Gluten-Free Holidays

The holidays can be a wonderful time to be gluten-free. For me, it’s my 16th holiday season without gluten. That means that I’m not sick with a cold I can’t manage. I’m not hurting all over with mysterious illness aches. I’m not randomly grumpy and exhilarated - seemingly without cause (but really driven by the changes in my neurochemistry from gluten-”poisoning”.). I can be present with my family and friends. I can sleep well, wake rested, and fully enjoy my time in this season.

This is also the time of year when I say “no thank you” more than at any other season. You see, well meaning acquaintances may want to make goodies, or buy something from their local farmer’s market that they think will be perfectly fine for me. But I’ve had too many experiences where that risk causes me to end up sick, in bed, and hurting for weeks (literally, in my bones and joints it takes a long time for me to get clear after an exposure).

It’s also the time of year when I see the love and caring for my health and wellness expressed by my closest family and friends who carefully check ingredients with me, clean their kitchens and shared eating spaces with extra care, and make sure I have a totally safe and enjoyable holiday. This is when my Gluten-Free Romance shines in how I care for my body by surrounding myself with care, offering only food that helps me be healthy, and enjoying the time with others more than focusing on food.

I hope you also can find the light, hope, safety, and joy in this gluten-free holiday.

Keep the GF Romance alive!

Erix

Published by Erix at Heart Spirit Nutrition 12/05/2023