newly dx- Super confused

[Sand]

Hello everyone! I was just dx a week ago today. I've been reading all your posts like crazy. Now I'm more confused than ever. I didn't write anything down and it's all a jumbled mess in my head. HELP!!!!
All my doctor said was to go online for a diet and find a support group.

1. Are there any salad dressings on the market that are gf? especially ceasar?

2. Do I really need to buy new kitchen appliances to avoid cross contamination?

3. No children-Now I might know why from all the posts.
I have two beautiful dogs. They are my babies. They like to give me dog kisses. Especially in bed before I've woken up. They like to be little dentists. I know -DISGUSTING. Their dog food and treats all have gluten. Will their kisses hurt me? I can live with gf food but not without my dog kisses.

4. I'm an elementary teacher who gives out a snack to the kids everyday.
Always something with gluten. Will touching these products hurt me? Will hand washing be enough?


I'll ask more later. I think that's enough to start me.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[aklap]

Hi Sand,

Welcome!! Glad you're here. Maybe we can get you un-confused

Yes this is all quite baffeling. You head will be spinning for a bit. Don't worry it will get better. Just take one day at at ime and do the very best you can. You will make mistakes along the way - don't let it get to you. Learn from them and keep moving forward.

As for your Doc...yeah, well...that seems to be the general consensus. Dx 'em (diagnose them) then tell 'em to use the internet to figure out how to deal with it. Sure then it's OK for us to use the internet...God forbid we use the internet to get info to help dx ourselves. (OK OK...rant over) It's too bad your doc couldn't at least give you the basic after leaving the office.

1) Salad dressings, look thru these lists and see if you find your favorite. If not, call/email them and ask. Kraft as a GF friendly company. They will not hide gluten in modified food starch or natural flavors. If gluten is there, they will tell you on the label.

Our Thread on Delphi's GF Food Lists
Our thread on Chicago Mainstream GF Food List

2) Kitchen appliances. Minimum you probably should replace the spoons, spatulas, cutting boards and keep them GF. Particularly if they are wooden!! Anything porous can harbor gluten. Pots and Pans...sometimes thats a matter of cost. Teflon is something you should replace and keep GF. Food can get stuck in the scratches. For further info check Our Cross Contamination Thread. I also would go thru all of your cupboards & fridge, remove everything and give it a good cleaning too. Crumbs get EVERYWHERE!! It's those little things that can leave people scratching their heads wondering where they are getting glutened.

3) Dog food/snacks - Yes you might want to put them on a GF diet too (they do have GF dog food). Not only for their health, but yours too. Yes their NGF kiss could hurt you just like NGF human kisses could. Or you could brush their teeth after every meal

4) Kid food/snacks - See #3 LOL!! Touching the products shouldn't be too big of a deal IF you wash you hands after touching them. Use hot soapy water. Hopefully you have a sink in the room. Of course they are probably wrapped, but washing would be a good idea.

Good luck!! Don't be afraid to ask more questions!
_________________
Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

[Sand]

Al,
Thanks for the info. Not quite what I wanted to hear. Having a rough time dealing with all of this. This disease does not seem very easy to live with.
I'll take it step by step.

The lists of food were very helpful. Thank you so much!

[The Edifying Conscience]

Sandi,
Once again Al gives great information! Of course it's not what you wanted to hear but your health will improve as a result--I PROMISE.

I just wanted to add a couple of things. Litlle hands have a habbit of touching everything from pencils to papers to other students, etc. before their hands get washed. I would seriously consider going GF in your classroom. I would start giving your students GF snacks. If you give them candy--tootsie roll are GF and cheap and then you won't have to worry about the cross contamination issues, etc. Fruit and veggies are gf and far healthier than candy, but more expensive. You can buy GF pretzels in large bags from the GFP or health food stores. Also, you could bring in baked goods. The GFP Country French Bread/Pizza mix is a great sub for AP flour. Last night I followed the Tollhouse Chocolate Chip cookie recipe using the mix above. I had to add an extra 2 Tablespoons for a 1/2 batch of cookies. Kids are also motivate by pencil, stickers, erasers, etc.

Don't forget to replace your toaster and colander--especially if it is plastic. I just got a new toaster at Walmart for 14.99. I think it's the best and cheapest toaster I've ever owned. If you have any non-stick baking pans you may want to get new or at least give them a great scrub. I didn't replace my sheet pans but use parchment paper on them when I bake. If you have any cast iron pans those can be reseasoned and they'll be fine. Also, all of my new GF spatulas, spoons, cutting boards are red or have a red piece of tape attached for STOP. Just to cause the gluten eaters to think before using them.

The biggest piece of advice I have for you is to buy name brand items and call the manufacturers to verify GF status on every product. Most companies list their 800 numbers right on the labels. Like I said in another post, it's tedious and times consuming, but it's worth it. Calling manufacturers has really been the single most important thing I've done for my health. The lists/guides are great to use as a source for what is/was GF but they often become outdated. Calling manufacturers really only takes a couple of minutes to get a definitive answer.

A couple of other things...in your local grocery store you may find some GF products near the Bob's Red Mill products and some other GF products in the pharmacy section. Now, the only Bob's Red Mill products that are GF are those that say GF on the label. Their corn meal is not GF, but Kinickinick[sic] is gf. Tinkyada pasta is the best in my not so humble opinion. When boiling taste as you go because it tend to go from undercooked to gross in a matter of seconds. The GFP Chocolate Truffle Brownies are better than any other brownies period. They are also great cut into pieces and frozen for those moments when only chocolate will do.

Join a support group, it will help you to commiserate with people who are going through the same thing as you and they will offer great information.

TEC who used to be an elementary teacher

[The Edifying Conscience]

Sandi,
In 6 months to a year this diet will seem like a piece of cake. If you need anything, please ask.

TEC

[The Edifying Conscience]

Sandi,
After going GF I couldn't find any salad dressing that I liked. So, I started making my own. My favorite current favorite is a balsamic vinaigrette. Homemade taste far better than store bought. TEC

Caesar Salad Dressing

3 cloves garlic, chopped
4 anchovy fillets
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (one small lemon)
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
3 dashes hot sauce (like tabasco)
1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 large egg yolks
1/3-1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil or canola oil
2 heads romaine lettuce, outer leaves discarded,inner leaves washed and dried (ten-ounce heads)

In a large wooden bowl, using a wooden spoon, mash chopped garlic cloves to a fine paste with salt.
Stir in egg yolks and Dijon mustard.
Add anchovies, and grind to a paste.
Add lemon juice, Worcestershire, hot sauce and season with pepper.
Slowly whisk in olive/canola oil until dressing is creamy.
Add lettuce to bowl, and toss to coat leaves thoroughly with dressing and grated Parmesan.

You can also make this in the food processor or with an immersion blender following the directions above. The last time I bought Lea and Perrins it was GF. Check with the manufacturer on your choice of hot sauce and dijon mustard.


Basic Vinaigrette
1/4 cup vinegar (balsamic, red wine, etc.)
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
a couple turns of the pepper mill
a pinch of salt
1/2 cup olive oil

Mix the first 4 ingredients together in a high sided bowl with a whisk. Drizzle in the olive oil until the salad dressing has emulsified, or become one unit. This recipe is basically 1 part vinegar to 2 parts olive oil but some people like 1 part vinegar to 3 or 4 parts olive oil. Just try it until you like it. I keep it in the fridge for up to a week. It only takes 2 or 3 minutes to make.

[aklap]

[aklap]

Hi TEC - that salad dressing does look good - and I dont even like Caesar Salad Dressing

Could you do me a favor and post this in the recipe forum too, If you haven't done so already? Thanks much!!
_________________
Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

[Guest]

you are not alone there are thousands of people who have the same problem. THere is always a solution though. Take it day by day that is the best advice I have heard.

But just to let everyone know there is this bakery in MIchigan that mail orders and is gluten free and some dairy free products. THey have birthday cakes and icing and doughnuts that are outrageous.
www.celiacspecialties.com

Go to their website and check them out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I seen them in CHicago at a conference. The cinnamon rolls are fabulous.

[Sand]

Thanks Again Everyone! It really is nice to hear from others going through the same things.

AL, I do agree with you. We are really lucky that this disease can be treated by diet alone.
I really wonder how many
illnesses could be cured without "drug companies".
We could rant some time.

I think I'll be fine with the diet. There seem to be many things that
are gluten free. TEC - thanks for the dressing recipe. Can't wait to try it!
I do miss my salad dressings.

My husband is wonderful but I think he just wants to try to be GF so
I can't yell at him for anything. LOL! All men seem to get in trouble for one thing or another.

Gluten does seem to be ruling my life right now.
My biggest worry is the cross contamination.
I'll check out that thread some more.

The biggest positive right now is losing weight. Yeah!!!!

Going one day at a time and making it through with all your help!