How To Eat Gluten Free Over The Holidays

Did you face the same issue I did at Thanksgiving? I hope your holiday was fun and full of delicious food, but maybe you went through something like this, too. My husband and I went away for Thanksgiving and were treated to Thanksgiving dinner by our extended family. We got to reconnect with family we don't see often, see a cousin's new baby, and sit down for a big meal together. It was pretty awesome, except  I couldn't eat my three favorite Thanksgiving staples - stuffing, gravy and pumpkin pie. I'm actually not complaining  (although I admit I did spare them a longing glance) and I'll tell you why.

The meal was not entirely gluten free and I can't eat any foods that contain gluten.

A little background for you...
Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, barley, rye, spelt, kamut, farro and related grains and it is the cause of a serious auto-immune condition called Celiac Disease that affects about 1 in 100 people in the U.S. 
I ate a lot of gluten growing up and never seemed to have any issues with it. Pasta? YUM. Bagels (especially Montreal sesame bagels)? I could eat those ALL DAY. Pizza and beer? Um, hello college food! 

Obviously, my diet as a teenager and in my early 20s was not ideal, but is it for any of us?

And then I was in that accident and my doctors told me that the majority of my brain healing would take place in the first two years of recovery. They also told me that major fatigue just came with having a brain injury and I needed to rest, rest, rest. So I waited, and I rested. I tried really hard to do all the right things and be kind to my brain and body.

But as that two year milestone approached, I was slowly trying to complete my Bachelor's degree via correspondence, taking one class at a time and still trying to rest! But I was STRUGGLING. I was tired ALL the time. I was plagued by brain fog that felt like heavy, sticky cotton candy coating my brain, I had headaches, I couldn't focus.

And knowing that most of the big stuff in my brain was supposed to be healed, I didn't understand why I still felt so injured. It was like I hadn't healed much at all! But then I had a conversation with my best friend, Lisa, that changed everything for me. We got talking about Celiac and its symptoms, and It was like a lightbulb lit up above my head!

I got off the phone with her and did more research, quickly seeing that the symptoms I felt fit with having an intolerance to gluten and possibly even Celiac Disease. I started paying close attention to what I was eating and right away I noticed a direct connection between eating food that contained gluten and feeling so fatigued, cranky and brain-foggy (not the technical term) that I could barely function.

Once the connection was clear, I eliminated gluten from my diet* and within a week or two (I'm not sure how long it took, now, but it was fast), I felt like a PERSON again! The brain fog lifted, I could focus on my school work, I didn't have the same fatigue I had previously felt... and suddenly I could feel what was the legitimate brian-injury-induced fatigue that required naps and breaks from whatever I was doing. It was like a light breaking through the darkness. 
* If you think you have Celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, talk to your doctor!

Now, back to Thanksgiving. We went out and everything was already prepared, so I had no control over what was being served. It was high quality and very good but I wasn't able to request gluten free options and even though I had actually planned to bake a gluten free pumpkin pie and bring it with me, I just ran out of time and it never got made. I know, I know, stuffing, gravy and pie are NOT "healthy" foods. But indulging once or twice a year will not seriously damage anyone's health (unless you have an allergy or auto-immune condition like Celiac).

So I had turkey, some yummy rustic cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, some mashed sweet potato-leek concoction and salad, but I skipped the green beans because they were topped with battered and fried onions (the batter was made with wheat flour) and I passed on my beloved stuffing (made with bread), gravy (thickened with a roux) and pumpkin pie (on a wheat crust).

But you know why I'm not complaining? I got to be with family that I adore and still eat a delicious meal that DIDN'T MAKE ME SICK! I enjoyed the whole evening and didn't have to deal with trying to function when my brain felt like it was shutting down. Thanksgiving to me is more about family and connection than it is about the food, and I knew that I could go home, roast the Primal Pastures pastured turkey I have in my freezer and make my own gluten free stuffing, gravy and pumpkin pie if I really wanted to. It was No. Big. Deal.

Gluten-free breakfast at Jewel's Bakery and Cafe in Phoenix, AZ. Crispy potatoes with kale, blueberry pancakes, an egg. 100% gluten-free, and they use local ingredients whenever possible and lots of organic stuff too.

And I got to enjoy a completely gluten-free and delicious breakfast at Jewel's Bakery and Cafe in Phoenix, AZ before we headed for home. They had no idea I was going to blog this - neither did I until I sat down to eat! But it was so good, I had to share. If you're passing through, it's at Thomas and 40th.

*I want to mention here that for people who have Celiac Disease, they often need food that is prepared in an ENTIRELY gluten-free setting. The tiniest bit of cross-contamination from a crumb or even flour dust can make many people very, very sick.
I am just personally not that sensitive.*

With Christmas right around the corner, do you stress out about what, if anything, you'll be able to eat when you're with your family? Are you cooking and worrying that your guests won't like your "weird" food?

If you're going to be with family, make sure they know your needs ahead of time and don't be afraid to get specific about what's ok for you to eat and what's not. If you're afraid your family won't "get it", ask if you can bring some dishes of your own! I know, it's NICE to not have to cook and be treated at Christmas to a special meal, but is being sick and unable to join in on the family fun really worth eating food you know will hurt you?

If you're cooking, don't sweat it! Turkey stuffing made with gluten-free bread is still really, really good! I make my own bread now, but store-bought brands like Udi's and Rudi's Gluten-Free are great stand-ins for "regular" bread. Gravy can be made just as easily using something like arrowroot or sorghum flour for the roux (other gluten-free flours are rice flour, millet flour, potato flour and potato starch, tapioca flour, etc.). If you use a gravy mix, Simply Organic makes different kinds that are organic and gluten-free. It's also pretty easy to find frozen gluten-free pie crusts now, too, if you don't want to brave making one from scratch. Have a look at your local health food store.

Sticking with real, unprocessed food - animal proteins, vegetables, root veggies, squash, fruits and nuts, - and avoiding baked goods and pre-made or processed food that come in a package with a list of ingredients is an easy way to have a gluten-free meal. Gluten-containing ingredients are often used as fillers or flavor enhancers in processed food, so just stay away.

Watch out for things like bottled sauces because they can contain gluten without you realizing it - soy sauce, for example, has wheat as one of the first ingredients. Gluten-free tamari is a great alternative to that. Read the ingredients carefully on any processed food item you buy and be careful with spices too. Mixed spices may contain gluten and even individual spices can be cross-contaminated with gluten, depending on how they're produced. If you're concerned, contact the company and ask them directly!

One blogger that helped me SO MUCH when I first went gluten-free in 2009 is the Gluten Free Girl - Shauna James Ahern. Her blog is full of amazing tips for living, eating and cooking gluten-free, so if you need more detailed help, head on over and check out her site! She also created a gluten-free Thanksgiving app for the iPad and as a digital download for the computer if you want to try out some gluten-free recipes.

She has no idea I'm telling you about her right now and I don't get anything for it. I just think she can really help with trying to navigate the going-gluten-free process - she definitely helped me. I'm also not compensated for mentioning specific brands here - I just want to help you out.

May your holidays be happy and bright, full of good cheer and amazing food! If you have any questions, or gluten-free tips of your own, just write them in the comments below! I'd love to hear from you!

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All In.

You are amazing. Do you know that? Because it's true. You are a whole, perfect being who deserves to feel amazing all of the time. But these days, you don't feel amazing... and maybe you never have. If you can relate, I hear you! And I'm here to help you.

One night back in November 2007, I had dinner with my roommate in Montreal, laughing and talking  over Thai food, before I grabbed a cab to the airport to catch a flight home for the weekend. 

I was on track to have a successful journalism career, with dreams of being a top news reporter for a big newspaper dancing in my head. I was excited, the semester was almost over and I had plans to move to California after Christmas, I was newly engaged... everything seemed pretty perfect.

My plane was delayed a bit out of Montreal but I still arrived in time to rent a car before the rental counter closed. I threw my suitcase in the trunk, got settled in my car and called my dad, as is our ritual, to let him know I had landed safely and was on my way home. I pulled out of the rental lot and hit the road. 

And I almost made it home. Traffic was light, as it typically is late at night where I grew up, the road was clear... just a couple more exits and a few miles to go. I was really looking forward to that big bear hug from Dad! 

Until suddenly my peaceful drive was violently interrupted by a pickup truck suddenly swerving into my lane and colliding with my car head-on. You can read more about that, and how that led to this blog, right here.

- self portrait - Me in my Montreal apartment while studying journalism at university. And yes, the little pic on the wall behind me of the person with a mohawk, that was me when I was 17. I have loved punk rock since I was 15, And despite the image it maybe projects, I did not party much and I got mostly As in school. Don't judge a book by its cover ;)

That accident changed the course of everything in my life. But even before my accident, I dealt with constant colds and flu growing up. I wasn't "sick" and I felt "good enough" to get through the day so I didn't know anything was wrong! I just figured I was exposed to millions of germs at school and it couldn't really be avoided. Except I was sick way more often than a lot of my classmates, but I didn't think anything of it.

Suddenly being thrust into mega-recovery mode after suffering severe traumatic injuries quickly made it crystal clear to me that Medicine and doctors could only get me so far. If I wanted to get 100% better, I had to take control of my health and I couldn't settle for "good enough". 

We are surrounded by toxins every day and most of us don't even realize it. I know I didn't until I started doing the research! We're stressed out with stress hormones coursing through our bodies and wreaking havoc; we eat processed/fast/junk food because we feel it's all we have the time or energy for; we don't feel that we can or need to exercise; we eat and drink out of containers that are leaching toxic and hormone-disrupting chemicals into our food; we breathe polluted air. I was even eating "good" food that is actually making me sick until I realized that I'm gluten intolerant! This is not an imaginary thing as has been sometimes reported and I will blog about it more in a future post.

You've probably dealt with some kind of illness or injury in your life, too, (even if it's just a broken heart) but despite all that, there is still a way to feel amazing every day. Really and truly.

I don't mean to minimize the experience anyone may be having if they have a terminal illness. At all. I know some things cannot be cured. One of my most dear friends and teachers passed away due to ovarian cancer and I have no illusions about the toll illnesses like cancer, and severe traumatic injury, can take. I will also never minimize your experience of what you've been through. Whatever you feel is the reality of your experience; that's what's true for you. And I will honor that. I've had people tell me that my injuries were worse than, and conversely not as bad as, someone else who experienced a similar injury... which just strikes me as a weird comparison to make. All I know is that it was the worst and most terrifying thing I have ever experienced in my life, but that doesn't change your experience of whatever you've faced, does it?

What I mean is, despite all the challenges thrown our way that can throw us off the tracks, there is always something we can do to feel more centered, happy in our skin and healthy in our bodies. I am so excited to be writing this post and launching this website for you, finally! My Whole Healthy has honestly been years in the making and I didn't even know it. I had to gain some major life experience before this vision for helping YOU became clear but I am over the moon with happiness to be able to share it with you now! Welcome, and thanks so much for being one of the first to be here with me.

I titled this post All In. So what do I mean? Hint - it has nothing to do with poker or gambling.

Photos by Jasmine of Let's Frolic Together

When it comes to achieving optimal wellness, you've just got to be all in, all of the time. Healthy can't be something you decide to be only on weekends. We have this one life to be here now and do whatever this life holds in store for us. Even if you believe in reincarnation, THIS life will never be replicated. It's special. Even if life right now seems particularly horrible (I've been there!), I stand by that. It's SPECIAL and offers us incredible opportunities to learn and grow and even those awful moments (or days/months years) are proof that we are alive. We are here on this planet, getting to experience all of what's beautiful... AND all of what's ugly and hard. To me, that's pretty miraculous.

Still, I know, what's familiar feels safe. Even if it sucks. Change can be scary! But the steps you need to take towards achieving whole health are actually really easy. I know I just said that if we want to be healthy, we have to be all in - all of the time. Doing something with 100% effort, 100% of the time, sounds kind of daunting, eh? But think about it - the lifestyle and habits you have now are already being done the same way. Whatever your life is now, it's already your 100%, as healthy or unhealthy as it may be. The scary part is thinking about change and the unknowns it brings.

For me at least, the idea of change is much scarier than the actual act.

So I'm here to guide you, to help you, to educate you, and hopefully be of service to you. I want to take away a lot of that scary unknown stuff. Ideally, I'll help you replace the fear with excitement and self-empowerment, because like I said, you are AMAZING and you deserve to feel that way! I have so much to share with you... I'm so excited! But I have SO much I want to say, it's hard to know where to start! So... please tell me if YOU have a particular health/food/fitness/meditation/wellness question, or anything else that's on your mind that you want me to tackle in the next post! I would be so happy to start this blog by writing something that's specifically useful to you right away.

I'm here to serve you, so tell me what you're wondering about!

Please read My Story so you'll know why I created My Whole Healthy, and you can Take Action with five EASY steps towards YOUR Whole Healthy right now, and I'd be honored if you signed up for my monthly newsletter (top right in the sidebar of this page) to get Whole Healthy gifts and guidance delivered to your inbox! Check out the site, visit and follow me on social media... this is going to be AWESOME.

Don't forget to tell me in the comments below if you have any questions or stuff I can help you with! Can't wait to talk to you!

xoxo Maggie

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