pmrowley

I'll add my voice to the masses: cook Gluten-Free, and don't tell anyone. It'll be a healthier meal, and probably better tasting too! If someone voices an objection after the fact, it sounds like *they* just volunteered to cook next year (and then you get to provide your dietary requirements for the menu... they wouldn't make a vegetarian eat meat would they...

My wife is gluten-free to support my Celiac diet, and she hasn't looked back! I started her off by just cooking what I normally do; she decided that gluten-free pasta was tastier than wheat pasta, and over the years has come to realize that a gluten-free diet really is superior to a "standard" diet in a lot of ways. She has more energy than she ever did before...

I have found that sitting down and explaining the condition, along with all of the hard science behind it, tends to solve the issue. Fortunately for me, my Dx 28 years ago was the result of my mother's tenacity regarding my condition; I wasn't growing, and none of the doctors could figure it out, until I underwent a new biopsy procedure at UCSF medical center...

My wife and I rely on a nice, natural sleep aid when we get insomnia: Rescue Remedy. It's flower essences, distilled into brandy alcohol. Totally gluten-free. A couple of drops under the tongue, and I'm off to sleepy-land in about 30 minutes. It doesn't tranquilize you; but it tends to de-stress you and lets you relax naturally. Works great for hyper doggies...

It is also far easier if your domestic partner (if you have one,) joins you in your diet. And I'm talking 100% all the way. When I started dating my wife, she started in on my gluten-free diet, simply because I don't cook for 2 different diets. So when she ate over, she got rice pasta (which she loved,) whole vegetables, meats seasoned with herbs, etc. Now...

Unfortunately, there is no easy way to deal with this kind of thing. You'd expect family to be a little more understanding; hitting on the genetic side is always a good route with family. "Gee Dad, you keep teasing me about this, but YOU are 1/2 of the reason I have to live this way. By the way, have you been tested for this? You might be poisoning yourself...

It does get easier with time. I was diagnosed 28 years ago; I have had enough plain rice cakes over my childhood years to fill a container ship! We've come a long way in the last couple of decades. The trick is to find some gluten-free comfort foods and indulge yourself from time to time. My favorite store of all time is Trader Joe's. I have a couple where...

Yeah, the BF is a jerk and doesn't get it. Does he tell people with broken legs to just "walk it off" too? With regard to the waiter, you should have demanded to see the manager. These days, it seems that "the customer is always right" is dying out, but there is never any need to deal with an abusive waiter, and you should NEVER have to pay for food that...

Wanda, Welcome to the boards! You'll find a TON of great information here. As for explaining/dealing with our condition, the key is to NEVER be embarassed about it, and don't apologize for it. You couldn't control inheriting this condition, any more than you could control your eye color. Sometimes, it's easier to explain the condition as a food allergy...

Personally, my wife and I LOVE the Quinoa pastas. Nice and nutty, very flavorful. You just have to make sure not to overcook them. They go from al dente to al soggy in about 30 seconds. Same with the Pastariso stuff (I don't like the angel hair though, it doesn't cook right.) I also recently found a great gluten-free rice spaghetti at Trader Joe's, at...

You won't feel a thing. When I did the procedure 25 years ago, I was fully conscious, and the only unpleasant part was getting sick as the tube went down. The biopsy itself is painless, as there are no nerve endings in the lining of the intestine. Cheers, -Pat

Whenever I am dealing with things like this, I always have a supply of gluten-free cookies and treats handy in my desk. When they start busting out snack cakes, I grab an EnviroKidz cereal bar! If it's cake, then I'll grab an Ener-G Gluten Free brownie! (Which are healthier and better tasting than most of the swill others jam in their faces. ) -Pat

Oh yeah, forgot about that. Visiting this year is worth it, just for the fireworks display! -P

Just thought I'd share a happy note: If you're ever planning a trip to Disneyland, I'm happy to report that they are VERY aware of celiac disease and its ramifications. In-park eating can be problematic, since it's all pre-made food, but the restaurants in the hotels are extremely accomodating, even to the point of making gluten-free waffles and...