Hangover vs. Glutenization

I knew that as soon as I told someone that I was sick yesterday because of an accidental glutenization, they'd say, "So you have a hangover." No, it was not a hangover. It was a glutenization. I can tell the difference in how my body reacts to an injestion of gluten versus an over-indulgence in alcohol. So just to set the record straight, I was not hungover yesterday. I was accidentally glutenized. I kind of had to call in sick for the day until the nausea, sleepiness, and drugged feeling passed and I felt like a human being again.

Friends of ours were having people out to their house for a party Saturday evening. Eddie and I had dinner at home first, then we went to their house later in the evening and stayed for just a couple of hours. When we got there, our host offered us a small glass of brandy. I don't remember what kind he said it was, but it was a really tasty brandy. I knew that brandy, like wine, did not contain gluten so I thought I would be safe. It hit later like a ton of bricks. When I woke up Sunday, I felt like I had been drugged. I was nauseous, sick, and just felt awful.

After I could focus, I went online and researched brandy barrels. I read that some wine and brandy barrels are sealed with a flour and water paste. Also, some of the barrels may have previously held something that contained a glutenous substance. My guess is that the latter was the case, that this brandy was cross-contaminated due to storage. It could have also come from the case he poured the brandy from. He had it in one of those leather pouches, and perhaps he had something glutenous in there previously.

So what do I do in the future? Do I need to take gluten testing kits with me everywhere I go and test everything I'm going to eat or drink for the presence of gluten? Only if I want to drive myself crazy! I'm just going to need to use common sense and caution. I wanted to share this experience with you because it's all part of the gluten free journey. Use your best judgement, and when in doubt, leave it out!

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.