Thanksgiving 2007

by Carla
(Rockwall, TX)

Gluten-Intolerant at Thanksgiving

For the first time in a couple of years, I was able to spend Thanksgiving with my family. Several years ago, I discovered that I was gluten-intolerant. I went on a gluten-free diet and my life has been much better ever since.

So, back to Thanksgiving... my mom wanted to make some things just for me so that the day would be as special for me as it was for everyone else. She usually makes yeast rolls, stuffing, salad (with croûtons) and other foods that I can't eat now. But, we talked by phone prior to my arrival and she purchased some gluten-free foods, including a bread mix I had never tried, based on the comments I made about my current food choices.

It's amazing to me that even when you are not able to eat products with gluten, there are still a lot of alternatives that are good choices. I told my mom about my favorite brownie mix (Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free Brownie Mix) and my favorite bread mix (Gluten-Free Pantry's Favorite Sandwich Bread Mix).

My luck, she couldn't find either, but she did find a bread mix that ended up being as beautiful as it was delicious. If only I'd asked her what brand it was. It was Thanksgiving, so that's my excuse. I was busy with family.

Anyway, dinner turned out to be amazing with turkey, cranberry relish, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, stuffing (which I did not eat), pumpkin pie, pecan pie, spiced baked pecans, peanut brittle, and a dozen other things I simply can't remember.

Being gluten-intolerant at Thanksgiving isn't the end of the world. I do love to eat bread and that's been the hardest part, but at least there are options. And it could be a whole lot worse. I could be allergic to chocolate. :)