so little time

I've been bad.

Since I started up a myspace account, I started blogging there too. Eventually I'll have to probably give up one of these.

I thought cutting out the hydrogenated soy proteins would help me feel better starting last week.

It hasn't.

I hope I don't have to bring a doctor into this since I don't have a local gastro doc yet. But the worst started last night.

Stomach pains woke me up at night. Generally, nothing can wake me up at night (to the distress of my cats). By this morning, I could recognize last nights dinner in the toilet.

So basically, very little of my tofu stir-fry was put to good use.

Today was the worst day in a while to feel so crappy. I got through the day - barely.

---

The worst is that you still feel hungry. I tried a chicken frittata tonight, so hopefully I'll get some of the protein from the eggs (if nothing else).

more celiac rants

I have three more things that I now have to avoid (or try):

Natural Flavoring or Natural Flavor. Dryer's admitted that a natural flavor that was in the chocolate mouse ice cream was derived from wheat on their new package. So I spend the extra money and get Blue Bunny and keep that container of yummy in my freezer. But I know there's natural flavors in a lot of things, so it's going to be hard to avoid it. But I've suspected for a while now that the natural flavors was the source of my gluten.

Hydrogenated Soy Protein. I read somewhere that Hydrogenated Vegetable Protein contained gluten. Silly me, I was looking for the words "Hydrogenated Vegetable Protein" and never finding it. This weekend, I pondered out loud "isn't soy a vegetable?" Granted, the company was in various stages of intoxation, but they said "yes". And the beans that were offered in the group setting had "Hydrogenated Soy Protein". So I'm looking for that now.

Partially Hydrogenated Soy Protein. That's in most of the Balance Bars, which I have been going through the last couple of months. For the reason above, and my frequent episodes of gluten exposure, that's on my "no-no" list.

Isn't is almost easier to do the dark chocolate and wine diet? But I'm seriously bummed that after three years, I still feel like a clueless dolt that can't figure out what is okay to eat and what isn't. Hopefully I'll get past this feeling soon.

this won't leave you bullet ridden

The one thing I like about going to Picazzo's is that they're frequently changing their menu, adding new things to both their regular and gluten-free menu. I was concerned that they had a couple things on the gluten free menu with blue cheese after the Newsweek article that said that blue cheese is typically grown on bread.

I didn't try the blue cheese items, but there was a new drink on the menu called The Capone. It's potato vodka and Amaretto. While it was a tasty drink, it isn't good with pizza.

So mixed my version tonight with a bit more amaretto than vodka. I used Blue Ice. It is quite tasty.

David fights the big scary company

Oh, anyway, if you're looking to start fighting big business today, the spit wad is landing on Kelloggs.

giggling like a little girl

I *heart* Sprouts Farmers Market. I really really do.

I stopped in there on my way home today to pick up some stuff on their current sale. While I was looking for their Cornish hens, they were offering samples of something. I came to screeching halt.

It was gluten-free chicken nuggets, and gluten-free corndogs. I wasn't that impressed with the chicken nuggets (reminded me of Ian's), but the corndogs. It was just like being a little girl again.

And they have a beef dog and chicken meat version. Both are now in my freezer.

And both were the same price as one box ordered on the internet. Happy, happy, joy, joy.

Gluten-Free wonders at lunch

I went to Gluten-Free Creations and saw they added more locations that sell the gluten free products. Since Pie Zanos was close to work and a co-worker was having a bad day, I decided to go take her to lunch there.

When I went to Pie Zano's website, I didn't see anything about having gluten-free foods. So I was crossing my fingers that I wasn't screwing myself over. My concerns were put to rest when there was a sign at the door saying "Now offering gluten-free crusts".

It was kind of like an upscale Subway in line assembly form to get your food. But lots of pizza toppings, cheeses, herbs, etc. I asked for a pizza on a gluten-free crust. He asked if it was for an allergy.

As I gritted my teeth, I smiled and said "yes". He immediately changed his gloves before grabbing a gluten-free crust. Same with the second guy down the line.

I paid the ticket and waited for the pizza to come out of the oven and get delivered to our table. I couldn't help but notice that when my pizza came out of the oven, the guy looked at the ticket and grabbed a different pizza slicer.

So this was a way cool experience of doing a gluten-free experience. And this was the first meal in about a week that didn't hurt my stomach as the food was working its way through my stomach. So I feel pretty good that there was no gluten in my lunch at all.

I told my mom about the good experience tonight, and she asked where they were located. She said she knew where that was, and if she was ever in "that neck of the woods", she'd see if I was free for lunch.

Pie Zanos also offers a Wheat Free Wednesday dinner special. $2 Redbridge and free gluten-free brownies with a gluten-free pizza purchase. I am so there for that sometime. There's also a Trader Joes within walking distance, and has the gluten-free brownie mix for $3 right now.

missed the boat

Okay, I'm bored. So I did my once a year (or so) of looking at various fast food places and seeing what I could possibly eat there.

DISCLAIMER: I don't do this very often. There's so much cross contamination to worry about that has gotten me in the past. So this is a last ditch effort that sometimes happens on the way to camping trips or such.

Wendy's still rules with a "Gluten-Free" link that is a .pdf file (which I can put on my Treo). It's slim pickings unless I want to eat salad and dressing.

Taco Bell is still limited to tacos and the southwestern steak bowl. No changes, and it's easy to find.

Jack in the Box is a pain because you have to read the ingredients and look for wheat to start with. I got major cross contamination gluten from a couple of their establishments, so I pass on them.

Arby's is nice because they specify gluten on the food allergens. And you can specify a specific sandwich, like a grilled chicken sandwich, and de-select the bun. When you do that, it's gluten-free. And their fries are still gluten-free along with those potato cakes that I indulge in once in a while.

McDonalds really surprised me. It's really cumbersome to get the information. But their iffy standby of french fries are now OFF the list because of the beef flavoring. This was the biggest surprise to me.

And makes me real glad that I didn't give in to my lunch time craving on the drive home. I would be so miserable tonight if I had stopped.

watch the pasta

I need to get my own place. Soon.

The other night my mom wanted to do spaghetti. She was wiling to do meat sauce since GF meatballs aren't that great. Which means, two pots of spaghetti.

She asked me to check on my pasta since it wasn't quite done yet. I thought she said "the fork closest to the end of the cabinet is yours". Which I inferred that the pot closest to the end was mine.

She got a long distance call, so I went to tend to pasta. I tried the pasta in the pot at the end of the stove, and it was real done. So I tried another piece, shut the water off, drained the pasta, and plated it. I then did the same for my dad's pasta.

When my mom hung up the phone and sat down, she said "isn't that your dad's pasta?"

"I dunno, I thought you said the pot at the end of the stove was my pasta."

"No silly, that's your dad's pasta."

Crap, I already had a couple pieces of his pasta.

I survived dinner, but felt sick to my stomach. Not sure if it was something in my head or not.

---

Then to add insult to injury, I put my leftovers on a plate for lunch. Dad put his in a bowl. Went to go look for my leftovers this morning, and all I found was the bowl of spaghetti.

Thanks Dad. You ate my leftovers. Gluten-free pasta must not be that bad.

"Natural Flavoring" and labels

Here comes a rant.

This is the second time something has glutened me. And again, the only ingredient I can think of as "maybe" is something called Natural Flavoring (or Natural Flavors).

Unlike a lot of the gluten-free bloggers out there, I don't own a lot of exotic ingredients. And I still like to get a lot of things at a real grocery store. I was raised in a typical mid-west house with lots of comfort foods that aren't very healthy for you.

I wish products could specify more what they mean by natural flavoring. What the hell does that mean anyway? Where the hell does it come from?

I've eaten quite a few things that have the natural flavors in it, and not gotten gluten exposure. It's the crap shoot that I hate. I can't even remember what the first thing I ate was that got me sick. I just remember thinking it was the natural flavoring.

---

Originally, I was happy to hear the FDA did adopt a standard of what can be called "Gluten-Free". It's the Canadian standard of less than 20 ppm. My biggest fear is that things that have "gluten-free" on the labels now will disappear due to companies (especially smaller ones) won't spend the money for the testing to verify gluten-free status. I noticed about six months ago, Amy's already changed theirs from "Gluten-Free" to "No Gluten Ingredients".

I guess I can live with labeling something with "No Gluten Ingredients". I'll still consider buying it.

Seattle score!!

And I'm not talking about the Seahawks. I know they lost to Green Bay.

Sunday my college friend I was visiting took us to the Freemont district to see Theo Chocolates (couldn't get a tour, but could get some killer chocolates). It's close to the University area, but don't quote me on it.

We parked a block away from this one bakery called "Flying Apron". They had a sandwich board on the sidewalk with the words "gluten-free". I said we have to visit on the way back and see if there's anything gluten-free that I could try. (I was assuming they had a couple gluten-free things.)

So after our exploring and lunch, we stopped in. I assumed wrong. EVERYTHING is gluten-free!!!!! And the place was packed at 3:30 in the afternoon. The day we stopped in, there were various cookies, brownies, cupcakes, muffins, scones, and fruit bars. And there were even mini pizzas and pot pies! They also list the ingredients with every item available, so if you're trying to avoid other things it's easy to figure out.

My only gripe was that the cupcakes had an even amount of cupcake and frosting. So the frosting was a bit much. But the frosting on the chai spice cupcake was very tasty. My college friend totally enjoyed her espresso chocolate muffin. Fiance and I loved the blackberry oat bar (certified gluten-free oats).

Flying Apron. Find it, love it.

yeah for Alba

It was over a year ago that I tried to get into this study to "do my part" for clinical research. Since my biopsy under local was scrubbed, and I wasn't willing to do the six week gluten challenge to get a "general biopsy" result, I didn't qualify for the study.

But the one good thing about trying to get into the study was that the Mayo Clinic lab test showed I was TTG positive instead of just gliadin positive. I almost framed those lab results.

Then about four months later, I tried to look for a new clinical trial for celiac. And even the Mayo Clinic study didn't show up. So I assumed that the study had been pulled for some reason or another.

So I was very pleased that when I checked a few months ago, the study showed up again on clinicaltrials.org

Then I'm very pleased to see that a company in the UK is investing in this drug.

So I'll have to keep tracks on this drugs progress and I'll be one of the geeks in line if this ever makes the market.

Thanksgiving practice

Tomorrow's our work holiday potluck. So I'm going to have to be my annoying self (again) and grab my plate first. This way I know all the serving stuff isn't contaminated or someone didn't accidentally drop stuffing crumbs over the cranberries (or other such things). It's almost a moot point since I'm still getting over getting glutened.

When I get glutened real bad, I either have to ride it out for a week, or go on liquid diet for two or three days. I'm in no mood with the holidays to go on a liquid diet (especially since I have to sample all the stuff I'm making).

I made a glutenfreeda version of gluten-free rice crispy treats with peanut butter and chocolate chips and a shrimp citrus salsa in Tostidos scoops.

Since my mom will be out of commission due to shoulder surgery, this is just a practice run to cooking Thanksgiving dinner for everyone!

Okay, boyfriend's going to deep fry the turkey. And my mom can stuff the other turkey so I don't have to do that icky stuff. No ham to worry about with two turkeys. Polish sausage is easy. Guests are bringing veggies. Mashed potatoes are easy. Gravy is the Macamama's gluten-free gravy (easy). So, Thursday will be easy. And my sister's making desert (pumpkin cheesecake with gluten-free gingersnap crust).

Right?

substitute please!!

I'm not a good "improv" baker. I just found a recipe that I'd love to try. It's for breakfast bars that are gluten-free and sound delicious.

BUT.....

The recipe calls for shredded coconut. I HATE shredded coconut. I can tell when there's some in a recipe because I get the shredded coconut in my teeth and I despise how it feels on my teeth. Then I also hate the smell and taste of coconut.

I learned the hard way that shredded coconut is a frequent substitute in gluten-free cookies. Thankfully, Pamela's doesn't do that, but Wild Oats does.

So, what can I use as a substitute for the shredded coconut? I'm not finding anything in searches on the web.

low energy, great diet

Another week has flown by. Spent the weekend in San Diego, and got a side of gluten with my burger.

I don't blame the place. It more than likely happened with our orders. I was ordering a burger in a lettuce wrap, the other three people I was with ordered burgers with buns. I'm sure they had to touch my burger to get it in the lettuce, and if it was done after the other burgers were plated, gluten could get on my burger.

But it was a damn good burger. That was Saturday.

By Sunday, I was tired. Dead ass tired. Since all I had to do was prepare the desert to our Thanksgiving desert, I felt it was best to get out of the way of the small kitchen. But I didn't figure it out.

Monday on the drive back home, I had to pull over and hand over the keys to boyfriend. I was so tired (still) that I was afraid I would fall asleep. I only slept about a half hour, but it would have been scary to do that driving on the 8. By that afternoon, my stomach was really hurting. That was my first "hrm, is this gluten-related?"

Tuesday and Wednesday I was very gassy (thanks for sharing). That's my second clue that this is gluten-related. The fatigue is a bit better, but still I'm not 100%.

Today is my final clue when I can't stay out of the bathroom. And thankfully we have good old fashioned toilets that won't ever get clogged (really thanks for sharing).

---

But the weirdest thing is that when I get glutened like this, I don't want to eat. Sunday I forced myself to eat the early Thanksgiving dinner, but small portions of everything. Monday, I had one meal at 4:30 in the afternoon. It was nice, but it's not enough for your daily caloric intake. Tuesday and Wednesday was breakfast only. I wasn't hungry for lunch, except for a small cookie or something, and I would tell everyone I had dinner on my way home (a little white lie). Today I still missed lunch, but had a great dinner and had some popcorn while watching the game on TV.

I know that when you're sick, starving yourself is not a smart idea. But maybe it's more in my head the concept of forcing more food in inflamed intestines makes food more appealing.

But I think for now I've turned the corner. So hopefully tomorrow I'll be more back to normal.

celiac health update

I guess I'm lucky. I begged for and got a dexa scan. While my bone density is normal, it's on the low end of normal. Kind of like a pre-menopause woman. And I'm only 31. I guess I'm luckier than the Gluten-Free Goddess. In the lack of recipe postings, check out her online shop. I just found something to add to my Christmas list.

Sprouts is doing better and better about their gluten-free selection. They have a new brand of pasta that doesn't require you to "rinse the heck out of it". I overcooked it the first time, so I want to re-try it before giving it a thumbs up. They have more and more Gluten-Free Pantry items including a line of gluten-free "hamburger helper" meals in a box. Perfect for a single, lazy gluten-free chef. Even my mom liked the southwestern beans and rice (I used ground turkey to be a bit more healthy). And they have a new line of bars that say "gluten-free" on them. Most of them use the "super food" of green tea and such that I find very filling and a very tasty lunch subsitute (at only 190 calories). I will pass on my approval once I save a label to ge the info on it.

I get my B vitamin levels back tomorrow. They should be finally stable (and normal).

Early taste of fall

We got a nice treat in the desert. Although the storm system that passed through last weekend didn't bring the house much rain, it really cooled off the temperatures. It hasn't been 90 degrees in a few days!

Last night by dinner time, we turned off the AC and opened the doors. The cats loved it because they could smell the great outdoors. And it cooled off to the mid 60's overnight. I needed all my blankets overnight!

Usually this doesn't happen until October. It's not supposed to last, and it's supposed to be in the mid-90's today. But it inspired me to find some fall recipes at Gluten Freeda. I'm going to try their golden pumpkin bread this weekend.

from left field

*wham*

I'm still coming to accept it. But it was a surprise to me.

I was still having high blood pressure, fast heart beat. Then chest pain started about two weeks ago. It feels like a pulled muscle across my chest where my heart is. So I went to the cardiologist yesterday. I haven't had good luck with them in the past, but I have to get something to help.

First of all, he was "I wouldn't have put you on that beta blocker," made me feel a bit at ease. Then as he was listening to my heart, he said to his intern "do you hear that prolapse?"

What?

Yup, mitral valve prolapse. Pretty pronounced. So I immediately had to do a stress test. I did very well on that, so it doesn't look like I'm in any immediate danger.

But the pronounced flutter with the chest pain isn't good either.

As we were wrapping up our plans for the immediate future, he mentioned that this could be from my celiac.

*thud* I've never heard of it.

So doing some quick literature searches said it could happen in conjunction with Celiac Artery Compression Syndrome. Basically it means that when I eat gluten, there's abdominal pain from compression of abdominal arteries. Well, that happens.

In the immediate future, I need an echo to see how much blood is seeping backwards (not sure if they're going to look for Celiac Artery Compression Syndrome). I'm supposed to cut back the caffeine, and not push myself too hard.

I think I'm more bummed about the caffeine bit. Since I don't know what (if anything) needs to be done, I'll focus on what I can do.

At least I don't have to quit alcohol too. Thank goodness I had a bottle of the cat label red wine to drink from last night.

infusion update

Since I'm on a rant about bad habits, I'll toss in an update on how my infusions are coming along.

First lesson I learned is you really have to fill the container. Feel free to fill up to the threads.

I love the infusion containers I finally decided on. It's a set of three airtight canisters I found at Bed Bath and Beyond for $20. It's thick clear glass with stainless steel lids and externel threads to seal your items.

The peach is the most developed. I will probably try and filter it this week and take it camping. I'm still not sure the best way to filter is, but I'm going to try using my strainer for a first pass, then add cheese cloth for a second pass.

The mango may also be ready this week. My mom snitched a bite of mango from the container when I was doing my tasting, and said she could really taste the vodka in the fruit. So I'm not sure how much more I'm going to get out of the mango.

The rhubarb is pink, but I'm not getting a lot of flavor yet from it. And it was the first one I tried, so it wasn't as if my tates were overwhelmed with peach or mango. I figured this one would be take the most amount of time to set.

junk food junkie......(celiac)

I feel like such a black sheep. I am a celiac, and I have bad eating habits.

I like alcohol.

I like junk food.

And I hate that I feel like the only one of the celiac community.

Every other celiac blogger is alll healthy, vegetarian, etc. I respect their point of view. But where's the "normal" person that is trying to live with the celiac condition?

I don't want it to define me. I don't even like telling restaurants my issue - I leave that to my "proud" boyfriend.

I say this as I'm munching on my dark chocolate cranberries. No alcohol - I don't have to drink every night.

new hobby

Really more of a vodka update:

Teton Glacial Vodka is still very NICE. I was in a liquor store by ASU and found lots of cool shaped bottles of various kinds of liquors. An unassuming one liter bottle of Teton was buried among the bottles for $25. Needless to say, I buy all I can whenever I'm "in the area" (usually no more than two). I talked with the manager, and he said they got it for the Jewish crowd because it's kosher. The price is very kosher.

But just plain vodka is boring. And the martini mixers are just flavored sugared syrups. I sometimes do boyfriend's drink of mixing with grapefruit juice. I had lemondrops at Picazzo's that was made with lemons and pulp. That's my favorite drink of the moment. But just a flavored vodka that's gluten-free is not commercially available.

So I'm starting infusions. I started with some free peaches from matchmakers, but am trying mangos, and rhubarb.