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So many people say that going gluten-free is so hard, it's near impossible, especially when you have been so used to eating gluten your entire life. What about kosher and gf? Hard, no? Talk about restrictions! When creating this blog I had a one track mind. Gluten-Free. How can I help others who feel that this fete is near impossible? How can I provide options for the gluten-free girl/guy? I never ever thought about kosher and gluten-free. As my blog progressed I also began to shed light on mixed lifestyles such as dairy-free, casein free, Vegan and/or Vegetarian mixed with gluten-free. I thought about Autism and children with other problematic issues that a gluten-free diet would help or maintain. Never thought about kosher. And I can imagine!! How hard of a fete that would be. So many restrictions can really put a damper on your foodie self.
I recently dated a man who was kosher both in and outside of the house. He didn't know that much about a gluten allergy and/or Celiac Disease when I met him. One night while out to dinner I made the mistake of asking him if it bothered him that I ate meat when we were together. I was hitting myself later on that one, because after that one dinner-all other dinners it became a requirement that I not eat meat if it was not kosher or prepared in a kosher environment. Ugh! I cannot tell you how hard that is for someone like me...gluten-free. I bank on steakhouses and places that can serve me a plain piece of grilled chicken or steak if the fish option does not work! Now I'm dating a guy and I cannot even eat what is suitable for me? I was so frustrated!. He would always say "have a piece of fish". I tried to explain that not all restaurants were able to cook the fish without coating it in wheat flour. And at one point he mentioned to me, "I would never eat pasta if it bothered you". And I had said, but it doesn't bother me. You have restrictions, whether they be religious or dietary, they are restrictions, so of course I wouldn't want you to be further restricted. I thought to myself I can't eat pasta out (unless its gf), I can't eat bread (unless gf), Pizza (unless gf), fries (unless not contaminated), burgers (unless not bound with breadcrumbs), desserts or anything with crazy sauces (unless gf), and now you want to add chicken, steak and other meats too?! Needless to say I lost a lot of weight, so one good thing came from it. And obviously for many other reasons then just the food aspect, this relationship did not work, but it got me thinking about all the others out there that do follow a kosher lifestyle and are gluten-free, how are they coping? And wouldn't it be great if I could help them too?.
I remember telling my mother this story and she then in turn told me a story about her friend who is strictly kosher and was having a lot of gluten issues. She had tested positive with a gluten-intolerance but told my mother that she already had too many restrictions and that being kosher was hard enough, and that she couldn't possibly add in a gluten-allergy and eliminate all those gluten foods too. Shame. Shame my mother's friend has to live in discomfort because the restrictions seem so great or too great to conquer. And of course I get it. We all wish we could have everything and not have to deal with what comes our way. Wouldn't life be so much easier if we weren't gluten-free?, if we were skinnier, or fatter, or prettier, or had less medical issues, allergies and the list goes on. But everyone has their things. This is our reality.
So since this is our reality I have decided to add a new section to my blog called Kosher Corner. Here you will find links to recipes, links to other kosher/gf blogs, and other information that supports/focuses on a GF and Kosher lifestyle. In time this section will grow.
In addition, for all my readers who struggle with the gluten-free lifestyle and are in need of support I will also have another newly created section called GF Support Group. In this section you will find local meet-ups and support groups that can help you through your hard time or help you deal and cope with helping your child/children through his/her or their hard time. Because sometimes you just need a shoulder to lean on.
It is important to me that you (my reader/s) know you have a place to go in order to get the support you need. Whether it be a meeting, an article or a website link. It is hard for all of us to make all the moves on our own, but so much easier when there is a little help along the way.
Xoxo and Happy New Year! Julie
