The Wagamama's debate

Hello readers,

A few weeks ago, I payed a visit to Wagamama's.  It left me with a lot of questions.  So without further or do, I present to you the Wagamama's debate!

I heard before that Wagamama's where very good with dietary requirements and this was correct.  They where fully aware about coeliac disease and made sure no contamination was to be found.  I really respect this as not only does it make it better for me but it shows the company are well trained with good knowledge.  The first downside to Wagamama's is that when we asked about gluten free foods on the menu, they brought out this huge book filled with confusing and hard to read information. It was terribly confusing!  If you didn't read it carefully, it could easily be misunderstood which is not good in such a serious matter.  It told us that to find gluten free foods, we had to look through the book under 'cereal.'  ONE item on the whole menu was gluten free!  One!  It did have a section with food that they could change to make gluten free however not many. After struggling for a while, i went for the gluten free option.  I can say that my food tasted really amazing!  Though I definitely would have chosen a chicken katsu curry over it!  My mum had one of the gluten free alternatives however it tasted slightly odd as if something was missing.  Me and my family also thought that perhaps more gluten free alternatives could have easily be created.  I am still unsure about Wagamama's because there is a lot of pros and cons.  I do think I won't rush back for awhile though!

Thank you very much for reading.  

Best wishes 

Beth x

It's all a bit complicated

Hi,

Today I am talking about something a bit different than I normally would.  Today I'm talking about how my Coeliac disease effects me emotionally.

It can be hard being a Coeliac and being so young.  Many people think I'm rather ungrateful that even though I have a disease it is not something that could kill me like cancer.  Obviously I'm very grateful that I'm healthy and am able to live my life without worrying about my disease however people do forget that what I have to go through/what I've been through is still hard.  For instance someone could say that they don't like some gluten free food (which is fine) and then say something like "I suppose it is nice for you because you haven't had the actual thing".  This is not something to say to a Coeliac.  I have always felt a bit left out of everything.  I felt as if I was missing out on a whole other world that I would never be able to explore.  When this feeling comes I often go a bit quiet and try to calm down. I have to tell myself that it is not their fault as they are just trying to be nice however I still can't help thinking sad thoughts that they will never understand what it is like and how it effects me.  My disease does not just effect me through what foods I eat but things I can do!  It throws cookery clubs, so many meals out with friends and even joining the army out the window!  It is unfair.  So many upset feelings in my stomach when people in my class would bring cakes into school on their birthdays.  Even though it is a little thing, all of the little things start to add up after 7 years.  Even worse was the line that was used everytime I had to refuse a cupcake: "I feel sorry for you".  If this isn't supposed to make me feel like I'm missing out then nothing is!  Again, I know it is not the person's fault and I have never told them not to say that.  Some other things that have been said to me are things like "If I where you I'd eat it anyway" and worst of all "are you scared to have kids because you could pass it on?"  

If I have kids, they will have a 50% chance of getting Coeliac disease.  This should not stop me from having kids.  Even if they were Coeliacs, I would be able to give them advice as I was like it at their age.  

In conclusion, be careful what you say but treat Coeliacs as normal people because they are, spread awareness so there can be less 'what is wrong with you' conversations and be grateful that you can explore the world that I will never be able to. 

Sorry this post was a lot more depressing than normal but it is another factor of the life of a Coeliac.

Best wishes

Beth x

Happy New Year!

It is 2014!  And I have recently come across some new non gluten foods!  So I have picked I few of my favorites to show you!

Food 1: Udi's Bagels

I have recently tried these new gluten free bagels!!  I'm so excited that I can now get my hands on them!  They come in all different flavours so I am also exicited to experiment with them!  

Food 2: Bontà d' Italia Lasagne

This looks like such a nice microwave meal for on the go!  It is made with real Italian cheese!

Food 3: Udi's Ancient Grain crisps

I love these crisps!  They are unbelievably moreish!  Great for a snack! 

I hope you try out these new products! 

Beth x

Gluten free Christmas at M&S!

I'm back with some more gluten free Christmas ideas!  This year M&S have created a non gluten Christmas food range!  Tandoori king prawns, Asian style chicken lollipops, bacon twist lollipops, bacon and sausage rolls, pork cocktail sausages and wafer thin ham breaded with gluten free crumb are just some of the foods this Christmas!  Thanks M&S, this is going to be the best Christmas EVER!

 

Best wishes

Beth x

Tis' the season to be jolly!

Christmas is a lovely time!  However one thing I hate is being gluten free!  Many traditional Christmas treats contain gluten!  Luckily, Ceoliac UK are on the case with 'opperation gluten free Christmas!'  Over the years gluten free food has improved (after all, not all my bread is falling apart!).  So sit back and relax as I take you through the wonders of gluten free Christmas food!

Mince Pies-  Ever feel like a shortcrust pastry pie filled with rich and fruity mincemeat?  Then I would recomend Udi's Gluten Free Rich n' Fruity Mince Pies!  An enjoyable snack that come in packs of four meaning they are great for sharing!  (Or just stuffing your face and keeping them all to yourself!)

Chocolate- I will admit that I'm a huge chocolate lover so after eating loads of chocolate and exploring what is gluten free I have discovered that all Thorntan's products are non gluten! (Other than their cakes!). Mmmmmm......... Choccy!

Christmas pudding- This is a tough thing to buy but it is nice to see the microwave pudding is back for another year!  Pretty much every Christmas I can remember has included the Free From dessert!  These come in packs of two and are ideal if you are after a quick snack!

Christmas Cake- This is rather easy to find!  There is lots of different ones to choose from!  You are quite likely to come across one at the free from or you could order a nice one online!  I am going to leave this one up to you!

That's all I have for now!

Have a fantastic Christmas!

Beth x

Bruges Christmas Market

Yesterday I went on a trip to the Bruges Christmas Market!  It was a great trip but I couldn't get any food!  All I could buy was hot dogs, burgers and other fatty foods containing gluten!  Me and my friends walked up to a French man selling candy floss to see if it was gluten free, he gave me a really odd look!  I couldn't buy any chocolate either because they had no idea what I was talking about!  After searching the entire market I had to give up!  Other than that I would highly recommend the trip to Bruges as I really enjoyed it!

Best wishes

Beth x

I'm Back!!!

Hi it's Beth!

I have finally got round to blogging again!  I am now in secondary school but I'm not liking it as much as I hoped.  I can hardly get any food!  All they sell is pizza and pasta and other foods that would make me sick!  One of the worst parts is seeing your friends stuff their faces with gluten goodness!  Around this sort of time I prefer to have something warm but I think I'm going to have to stick with my usual cheese sandwich (with gluten free bread)!    

Best wishes!

Beth x