Raising a child gluten free? Here are ten facts you need to know.

(please note that this post contains affiliate links - read my full disclosure policy for more info)

It will be three years in January since Samuel was diagnosed with Celiac Disease. Samuel has lived more than half of his life gluten free, and in fact, really has no memory of ever eating gluten. It really is a blessing that he was diagnosed so young as this isn't just a choice, but rather is simply a way of life for him.

That being said, living gluten free has been a new adventure for me. I haven't had gluten since he was diagnosed as well, and I've had to learn how to thrive gluten free in a gluten full world. And trust me, you will find normal.

Here are ten things I've learned about raising a child gluten free.

1. You mention the words gluten free every day. I'm writing this post at 7:30 in the morning. Besides typing the words gluten free I've also heard Samuel ask for his gluten free bread and his brother state not to put the knife in the peanut butter that is only for the gluten free bread. (You need to get separate containers or never ever double dip. Also, if your entire house isn't gluten free you'll need a separate gluten free toaster.) When one lives gluten free one talks about gluten. When Samuel was little he used to say me gwooten fwee! For him, that's a normal part of his life.

2. You quickly learn which boxed cereals are gluten free. And to not apologize for the 90% of the cereal aisle that is gluten full.  In the beginning I used to dread bringing Samuel down the large gluten full cereal aisle of colorful packaging and kid's characters. Now? Now we go down the aisle, he asks if it's gluten free and I simply tell him nope and we grab one of the five or so varieties of Chex Cereal. I've just learned to be matter-a-fact about what he can have and cannot. There are no options, no cheating allowed, so it is what it is. And, grin, it really does make shopping for cereal quick and easy.

3.  Kids still don't eat the crusts on the bread. Even on fabulous gluten free bread. Now, as I finish typing this, while Samuel is upstairs playing with legos, I am looking at a super cute plate with crusts left on the gluten free bread. What is it with crusts? 

4. You smart phone is a valuable resource. There are apps that will scan food that will tell you if it's gluten free. I have looked up websites so many times on my phone - I'm the gal in Costco that may look like she's texting, but in reality, I'm typing in the words gluten free + whatever company I'm searching. And don't overlook calling companies. However, oftentimes, they have the same resources as the website. In those times I look at it as an opportunity to exercise patience and to express thanks when a company goes above and beyond and labels their product gluten free. Remember food manufacturers are only required to label the top eight food allergens - and gluten isn't one of them. They'll list wheat, but there can be many hidden sources of gluten. Be careful.

5.  Leaving them in classes can be hard. Truth, it just is. He can't have any gluten full snacks, often times I have to bring him another snack that is different from everyone else's snack, and he can't ever play with playdough. That one is still challenging for me. I have to be very adamant that Samuel cannot have even a cheat day with regards to gluten. I've learned to bring a snack, to verify that there is no playdough - and going beyond that to ask that they do NOT play with playdough while he is in class unless they provide gluten free playdough. Not only is there tremendous cross-contamination risk, but I don't want him to be the one kid isolated and not able to participate in a project. It's all about grace and education. By the way, here is a gluten free dough we've used (you can make your own as well). Eco Dough Gluten Free Dough

6. They don't know what McDonalds is. Seriously. I remember going to a well child checkup and one of the questions was how many times a week does your child have fast food? And I checked none. I guess it's a cool benefit - he, by necessity, will rarely experience fast food. Now, that being said, more and more chains are recognizing the importance of providing gluten free options. But you have to be diligent, to make sure they use a dedicated fryer for their fries (if they're gluten free - McDonald's fries are not), and to weigh cross contamination concerns. But, in my house, it's strange because the powerful golden arches brand isn't recognized by my four year old. 

7. Baking feels like chemistry at times. Okay, okay, okay...truth...most of the time. Baking gluten free is so different than regular baking. Gluten is the binder that keeps items together and gives that awesome elasticity texture found in bread. In order to balance that one must use a variety of different flours and blends. Words like xanthum gum, tapioca starch, guar gum, and flour blends become normal talk while baking. And have patience. Yes, patience. And learn to be grateful for what works. Like these pumpkin bars of mine -> gluten free pumpkin bars I also love this cookbook that you use with Gluten Free Mama's flour. Gluten Free Mama's Best Baking Recipes

8. The words modified food starch and natural flavorings become your nemesis. Could those label words be any more vague? When in doubt - don't buy it. Unless you can research it and verify that it is for sure gluten free. I love the companies that go the extra mile to label their product gluten free. Call them, thank them, purchase their products. It used to take me double the amount of times to go grocery shopping thanks to poorly labeled products. Besides the apps, smart phone search, and phone calls I've found this book -> Cecilia's Gluten Free Guide to be a valued item in those initial sifting through the gluten full to find the gluten free shopping days.

9. You become an advocate. Yes, yes you do. For two years I talked with my Target about getting Udi's Gluten Free Bread on their shelves. They now have it. At my local grocery store the gal in the Natural Food Section will ask me what is good and what to order. I've been working to try to get Starbucks to carry gluten free food. I've talked with the pharmacist about the importance of labeling meds as gluten free (think about amoxicillian - what's the binder?). I network with companies when I travel. I write and talk about Celiac Disease Awareness. And, in just over a week I will be speaking in Florida at FPEA about Raising a Child Gluten Free in a Gluten Full World. Truth? You, too, can become a voice for gluten free living. For Samuel? It's not a trend. It's a matter of life. 

10. You find normal. Yes, this. I always end with this when I'm talking about gluten free living. Normal can be found. It's a new normal, but it's normal. Samuel has Celiac Disease, but do you know what? I don't like to think of it as a disease - for him - eating gluten free is life, health, and vitality. In fact, My good friend Dan Morris has told me to not think about Celiac Disease as a disease, but to think of it as a way of life. We've chatted about the truth that if this world was sans gluten then Samuel wouldn't have Celiac Disease as it wouldn't exist. Truth? He's healthy. He just can't eat gluten. It's a normal that's full of gluten free awesomeness. Think about it that way.

Ten gluten free truths. Are any of you raising a child gluten free? What would you add?

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Today's photos? A mixture of real life live from the instagram feed. Find me there at finding_joy
Images and original content are sole property of Rachel Martin and may not be used, copied or transmitted without prior written consent.

Learn more about living gluten free! Visit http://udisglutenfree.com/
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Udi's Gluten Free. The opinions and text are all mine.

a gluten free normal life.

Normal.

Sometimes we go through our days and forget the beauty of normal. I don't think it's intentional, it's more as if we get stuck in the routine - the ins and outs and dishes and laundry and vacuuming and cooking and cleaning and the doing it agains - and the normal stuff seems to get forgotten. It's hard to celebrate that at times, especially when it feels, well, so boring and tedious at times.

Then there are the moments in our lives where normal is taken from us. We've all had them - those moments where that normal previously boring routine was stripped from us and we're left longing for the days when the biggest stress was a messy kitchen or laundry that never seems to end.

I remember.

I remember when (my now four year old) Samuel was diagnosed with Celiac Disease walking through Target crying. Well, not the full-fledge cry with tears pouring down my face, but rather that type of cry where you fight to keep the tears tucked within your eyelids. It's the cry that if someone asked you are you okay in that very second you would no longer be okay and the tears would begin to pour.

I missed normal. I missed being able to push that large red cart through the store and to be able to throw in anything without having to scrutinize the label. Well, wait. I loved that I had a diagnosis for Samuel. I loved it. But, in those moments all I could see were the kids running up to the bakery section of Target waiting for their free cookie.

I knew Samuel would never get that free gluten full cookie.
          (click gluten free pumpkin bars to find our favorite treat instead)

And in those moments my heart ached. Of course, of course I was profoundly grateful for a diagnosis for my little boy who, in those days, was fading away in front of me. But, I also was learning to let go of a life that I thought would be his normal. No matter what the diagnosis or issue is that strips normal from you one must still go through a process of accepting a new normal.

But the cool thing about eating gluten free was that vitality and energy returned for Samuel and we found normal. In fact, now today, I can walk through Target and past all the bread, the cookies, the snacks, and all the gluten full stuff and not feel that ache that I felt those cold February days. Samuel has grown up knowing that gluten hurts his tummy and honestly never lets the fact that he can't have a cookie bother him. Now, as a family rule, no one gets the cookie if Samuel is around simply because we love and support him and his gluten free journey.

That's the cool thing about normal - even when it's gone it can return. The reality is that normal will look different, but the new normal doesn't have to be any less cool than the previous.

For Samuel eating gluten free saved his life. That's the thing with Celiac Disease - gluten literally destroys the lining of the gut making it impossible to absorb nutrients. You remove the gluten and the body heals and food can be absorbed and processed. So energy, vitality, and health return.

Living gluten free doesn't have to mean living without. Living gluten free, in fact, can be living alive and healthy.

For Samuel? And for those with Celiac Disease? Living gluten free is a gift. It's a way to live life and to eat so that one stays healthy.

That's normal.

And that normal is beautiful.

So today, today, I ask you to look at your own journey. Maybe you're in a time when all you want is normal to return. Sweet mother, it will return. Or maybe you're in a spot where the tediousness of the every day is making you want to run laps around your house (not here - it's too cold). Celebrate normal. That's the beauty of normal - it's to be celebrated. So take a second, look around your space, and find something beautiful.

Normal is beautiful.

#littlethingsmatter

*****

As a mother with a child with Celiac Disease I consider it a great honor to be a voice of awareness. I also love celebrating normal - and I know many of you today just needed a reminder to step back, to look at normal, and to be grateful. Because I am blessed to speak out about living gluten free and raising a child with Celiac Disease I consider it an honor to partner with Udi's Gluten Free as a brand ambassador. Their products truly helped normal return in our home. I've been blessed to not only partner with them but also to visit them at their home office in Denver, Colorado. They're as awesome as I talk about. For real.

Learn more about living gluten free! Visit http://udisglutenfree.com/
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Udi's Gluten Free. The opinions and text are all mine.

to receive finding joy via email simply click subscribe.
Images and original content are sole property of Rachel Martin and may not be used, copied or transmitted without prior written consent.

gluten free pumpkin bars

My son Samuel has been diagnosed with Celiac Disease for almost three years now. Many of you were reading my site those years ago - those years where everything was in disarray and where I simply craved normal for him. Well, as you all know, we found normal again.

It's a new normal, but it's normal.

When I speak or write about hard times I always share about how normal can be found again. I also talk about celebrating normal now - in the middle of life - because often we don't appreciate it until it's gone. Celebrating normal is like hitting the pause button on the craziness in life, even if just for a second, and just finding somethings to be grateful for. That's the finding joy posture in life.

One of the things that has helped our family find normal in Samuel's Celiac Disease diagnosis - which means a lifetime of not eating gluten - is cooking together. Instead of cooking two separate meals I've learned to adapt our recipes so that we all eat gluten free. In fact, the only exception to that family gluten free rule would be regular gluten full (as I call it) bread and the occasional pizza. Bread? Simply because gluten free bread is rather pricey for many children. We do, because of this, have two separate toasters to prevent cross contamination.

So as I've learned to cook and bake gluten free so have my children. All of them. Including Samuel.

We have flour blends that we love and we've learned the secrets of adapting recipes and using xanthum gum. We've also learned that there will be many, many, many flops. Cooking gluten free is like science for us - it's discovering ratios, proportions, and different blends of flours that makes our baked goods taste fabulous.

One of our favorite recipes in the fall is the infamous calorie rich and fabulously delicious pumpkin bar. Okay. I have no idea on calories or any of that. None. I'm not a food blogger - in case you didn't notice. I'm an encourager, a cheerleader, and a real life mom who's learned to adapt and find normal in a gluten free world. So when I realized I could make these pumpkin bars and serve them and no one know that they were gluten free it became even cooler.

It's the pumpkin, friends, that does the trick.  That pumpkin makes the not gluten part - the part in flour that gives bread it's elasticity and such - not noticeable. These bars are incredibly moist and incredibly fabulous and incredibly addictive.

So, today, since I'm not the cool food blogger with the pinnable recipes (don't you love them? they save me at dinner time) I'm just going to share pics and our adapted Betty Crocker Pumpkin Bar recipe.

Warning: they will be finished quickly. And children will tell you they are healthy because they have pumpkin in them. Hahah!

Here's the adapted recipe. And I really must thank my daughter Hannah - she put the recipe together a couple years ago and took the pictures. Now, that being said, I would have taken pictures of this whole thing as we had just made pumpkin bars yesterday in a giant jelly roll pan, but alas, they are already gone. Hahaha. They really are that incredibly good. Just add extra cream cheese frosting. Always.

Oh, and for what it's worth, I always use gluten free mama's flour. (and that's an affiliate link, but it's for a product that is the absolute favorite gluten free flour used in my house.)

Gluten Free Pumpkin Bars
(known in our house as the fabulous Harvest Spice Pumpkin Bar)
By Rachel Martin


Gluten Free Pumpkin Bars adapted from a Betty Crocker Recipe
Ingredients - The Bars
4 eggs
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (or pecans)
2 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
2 cups flour (we use gluten free mama's flour blend plus one teaspoon xanthum gum)
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

The Frosting
1 package of cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
2-3 cups powdered sugar (sweeten to taste)

Instructions
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease the bottom and sides of a jelly roll pan. Beat the eggs, sugar, oil, and pumpkin in a large bowl until smooth. Stir in the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, ginger, and cloves. Spread the batter in the pan and smooth. Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes, or until light brown. Let cool completely for one hour. While cooling, make the frosting by mixing the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla. Gradually beat the powdered sugar in until smooth. Frost the pumpkin bars, sprinkle with walnuts, and cut into 7x7 rows. Enjoy!

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This is a sponsored post as I am part of the Udi's Gluten Free Ambassador program. I've been blessed to be a partner/ambassador for Udi's Gluten Free for almost two years now. I love the company, love the products, and am so proud to be part of their family. In August I was blessed to visit their headquarters in Denver - amazing company - and I cannot wait to go back and bring Samuel. Their products have helped us find normal again. :)
to receive finding joy via email simply click subscribe.
Today's photos? All real life live from the instagram feed. Find me there at finding_joy
Images and original content are sole property of Rachel Martin and may not be used, copied or transmitted without prior written consent.

Learn more about living gluten free! Visit http://udisglutenfree.com/

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Udi's Gluten Free. The opinions and text are all mine.

the gift of raising a child gluten free

It must be so hard.

Those are often the first words I will hear after I tell someone how Samuel has Celiac Disease and that he can never ever not cheat even once eat gluten. These words are often said to me twinged with a bit of sadness for me, and for him, with regards to not eating gluten. They see every single thing that he will miss.

It's wonderful.

That's what I reply with almost every single time.

And then, often, often my eyes will well with tears as I explain why it's so wonderful. You see, Samuel was terribly ill with Celiac Disease and gluten was slowly killing him, my baby, right in front of me. We don't really talk about that much - we talk about how eating gluten free is trendy or is great for weight loss or can help with allergies - but in someone with Celiac Disease gluten is an actual poison to the body.

Gluten destroys the lining of the intestinal tract. 

And I mean literally destroys it - ripping, blunting, ruining the tiny villi that line the insides. And those villi, those tiny hairs? They're the very item needed to take food and transport it into the body so that it can be used. In an individual with Celiac Disease they do not work. Think of it like a normal intestinal tract is like a shag carpet absorbing nutrients and someone who has Celiac Disease has an intestinal tract mimicking a tile floor.

They may eat. But they are starving.

My son Samuel was starving.

He was starving right in front of me. His eyes were hollow, his legs could barely walk, and he couldn't stay awake. And it was all from gluten.

So when I'm asked about raising a child gluten free or am told how hard it must be I often will tell others that it is wonderful. Is it hard? Absolutely. There, especially in the beginning, was a gigantic learning curve. I couldn't walk into Target without crying - didn't know what to buy - didn't think life would be the same. It's hard because for him life won't ever be so called "normal" but, and here's the big but, having his non normal life actually gives him life.

I consider it a gift to raise Samuel gluten free.

I haven't ate gluten in 2.5 years now. Wait, let me take that back. When I was in South Carolina I had two bites of a biscuit at a restaurant in Charleston. (I just had to try it) But, since that? None. I don't have Celiac Disease (or at least I don't think I do - I've never had the lab work), but have continued eating gluten free because of Samuel. I am more focused, more determined, and definitely more aware about gluten free living.

It is hard.

It's hard to travel, hard to go to events, hard to always have to explain it, but I wouldn't trade the hard part away. It has made me a fighter, a passionate advocate for Celiac Disease awareness, and it has taught me that life can be good in the midst of things that are often hard.

Being Samuel's mother? A gift.

Raising a child gluten free?

It's life for him.

And that is a wonderful gift.

*****

Make sure to join me on the Udi's Gluten Free Community Board for more discussion about living gluten free. I've been truly blessed to be a community leader over there for over a year now. Beyond encouragement for the gluten free journey there are also fabulous recipes shared, links to information regarding gluten free living, and a general sense of fellowship and support for those living gluten free in a very gluten full world. I can truly say that site and Udi's Gluten Free are both blessings in my life. :)

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Images and original content are sole property of Rachel Martin and may not be used, copied or transmitted without prior written consent.

Gluten Free Favorites {a list of resources}

Today I'm sharing some of my favorite resources for gluten free living. And note, many of these resources include affiliate links {please read my disclosure policy for full details} - but also know that they are all for products I love and totally recommend.

Gluten free. Sounds impossible, at least it did to me when Samuel was diagnosed with Celiac Disease 2.5 years ago. And sometimes it still does feel impossible - there's work, label reading, and giving up on some previous favorite things. But, despite the work, living gluten free doesn't mean living with less - living gluten free can mean living life fully, embracing the everyday, and eating amazing foods. Here are some resources and favorite things that makes living gluten free fabulous.

Udi's Gluten Free
You all know how much I love them. I mean, again, I cried introducing them at the Beech Retreat. But, they have really blessed our family and I am beyond honored to work with them. Some of our favorite products of theirs are any of the muffins - including the awesome new vanilla ones, the tortillas (yes, you heard me right  gluten free tortillas), and of course, their bread. My words of wisdom regarding bread? If the bread can hold a door open - don't buy it. Thank you Udi's for making awesome, non door holding open bread. Make sure to join me on the Udi's Gluten Free Community Boards for more discussion. And next week sometime I will be hosting a one hour gluten free chat talking about raising a child gluten free.

Here's the link to a case of their bread (otherwise find it at Whole Foods)-> Udi's Gluten Free Whole Grain Bread (1 Case)
Here's the link to the community board -> Udi's Gluten Free Community 

Gluten Free Mama's Flour
This flour is hands down my favorite flour for baking with and making those much needed late night 5 minute chocolate cakes (ever made those? You simply must) or lemon bars. I always order it via Amazon as I haven't found it locally. She's also got a great cookbook with fabulous recipes (including those lemon bars). The only extra ingredient you will need is xanthum gum. Chemistry anyone?

Here's the flour link -> Gluten Free Mama - Mama's Almond Blend Flour

Here's the cookbook link -> Gluten Free Mama's Best Baking Recipes

Trader Joe's. {Anything there almost. At least with the GF on it.}
If you don't have a Trader Joe's then you must write a letter to Trader Joe's letting them know that you need one immediately. I've loved the convenience of shopping there, I love that they "get" gluten free. I love their labeling process and abundance of good gluten free options. Their mac and cheese? Fabulous. And the price $1.99, while more expensive than the old gluten full stand by, is still amazing in the gluten free world. :) Just for fun, and because I love that place so much, I'm sharing the pic from my post Let them Push the Cart (read it if you haven't yet) because it's from Trader Joe's.

Episencial Skincare
These are my go-to skin care line for Samuel. The skin is our largest organ - watch what you put on it! Samuel's skin is much more sensitive than any of my other kids and I've had to make sure to only purchase gluten free products for him. I've loved using both of these and love the organic ingredients. :) We use the sunscreen every summer - and Samuel loves it because it uses the Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle on the container.

Here is the link -> Episencial Welcome Baby Collection

This cookbook.
This was sent to me by my dear friend Carissa at lowercase letters right after Samuel was diagnosed with Celiac Disease. There are some favorites in there - chicken fingers, ahem and curry chicken - that we go love to make in our home. I like the cookbook because while it is all gluten free it is not a chemistry lesson while cooking. Which, if you cook gluten free or bake gluten free you know is so true. Worth getting.

Here's the link -> The Everything Gluten-Free Cookbook

Tinkyada Noodles
Especially the lasagna noodles. I think I've established that I like to cook and bake. At our house the Food Network might be the go-to channel for us late night. Eating gluten free doesn't have to mean eating boring, bland food. No! Eating gluten free can taste amazing - even if it is a bit more intensive. These are one of our favorite brands of noodles to use for all of those pasta craving times. For summer pasta salads with cooled noodles I prefer to use one that is a corn/rice blend as it keeps the consistency that we're used to in a gluten full noodle. Anyways, you must love Tinkyada, since it has joy in the title. :)

Here is the link for the Tinkyada noodles -> Tinkyada Brown Rice Lasagne with Rice Bran, 10-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 12)

This recipe for Sweet and Sour Chicken
Easy. Delicious. And a family favorite. There's a bit of prep work time, but once it's done, it's totally worth it. My Hannah found it about six months ago and begged to make it. And since that moment? Total favorite.  Last night Elijah came running into the kitchen and said what's that great smell? is it that good chicken again? My kids know this dish. In fact, I have to count out pieces so that everyone gets their fair share.

Here's the link -> Mel's Kitchen Cafe: Sweet and Sour Kitchen

Patience, Friends, and Perspective
When I'm having those days where it feels hard I often call a friend and she quickly reminds me of how healthy Samuel is now. And, in fact, if I really need a reminder I'll just read some of the posts that I've written about Celiac Disease and how seriously ill Samuel was years ago. His battle has become my passion - I love to speak about raising a child gluten free in a gluten full can be done well. And I also consider it an honor to raise awareness for Celiac Disease. Here's a stat to ponder - it typically takes 8 visits for a child with celiac disease to finally be diagnosed. That's eight visits with a sick child - not a healthy child. That's why I fight. My boy was so sick, and yet I consider myself one of the fortunate ones to get a diagnosis as soon as we did.

Look at him now. Healthy. Full of life. Totally gluten free. And that's a wonderful favorite thing.

To read more of our journey with Celiac Disease please click the Celiac Disease Resource tab. Also, consider visiting the University of Chicago's Celiac Disease Research Foundation. This fall I'm hoping to attend a conference there and learn more about Celiac Disease, share Samuel's story, and continue being a voice of hope. If you've got some favorite resources please feel free to add them in the comment. Thanks!

Other items that I love.
2012/2013 Gluten-Free Grocery Shopping Guide by Cecelia's Marketplace this is a must have grocery shopping guide - it even contains listings for many generic/store brands
Gluten-Free Christmas Cookies I used this cookbook last Christmas and was very pleased with the results. The cookies were easy to make and the kids loved them.

Other posts I've written about Celiac Disease
5 Facts About Raising a Child With Celiac Disease
"I not eat gooten." Life Lessons from a Child with Celiac Disease
Celiac Disease - 10 Things I've Learned

Images and original content are sole property of Rachel Martin and may not be used, copied or transmitted without prior written consent.

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These are this week's friday favorite things #fridayfaves - if you're a blogger and would love to list your favorite things add to the link up below. This is week 109. Thanks!

why gratitude can change your life

I started writing Friday Favorite Things in the weeks following Samuel's Celiac Disease diagnosis. These simple posts were a way for me to force myself to look for good things in the middle of life. I've been writing them for two years now, and they have proven to be a beautiful written record of gratitude. And honestly, practicing gratitude has changed my life. I've become more aware of the little things, more positive, and honestly more grateful for each day I'm blessed to live.

It's interesting how the difficult moments in life can teach us about life. It opened my eyes to real importants and made me aware of how often I was looking over the little things in life. Little things that I write about - the toddler's peanut butter and jelly smile at you, little tags made just for mom on Valentine's Day {see mine in the pic from Caleb below}, coffee brewing in the morning, snow falling and coating the trees with a thick layer of beauty, time spent on the couch watching television with your teenagers, the smell of dinner when you walk in the door - all simple, easy to take for granted, stuck to your sweatshirt with masking tape moments in life.

I've learned to not only savor those moments, but to also actively seek out those moments. It's about slowing down and looking at your days, your life, even in the truly tough times. Sometimes, those hard moments in life bring beautiful rewards that we never thought possible. And some that honestly never cross our minds. Before Samuel was diagnosed with Celiac Disease I barely knew about gluten free living or even celiac disease. But now, here I am two years and some weeks later, a passionate voice for Celiac Disease Awareness. And not only that, I've become a really proud leader on the Udi's Gluten Free Community Boards because I consider it a blessing to be a voice of awareness. {find me over there - Udi's Gluten Free Community Boards}

In fact, just a couple weeks ago at the BEECH Retreat I had the opportunity to introduce Udi's Gluten Free as a Lunch Partner of the event. In the introduction I shared a bit of my story and Samuel's story - including how I didn't even know what Udi's was - and in the midst of it I began to cry. It was a cry of gratitude. It was a cry of thanks for a company - and the lovely people who are part of it - for providing "normal" for my family. I appreciate them greatly. So, in the midst of difficulty it brought forth a blessing for my family and great food for my sweet Samuel.

Today, I encourage you to take five minutes and sit with a piece of paper, or your journal, or in front of a computer screen, and sit there and write down your blessings. Don't question if they're legit. Remember, I cried over gluten free bread. A blessing is a blessing is a blessing. All of ours look different, but that is the beauty of finding joy in the little things. You see the joy moments in your life often are unique to you. Would all of you cry over introducing an amazing gluten free company? Probably not. But, I did. And I did because in my life they matter and make a difference. And I love being a voice for Udi's, Celiac Disease, and gluten free living. Especially for parents with children that walk this road. So yours will be unique and beautiful to you.

For instance, that picture below? That's the beautiful Minnesota countryside. I took that yesterday, and to you it might just look cold or lovely or like another snow picture. But, for me, it represents a moment in time - a moment where my oldest daughter and I decided to run and get coffee and then on the way back I took a country road that I love. And we laughed, looked at the snow, and enjoyed each other. So that picture reminds me of that moment - and for that I'm grateful.

Write yours down. Make it a habit to take time each week to simply record moments in your life that you are grateful for. Gratitude can change your life - it may not change the circumstances but it will change your response and how you see the world. My friend, you will be blessed.

What are you grateful for today?

If you'd like to join the Friday Favorite things link up: write yours, grab the button, and link below. This is week 102 - being intentional, loving the little things, and finding joy.


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"I not eat gluten." life lessons from a child with celiac disease

It was about three in the afternoon and Samuel was sitting on my lap. We were reading - the Richard Scarry book Things that Go. Page after page we read, searching for the elusive goldbug in the process, laughing at the silly antics of the Pig family. And then, we get to the page where the Pig family visits the farm.

At Grandma Pig's farm, all the farmhands are very busy. They are picking corn, gathering hay, and delivering milk. They are harvesting wheat to be made into bread.

I pause. Just for a moment, glance at Samuel, and then keep reading.

Grandpa is cutting the grass and Grandma is clanking...

That's gluten, Momma.

It was Samuel pointing at the picture of the red grain harvester harvesting wheat.

That's gluten. Yucky. Gluten hurts my tummy.

And sigh. Like a knife in my mother's heart he utters the words that two years ago I never would have thought twice about. I could have avoided reading those lines about harvesting wheat to make bread or I could have changed them that it was going to be gluten free bread. But, I knew I couldn't. I knew that I needed to read it word for word because despite how easy I make Samuel's life there is no hiding that he is forced to live gluten free in a very gluten full world. And that? That stings. Deep.

Especially now. Now, during Christmastime with the abundance of pastries, cookies, pies, and treats. And I know that most of them Samuel can never ever not even a tiny bit of cheating ever have to eat. And, honestly, my friends? I hate that reality for him. I know, I know, it could be worse. But, it's still not a fair reality for him. No matter what. This world? It's not perfect.

Yes, Samuel, that's gluten. 

Me gluten free. Read momma.

And that's it. For me it's a pondering moment about life, and for him it's just an acknowledgement of the fact that there is gluten on the page and that he can't have it. I know I've said it before, but the boy teaches me so much about contentment in life. Again - he focuses on everything he can have and refuses to dwell on what he cannot.

For me to learn from him. For such a time as this.

So we sat there and read. Me with tears brimming my eyes - tears of gratitude for his health and still tears of sadness for all I know he can never have - and him, content to sit in my lap on a Wednesday afternoon and to read.

Celiac Disease is hard. Plain and simple it's hard. I look at labels constantly. I call companies. I watch and watch and watch. But, he is healthy. He is thriving. And he is content.

I am constantly learning from him. He goes to bed at night grateful for all he can have and never complains to me about the many things he cannot eat. He's grateful for the good.

I not eat gluten, Momma.

And he is content.

And I am humbled. Again.

To read a bit more of Samuel's story read this post: One Year: The Celiac Disease Fight.

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As many of you know I am very honored to be a voice for Celiac Disease and gluten free living. For the last seven months I've worked as a community leader for Udi's Gluten Free and their online community. I've chosen to continue working with them for the next three months - and honestly friends, it is such a gift for me to be able to offer words from our gluten free story on their platform. It gives me space to be a voice - and I do not ever take that for granted. I never imagined two years ago when Samuel was so terribly ill that two years later I would be a voice of hope and encouragement for Celiac Disease. I am humbled. And blessed.

You can find me there --> Udi's Gluten Free Community.
Today I'm asking about the biggest challenge in raising a child with Celiac Disease.

click dear mom letters to read more encouraging letters for moms
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5 Facts about Raising a Child with Celiac Disease

It's been almost two years since Samuel was diagnosed with Celiac Disease. It's easy for me to forget the struggle that we had back then - the health crisis, the doctor's visits, the nights spent crying in my bed knowing something was wrong but not knowing what, and ultimately the watching of my son fade away in front of me and ending up in the hospital. I'll look at him now - healthy, laughing, growing - and I'm amazed how one thing - gluten - can cause so much harm to his system.

But, I remember -  and because of that I fight for Celiac Disease Awareness.

Today, I'm sharing with you 5 Facts about Raising a Child with Celiac Disease in hopes that they help you as well and continue to bring awareness about this disease that affects many.

1. You talk about gluten every day. There is seriously not one day that will go by where the word gluten or gluten-free does not come up. It is simply a fact of life, a way of life for us. For Samuel, and those with Celiac Disease, there is no cheating. Ever. No just a little bite of that birthday cake, no I'll get back on track tomorrow, no none of that. Gluten literally destroys the villi {the hairs} in the intestines and thus makes it impossible for the body to absorb nutrients. And then you starve. So he can never cheat - therefore, we talk about gluten every single day. We're always on the look out for gluten in our lives.

2. Leaving them in group settings/classes is hard. I'm being real. It is so hard for me to drop Samuel off at the nursery class at church because I worry about him accidentally getting into gluten. It's in playdough, goldfish, and more. So I make sure to verify and verify and verify that everyone who watches him knows that he absolutely cannot be around gluten. It's hard. It's hard on the days when the project is with playdough and he cannot be included. But, I've learned that instead of sitting in the hard parts of it to instead look at all the good, all that he can do, and remember that he is thriving.

3. It's easy to worry. This one gets me. When Samuel gets sick or complains of a tummy-ache or looks off - I worry. Every time I take him to the doctor I have to explain his history, carry my 1.5 inch blue folder with the Spiderman sticker and my Children's Hospital pass picture {that I stuck on there} with his records, and hold my breath while they just tell me he has a cold. But, just like I cannot not drop him off, I've learned to work on not worrying and instead embracing him and his life. It's a gift that he was diagnosed -- hundreds of years ago Celiac Disease was simply referred to as Wasting Disease and many, many, many of those children died. He's here. And for that I am for ever grateful.

4. You find normal. If you're in the beginning stages of this journey it is so hard to imagine normal. I remember standing in the Super Target by my house with my red cart almost empty, with tears in my eyes, as I watched everyone wander down the cracker aisle throwing in crackers, cereal, bars and more in their cart. Part of me wanted to yell at them and tell them you don't realize how lucky you are to put that stuff in your carts...yet, it was just the part of me mourning a life that was once a certain way and now has changed. But, you will find normal. I promise it. We did. I can go to Target now and I'm just fine. ;)

5. You can be a voice for Celiac Disease Awareness. Three years ago I had no idea what Celiac Disease was and that it even existed. Today? Today part of my passion is being a voice. I feel blessed to have this platform, this site, and the opportunities to travel to conferences and events. When I walk through the halls of an event not only do I network, but I also intently build relationships with brands and encourage them to begin looking at the items that they produce and to embrace manufacturing safe, gluten free options. This is a privilege - and I am grateful for these opportunities. You, too, can be a voice. At the grocery store asking for more options, calling companies, sharing your stories - it all brings awareness.

Sometimes I wish that Celiac Disease wasn't called a disease as I see my son thriving and the word disease seems so sickly. Life can be good, even with Celiac Disease, and it can be awesome and amazing even if you cannot eat gluten. I know. I've seen it.

If you are interested in talking more with me about Celiac Disease and gluten free living please consider joining me on the Udi's Gluten Free Community Boards. I have been honored to be a community leader on their site for many months now. It's a beautiful platform that encourages support among the many individuals that cannot eat gluten or choose not to eat it. And, I love their products - their bread is always in my house - so for that I'm thankful as well.

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