My name is Dana, and I am the author and creator of Gluten Freedom. I am a student at the University of Arkansas, a substitute teacher, a wife, a blogger, and will soon be a certified early childhood educator. I live in Fayetteville, and you can find me calling the hogs at football, basketball, and baseball games! PIG SOOIE!
As I think back to this time last year, when 2011 was fresh and new, I realize how much my life has changed. I have lost thirty pounds. I have started a new blog. And I have been diagnosed with celiac disease. So bring it on, 2012! I am ready for anything!
For those of you not familiar with celiac disease, I will give you the basics:
Celiac disease – an autoimmune digestive disease that damages the villi of the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. What does this mean? Essentially the body is attacking itself every time a person with celiac consumes gluten (National Foundation for Celiac Awareness)
Cooking, eating out, traveling, and holiday get-togethers are just a few of the things that I used to love doing and have had to completely overhaul. I was diagnosed two days before Thanksgiving, and with no time to learn or prepare, I found myself eating only turkey, turkey, and more turkey. I even had to check the label on the bird!
Here are some of the symptoms of celiac disease, but please be aware that the symptoms are a mile long, and this is just a list of some of the common complaints:
- abdominal pain and bloating
- diarrhea
- anemia
- gastric ulcers
- Crohns disease
- skin rash
- muscle cramps
- osteoperosis
- depression
- malabsorption
- bruising
I also have some great resources for you to check out if you have, or think you might have, celiac disease!
I have found, through blogging, that there are people everywhere facing this, and although it can be frustrating, resources, friends, and supporters are around every corner! If you or someone you know is going through life changes due to celiac disease, or a gluten or wheat allergy, come by and visit me in my gluten free world! In the meantime, here is a recipe that I have embraced in my gluten free lifestyle!
GLUTEN FREE HAM AND CHEESE QUICHES
3 eggs, slightly beaten
1/2 cup milk
4 ounces shredded cheese
1 tbsp minced dry onion
1/4 tsp thyme
1/8 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
3/4 cups diced ham
*AS ALWAYS, CHECK INDIVIDUAL PRODUCT LABELS TO ENSURE EACH INGREDIENT IS GLUTEN FREE*
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray muffin tin with non-stick canola oil spray.
2) Combine all ingredients besides ham.
3) Spoon 1-2 tablespoons into each muffin cup.
4) Sprinkle ham evenly on top of each muffin cup of mixture.
5) Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until knife inserted comes out clean.
6) Broil for 2-4 minutes to brown tops of quiches.
7) Serve and enjoy!
New Year, New You is the Arkansas Women Bloggers topic of the month for January 2012. If you have a story to share with our readers please check out our Guest Post Guidelines and contact julie@arkansaswomenbloggers.com.
This looks delicious! So glad you have gained control over the celiac disease!
My friends daughter was diagnosed with Celiacs when she was 4 and I learned to cook some awesome stuff for her!
So happy you are healthy and well!
Nice post, Dana. I am glad I met you so I can refer everyone I know who has gluten intolerance to your site!
Lyndi
My little boy was tested inconclusively for Celiac’s so we eat Gluten Free- I’ll stop by your page soon! I need some new ideas, I get in such ruts!!! Great post!