My Story

In the fall of 2012, my son's teacher was calling me from school telling me my baby was crying, doubled over in the bathroom and needing to be picked up.  It was happening often - about once a week.  Kasen was 8 at the time and in the 2nd grade.  It broke my heart to see him that way but by around 10:30 or 11:00, he would be fine - running around the house throwing the football. It was crazy!!  I decided I needed to do SOMETHING!  I, of course, went to Google.  After some searching, I came across a list of symptoms related to Celiac Disease and Gluten Sensitivity. I was amazed at the number of symptoms Kasen had mentioned.  Not only did he have the severe stomach pain and diarrhea, he also had headaches, he was shorter than most his classmates and was at the bottom of the growth chart.  He also complained about being tired all of the time, had some ache in his joints and some nasty skin rashes.  Separately, all of these symptoms could be explained away, BUT when you look at the big picture, it all pointed to Wheat/Gluten.

I made the appointment.  I only told the Doctor that we were there about his stomach pain and diarrhea.  He began asking me a ton of questions and the last question was, "Has anyone in your family been diagnosed with Celiac Disease?"  I knew Google was right!  He did blood work (not a pleasant experience!) and we would have to wait a week for the results.  He said the blood work is not always 100% accurate but it would be a starting point.  He also told us to do without wheat and gluten until the test results were back.  I proceeded to shrug my shoulders and say, "Sure, no problem."

BAAAAHAAHAAAAHAAAAAHAAA!  Little did I know as I sat in the doctor's office that day that doing without wheat and gluten is a LIFE CHANGE for the entire family!  That was a Friday afternoon and I went to the grocery store that evening to, ya know, just pick up a few gluten free things for Kasen to eat over the next week.  I walked down the bread aisle in disbelief - 7 times!!!!  I stood in front of the frozen pizza case with tears running down my face!  What was I going to feed my sweet baby?!?  He only eats chicken nuggets, pizza, mac & cheese and bread!  I came home with Fruity Pebbles and Gushers.

We survived a week - Gluten Free!  At the end of the week, the doctor's office called to say the blood test was negative - which meant it was inconclusive.  They wanted to schedule more invasive testing and he would have to go back on a regular gluten filled diet.  I couldn't do that to him.  Not only had we survived a week - GF, he had also been able to stay at school every day that week!!!!!  No Pain!  No Discomfort!!!! No Tears!!!!

Over the following couple of months, we experimented with his sensitivity.  It seemed that he could have some wheat/gluten but would then have to be without for a few days.  Then, however, we found that the more we removed it from his diet, to less he could tolerate.  By January 2012, Kasen was completely GF!  I decided that I would do whatever it took to figure out how to feed my sweet baby food that actually tasted good.  I mean look at him . . .

  Really, wouldn't you?!?!  He's just precious!!! ;-)

 It has been a year now and I have learned so much about GF cooking.  I have learned some short cuts that work for us and I learned the hard way, how to cook and bake GF without spending a fortune on pre-packaged, grainy, cardboard tasting food.  I actually bought a rolling pin!!

I'd love to share what I've learned and I hope it helps you.  GF baking CAN taste YUMMY!!!!!