Creative Writing: "Diary Entry of Lennox Williams." (7/18/2010)

7/18/2010

Dear diary,

"So yesterday I got my allowance, and decided to blow some money at the mall. I bought this cute top, that I had been totally eying since forever. It is dark blue, low cut, and has a zipper halfway down the back. The front is sort of a sweetheart design. So, I went to Music Heaven to check out some music. A really cute guy kept on staring at me. He came over and talked to me. Turns out he is going to the same high school as me. His name is Kevin, and he just moved here. He asked if I wanted to get lunch with him. I totally did!

We walked to the food court, talking the entire way. He wanted pizza. We got to the pizza kiosk, and I remembered about my Celiac disease. When it was my turn to order, I asked the lady behind the counter if they had gluten free food. Just like the dude from the pizza place, she had no clue what that was. She said that they don't. Again, I was stuck with a salad. Kevin was silent when we were eating. He kept checking his phone, totally ignoring me. All of a sudden, he said his mom just texted him and was waiting for him outside the mall. His phone didn't go off. He got up, and I asked him if he wanted my number. He said that he will see me at school, and he left quickly. It's July, and school isn't until August 31!

I took the bus home, and I was a cross between depressed and angry. I laid my head against the window, wiping a tear from my eye. I was totally humiliated. Was he, like, weirded out because I have Celiac disease? If this is what I am going to experience in high school, I'd rather be home-schooled. It's bad enough that I will have to deal with loser Kevin when school starts. I got home and went back up to my room. Mom wasn't home, and my brother was next door. Finally I have some peace and quiet. Going to take a nap. Too depressed for daylight."

(c) 2013 Shauna S.

A Dating Site For Celiac/Gluten Sensitive Singles?

 Single, Celiac/Gluten Sensitive, and Looking for Love?

Don't worry, this isn't a spammy blog post. However, I did read that someone made a website for gluten free singles to meet other gluten free singles. The CEOs of the website (http://www.GlutenFreeSingles.com), know first hand, how hard it is to meet anyone that understands our lifestyle. Both of them are gluten free, because they have to be. One has Celiac, and the other has a gluten allergy.

Even if you are not looking for GF love, you will find a community of individuals who are just like us, living gluten free, because we HAVE to.

The site is also home to a blog, with a wide variety of information: http://www.glutenfreesingles.com/blog/

Before my boyfriend and I got together, it was hard to find a guy who understood about my Celiac disease. Most saw me as a little too "high maintenance." Only Celiacs understand what other Celiacs go through. However, my boyfriend has been wonderfully supportive, and so has his family. I consider myself rather lucky. Though, had the gluten free singles site been around 2 years ago, I would have joined, just so I had people to talk to about Celiac disease.

I think it is pretty cool that there is a site out there for people who are gluten free. While I am not someone who approves of online dating, I think the site is a great resource for making connections with other Celiacs/gluten sensitive individuals.

Here is the link for the site: http://www.GlutenFreeSingles.com

Creative Writing: "Diary Entry of Lennox Williams." (7/16/2010)

(7/16/2010)

Dear diary,

"This morning, I was woken up by a text from Heather. She wanted to make sure I was okay with what happened at the pizza place. I told her that it sucks, but, whatever. I asked her if she wanted to hang out later. She said that she was going out with her boyfriend. They were going to Rocko's Tacos. I asked if I could come with her, and she said that she wanted me to come with her, since I'm her BFF and all, but, they don't have anything that I could eat there. I texted back, saying okay, that's cool, and then I shut off my phone. I stayed in bed, thinking about this whole Celiac deal. It is totally unfair! It's ruining my life! I feel like a total loser. How am I going to deal with high school? How am I going to meet boys? Ugh!

Mom checked on me an hour ago. She asked if I was okay, and I lied and told her that I didn't sleep well last night. She said that she will let me sleep in for a little while or so, then she will make me breakfast. Mom has been great about cooking me the food I need to be eating. Dad has been on a business trip, so I don't know if he knows about my 'thing.'  I can't get my brother to try my gluten free food. He said it smells funny. He's right, LOL!

Whatever. Today I'm just going to stay home, since I can't go out anywhere. All my friends have the freedom to go where ever they want, and I'm stuck at home, being a total loser. I wish I could be normal."

(c) 2013 by Shauna S

Creative Writing: "Diary Entry of Lennox Williams." (7/15/2010)

7/15/2010

Dear diary,

"Yesterday, I went to the store with mom, and it totes sucked. Mom wanted me to get an idea of what it will be like to shop gluten free. It was hard to see all the food I used to eat, that I can't have again. Oreos, barilla pasta, oatmeal, Dijourno pizza, doritos..none of them are gluten free. 

When we got to the gluten free section, mom kept mumbling about the prices. She apologized to me, and said that she wished it wasn't so expensive. I saw some interesting foods: corn pasta, rice pasta, quinoa, soy sauce, different flours, frozen bread, several frozen Indian foods, and some burritos. I told mom to grab some burritos. I found some cereal that looked good, and I grabbed some bread.

Mom spent tons of money on the food. Mom has always been someone who worries about money, even though both mom and dad work. When we got into the car, I thanked mom for everything. I told her that it stinks that the gluten free section is so tiny. I am a variety kind of girl, and don't want to eat the same thing, over and over again. It gets boring. 

Mom made me a sandwich when we got home, and it was my first time trying gluten free bread. It, like, fell apart when I picked it up. It wasn't soft like normal bread. Half of my sandwich fell on my plate. I did eat the sandwich, and the bread was okay. It's just soo different. 

Heather invited me out to eat for dinner. She needed to vent about this guy she was talking to. She decided that we should go for pizza. With having Celiac disease, I was a little nervous. We went to the pizza place, and she ordered her meat lover's pizza slices. When the dude behind the counter asked for my order, I asked him if he had gluten free pizza. He had NO idea what the heck I was talking about. Heather looked over at me, and mouthed 'sorry' to me. I was upset. I ordered a small salad and we sat down to eat. Heather's pizza smelled so good. 

When I got home, I went straight up to my room, laid on my bed, and hugged my pillow. I did cry a little. Mom peeked her head in and asked if I was okay. I told her what happened, and she gave me a hug. I just don't know how I am going to get through this. How am I going to be a normal teenage girl, if no pizza places or whatever, doesn't have gluten free food? I can't, like, stay home all the time! 

It's late, and I should get some rest. *sad face*"

(c) 2013 Shauna S

Creative Writing: “Diary Entry of Lennox Williams,” (7/13/2010)

*Diary entry of the main character from my story.*

7/13/2010
Dear Diary,

"This whole Celiac thing totally sucks. I was craving some whole wheat pancakes when I woke up this morning. Instead, mom makes me something, called, “Buckwheat” pancakes. It was grainy, and gross. I don’t know if I can do this. I told mom that this is totes hard, and she said that I have no choice but to be gluten free. This afternoon, my little brother came home with a doggy bag of chicken nuggets, and fries. He was out with his baseball team, for a victory lunch. Their win today got them in the finals. I don’t go to his games, except for whenever they have a big game. Mom and dad make me go. Whatever.
Sasha is leaving for overnight camp tomorrow and is packing today *sad face* It’s like all of my friends have stuff going on. Like, Holly is a junior counselor this summer, and won’t be around. Connor went to baseball camp. Darcy went on vacation with her family. I’m, like, all alone. Well, I still have Heather. Heather is in summer school. She missed a lot of school last year because she got mono. I will be able to hang with her after she gets out of summer school.

I still haven’t told Heather that I have Celiac disease. I hope she doesn’t think I’m a freak or whatever.
Ugh, mom is calling me to clean the kitchen. I just want to rest up here, and curse the world.
Ta for now!"

Creative Writing- "Diary entry of Lennox Williams" (7/12/2010)

**I am currently writing a fictional book, about a 14 year old girl, "Lennox Williams", who is diagnosed with Celiac Disease. She is entering high school, and along with dealing with her diagnosis, she is also experiencing growing pains. While she is in high school, she implements plans to make her school more Celiac aware. She develops a program with the school cooks. She also helps her community more Celiac friendly. I have decided to make various diary entries that are written the summer before she starts high school.**

7/12/2010
Dear Diary,
"So, I went to see Dr. Martin yesterday. I hate the smell in the doctors office, it smells like low grade hospital. I got the results back from my blood test, and he said that I have something called, Celiac Disease. I seriously think the name is made up. How can I have something that I can't even pronounce? He said that gluten destroyed squiggly things on my small intestine, and I can't take in nutrients, or something like that. He showed me a picture of a small intestine...GROSS! So, he says that I can't have food with gluten in it. He gave mom some pamphlets and he gave me a book. Like I need to be reading during my summer vacation...hello!? I'm not in school! I don't need to read!
Out of curiosity, I took a look at the book. There are a lot of foods that I can't eat anymore. This summer is going to suck HUGE! No pizza, no pasta, no nothing. I'm stuck eating hippie cardboard food!
Mom is, like, all worried about me and stuff. She tells me that I have to tell my friends about my illness. I texted my best friend, Sasha, when I got home yesterday. She knew that Celiac was. Her cousin has it. She told me how, whenever they have family reunions, they always have to make separate food, just for her cousin. Sasha tried gluten free food, once. She said it was different. She doesn't know how her cousin does it. Sasha can't LIVE without her pizza.

Ugh, my little brother keeps asking me if I'm going to die. The little worm doesn't understand anything. It's sweet that he cares though, right?
I'm totes exhausted. Plus I have to facebook my peeps. Ta til tomorrow."

(c)2013 Shauna

Why I Love Betty Crocker

 I have always loved Betty Crocker. I remember looking for recipes in my grandmother's Betty Crocker cookbook, and baking with her. The recipes were easy, and delicious. When I was diagnosed with Celiac disease, I did not think I would ever be able to have delicious baked goodies again.

It was not until last year, when I found out that Betty Crocker had a line of baking mixes, that were gluten free. My boyfriend and I picked up a box of the Bisquick pancake mix, and we made pancakes the next day. We made the pancakes, and sat down to eat. We were both surprised by how delicious it was. My boyfriend told me that the Bisquick gluten free pancake mix was better than regular pancake mix. Having pancakes or waffles has become our Sunday morning tradition. We both love this pancake mix

We have also tried the Betty Crocker chocolate chip cookie mix. The cookies are delicious and simple to make.

Even with having Celiac disease, I don't have to miss out on delicious baked goods, especially when I use Betty Crocker baking mixes. It has made it easier, for those of us with Celiac disease, to blend in. Non-Celiacs even enjoy the gluten free baking mixes. They say that they hardly miss the gluten, and that they cannot even tell that it is gluten free.

I have just read an article that Betty Crocker is coming out with new mixes. There will now be a sugar cookie mix, and a rice flour blend mix, coming to a store near you! I love Betty Crocker!
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/betty-crocker-expands-gluten-free-offerings-giving-households-more-reasons-to-bake-family-favorites-2013-07-18

photo credit: http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/betty-crocker.jpg