Check out this article at Psychology Today.com, “Gluten: The Secret Stalker“.  It discusses the Emotional impact of Celiac Disease, an important issue for many of us.

Tarantula in the Grass (c.2009, WTB)

Gluten-Free living can be difficult enough without those little Glutenistas.   Not always easy to spot…..     

Tarantula Blending In (c.2009 WTB)

 But, like a Glutenista, they can come about when you least expect!

   SOOOOO Be prepared!

 Know which Halloween treats are Gluten-Free… and which have little hidden Glutenistas!

Click on the links below for more information:

Gluten Freeda.com: “Halloween Candy: What is Safe?”

“Halloween Candy List: Gluten-Free Allergen-Free Status 2009“

Gluten-Free Mom: “Gluten-Free Halloween Candy 2009“

Divine Caroline: “Gluten-Free Halloween Candy“

Celiac Family: “Safe Gluten-Free Halloween Candy“

Celiac Central: “Gluten-Free Snack and Candy List“

     Have a nice and happy Halloween!

Want to read more about this topic?  Follow the links below: 

A less Scary Halloween…

Gluten-Free 101…

Gluten-Free Halloween…

Gluten-Free Baking…

Halloween for Children…

G-F Turkey Plate

 Click here for Gluten-Free Turkeys with Gluten-Free Giblets and Gravy. 

And Click here for the Recipe.  This stuffing is DELICIOUS!!! 

Gluten-Free Corn Chex Thanksgiving Turkey Stuffing (c.2009, WTB)

A Wonderful Idea!!!  See the Recipe here.

Roast Chicken with Gluten-Free Corn Chex Stuffing (c.2009, WTB)

#45: Keep that Isolation in Check on the Way Toward Gluten-Free Simplicity

  Ever just wish you could be alone?  Of course you do.  Probably everyone does here and there.  But…… what if it is more often than one thinks is normal?  “Maintaining a strictly gluten-free diet can cause feelings of isolation” according to an article about Gluten Free Online Social Communities by Marissa Carter (Sept. 29, 2009).  She writes,

“It is hard for these people to adjust to the food culture in America, knowing that every bite of food they eat may cause them to get sick. Ordering at restaurants becomes a chore and attending dinner parties becomes a major challenge. Often, they begin feeling like they are a burden to others. Even people who have very supportive parents, spouses and friends feel the need to reach out to others who will really understand them.”  Read More.

  All I can say directly to her opinion is, “I heard that!!!”  This is one good reason for my present posting.  Watch out for that tendency to isolate.  Yes, some isolation is probably very good for the soul.  But, too much can be dangerous.    And do I isolate on purpose when I do isolate?  No…. not always…

Sometimes, I Just Feel Like an Isolated Bump on a Far Away Planet (c.2009, WTB)

  But I do (I really really do) sometimes feel like I am a lone bump on a far away planet.  Once in a while,  I get a feeling that I am all alone.  The metamessages at almost any social meal time, grocery trip, and other times and places are often seeming to beckon me into an isolative state where it no longer feels strange or hurtful to have to be so different when it comes to one of almost every human being’s most basic functions — eating.

  The problem though… isolation can lead to lots of other problems. (eg., depression, feeling left out, getting behind etc…).  Just think about it this way…   If a person is isolated then they can begin to think things and form habits that are all wrong.  The reality checks inherent in social interaction can often be very healing.  Like if I am feeling really down on myself for something that I did and I am wondering if I did THE WRONG THING….  I can  often turn to a trusted friend or colleague and ask for their take on it.  It is soooooo wonderful for me when I do so after wringing my hands for hours… only to find that I actually did the right thing afterall.

  Also… there can be lots of good healing energy out there in public with loved ones, friends, family and colleagues for those of us with Celiac Disease.  NOT ALWAYS… of course…  there are unfortunately times when either due to one of their comments or one of my inferences, I feel like being alone instead.  But still in all, yes, sometimes, it just feels so good to be alive and around good people.

  So if you are one of us who is often finding yourself alone and feeling lonely… do something about it!  Here are a few ideas:

• Go online as Carter suggests and seek out information or just chat.
• Try to prepare a Gluten-Free recipe, then offer a review to the author.
• Take a walk and make a point to say hello to a person.
• Call an old friend or family member and ask them how they are doing.
• Stop by a restaurant, health food or grocery store and politely ask responsive staff members about their Gluten-Free selection.
• Write a letter to a manufacturer, a publication or a friend about something that you feel passionate about (i.e., Celiac Disease or Gluten-Free Living).

I am sure you can probably come up with even better ideas.  Go ahead and do something.  And just so I don’t get too lonely, Please let me know how it turns out.

#44: Go With the Flow When Ever You Can on the Way Toward Gluten-Free Simplicity

  Things Change.  Change changes.  And things stay the same until they change again…. sometimes.  In other words: We Cannot Control Everything.  Right? 

Change Happens! (c.2009, WTB)

Let me know if you can cause I sure could use your help.

  I trust life can really be a whole lot simpler for me when I try NOT to obsess over stuff that is beyond my control.

  No,  I cannot control the fact that I have Celiac Disease — or even Crohn’s for that matter.  But I can try to control my level of Gluten-Freeness.

  I certainly feel better when I am Gluten-Free.  And any person with Celiac Disease is likely to have a brighter future when that future is as  Gluten-Free as possible.

  So, I guess this is mostly about accepting that which ONE cannot change (having CD); and then trying to exert some power and take some responsibility for what ONE can at least try and change (her/his level of Gluten-Freeness).

  It’s like as the Winter comes, the green leaves on the trees will begin to turn and eventually fall away.  This is something — like Celiac Disease — that apparently cannot be prevented under normal (or natural)  circumstances.  ONE CANNOT Typically STOP THAT.

  On the other hand, as  the temperature gets lower, ONE can typically choose whether or not to put on warmer clothing.  One might even find that as they warm up, the leaves begin to look really charming as they change.  That is until you get stuck as the one having to rake the dead ones up off of the lawn.

  Bottom Line: I still sometimes grieve my Celiac Disease in my own special ways.  But I am NOW working like the Dickens to maintain a high level of Gluten-Freeness.  And this way, my life seems a whole lot better. 

  I hope this makes sense to you too.

Way #43: Forgive that Depressing Depression to Find a Way toward Gluten-Free Simplicity

  I have been doing really well with my gluten abstinence for the past couple of months.  I have fought off several relapse temptations and some really cool and effective pro-activity has kept my belly pretty happy at the same time.

  So….. why then am I soooooo depressed today?  

Logically speaking: There have been a couple of things in my space for just the past few days that have been somewhat intimidating, ruthless and unforgiving of me for who I am.

Emotionally speaking:I whine because  I figured that if I were Gluten-Free… like totally G-F>>>> then I would not have such troubles.

  OK … So… wake up.  Yes… being G-F is really super good for me.  AND… there are likely to be occasional moments of depression, particularly when faced with certain super negative energies….  Sooooo I guess… I can make the Gluten go away…. But I cannot always make certain other things go away.   Bummer?

  Meanwhile… I can try to forgive my moments of depression for now.  And I can dig my toe into the ground in order to push off and move on down the road again.  And best of all… I can do so with the confidence that builds each time I go through such junkyards and still avoid a pity party which can lead to a Gluten-Relapse-Fest….

  I forgive myself for feeling depressed this time.

Gluten-Free in Southern Colorado (c.2009, WTB)

 Go to Gluten-Free in Southern Colorado!

Sweet Garbanzos in Gluten-Free Chili

Get this recipe at Gluten-Free Simplicity.com!

Sweet Gluten-Free Garbanzo Chili (c.2009, WTB)