Tuesday, May 25, 2010

anniversaries

Five years ago, in mid-April 2005, I was diagnosed with celiac disease. Three years ago, in mid-May 2007, I started blogging about it. A year ago, I celebrated Starbucks' gluten-free almond cake (which they discontinued shortly thereafter...sad!). This year, I moved to Boston and started a grad program, blogging along the way about quick, cheap ways to cook/eat gluten-free.

When I tell people I can't eat gluten (and what that means), the most common reaction I get is, "Wow, I could never give up bread and pasta and cookies and cake!" It's not a surprising reaction; I had the same about a year before I was diagnosed when I first learned about celiac from a college friend - "I can't imagine living without gluten!" That same friend was an incredible resource and encouragement once I was diagnosed, letting me borrow his CSA gluten-free product listing and my roommates' favorite, Special Diets for Special Kids. :)

Since then, I've collected a library of helpful books, websites, blogs, and delicious recipes that I love passing along to new and old friends facing the scary transition. I've learned that, while losing a major part of one's diet is without a doubt a loss to be mourned, there is life after the diagnosis, and it's healthier and tastier than before! I have acquired a new appreciation for good food, one I didn't have before; because my options are limited, and because not all gluten-free goodies are created equal, I celebrate really good food all the more now than I ever used to. I also really look forward to God's promises of a heavenly feast - one that will most certainly include the richest bread you can imagine, one that won't make me sick!

This week, the last week of Celiac Disease Awareness Month, I am celebrating these anniversaries in a few different ways: 1) tonight I am roasting a whole chicken, per Alice Waters' beautiful instructions in The Art of Simple Food; 2) I am adding an "I blog gluten-free" logo to my blog, courtesy of Karina at the Gluten-Free Goddess; and 3) this summer, I am contemplating cooking up some of these scrumptious-looking goodies at 101 Cookbooks - all gluten-free!

Here's to the next five years of gluten-free living!

5 comments:

Muhammad Taufik Hidayat said...

Congrats Lynnae

Rebekah Kuk said...

Happy anniversary, and good job being a gluten-free foodie! You have helped me to learn how to cook gluten-free when necessary and to have a greater awareness of and respect for food restrictions that my friends and family might have. How did your whole chicken turn out? I love Alice Waters. I want her to pay me visits while I cook and shop at farmers' markets. And you know what else, Lynnae? It's a good thing wine is gluten-free. :)

LynnaeEtta said...

Thanks, friends! And Amen, Becky, to your wine comment. :) I've appreciated your shared love for good food - you've inspired me just as much with your insistence on using whole, organic, and local as often as possible ingredients!

The whole chicken turned out very well. It's juicy and flavorful and downright delicious. :)

Alayna said...

I think you're totally awesome for cooking amazing gluten-free food. I don't think I would have the patience to do it all the time. :)

LynnaeEtta said...

well, when you don't have a choice, Alayna, you don't have a choice! Sometimes I get impatient or frustrated, especially when I just don't have time to make good food! But it's so rewarding when I do... :)