Ghastly Gluten

So, have you ever wanted to track somebody down and strangle them? Or at least give them a good hard spankin? :) I've spent the last week wishing I knew for sure who glutenized me so I could do just that. :)

Yes, I've had a week and a half of cramping, yucky bathroom issues, horrible nausea every time I eat, shooting headaches, aching...and just all around blah-ness. I'm finally feeling better the past couple of days, so no pity party for me yet, but there for a while it was a wee bit frustrating.

So, what do I think got me? Well, I almost hate to say it because you can never know for sure...but well...I'm pretty sure it was Uno Chicago Grill. Yes, we decided to try a new restaurant that we were all excited about, and that had a big, nice, fancy gluten-free menu. I excitedly ordered a gluten-free pepperoni pizza, and went to town. Yum. By that night, I was feeling pretty ill, and it spiraled from there. Maybe it was a one time thing, and they are usually fine. Maybe it was a mix up. Most probably it was cross-contamination. I don't know. But I do know I was one sick puppy, and will not be eating there again soon.

The silver lining is that Brian (hubby) and I have been wondering ever since I started the diet if I'd even know if I accidentally got some gluten, and how that all worked. I guess now we know! Lucky us! :)

Gluten-free at PF Changs

My husband took me to dinner at PF Changs yesterday for our anniversary, and I gotta say...best dining out experience so far! Everyone at the restaurant, from the hostess to the waitress, knew exactly what we were talking about when we requested the gluten-free menu. No one was at all surprised or confused. The waitress even volunteered all kinds of helpful info without me even having to ask (i.e. they use seperate woks for all the gluten-free food). And I was so excited when they actually handed me a REAL menu, with only gluten-free options on it! It wasn't a print out from the internet, they didn't hand me their normal menu and tell me what they could change to be gluten-free...it was a complete gluten-free menu!

We started off with the Lettuce Wraps, and then ordered the Chang's Spicy Chicken and the Lemon Chicken. It was all delicious--I was thrilled to be eating a REAL meal. A lot of the times I go to a "gluten-free" restaurant, and end up feeling like I should be happy just to be able to eat a bland meal there. Not the case here...there was breaded chicken, there were sauces, our waitress even knew to bring us gluten-free soy sauce. It was such a great, great experience! Highly recommend it.

Current Gluten-Free Favorites

BREAKFAST:



Can you tell I'm a cereal girl? :) I'll never forget the conversation that went on at my dietitian's office that made my day:

Me: "So I heard that Safeway carries a cereal called Fruity Nuggets that is gluten-free?" Me on the inside: "Please tell me I get to eat something in the mornings besides Chex...I love Chex...but every morning for the rest of my life could get a little dicey."

Dietitian: "Well...real Fruity Pebbles are actually gluten-free too, but they have zero nutritional value."

Me, acting disinterested: "Oh, really. Huh." Me on the Inside: "Sweeeeeeeeeeet!!!! Like I care! They are one of my favorites!"


LUNCH:

String Cheese and Cheese Sticks with Yogurt or Salad



DINNER IN:

Mexican (tacos or enchiladas) with Trader Joes or Mission Corn Tortillas, and homeade sauce


DINNER OUT:

Austin Grill (I'd actually never eaten there til I started the diet. Then I discovered they had a gluten-free menu, and gave it a try and YUM. Just YUM. The Taco Salad...scrumptious.)

SNACKS:

String Cheese

Trader Joe's Buccaneer Joes White Cheddar Corn Puffs

Cheetos

Corn Chips and Salsa (Sam's Choice(Walmart) Southwestern Black Bean and White Corn Salsa....YUM)

Greens or Bryers Ice Cream (any flavor without harmful mix ins)