Avoiding Cross Contamination, Part Two

Through the months of converting to a gluten free lifestyle, I've learned to steer clear of one thing. That is airborne wheat flour. I've learned that I don't need to touch it to be affected from it.



Earlier this year, the chef I take cooking classes from (Betty Ann) asked if a few people from the classes would be able to help her do the Monday preparations for her Tuesday and Thursday classes. An incredible amount of work goes into her classes and I jumped at the chance to assist. She is a wealth of knowledge, and I have learned so much from her. I wanted to take advantage of helping her set up the mis en plas for her classes. Both times, she was working with wheat flour. I did not eat anything that had flour in it. I brought my own food to eat at our break. When I handled meat that was dredged in flour, I made sure to thoroughly wash my hands. The second time I assisted with the class, I didn't even touch anything with the flour. I sat at the dining room table and chopped vegetables while Betty Ann worked on mixing a cake. That was all it took. Both times, I found myself wrapped up in a seven-day long brain fog, horrible sleep patterns, naseausness, the whole glutenous nine yards. I might as well have just helped myself to the food!



I have to avoid some restaurants if they make their own breads or desserts. I absolutely love the salads that come from Panera Bread. But they state that even though they can provide food made with all gf ingredients, it can't be guaranteed as 100% due to the airborne flour. I went to brunch with some friends at Panera Bread awhile back and didn't even eat anything, I just had a smoothie. After spending the next seven days in glutenization land, I decided I just can't go in there. (I miss you, Panera Bread!)



Even though I do have a few glutenous items in my otherwise gf kitchen, I will not ever have wheat flour in it. When I first converted to a gf lifestyle, I was the one who threw the flour into the trash from the Gladware container. I got really sick just from that little poof of flour.



I know this probably sounds so extreme. But this is why I say I live a gluten free lifestyle, and it's not just a gluten free diet. I value my health, and love how good I feel.