We all know that being gluten free can be tough, I mean who isn’t fuming when you go to a BBQ and can’t have something from the grill because it’s been contaminated by toasted buns and there is no tin foil in sight? I mean really… Rather than focus on the negatives for Celiac Awareness Month though I’d like to share more of the positive qualities of the lifestyle, and for me that means the happy moments. Here are my top five gluten free moments from my five years gluten free:

1. The First Post Gluten Free Dessert Tray: One of my first happy memories after going gluten free involved a dessert tray, you know the kind that is teeming and brought directly to your table for you to SEE all the options. I was always impressed with restaurants that did this, but figured it would never happen on a gluten free diet because I wouldn’t have many options. However I was shown how wrong I was when at dessert time at a local Indian restaurant I was greeted with an overflowing tray and the first words out of the waiters mouth were “Let me tell you what’s gluten free”. Not only was there an option, but there were several including rice pudding, tartufo, chocolate flourless cake, ice cream, creme brulee, and more. I was ecstatic over this small gesture of dining out normalcy, and wanted to order everything.

2. Commitment to a Diet out of Love: When I first found out my diagnosis my husband, then boyfriend of only a year and a half, told me he wanted to go gluten free with me without me even asking. I thought it was just a phase he would outgrow, but he truly was committed to that statement (and obviously to me). To this day our house is entirely gluten free, and he will follow a strict gluten free diet when we dine out together or go on vacation. Since he works at Panera Bread though, he will sometimes eat gluten when we aren’t together. Knowing I can be comfortable in my own home, or kiss him whenever I want without concern, really means a lot to me personally. I’ve found that I am truly lucky to have this man in my life.

3. A Gluten Free Wedding: They say your wedding day is the best day of your life, and being a foodie even before going gluten free I was a bit concerned that it might be ‘ruined’ because I wouldn’t have good quality food of my own at the reception. However, we searched high and low for a catering hall that could accommodate our needs and a 100% gluten free bakery that could bake a mean cake and the end result was an entirely gluten free wedding (minus the beer). AND our guests didn’t even notice. Let me tell you, one of the best moments of that night was hearing the phrase “My food was amazing, I can only hope that your gluten free options were as good. AND what cake did you have? Was only the top gluten free?” Little did they know…

4. The First Fried Food: Another happy food first moment is the first time I was able to eat authentic fried food at a restaurant. I have always loved fried food, in moderation of course. There’s just something great about a good crunchy fry that’s so  satisfying, but finding fried foods was a challenge when I first went gluten free because very few people had dedicated fryers. This is why I was truly excited when I found  a restaurant in New Hampshire that offered an extensive list of tavern style tapas, many of them fried. Here I was able to have fries, poppers, and more. I think I may have cried over how good everything was.

5. A Caring gesture from a Friend: Having a friend bring you a gluten free snack that’s pre packaged is one thing, but having a friend make an entire SECTION of their pantry gluten free is an entirely different story. I have one friend that did just that, making a shelf of her pantry strictly for gluten free mixes, ingredients, bowls, and more. I have another friend that has separate utensils and flatware for gluten free foods. These little reorganizing of their lives is a true gesture of friendship, and I LOVE them for it.   

Being gluten free has lead me to appreciate the little things, like good rarely accessible food or a small gesture of love and appreciate. Honestly, there are so many happy moments going gluten free had led to that I could list above. But I’m curious, what are some of your gluten free happy moments? Please share! 

**Please Note: This post is sponsored by Glutino, who generously partners with me through out the year to bring you musings on my gluten free experience and product reviews of items they send me. However, the review and ideas reflects my own thoughts and tastes and are in no way influenced by this partnership.**