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| Your Support Network - GF-Style |
Up until now in this series, Your Gluten-free Journey, I have presented various strategies, and
things you can to do adapt to a gluten-free (GF) lifestyle. I believe I have saved the best for
last. However, where do you go and where do you start if you are newly diagnosed? If you
decided to take up backpacking where would you go? To those who have experience and know
what they are doing?
When hiking, traveling or driving across the hot dry Arizona desert in the summer, you don’t
typically want to do this alone, or at least without telling someone that you are doing so. Why?
Because it potentially dangerous, and so is the GF lifestyle if you are not prepared and
informed. Secondly, journeying alone is rarely as much fun as it is with someone else. Lastly,
none of us is as smart as all of us. So here are some ideas to consider if you are newly
diagnosed.
One of the first steps I recommend taking is joining a gluten-free support group. In the larger
metropolitan areas there are probably more than a couple groups actively functioning. Debbie
and I are involved in two such groups. I have noticed a couple of things these groups share.
First, they are very welcoming kind-hearted people with empathetic hearts towards those with
food sensitivities. Second, they are very knowledgeable and are very willing to share their
experiences with you. Third and most importantly, they are very tightly-knit and well connected.
The easiest ways to find these groups are by doing an internet search in your local area, or by
asking your gastroenterologist.
You will immediately be connected with like-minded people that have a sincere desire to walk
along your side until you are able to do the same for someone else. The amount of information
you can obtain from these supportive people is nothing less than short of amazing. What do
they get out of helping you? Simply the knowledge that they have blessed you and have gained
a new acquaintance. They are not in it for the money but just to be helpful and supportive.
If you are not a “joiner” kind of person, the internet provides a wealth of information. However,
be advised that just because it is on the internet does not mean the information is accurate or
safe. Sadly, there is a lot of misinformation mixed in with the factual information. Your
challenge will be in verifying what you read which is sometimes not as easy as one would
suggest. An example of this is last I read that simply cranking up the heat on a grill will “ash” off
any residual gluten prior to cooking on the grates. Well, after some research and finding a food
chemist, I learned that gluten can withstand temperatures well above 800 degrees F for over 20
to 30 minutes. The lesson here is to absolutely know the source of the information and whether
they are credible or not.
Check out the blogs where you are not simply reading one person’s or business’ site, but are
reading dialogues from many different people who can challenge, or minimally question, some
for the myths that exist out there. By the very nature of blogs, content is read and challenged
by many. In this case, there is safety in numbers. Remember, none of us is as smart as all of
us.
Other sources of support should include your family members, but this is not always the case.
On occasion, I have had clients whose spouses were not on board and would not
wholeheartedly support the individual with a gluten intolerance/sensitivity. This is particularly
challenging and in a few cases I have observed a tear-filling experience. In this case, I would
recommend getting the family part of your support network, have them listen to your
gastroenterologist, or to see a family counselor to resolve the communication challenges that
may occur.
My son threw a house warming party a few years ago and took the time to phone Debbie just to
get a better ideal of her gastronomical needs. He not only prepared the best stuffed grape
leaves I ever ate, but he decontaminated his kitchen, and made sure there was no possibility of
cross-contamination between the flour tortillas and the corn tortillas, going a step further to
ensure anyone in the kitchen (which is typically a lot of people in the family) knew how to
maintain safe and sanitary conditions.
Friends – everyone typically has several. If they are close and caring, great! However, some
friends, regardless of how long you have known them may not be able to relate to your very
unique GF life experience. One of my closest friends seemed to be inconvenienced when we
went out to dinner with them. Debbie had the kitchen manager come out to talk with us to see
what could be done to meet Debbie’s needs. This was a very uncomfortable experience for us
as we saw the “eye-roll and sigh.” Sadly, we have never gone out to dinner with them again.
This doesn’t mean they are bad or small-minded people; it only means they cannot relate to the
severity of Debbie’s need. Hopefully, you will find your friends to be selfless and supportive and
graciously willing to learn and walk with you.
There are more things to consider, but these are the highlights. Please remember, you are not
alone. There are those who are ready to show you what and how to pack in your backpack of
life-skills, food sources, recipes and more. The gluten-free journey need not be a fearful or
dreadful experience. Debbie and I live a full, vibrant, exciting and happy life. Sure, there are
bumps here and there, but that’s NORMAL. You are NORMAL (whatever “normal” might be).
You have not sprouted a second head or a third eye. You drive on the same streets. You put
your pants on one leg at a time like the rest of the world, and you have to eat like everyone
else, just a little differently.
There is one last comment I would like to make to wrap up this series.
You are not your disease. You are the same person with hopes and dreams you were before
you were diagnosed. That should NEVER change. REFUSE to let your Celiac become a part of
your identity or something that defines who you are. As a chef who has cooked for people with
special needs, I have met too many people whose lives revolve primarily around their medical
conditions, Celiac or otherwise. Those individuals are decidedly cheating themselves out of
vibrancy and adventure in life. While Debbie’s diet does sometimes inconvenience her and
alter her choices, she stubbornly refuses let it dictate her joy or her attitude. The vast majority
of time she maintains this glowing smile and positive attitude knowing “it could be worse.” Her
attitude for life is one of the primary reasons I grew to love her. She is nothing less than an
inspiration to me and anyone who takes the time to get to know her. She is such a blessing to
so many people, not just those with Celiac, Autism or other medical conditions; everyone is
willing to invest the time to know her. It is my hope and prayer that you have a “Debbie” in your
life to cheer you on as I do.
Know who you are and become comfortable in that truth.
Until next time, be well and be blessed,
Chef David Hall, CGC
Thyme for a Chef, LLC
www.thymeforachef.com
things you can to do adapt to a gluten-free (GF) lifestyle. I believe I have saved the best for
last. However, where do you go and where do you start if you are newly diagnosed? If you
decided to take up backpacking where would you go? To those who have experience and know
what they are doing?
When hiking, traveling or driving across the hot dry Arizona desert in the summer, you don’t
typically want to do this alone, or at least without telling someone that you are doing so. Why?
Because it potentially dangerous, and so is the GF lifestyle if you are not prepared and
informed. Secondly, journeying alone is rarely as much fun as it is with someone else. Lastly,
none of us is as smart as all of us. So here are some ideas to consider if you are newly
diagnosed.
One of the first steps I recommend taking is joining a gluten-free support group. In the larger
metropolitan areas there are probably more than a couple groups actively functioning. Debbie
and I are involved in two such groups. I have noticed a couple of things these groups share.
First, they are very welcoming kind-hearted people with empathetic hearts towards those with
food sensitivities. Second, they are very knowledgeable and are very willing to share their
experiences with you. Third and most importantly, they are very tightly-knit and well connected.
The easiest ways to find these groups are by doing an internet search in your local area, or by
asking your gastroenterologist.
You will immediately be connected with like-minded people that have a sincere desire to walk
along your side until you are able to do the same for someone else. The amount of information
you can obtain from these supportive people is nothing less than short of amazing. What do
they get out of helping you? Simply the knowledge that they have blessed you and have gained
a new acquaintance. They are not in it for the money but just to be helpful and supportive.
If you are not a “joiner” kind of person, the internet provides a wealth of information. However,
be advised that just because it is on the internet does not mean the information is accurate or
safe. Sadly, there is a lot of misinformation mixed in with the factual information. Your
challenge will be in verifying what you read which is sometimes not as easy as one would
suggest. An example of this is last I read that simply cranking up the heat on a grill will “ash” off
any residual gluten prior to cooking on the grates. Well, after some research and finding a food
chemist, I learned that gluten can withstand temperatures well above 800 degrees F for over 20
to 30 minutes. The lesson here is to absolutely know the source of the information and whether
they are credible or not.
Check out the blogs where you are not simply reading one person’s or business’ site, but are
reading dialogues from many different people who can challenge, or minimally question, some
for the myths that exist out there. By the very nature of blogs, content is read and challenged
by many. In this case, there is safety in numbers. Remember, none of us is as smart as all of
us.
Other sources of support should include your family members, but this is not always the case.
On occasion, I have had clients whose spouses were not on board and would not
wholeheartedly support the individual with a gluten intolerance/sensitivity. This is particularly
challenging and in a few cases I have observed a tear-filling experience. In this case, I would
recommend getting the family part of your support network, have them listen to your
gastroenterologist, or to see a family counselor to resolve the communication challenges that
may occur.
My son threw a house warming party a few years ago and took the time to phone Debbie just to
get a better ideal of her gastronomical needs. He not only prepared the best stuffed grape
leaves I ever ate, but he decontaminated his kitchen, and made sure there was no possibility of
cross-contamination between the flour tortillas and the corn tortillas, going a step further to
ensure anyone in the kitchen (which is typically a lot of people in the family) knew how to
maintain safe and sanitary conditions.
Friends – everyone typically has several. If they are close and caring, great! However, some
friends, regardless of how long you have known them may not be able to relate to your very
unique GF life experience. One of my closest friends seemed to be inconvenienced when we
went out to dinner with them. Debbie had the kitchen manager come out to talk with us to see
what could be done to meet Debbie’s needs. This was a very uncomfortable experience for us
as we saw the “eye-roll and sigh.” Sadly, we have never gone out to dinner with them again.
This doesn’t mean they are bad or small-minded people; it only means they cannot relate to the
severity of Debbie’s need. Hopefully, you will find your friends to be selfless and supportive and
graciously willing to learn and walk with you.
There are more things to consider, but these are the highlights. Please remember, you are not
alone. There are those who are ready to show you what and how to pack in your backpack of
life-skills, food sources, recipes and more. The gluten-free journey need not be a fearful or
dreadful experience. Debbie and I live a full, vibrant, exciting and happy life. Sure, there are
bumps here and there, but that’s NORMAL. You are NORMAL (whatever “normal” might be).
You have not sprouted a second head or a third eye. You drive on the same streets. You put
your pants on one leg at a time like the rest of the world, and you have to eat like everyone
else, just a little differently.
There is one last comment I would like to make to wrap up this series.
You are not your disease. You are the same person with hopes and dreams you were before
you were diagnosed. That should NEVER change. REFUSE to let your Celiac become a part of
your identity or something that defines who you are. As a chef who has cooked for people with
special needs, I have met too many people whose lives revolve primarily around their medical
conditions, Celiac or otherwise. Those individuals are decidedly cheating themselves out of
vibrancy and adventure in life. While Debbie’s diet does sometimes inconvenience her and
alter her choices, she stubbornly refuses let it dictate her joy or her attitude. The vast majority
of time she maintains this glowing smile and positive attitude knowing “it could be worse.” Her
attitude for life is one of the primary reasons I grew to love her. She is nothing less than an
inspiration to me and anyone who takes the time to get to know her. She is such a blessing to
so many people, not just those with Celiac, Autism or other medical conditions; everyone is
willing to invest the time to know her. It is my hope and prayer that you have a “Debbie” in your
life to cheer you on as I do.
Know who you are and become comfortable in that truth.
Until next time, be well and be blessed,
Chef David Hall, CGC
Thyme for a Chef, LLC
www.thymeforachef.com
Copyright 2011, Thyme for a Chef, LLC. All rights reserved.
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