Hello all

This blog is all about my experiences about being a coeliac. This very basically means that I cannot eat anything that has gluten or wheat or any of its by products in it.

When I say basically - that is exactly what I mean. Gluten, it seems, is in almost all foods on this planet. Okay I am being dramatic and there are so many foods that do not, the frustrating part is that most foods that are easy and everyone has have gluten in it.

Let me explain. All takeaway/fast foods have gluten in it. And if by some chance they do not, then more than likely they are prepared in the same area as food that does have gluten in it. This is known as cross contamination and something I will explain further down the track.

But, I hear you say, takeaway/fast food is bad for you. Why would you be disappointed that it does? Well, think of this way. Could you never ever ever eat takeway again? I mean never? Think back to that last time you had fish n chips, or a burger, or Subway, or a pizza, or roast chicken? Why did you have it? Having a bad day? Couldn't be bothered cooking? The kids were nagging you for a Happy Meal? You worked till 10pm at night and hubby hadn't thought of leaving you dinner? Just felt like it? All very good and valid reasons I think. If you are a coealic, you know you very well could not dash out to pick up something. You would have to cook something and if you had nothing at home, then you would have to go to the supermarket, think of what to make, buy gluten free ingredients and then go home and cook. Then eat and then clean up.

If you are a coeliac then I am sure that you get people coming up to you and telling you how much easier it is these days. To be a coeliac that is. There is food everywhere! I beg to differ. Yes, it is a little easier and a little exciting to see all those gluten free food products on the supermarket shelves. But, you still have to be responsible for all your own cooking. And in reality, 2 full shelves of food products you can eat in a whole supermarket, isn't really that much.

I think I am sounding down and bitter about this and I should be happy that I no longer have pain and I am alive and I am lucky to have the choice of eating good food.

I just want to explain what it is like to be a coeliac. So other coeliac's know that there is someone who understands what it like, who goes through what you go through. And for their family and friends, to know what it is like for them. To know perhaps how to make life a little bit easier for them and to know that you can invite them around for a meal and know what to make without asking them, "now what will YOU eat?"