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Dear Jackie,

I cannot IMAGINE having to deal with Celiac in children.  I am 45 and find it
complicated!

It wasn't until I was diagnosed, about 4 months ago, that I realized what an
important role FOOD played in my life - socially.  My husband and I use
"special dinners out" as our way of connecting with each other.  I have two
teenagers, and we have found that if we get them out in a restaurant, we
could have MORE of their time and attention.  And I have so many girlfriends,
and the way we like to enjoy each others company is over a meal and glass of
wine!  And now I have had to really curtail all of that - because I find it
almost impossible to eat out, and eat safely.

In MY experience, I have found that the better the restaurant, the more able
they are to accomodate you.  And I have been TRYING, just TRYING, to
reconnect with my kitchen and the alleged JOY OF COOKING!  (Something I was
enjoying getting away from!)

I don't know if this will help, but one thing my family HAS enjoyed,
especially when traveling, is the picnic basket.  I bought a really nice
wicker one, with all kinds of "special" dinner ware, etc, that was
exclusively for the picnic basket (including cloth napkins).  And I would
make simple, but special things to fill it with, and the kids have always
enjoyed this kind of treat - and it would take their minds off of being in
places like Burger King, when they were younger.  They never felt like they
were missing something.

I wish you the best of luck - it must be so hard to see your children have to
struggle with this.

Blessings,
Debbie

* Please remember some posters may be WHEAT-FREE, but not GLUTEN-FREE *