I got glutened at the restaurant that we ate at last night, and ended up being sick most of the night. Yuck! My reactions seem so much worse as the gluten is out of my system (for the most part) now. Eating out can be so scary for a Celiac. It is a risk to take. It is hard to have the guts to try new places. I am always so afraid. I love to eat out, but I guess in the future I will be more careful!
Safe places in Medford (for sit down meals)
-Thai Bistro
-Red Robin
-Outback Steakhouse
There are definately others, but those are the restaurants that I have consistant success at. Hopefully, as time goes by that list will get longer and longer.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Friday, May 11, 2007
One more year of being a "twenty-something"
So, today I am twenty nine...I am getting old;).
It has been a great birthday. I still have some gf treats from the lady at the Farmer's Market, so I will indulge a little with a GF cinnamon "roll" later (I am drooling a little on my keyboard just thinking about it). We went to Brennan's Spring Tea at preschool, and I brought GF treats so that Parker and I could enjoy treats with everyone else. Bren and I made Cocoa Pebbles Treats this morning, and they were delish!!
COCOA PEBBLES TREATS
1 box (regular size) Cocoa Pebbles (can also use fruity pebbles)
1 bag of mini marshmallows
1/2 stick GF margarine or butter
Melt margarine in pot on med. heat. When melted, add marshmallows and stir until smooth. When all is melted, dump all of the Cocoa Pebbles in the pot and toss until coated evenly. Press into a foil lined 9x13 pad. Cool and enjoy!!
It has been a great birthday. I still have some gf treats from the lady at the Farmer's Market, so I will indulge a little with a GF cinnamon "roll" later (I am drooling a little on my keyboard just thinking about it). We went to Brennan's Spring Tea at preschool, and I brought GF treats so that Parker and I could enjoy treats with everyone else. Bren and I made Cocoa Pebbles Treats this morning, and they were delish!!
COCOA PEBBLES TREATS
1 box (regular size) Cocoa Pebbles (can also use fruity pebbles)
1 bag of mini marshmallows
1/2 stick GF margarine or butter
Melt margarine in pot on med. heat. When melted, add marshmallows and stir until smooth. When all is melted, dump all of the Cocoa Pebbles in the pot and toss until coated evenly. Press into a foil lined 9x13 pad. Cool and enjoy!!
Thursday, May 10, 2007
A rough few weeks!
I have not been posting lately. We have had a rough few weeks, and to be perfectly honest...I didn't feel up to it. My little sister Erica (9 years old) got really sick, and was diagnosed with ITP. It is an autoimmune disorder where your body attacks the healthy platlets in your body. She had some treatments done, and her platelet count (which was extreamely low) is slowly going up.
One of the Sparrow children that we worked with passed away. This is the part of my job that ravages me emotionally. We have another child that will most likely be dying in the next few weeks. I have not been myself, and have been so drained emotionally. If you have a chance, and are so inclined, please be praying for the families of these children.
On the bright side, we went down to Cali last weekend to pick up the trailer that my grandparents were giving us, and to spend some time with Erica. While we were there, we got to see all my siblings and Sandy at a BBQ at Stefs house. It was a TON of fun, and great to see everyone. We also got to visit the De Anza flea market with Auntie Lynnie which the boys were giddy about.
Today I went to the Growers Market to get some produce, and found a lady selling GLUTEN FREE baked goods!!!! She let me have samples, and her cookies were divine!! Parker and I inhaled the snickerdoodles, and the chocolate chip cookies were soft and chewy. SOOOO GOOD!! I can't wait to go see her again next week!!
One of the Sparrow children that we worked with passed away. This is the part of my job that ravages me emotionally. We have another child that will most likely be dying in the next few weeks. I have not been myself, and have been so drained emotionally. If you have a chance, and are so inclined, please be praying for the families of these children.
On the bright side, we went down to Cali last weekend to pick up the trailer that my grandparents were giving us, and to spend some time with Erica. While we were there, we got to see all my siblings and Sandy at a BBQ at Stefs house. It was a TON of fun, and great to see everyone. We also got to visit the De Anza flea market with Auntie Lynnie which the boys were giddy about.
Today I went to the Growers Market to get some produce, and found a lady selling GLUTEN FREE baked goods!!!! She let me have samples, and her cookies were divine!! Parker and I inhaled the snickerdoodles, and the chocolate chip cookies were soft and chewy. SOOOO GOOD!! I can't wait to go see her again next week!!
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Feeling Experimental!!
So, I have been on a search for a GOOD GF bread. Either in a recipe form or pre-made in stores.
Here is what I have found so far:
GF Pantry Best Sandwich Bread: I made this recipe, and to be honest...threw the loaf out. The "wet" texture made me gag! It was cooked all the way through, but even when I toasted it to the point of charred, it still was moist in the middle.
GF Pantry French Bread and Pizza Mix: I had heard good things about this mix, and I was some what disappointed. It was better than their Sandwich Bread, but still not very good. I have a hard time with the consistency. I made some french toast with it though, and it was ok.
Kinnikinnick White Rice Bread (premade, frozen): I wanted to try this brand, and figured since the mix was the same price as the pre-made bread, that the best thing would be to try the premade kind. That way I was trying it the way that they intended it to taste. I made a grilled cheese sandwich with it. It was ok, but not great. Definitely better than the types I had made at home. I used some toasted with butter to mop up my marinara sauce with dinner the other night, and I thought it was pretty descent when covered in pasta sauce.
Kinnikinnick Bagels (premade, frozen): I had read on another blog about some FANTASTIC bagels (Glutino), but since I have yet to find them in stores here, i bought the Kinnikinnick ones. They are not bad. I toasted the heck out of them ,and smothered them in cream cheese, and pretended that I was back in San Jose, sitting in Main Street Bagels with Lyns, Ty, and Whit...eating a "real" bagel. It almost worked...almost. I think trying them with a flavored cream cheese and some veggies or Turkey Bacon would improve the overall experience.
I have some other recipes to try. Some of them are so complicated, that if I DID make them, and they turned out gross, I would probably cry. I might go to Ashland to the co-op to see what they have there.
I think that they will taste better to me over time. Right now, I am still at the point that I remember what gluten-filled foods taste like, so I am disappointed with the alternative. Over time, I will probably acquire a taste for these gf baked goods, but for now my quest goes on...
To Be Continued...
Here is what I have found so far:
GF Pantry Best Sandwich Bread: I made this recipe, and to be honest...threw the loaf out. The "wet" texture made me gag! It was cooked all the way through, but even when I toasted it to the point of charred, it still was moist in the middle.
GF Pantry French Bread and Pizza Mix: I had heard good things about this mix, and I was some what disappointed. It was better than their Sandwich Bread, but still not very good. I have a hard time with the consistency. I made some french toast with it though, and it was ok.
Kinnikinnick White Rice Bread (premade, frozen): I wanted to try this brand, and figured since the mix was the same price as the pre-made bread, that the best thing would be to try the premade kind. That way I was trying it the way that they intended it to taste. I made a grilled cheese sandwich with it. It was ok, but not great. Definitely better than the types I had made at home. I used some toasted with butter to mop up my marinara sauce with dinner the other night, and I thought it was pretty descent when covered in pasta sauce.
Kinnikinnick Bagels (premade, frozen): I had read on another blog about some FANTASTIC bagels (Glutino), but since I have yet to find them in stores here, i bought the Kinnikinnick ones. They are not bad. I toasted the heck out of them ,and smothered them in cream cheese, and pretended that I was back in San Jose, sitting in Main Street Bagels with Lyns, Ty, and Whit...eating a "real" bagel. It almost worked...almost. I think trying them with a flavored cream cheese and some veggies or Turkey Bacon would improve the overall experience.
I have some other recipes to try. Some of them are so complicated, that if I DID make them, and they turned out gross, I would probably cry. I might go to Ashland to the co-op to see what they have there.
I think that they will taste better to me over time. Right now, I am still at the point that I remember what gluten-filled foods taste like, so I am disappointed with the alternative. Over time, I will probably acquire a taste for these gf baked goods, but for now my quest goes on...
To Be Continued...
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
P is for Parker and Pneumonia
I haven't blogged in a while, because life has been very chaotic around here.
Thursday: Parker started running a low temp. I chalk it up to teething.
Friday: In the morning Parker seems the same, but by lunch time he is really acting sick: shivering, fever, fussy, and tired. I decided to take him to the Dr. I thought it was an ear infection. We had plans to go to K-Falls for the weekend (Matt was preaching, and we were leading worship over there). By the time I get Parker to the Ped. his temp is 105!! They stripped him down , and gave him a shot of something to help with the fever. They examine him, and decide to do some bloodwork. They were checking for meningitis (among other things). After the blood work comes back, they send him for a chest x-ray. We look at the scans...pneumonia in both lungs! Poor guy. He fever was maintaining around 103, even with meds, but they said that was ok. I will give him the acetametaphen and ibuprofin alternating every three hours around the clock, as well as the antibiotic.
Needless to say...Park and I didn't go to K-Falls.:(
Fast Forward to today: Parker had another temp spike on Sunday night, but seems to be doing better today. We will lay low (think, house arrest) for the rest of the week, but hopefully he will continue to improve as the week goes on.
Thursday: Parker started running a low temp. I chalk it up to teething.
Friday: In the morning Parker seems the same, but by lunch time he is really acting sick: shivering, fever, fussy, and tired. I decided to take him to the Dr. I thought it was an ear infection. We had plans to go to K-Falls for the weekend (Matt was preaching, and we were leading worship over there). By the time I get Parker to the Ped. his temp is 105!! They stripped him down , and gave him a shot of something to help with the fever. They examine him, and decide to do some bloodwork. They were checking for meningitis (among other things). After the blood work comes back, they send him for a chest x-ray. We look at the scans...pneumonia in both lungs! Poor guy. He fever was maintaining around 103, even with meds, but they said that was ok. I will give him the acetametaphen and ibuprofin alternating every three hours around the clock, as well as the antibiotic.
Needless to say...Park and I didn't go to K-Falls.:(
Fast Forward to today: Parker had another temp spike on Sunday night, but seems to be doing better today. We will lay low (think, house arrest) for the rest of the week, but hopefully he will continue to improve as the week goes on.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
A weepy day for mommy
I know it is pathetic, but I started crying in Fred Meyer this afternoon. I just was so overwhelmed with all that Parker and I are/will be missing, and burst into tears. I just never realized how much I love food. I love Krispy Kreme donuts, and everything bagels with dill cream cheese. I love the Old Spaghetti Factory and Togos #24 sandwiches. Do they even make GF sourdough rolls? If they do, they probably taste nothing like real sourdough bread (my absolute favorite type of bread). I want to eat french toast from Denny's, pizza from Willow Street, and black licorice.
But then I realize that I am feeling sorry for myself. I actually am beginning to feel better today. I made myself a YUMMY gf pizza for dinner, and found the joy in warm banana bread with Parker. I remind myself that if I continue to eat gluten, that I am 40-100x more likely to develop intestinal cancer, and all of a sudden...donuts seem pretty unimportant.
Tomorrow is another GF day...but I am vowing to do it with a smile.
But then I realize that I am feeling sorry for myself. I actually am beginning to feel better today. I made myself a YUMMY gf pizza for dinner, and found the joy in warm banana bread with Parker. I remind myself that if I continue to eat gluten, that I am 40-100x more likely to develop intestinal cancer, and all of a sudden...donuts seem pretty unimportant.
Tomorrow is another GF day...but I am vowing to do it with a smile.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Some info for you all!
For all who are curious:
What is celiac disease?
Celiac disease is a digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. People who have celiac disease cannot tolerate a protein called gluten, found in wheat, rye, and barley. Gluten is found mainly in foods but may also be found in products we use every day, such as stamp and envelope adhesive, medicines, and vitamins.
When people with celiac disease eat foods or use products containing gluten, their immune system responds by damaging the small intestine. The tiny, fingerlike protrusions lining the small intestine are damaged or destroyed. Called villi, they normally allow nutrients from food to be absorbed into the bloodstream. Without healthy villi, a person becomes malnourished, regardless of the quantity of food eaten.
Villi on the lining of the small intestine help absorb nutrients.
Because the body’s own immune system causes the damage, celiac disease is considered an autoimmune disorder. However, it is also classified as a disease of malabsorption because nutrients are not absorbed. Celiac disease is also known as celiac sprue, nontropical sprue, and gluten-sensitive enteropathy.
Celiac disease is a genetic disease, meaning it runs in families. Sometimes the disease is triggered—or becomes active for the first time—after surgery, pregnancy, childbirth, viral infection, or severe emotional stress.
What are the symptoms of celiac disease?
Celiac disease affects people differently. Symptoms may occur in the digestive system, or in other parts of the body. For example, one person might have diarrhea and abdominal pain, while another person may be irritable or depressed. In fact, irritability is one of the most common symptoms in children.
Symptoms of celiac disease may include one or more of the following:
gas
recurring abdominal bloating and pain
chronic diarrhea
constipation
pale, foul-smelling, or fatty stool
weight loss/weight gain
fatigue
unexplained anemia (a low count of red blood cells causing fatigue)
bone or joint pain
osteoporosis, osteopenia
behavioral changes
tingling numbness in the legs (from nerve damage)
muscle cramps
seizures
missed menstrual periods (often because of excessive weight loss)
infertility, recurrent miscarriage
delayed growth
failure to thrive in infants
pale sores inside the mouth, called aphthous ulcers
tooth discoloration or loss of enamel
itchy skin rash called dermatitis herpetiformis
A person with celiac disease may have no symptoms. People without symptoms are still at risk for the complications of celiac disease, including malnutrition. The longer a person goes undiagnosed and untreated, the greater the chance of developing malnutrition and other complications. Anemia, delayed growth, and weight loss are signs of malnutrition: The body is just not getting enough nutrients. Malnutrition is a serious problem for children because they need adequate nutrition to develop properly.
What is celiac disease?
Celiac disease is a digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. People who have celiac disease cannot tolerate a protein called gluten, found in wheat, rye, and barley. Gluten is found mainly in foods but may also be found in products we use every day, such as stamp and envelope adhesive, medicines, and vitamins.
When people with celiac disease eat foods or use products containing gluten, their immune system responds by damaging the small intestine. The tiny, fingerlike protrusions lining the small intestine are damaged or destroyed. Called villi, they normally allow nutrients from food to be absorbed into the bloodstream. Without healthy villi, a person becomes malnourished, regardless of the quantity of food eaten.
Villi on the lining of the small intestine help absorb nutrients.
Because the body’s own immune system causes the damage, celiac disease is considered an autoimmune disorder. However, it is also classified as a disease of malabsorption because nutrients are not absorbed. Celiac disease is also known as celiac sprue, nontropical sprue, and gluten-sensitive enteropathy.
Celiac disease is a genetic disease, meaning it runs in families. Sometimes the disease is triggered—or becomes active for the first time—after surgery, pregnancy, childbirth, viral infection, or severe emotional stress.
What are the symptoms of celiac disease?
Celiac disease affects people differently. Symptoms may occur in the digestive system, or in other parts of the body. For example, one person might have diarrhea and abdominal pain, while another person may be irritable or depressed. In fact, irritability is one of the most common symptoms in children.
Symptoms of celiac disease may include one or more of the following:
gas
recurring abdominal bloating and pain
chronic diarrhea
constipation
pale, foul-smelling, or fatty stool
weight loss/weight gain
fatigue
unexplained anemia (a low count of red blood cells causing fatigue)
bone or joint pain
osteoporosis, osteopenia
behavioral changes
tingling numbness in the legs (from nerve damage)
muscle cramps
seizures
missed menstrual periods (often because of excessive weight loss)
infertility, recurrent miscarriage
delayed growth
failure to thrive in infants
pale sores inside the mouth, called aphthous ulcers
tooth discoloration or loss of enamel
itchy skin rash called dermatitis herpetiformis
A person with celiac disease may have no symptoms. People without symptoms are still at risk for the complications of celiac disease, including malnutrition. The longer a person goes undiagnosed and untreated, the greater the chance of developing malnutrition and other complications. Anemia, delayed growth, and weight loss are signs of malnutrition: The body is just not getting enough nutrients. Malnutrition is a serious problem for children because they need adequate nutrition to develop properly.
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