Today is Celiac Disease Awareness Day, so I thought I would share a few thoughts. For some reason my brain is working in fours today, so here you go. Four things I want you to know about Celiac Disease: 1. Celiac Disease is not a fad. It’s a sucky disease. 2. Celiac Disease is an “invisible illness” which makes it hard for people to understand. Hint: If you want to…
I’ve decided to hop back on the Paleo low-FODMAP eating plan. (What are FODMAPs? Click here.) This past month has been more down than up in terms of my health, and the worse I felt, the more lazy I became in my eating (which I’m sure made me feel even worse). I was grabbing a bar for breakfast, maybe even a bar for lunch, scrounging for a dinner I wouldn’t…
“Just go gluten-free and you’ll be fine!” That’s what my original GI doctor told me over the phone when she diagnosed me with celiac disease. I found hope in her words, and even celebrated the diagnosis. Finally, I can have my life back! Or so I thought. Now it’s two years later. My blood tests are all normal, my intestines have healed, I should be in that “fine” place…
I had the opportunity to share my thoughts on gluten-free labeling with a reporter from the Arizona Republic a few weeks ago. Yesterday the story was finally printed. If you would like to read it, click on the image below. From the article: The rise in popularity of the gluten-free diet has been both a blessing and a curse for consumers such as Alysa Bajenaru, for whom a gluten-free diet…
The kids and I used to love playing with playdough, but since going gluten-free I just haven’t taken the time to learn how to make it at home. I totally should have because it only takes 10 minutes, and it’s super easy. Also it’s fun! This was a perfect project for Leila and I to do together. Here’s how you do it. You will need 1/2 cup rice flour 1/2…
Around here we live and breath minor league baseball. Back in the old days, when Jeff was making his way through the White Sox farm system, I reveled in the adventure that took us from town to town, exploring minor league cities, tasting all of the unique ballpark food. “Dragon Tails” in Charlotte (fried pickles), boiled peanuts in Mobile (yuck), and soft serve “Ice Dream” in Chattanooga (yum). Now that…
This is a very raw post about life with celiac disease that I wrote a couple months ago after being “glutened.” I was frustrated and sad, and this is what poured out. I haven’t posted it publicly before, but feel like today is a perfect day to do it because of the Disney and Chelsea Handler craziness of this week. And really, it all comes down to this: Choosing to eat gluten-free because it…