Get your sombreros on, it's my gluten-free anniversary! Today was a day to celebrate the past years of crumbled bread, salads as a last resort, and forcing every family member to download the GF Scanner app. It's been a long ride, and clearly, there's more to come. Grateful for that time my Dad randomly said "maybe you have to be gluten-free? I know someone who is Celiac" and I replied "that's not a real thing." How the tables have turned!
Before getting into the bulk... first we can admire this adorable attempt at making a song about celebrations like this:
My road to diagnosis was an interesting one. As a child, I was eating pasta and microwaved pizza on the daily with no issues at all. Through that time, the only notable abnormality was my lack of weight gain and consistent nausea after eating, which was usually boiled down to 'eating too fast' or 'just relax for a bit and you'll feel better.'
Once I hit 16, there were prominent signs surfacing that I'd always ignored, for example: fatigue, weight loss, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, anemia, ulcers, and joint pain. I'd always thought this was normal, or I was just 'different.' It wasn't until pain and nausea began affecting my day-to-day life that I'd considered getting some courage to talk to someone.
I waited two months for an appointment with an allergist, and that's the news that created a lasting impact on my life. Without gluten-free eating, the excitement of going out and finding new places would have never happened. If we'd like to get technical, I wouldn't even be writing this right now.
If you've ever clicked on the 'about page,' you'll remember this story. Anyways, at the time, my obsession was Amish raspberry pie, and after a quick Google search about what gluten was, I realized I'd never feed this addiction again.
Therefore, my last farewell to a gluten-filled life, was a raspberry pie. Clearly, I got sick, and most definitely regretted the decision — but it was the final time I allowed myself to intentionally eat non-GF.
I come from an area where eating with 'special diets' is completely unheard of, therefore making my adjustment even more difficult. Local restaurants looked at me like I was crazy for asking about gluten in their products, and the largest grocery store in town carried the bare minimum due to lack of demand. It was hard, and I sympathize anyone who lives in secluded areas while also having Celiac, because it's not only difficult to adapt, but it's even harder when there isn't any choices within a 50 mile radius.
For about two years, I lived at home and began consistently eating salad, grilled chicken, and noodles. I assumed this was how gluten-free eating was for everyone, and there wasn't viable modifications for those struggling with dietary restrictions. There was a small shelf of gluten-free crackers and cookies at the store, which I seemed to be the only one picking from, but the selection never changed. My well-being was better all around, but this was combatted with an extremely limited diet.
Although, there was a bakery and cafe about an hour from home, give or take, that was entirely gluten-free and became my favorite place on the map. Birthday cake and graduation celebrations wouldn't have been the same without Three Bears Bakery, and to this day, they still make the best sweets, in my opinion.
Following high school I went to college in New Jersey, and this move ultimately changed my perspective on gluten-free eating. For example, I'd never had Chipotle, or knew that Jersey Mike's popped off and made subs on Udi's buns. Although I did have a bad dining hall experience, I was exposed to more opportunity than ever. Through my two years there I'd found my favorite spots, and made sure to go there as much as possible.
Rutherford Pancake House was also a fan favorite (I literally lived around the corner).
The holy grail of gluten-free eating was when I became brave enough to bear New Jersey Transit and make my way into New York City.
In 2020, I found Modern Bread and Bagel on TikTok, and made sure to remind my Mom, constantly, that we were going to attempt to make way there on my 19th birthday (two years later).
Somehow, we made it there alive. Meaning, we refused to take the subway and walked from Penn Station to 83rd. On the bright side, I got that everything bagel with chive cream cheese I'd been planning on for years! Naturally, this became a regular spot for me (as well as Thyme & Tonic next door).
Celiac-friendly eating has substantially grown in popularity over the years, but I have especially noticed this upward motion since my time came around. My move from Upstate and empty land to chaotic New Jersians allowed eating to feel fun again, and I'll always be grateful for the switch.
As time goes on, more and more people choose to avoid gluten for various reasons, therefore... helping the industry! I'm glad this has been a common consensus, because now it is easier than ever to find virtually anything GF, especially being near a major city where there's something for everyone.
Celiac cruises, 100% GF restaurants, gluten-free festivals, and finally some GOOD BREAD! I couldn't be more grateful for this journey, and to know that others are living their life with similar habits.
I always thought this time would be painful, and hard to get through. College, moving states, finding new places, explaining needs constantly... it isn't all that bad!
Being halfway through high school and finding out your body had been attacking itself for its entirety was a challenge, but I'm happy to be here FOUR YEARS LATER and know that I'm still succeeding, and still doing everything I can to stay healthy.
Four years and a lifetime to go!
I’m so proud of you 🩷