Michelle Kennedy's Page

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About Me

Hispanic Female with Celiac -Officially Gluten Free April 1, 2009 and Ready for a cure!

Being diagnosed with Celiac Disease came with mixed blessings. I finally had the answer to why I was so ill. For the others who have been diagnosed without any of “symptoms” I cannot imagine the difficulty as it is psychologically and emotionally brutal!

I was increasingly ill for approximately 10 years. I had so many symptoms that I never thought to tell my gastroenterologist that along with the horrible G.I. problems, that I also had ataxia, headaches, chronic fatigue, ulcerations in my mouth, joint pain, etc. There were so many times when I needed to go to the emergency room due to the pain, nausea, heaving, vomiting, etc., but because I already knew that there was nothing they could do…I would simply pray myself to sleep.

Honestly, I do not know how I remained employed. I was always terribly exhausted and I felt like I had a hangover most of the time. The singeing pain in my small intestine was constant. The double dose of Nexium, Pepcid, & the occasional Bentyl were barely taking the edge off! But, now that I am Gluten-Free, my life has changed! I actually have a social life outside of Saturday and Sunday. In addition, I don’t feel like collapsing following ordinary chores and/or errands.

I spend a lot of time wondering if my friends and relatives will ever understand that this is a GENETIC DISEASE and being gluten free is not a life style choice it is choice of LIFE vs. DEATH! However, I do my best to perform at least a single act of advocacy on the behalf to Celiac's each and every week.

Interests

Travel & Research AND finding stores/restaurants catering to the Gluten Free Diner!!!

Italy is amazing for gluten free dining!

Gluten Free Bakery (including Chef/Catering) in Puerto Vallarta!
http://vallartacatering.com/

New Crustless/Gluten Free Lou Malnati's Pizza!:
http://www.tastesofchicago.com/pizza_flavors

Favorite Gluten-Free Websites/Blogs

New Find: French Meadow Bakery Products! Bread, Pizza Crusts, & Most imortantly GF Flour Tortilla (fajita size)!
Jules Gluten Free Flour! http://www.julesglutenfree.com/
Amazing!!! The hype is true, you can use it as a one to one replacement for traditional wheat flour!!!

Woodchuck Granny Smith Cider! It's GF and you can find it at BevMo! The Cider is also bottled under the name of Newton's Folly and sold for $4.00 less at Trader Joe's!! Read more at:
http://www.woodchuck.com/woody/age/
http://www.epinions.com/content_5225422980

Dedicated Gluten Free Store located in San Clemente, CA:
http://www.stellalucy.com/

California Gluten Free Restaurant Search:
http://www.glutenfreeregistry.com/gluten-free-state-search.do?state=CA

Complimentary Dining Cards:
http://www.glutenfreepassport.com/traveling/translations.html

Gluten Free Friendly Restaurants Located in Orange County, CA Restaurants (Some with Dedicated Menu's):
http://www.skoshmonahans.com/gf_1.html
http://www.peiwei.com/
http://www.pfchangs.com/
http://stores.zpizza.com/foothill-ranch/
http://www.ribcompany.com/gfcfmenu.html
http://www.panerabread.com/
http://www.wahoos.com/
http://www.chipotle.com/
http://www.daphnesgreekcafe.com/
http://www.sharkys.com/

Best Gluten Free Red Licorice:
http://www.gimbalscandy.com/allergen/

Best Gluten Free Brownies!:
http://www.bettycrocker.com/products/gluten-free/Faq.htm

Best Pasta:
http://www.tinkyada.com/

Best Certified Oats:
http://www.bobsredmill.com/product.php?productid=4920&cat=112&a...

Best Gluten Free Pizza Recipe from Emeril!:
http://planetgreen.discovery.com/food-health/emerils-gluten-free-pi...

Best Frozen Pizza Crusts, Hot Dog, Hamburger Buns & dare I say donuts!:
http://consumer.kinnikinnick.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/consumer.home...

Best Celiac Resources:
http://celiaccenter.ucsd.edu/counseling.shtml
http://www.celiac.org/

Favorite Quotes

What's the fat content?

Favorite Gluten-Free Foods

My husbands cooking! Sushi from Sashimi, Pizza from Z-Pizza (Kinnickinicks Frozen Pizza Crusts), Pei Wei's Spicy Shrimp/Brown Rice, Daphne's Spicy Chicken Salad (without pita), Betty Crocker's GF Brownies, AND....Gimbal's GF red licorice scottie dogs!!!