So, here I still am. My domain renewal came up recently, which means I’ve been blogging for a year. I wasn’t sure how long I would last as a blogger, so I’m quite pleased to have made it to my first ‘birthday’. It also means I’ve been gluten free for 18 months. And what an interesting time that has been…

I’ve discovered many new and different (to me) foods and alternative ways of cooking, or indeed not cooking and eating raw. I’ve been on a culinary journey of discovery to try to find a new normal as far as food is concerned, and I’m slowly figuring out new family favourites.  Our family diet is so much healthier as a result of cooking pretty much everything from scratch, but the amount of time I spend in my kitchen has increased almost exponentially. Well, it probably hasn’t, but it feels that way. And the food bill has definitely increased.

One thing that continues to surprise me, although it really shouldn’t by now, is just how often I find myself having to talk about Coeliac disease and gluten free food. Barely a day goes by when I don’t have to explain myself or my behaviour or my menu choice to somebody, or make sure they understand what’s required. I check the ingredients of everything. It’s a source of constant frustration that I’m not allowed to forget about being coeliac for more than a few hours at a time!

Also this year the allergen laws were updated so understanding of coeliac disease and availability of food is improving, but experience tells me that in spite of this, the vast majority of people still don’t understand the condition. And why would they? Although it governs my entire existence, I’m very much in the minority. 

Still, I went to our village’s ‘play on the green’ yesterday, where 3 friends and I took our camping chairs to watch a fabulous production of the Man in the Iron Mask. One of my friends brought a picnic for us all to share and do you know what? There wasn’t a single thing I couldn’t eat. What a lovely treat and what wonderful friends. I’m a very lucky coeliac.