Celiac Disease: A Quick Primer (and Why “Psychosomatic” and “Autoimmume” Don’t Mean The Same Thing)

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“What exactly is Celiac Disease?” We’ve all been asked this question plenty of times, from people with either well-intentioned, or suspicious tones in their voices. While many people have heard the words “Celiac Disease”, the average non-sufferer generally has one of more of the following misconceptions about it: It’s a gluten allergy It’s something to …

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Naples, Florida: A Close Call at Tommy Bahama’s!

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Tommy Bahama’s is a popular premium, international, select-market eatery chain in the U.S. and has a limited NOT gluten-free but “gluten sensitive” menu. They’re generally adjacent to a Tommy Bahama’s store, and the upscale-casual food and decor reflect their “Island Lifestyle” brand aesthetic. As well-decorated eateries with well-plated food and well-presented cocktails, no matter where …

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Questions Matter: My Restaurant Script

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Many Celiacs enter restaurants with great trepidation. The fear and dread of being glutened makes what to most people would be a pleasant meal outing into a “lamb to slaughter” sort of feeling for us. And it sucks large. It’s a vicious circle: if Celiacs don’t frequent restaurants, then restaurants won’t know how to serve …

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Color Oops – Haircolor Remover

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Sometimes, well-intentioned hair color ideas can be more hare-brained than hair-savvy, and you’re left with a color that’s at best not what you were thinking; at worst a tragic mistake .  What seemed like a great idea in your head may not be how your colorist interpreted your enthused description of “exactly” what you were …

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Key West, Florida: Eaton Street Seafood Market – The Best Lobster Roll in Key West (and maybe the entire Universe):  Celiac Edition

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Ah, Key West. Quirky and cheerful. Sunshine and shopping. Cocktails and cuisine. Shop. Eat. Drink.  Repeat. It’s the best. My husband, sisters and I took the ferry from Marco Island, FL for an extra shot of “daycation” during our sisters’ Florida weekend. Since Key West is the southernmost city in the US, you may not think …

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Toaster Condoms (Have I Got Your Attention?)

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  Every Celiac knows that while there are way more gluten-free products available to us now than ever, our bread still could be….more evolved. It’s expensive, and nowhere near as yummy as its glutenous counterparts. But the fact of the matter is that it’s the hand that we’re dealt, and unless it’s bread from some …

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Clearing Customs: Do your Pre-packaged Gluten-Free Plane Snacks Count as “Food”?

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If you love to (or have to) travel, chances are good that you either have some sort of fast customs card like a NEXUS card or are thinking of applying for one (link for Canadians).  There are many advantages to a NEXUS card, the most obvious being the ability to skip the customs line-up and self-serve on the …

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Smoked Salmon Tortellini in Boursin with Watercress 

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Today was spent sorting through  the boxes upon boxes of magazines, books, and general paper clutter in the house, as I am on a Minimalist Journey (I’ll probably touch on it sometime later).  So much for a relaxing weekend. Anyhow, I was so beat that I was going to make salsa and chips for dinner, …

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I Heart Gluten-Sensitive People. (Whether They’re Really Gluten-Sensitive or Not). 

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   Every Celiac cringes when their restaurant server responds to their order of a gluten-free meals and specific food-handling details with “so… how sensitive are you?”  Uhhhhhh….. It’s not the servers fault:  they have been witness to many similar requests.  And often, when those requesting a gluten-free meal aren’t happy with the limited choices, they …

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What Size Can you Carry On? 

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Any frequent flyer knows that the secret to a quick in and out from airports is to go carryon only. This means you have to be a ninja packer, but if you are….all the airlines’ different dimensions can make it somewhat of a guess when you’re trying to figure out which suitcase to use! So …

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