So You're Gluten-Free, What's Next?

Congratulations to this week’s finalist, Dana Williams! Dana is one step closer to joining us in Tuscany and enjoying the Culinary Getaway of a lifetime.

So you found out you can't eat gluten. You've been diagnosed with celiac, or deemed gluten-intolerant and your world is spinning. It took years to finally catch the culprit, like a thief in the night, but you did it. Whether through a friend, family member or random cashier at Whole Foods explaining their own gluten-laden tale of horrors. You recognized it in yourself, took a test (or cut out certain foods) and BAM. You feel great. You feel better than great, you want to…play with your kids. Or reorganize the entire kitchen. Maybe even…go for a run. Okay, okay let's not get ahead of ourselves. But you noticed a change and that was enough. Now let's take it slow. Let’s walk through the 7 stages of Gluten-Free Grief together. Because while it feels like you've lost the race right now, you've totally won a lifelong battle. The 7 Stages of Gluten-Free Grief

1. Shock and Denial Way back when, my mother pointed out that I always seemed bloated and sick after eating bread. I rolled my eyes and probably sighed. Silly mother, it was normal to have a distended belly after eating a sandwich. Nobody ever feels good after eating pasta. Struggling to sleep away a pounding headache is typical, right? I mean, is there even a LIFE without gluten? As far as I was knew, all food was created equal and there to benefit. I'm fine. In fact, I'm better than fine. Could you please pass the sourdough?
2. Pain and Guilt As the initial shock wears off, it begins to sink in. This is real. You’re never going to eat a chocolate croissant in Paris, tagliatelle in Italy or Belgium waffles in…you guessed it. You can no longer frequent your favorite restaurant and you have to become the person who makes employees change their gloves when handling your burrito bowl (hold the tortilla). Hell you even have to check for wheat byproducts in your lip-gloss. But at the same time one thought is haunting you: how long as has this been going on for? How long have you been pointlessly suffering?
3. Anger and Bargaining Can somebody please tell me what exactly DOESN’T have gluten? Because I will move time and space to find a sit down pizzeria that offers uncontaminated, gluten-free crust. I will give up my first-born child if the universe takes back this cruel, cosmic joke. My mother is Jewish. Matzah balls, blintzes (smothered in sour cream, dark cherry jam and stuffed with ricotta cheese), and Reubens (stacked high with pastrami, swiss cheese and sauerkraut) are in our blood. I promise to cut off all of my hair, become a nun or stop “marathoning” Netflix movies. Please. Just give it back.
4. Depression, Reflection, Loneliness What’s a life without fresh baked bread and ravioli making classes? French fries aren’t even safe due to cross contamination. Maybe you should just end it a-…STOP. Back up. Take a deep breath. Put your index finger and thumb together and chant three times, there is more to life than French fries. It is hard to understand when you feel isolated and alone but there is so more to life than being sick. You deserve this.
5. The Upward Turn You start researching gluten-free communities and literature. There are so many more people out there (than you could have ever imagined) experiencing the exact same challenges. Restaurants begin popping up all over town offering gluten-free options and you quickly gain ten pounds when you realize the health food store now carries several selections of gluten-free cookies, frozen macaroni & cheese, pizza and crackers (including the delicious Jovial chocolate cream cookies and organic brown rice pasta). The world has turned back around and is on your side. Hooray!
6. Reconstruction You not-so-quickly lose ten pounds when you finally stop eating anything that has “gluten-free” in the name, as you’ve realized this does not mean calorie-free. A passion might ignite when you discover this thing – in your kitchen – called a stove. You will use this tool and begin experimenting with homemade dishes. You might even surprise yourself when you alter a recipe and create an even better dish than the original. You call your sister to see if there is some kind of award she can nominate you for.
7. Acceptance and Hope You decide to throw a dinner party for your friends, mostly as a big thank you for them having listened to your endless string of "Have you read this new gluten-free blog?" or "Did you know there’s gluten in soy sauce?" or "Is there gluten in THIS sauce?" They were your rock and talked you down from the sugary, glazed edge on multiple occasions.You enjoy arugula salad lightly tossed in olive oil with shaved Parmesan, grilled peaches and hazelnuts. Crisp Sauvignon Blanc with little beads of perspiration racing down the glass. Watermelon slices with feta crumbles on top and a balsamic reduction. Prosciutto wrapped figs. Chocolate avocado mousse with coconut cream.No one is complaining at the lack of gluten. In fact no one is even talking, because their mouths are so full. You sit back, satisfied and realize – yes, there is life after gluten. And you’re living it.