Ep 120 May 2020 Roundup

Let’s start the blog with the show notes for this Episode –

I always look forward to my monthly conversations with Ellen from thesceliacscene.com.  On this episode we chat about new relaxed FDA regulations for restaurants labelling food, and a surprising study out of Sweden showing an increased risk of death from celiac disease.  Ellen chats about her recent virtual baking class, and I’m happy to announce that I will be speaking with the class creator on next week’s podcast.  Here’s the links to Ellen’s articles on theceliacscene.com.

Is This Really the Time? FDA Relaxes Labeling Requirements for Restaurants & Manufacturers

Swedish Study Links Celiac Disease with Increased Mortality

bit.ly/GlutenFreeKOB

The website for the virtual baking classes is www.glutenfreekob.com

Sue’s Websites and Social Media

Podcast https://acanadianceliacpodcast.libsyn.com

Podcast Blog – https://www.acanadianceliacblog.com

Facebook – @acanadianceliacpodcast

Twitter – CeliacPodcastCA

Email – acdnceliacpodcast@gmail.com

Baking Website – https://www.suesglutenfreebaking.com

Instagram – @suesgfbaking

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUVGfpD4eJwwSc_YjkGagza06yYe3ApzL

Email – sue@suesglutenfreebaking.com

Other Podcast – Gluten Free Weigh In – https://glutenfreeweighin.libsyn.com

My Thoughts

Friends.  When times get tough, you really appreciate your friends.  I admit, that although I enjoy producing a podcast, I’m very lazy about phoning friends and having a conversation.  I’m not sure why that is, I’m interested, but maybe I just get lazy.  It’s when I take the time to have a conversation with a friend like Ellen, that I realize how much of an enriching experience it is to share with others. 

The celiac/gluten free journey we are all going through becomes very personal.  Maybe you are the only one in a household going gluten free, or maybe you are responsible for a child eating gluten free.  Either way, it’s very personal.  We often get drawn inward.  We do our best to understand the diet, and research, or ask others when we get stumped, but for the most part it’s up to me.  When I’m in a grocery store looking over the shelves of potato and corn chips, I can watch what other people choose, and I’m just like them (for the most part).  When I’m looking over the gluten free shelves, I’m usually the only one.   When I’m out with friends or family for a meal (oh the good old days!), I’m the one holding up the ordering with questions or requiring assurances from the wait staff.  This can be an isolating condition, even if we have our friends.

For me, I need a variety of friends.  The regular wheat-eaters, and the special ones like me.  The “regulars” will never quite understand, but they do try and be helpful, after all I have chosen them as friends.  On the other hand, the gluten free friends don’t have to understand, they can just support, and that support will always be mutual, again, because I’ve chosen them as friends. 

We all need understanding and support, so we need a variety of friends.  I’ve thrived on the gluten free diet, and in retrospect, I couldn’t have done that without my gluten free friends.  An isolating condition – yes, but one that craves the support of others.  I think I’ve struck the right balance.  I’m good with that.