Ep 165 Gluten Free Grocery Finds
A Conversation with Tabitha from Instagram
Let’s start the blog with the show notes for this Episode –
On this episode I speak with Tabitha who has an Instagram page called Gluten_Free_Canada. The page caught my attention because it only had gluten free grocery store foods. I reached out to Tabitha and was curious to see why she started the page, and what her best food finds were. Tabitha has been diagnosed celiac for more than ten years and enjoys both grocery shopping and reading labels. She makes sure to only feature foods she enjoys. Reading labels is a skill that must be acquired over time and is particularly difficult for the newly diagnosed. Tabitha features some foods on her page, which I didn’t realize were gluten free. I suppose we all get into a routine with our food choices and often don’t take the time to look for new options. Tabitha is now doing that for me.
You can find Tabitha’s Instagram page at Gluten_Free_Canada.
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 –
It’s been a year since the beginning of the pandemic. All our habits have changed, some in drastic ways, and some more subtle. Right at the beginning, in March 2020, my husband and I set up a schedule to only go grocery shopping individually, once a week and alternate the weeks. Before covid, between the two of us, we could easily be in the store(s) 4,5 or more times in a week.
I didn’t realize, till I was speaking with Tabitha that the frequency was not the only part of my grocery routine that changed. I no longer meandered down the aisles, looking at anything I saw that was new. Now, I don’t sightsee or linger. My grocery trips are – mask on, hands sanitized, cart sanitized, once around the store with a list, holding back if someone was in front of me, creeping towards the checkout, not much talking, get out and get home. Grocery shopping became something routine, and although it was a reason to leave the house, as an activity, it lost whatever had made it enjoyable in the past.
The enjoyment came back one day recently when I was looking to buy some gluten free cookies and spotted the new gluten free Oreos on the shelf and “on sale”. I was thrilled. I bought four packages and went directly to my daughter’s home to give her three of the packages.
I had forgotten how excited I used to get when I found something new gluten free. Food producers and stores are introducing new gluten free products all the time, but for the past year, I haven’t been noticing. At our local CCA Chapter meetings we often brought new product finds in either for the group to taste, or more often to show the empty package. This was always so much fun. I miss seeing the group in person, and sharing our finds.
Having a gluten free support group, or at least a gluten free friend is so helpful, and it gives you someone to call or text when you find something new on store shelves. Tabitha has taken this to social media. I’m glad she’s showing me products I can now look for on my whip around the grocery store. One day I’ll be able to linger again in the cookie aisle, until then, I’ll wait for friends and Tabitha to alert me to new discoveries.