 12...

I like the chocolate KinniTOOS (very similar to Oreos).

I also subscribe & save on Amazon. I like the Oskri bars & the Bumble Bars, but those are very rare treats. You can also get gluten-free Bisquick for just over $4 a box.

Dry beans are much cheaper & have way less sodium. I only buy produce that is on sale - so this time of year, a lot of cabbage, bananas are always cheap around here, apples right now, clementines. I really only shop at the international grocery store (half of it is produce) and occasionally Aldi (Aldi for my non-gluten-free fiance - they do label some items gluten free, too). I found that cutting back on meat really lowered our grocery bill. Same with convenience foods - neither of us eat cereal anymore. Eggs are an easy and cheap breakfast. Since it is just the two of us, and I don't like to waste food, I freeze a lot & try to go at least one week a month without grocery shopping. I also stock up on meat when it is on sale.

I make crustless quiche and crustless cheesecake - that way I don't spend $6 on a box of pie crust mix.

I actually just purchased Mark Bittman's "How to Cook Everything" (not a gluten free-specific cookbook) - that gave me a lot of ideas for cheaper meals - he has a lot of bean and/or rice based dishes. And a lot that are naturally gluten free. I do buy a lot of produce (like I said, only what is on sale) and he pretty much has recipes for every type of fruit & vegetable. Definitely worth perusing through if you are looking to expand your repertoire.

I like CO Bigelow's Mentha Lip Shines (from Bath & Body Works) - the Ultra is amazing.

I was very colicky, too. Interesting article about a study relating colic & celiac: Open Original Shared Link

My mom is convinced that because of the colic (& other telltale symptoms), my pediatrician should have tested for celiac sometime in the 18 years I saw him.

What did you have before? I get the "teeny tiny brick loaves" too - not every time but enough that it is annoying....to the point where I want to throw my bread through the kitchen window... LOL!

Just let them rise & baked them in the oven. I don't think I ever had a successful loaf pre-breadmaker.

RE: Keratosis Pilaris - my derm actually told me that KP can itch because it manifests through dry skin blocking the follicule/pore.

Not sure if that is true or not, but for me, these bumps itch really bad & I end up with scars.

My go-to is always dump cake. So easy, so bad for you, and everyone loves it. I want to stick to something easy this year because I have to make a whole gluten free meal for my fiance's family.

Another vote for gluten-free Pantry - definitely the best I have tried.

I also have a Cuisinart with a gluten free option - it works great. No more teeny tiny brick-like loaves for me!

It all depends who I am speaking to - if I am at a restaurant, I say "gluten allergy" (and sometimes the server will say "Oh you have Celiac?"). If it is someone I come in contact with often, I will explain it - I usually say "I have celiac disease" and go into a long, detailed, often TMI description of it . On the other hand, my fiance just says "Monica is a silly" and leaves it at that.

Very interesting... I wonder if it is an intolerance though (I really like PB & am hoping I can have it, and dairy also, again someday).

Yes, I can eat tree nuts without any problem, it is only peanuts. And it is so painful! I guess I am going to have to buy some almond butter instead.

Do peanuts give anyone else severe stomach cramping (eggs do the same to me for some reason...). I have tried many different types of peanut butter (regular, low fat, all natural, organic...) & I'm not worried about gluten and/or casein contamination - yet each time I get these really severe stomach cramps. Just kind of wondering if anyone has any experience with this...

Researching some new symptoms I found this very interesting:

What are the symptoms of a sulfite reaction?

The symptoms of a sulfite sensitivity reaction vary from mild to life-threatening. The most common symptoms are mild and involve a skin rash accompanied by redness, hives, itching, flushing, tingling and swelling. Respiratory symptoms include difficulty breathing, wheezing, and stridor. Gastrointestinal reactions involve nausea and stomach cramps. Much less common but more serious signs and symptoms of sulfite sensitivity are low blood pressure, shock, extreme difficulty breathing, and loss of consciousness. As noted above, these symptoms of a severe reactions are most apt to occur in the steroid-dependent asthmatic person.

Hum... that sucks.

My fiance has an anaphylactic allergy to sulfites. He has to carry an epi pen just in case - usually he is okay with small amounts, but he can't go out of his way to have a glass of wine or two.

Unfortunately it seems to be a hard allergy for doctors to recognize.

Some repeats but:

Udis white & whole grain bread

(I also like Katz bread)

EnviroKidz cereal/Glutino cereal/Nature's Path cereal

Tinkyada

Larabars

Earth Balance spread

Kitchen Basics broths (best gluten-free broth, IMO)

Bob's Red Mill Mighty Tasty Hot Cereal

Mary's Gone Crackers

Pirate's Booty/Michael Seasons/Food Should Taste Good chips

Maple Grove Farms/Newman's Own dressings

Nope, no *intentional* soy, besides Earth Balance (I have one tub of soy free at work & one tub of not soy free at home). No soy milk, so soy ice cream. And no soy cheese (I LOVE cheese and I am afraid that soy cheese would be a let down).

I don't really buy convenience foods - I make all of my meals - I didn't really change anything except instead of chocolate milk, I am drinking either water or 100% juice. And I haven't been eating candy at all (I had a serious love affair with Reese's. And milk chocolate in general).

I do eat Udi's or Katz bread, but I have eaten those for the last 6+ months with no problems.

I decided to bite the bullet & go casein free. I have not had any dairy of any kind for a week & a half (I know, I know - not long).

But I am having some rather strange side effects - usually I get C (which is why I started a casein free trial) - now, for the last 2 or 3 days, I have D (very strange for me, even in my pre-gluten free days).

And I seem to be gaining a bit of weight - not much, but strange nonetheless (I am hoping to attribute to possibly increased salt intake - I really like kalamata olives )

Any comments? Suggestions? Ideas?

In my high school, when someone got mono they had to stay home until they got a doctor's note permitting them to return to school...

I think people should stay home when they are sick.

Baguette from this local baker just across the river from where I work with (real!) butter - preferably Kerrygold butter...

I feel that way all the time. Like maybe I'm remembering everything as much more dramatic than it really was.

Definitely used to have that thought... then I would get accidentally glutened during my first of eating gluten free and realised that my reactions were WORSE than I remembered.

I wish the gluten-free bread makers like Udi's and Kinnikinnik would make frozen gluten-free dough that would mimic phyllo and puff pastry. Then I'd be in heaven.

Oh my that would be so great- I would love gluten-free baklava.