I think what I miss the most about my old non-celiac life was the blissfull innocent ignorance....gone are the days when I could just rip open a bag of chips and munch away in bliss, or allow my cravings to dictate my meal selection. Hmmmmm, onion rings? Don't mind if I do! I now have to read -nay, study- the labels of everything I eat. I now have to ask, question, interagate the staff of whatever eating establishment I am at to make sure whatever I am eating is made with gluten-free ingrediants, on a gluten-free surface with gluten-free utensials. What may seem annoying to some (think of Sally's ordering habits in "When Harry Met Sally" - on the side of the side) is now my reality.
A couple of weeks ago, I had lunch at one of the local gourment burger joints (the gourment burger is the new cupcake it would seems). I was uber excited as they had gluten-free buger buns - something that even a year ago was a rarity for a restuarant. I asked the waitress what on the menu was gluten-free and she replied, "You should be pretty good with everything.....I mean, the burger patties have wheat crumbs but how bad is your sensitivity?" Honey, shall I go into graphic detail? I smiled (a sincere smile, not a passive-agressive smirk), and I explained that I was a Celiac and gluten was not an option. "No problem!" the waitress exclaimed, and pointed out 6 options. In the end, I ordered the lamb burger with blue cheese with a side beet salad - loved the salad, not so much the blue cheese. Would I have loved the beef burger with cheese and bacon - absolutely! Would I be willing to sacrifice my well being for a bite of bliss? Not so much. As time goes on, I am realizing that I have to stay the gluten-free course .....and just pray that onion rings will be gluten-free one day. A girl has have a dream.......
