I headed out into the freezing cold yesterday to use a Borders Coupon to buy this jamie Oliver cookbook I have been wanting. I meant to dig into it last night with a nice lit candle and glass of wine. BUT>>>I got sidetracked with my gluten free life. I tend to get obsessed with the lifestyle and medical issues surrounding it when I accidentally ingest wheat or gluten it and it makes me ill. Which is exactly what I did somehow over the holidays. My mind retraces every morsel I put in my mouth trying to recall the culprit.Tthe truth is I ate out which is always a bit of a gamble and I tried all sort of sweets and cheeses that had additives in them that I couldn't pronounce or recognize. I even had a little Egg Nog with Rum that my Celiac friend, Jeremy says is a no-no for him. Distilled alcohol is widely debated in the Gluten free community.

So while I was at Borders I picked up The Gluten Free Bible by Jax Lowell. She is a foodie and a Celiac. The book had me laughing out loud and I felt like I had found a friend. It made me think that maybe I should join a support group or something so when I needed I could have like minded people around. I clicked over to Amazon and try to grab a picture of this book and read the reviews of her book. Good Lord! People with food issues can be so harsh! I mean I read her book and took certain items with a grain of salt-she has a list in the book of things to help prevent you from cheating. What the??? I guess some wheat does cause instantaneous pain to some like it does me, cheating is not the issue!!! She also lists certain meds as gluten free and some as not. I have had serious issues with meds and supplements and I do keep a comprehensive downloaded-updated list at home. Unfortunately some over the counter items change the ingredients list when it becomes "instant dissolve" etc. This does not work for me, it may work out for someone else. But like any book hers is meant to comfort and instruct yes but you have to use reason as to what works for you. Can you see why I pull my head out of this HUGE issue in my life only to resurface occasionally? I have talked to dietitian's and doctors that flat out don't give the right advice to someone who needs a gluten free diet (now that is scary!!) Books like Lowells are at least CLOSE to the mark AND she has recipes that a foodie like me can love. So why all the mean reviews? Maybe because it has the word BIBLE in the title and well maybe this medical issue is just to new and unreseared to tout any kind of BIBLE. I just needed a friend! My frustration only surfaces when I have gotten myself sick and when I travel, oh and when I stand in the bakery section at the grocers. I guess that is more often that I realize. In the meantime, I read cookbooks like Jamie's, which focuses on whole foods-veggies, meats, fruits and I modify here and there as I need to, it makes me feel normal. Hmmm, I might have to get my head out of the sand about this issue this year. I guess last year was the year to heal physically and this year is the year to embrace it? yuk! That does not sound fun! Might have to think on this one.