Hello! This is my first note on this board. I've read a little bit and am very happy to have found this forum.

I have stomach issues and DH. The stomach issues are greatly improved but I continue to wrestle with the rash and itch, especially if I accidently get a little gluten. But overall, I'm in such better shape on the diet that I can't really complain. It's amazing what a tiny, tiny bit of gluten can do.

I'm so anxious to share here and learn more. Are there any others here from my area?

Nancy in Olympia, WA

Welcome! It's a great board, with a lot of friendly people.
We do have a few others from WA. I'm from the eastside of Lake Washington myself.

Tiffany,

Thank you for the quick welcome! I'm excited to see another Washingtonian. Do you know of any support groups south of Seattle?

Being new here, I am going to have to figure out the acronyms. I can see that G.F. is gluten-free, correct? I see C.F. in your signature... what is C.F.? Will I have a "duh" moment? LOL I'll have to create a signature soon. Is there a list of acronyms somewhere here? Thanks again.

Nancy

Hello and welcome! I'm from just north of you (Fed. Way). I don't think there are any support groups in our area. Several people have talked about starting one, including me, but nothing has developed. This board is the next best thing. Feel free to ask all kinds of questions - there's a lot of knowledge here.

Hi,

I'm south of you about 1-1 1/2 hours (north of Vancouver WA). I'm originally from Olympia and my mother lives there so I'm still up to visit about once a month.

Hi,
I'm on Bainbridge and I work in Seattle. I was just realizing that although I've lived in Washington pretty much since I was 8, I don't think I've ever in been to Olympia...

C.F. is "Casien Free" - Casien is the protein in milk. Welcome!

Hi everyone! What a friendly group - thank you! I feel so at home here already and I can see that I'll be learning quite a bit.

Andrea, you must be familiar with Lingonberries Market in Vancouver then? Have you been there? My son drove stopped there on his way home from Portland and picked up some gluten-free things for me last week. I love the products he got. I plan to come through Vancouver on Saturday so am going to browse through the store myself that day. A group of us are headed to the Pendleton factory in Washougal.

Thanks again, everyone.
Nancy

Yep. Love Lingonberries market. I found them out by looking online for stores that carried enjoy life products. They have such an amazing variety off gluten free stuff at that store! We are just off exit 27 (I-5). What time do you think you'll be down in Vancouver?

Hi Andrea,

I'm going with a group of women I get together with for rug hooking (the old fashioned kind) because they want to go to the Pendleton store in Washougal and look at wool. I'm basically tagging along as an invitee since I'm rather new to the group. I mentioned to them that I'd love to zip past the gluten-free store in Vancouver and no one has said they didn't have time or would rather get back home sooner. I'm sure it will work out, but I don't have any idea what time we'd be there, and since I'm the only celiac disease person in the group, I'll be the only one who will want to spend much time there. Are you going to the pancake breakfast there? It's in a few weeks. I don't know if I'll be in the area that day, but what a nice activity for them to host, don't you think? I can't wait to see the store! (Pendleton, too!)

Nancy

I wasn't aware of the pancake breakfast. I probably wouldn't go because I am also soy intolerant and mildly dairy allergic. I am only eating butter at this point and will probably be cutting that out. If I eat dairy I make sure it is organic.

Welcome to the board!
I live in Everett now. But i lived on the boarder of Tacoma and Puyallup up until recently. I am always down in the Lacey, Tacoma, Lakewood area. I am also planning another trip to Lingonberries real soon. That place is fantastic! It's well worth the drive, even from up here.

Laurie

Oh Andrea, I'm sorry about the soy and dairy. That must be very difficult. I've browsed here and see that so many people have more foods than gluten to deal with. I hope I won't be the same. What symptoms do you get from soy and from dairy? I eat mostly organic but haven't with the cream in my coffee or the little butter I also eat. My oldest son and I are paving our way through this together, and so the more I learn and tell him, the better. I have a feeling he too could be dealing with soy and/or dairy.

The most interesting thing about my son is that he doesn't have any symptoms other than asthma, and when he eats gluten-free, he can breathe! He can get a deep breath for the first time in years.

Laurie, you drive from Everette to Vancouver to buy gluten-free? That's amazing! Good for you! Maybe sometime we should all meet in Vancouver. Have you shopped gluten-free at Whole Foods? I sure wish we had a Whole Foods in Olympia!

Nancy

Hi Nancy;
I just happened to see your note and wanted you to know that we have a Gluten Intolerance Support Group in Olympia. We meet the 3rd Wed. of each month at 7.00 PM in Olympia Providence Hospital. Check at the front desk for location. Hope to see you there. cybersam

Sam! That's fabulous. Thank you so much for letting me know. I may miss the first one (this month) if I'm out of town. Plans to go visit a brother in CA are in the planning stages. But if I'm here, I'll be there. And for sure, I'll be there in Sept. How many usually show up? What do you do at the meetings? What ages?

Sign me "excited!"

Nancy

Nancy,

I underwent allergy testing when my son was 3 months old because he had broken out with eczema and everything I read said it was usually food associated. Found out I was allergic to wheat/spelt/rye/gluten/gliadin/soy/navy bean/kidney bean/asparagus/banana/pineapple/dairy (except cheddar cheese) and goat milk. I had read that soy can cause intestinal damage too so went off that even before the allergy testing. I went gluten light, still eating oats occassionaly and rice dream milk. We went through enterolab with everything they offer and found out my husband and I are soy intolerant and myself, daughter and oldest son are gluten intolerant. My oldest son also had mild malabsorption. We did enterolab the end of May this year. Still need to test my youngest. Just started him on oatmeal today. We had no obvious symptoms before going gluten free but know if we've been glutened now. I never noticed any symptoms from soy. I did have an enlarged thyroid almost 2 years ago with two elevated liver enzymes which went back to normal before the end of my pregnancy.

BTW, my oldest two were born in Olympia. We just moved south 2 years ago.

Hello. Another Washingtonian here - life-long: born in Tacoma (Ft. Lewis actually), then Seattle, Whidbey Island, Snohomish, Sedro-Woolley, and now Bellingham. I keep moving North..."go west, young man"...only north and I'm not a man.

Olympia is a nice town - I was a page there while my mother was in the legislature (in the 80's), and we had friends live there as well. My Aunt lives in Lacey, and my neices live in Yelm.

Take care, and welcome.

Hi just had to post a reply as well, I am a washingtonian also!! Born in Seattle, grew up in Bellevue, college in Mt Vernon, and Bellingham. Moved to Spokane for 2 years and no we live just north of Bellingham in Ferndale!! I work in Bellingham. I have been self diagnosed, and Dr. told me all my symptoms point to gluten intolerant, so stop eating it. This was yesterday. So I am fumbling my way along. This is my first post!! I do know that the Harvest Bread store makes gluten free stuff on Wed evening and Thursdays!!

If you need any advice or want to get together, let me know...PM me. Also, we've got a support group that meets at the Food Co-op, though I've never gone. We could wander in together, if you'd like.

I walk my dog up at Hovander Homestead all the time. Where do you work? I own a small business in Fairhaven called Bully For You that does Girl Friday stuff, and makes movies for folks out of old film footage and photographs. It's fun. I also go to Fairhaven college.

Sorry...I got excited to hear from someone so close on the board. Yahoo. Let me know about the lunching/advice/meeting attendance.

Also, if you're going to be seeing a nutritionist, Tom Malterre is gluten intolerant and seems pretty knowledgeable to me.

Welcome Gheidi!

I went to school at WWU for a few years. Bellingham is a pretty area.

Bully4You~ I work downtown on Commercial. This is all still new to me... today is day 3 to be gluten free... I have actually found it pretty easy so far. I love fruit and veggies, and I just threw in rice yesterday for my dinner. I am going to go check out the Harvest bread store. They make gluten free bread on Thursdays according to their web sight.

What are you studying at Fairhaven. I was going to go into elementary education, but ended up getting married and never made it back. I was even considering starting up again, but not sure I am cut out for all the testing .

All you Olympians, do you have a favorite local eating spot that is gluten-free friendly? My son is a rising sophomore at Evergreen & we'll be coming out with him this Fall to help him set up an off-campus apartment. It would be great to be able to eat out somewhere safe!

Leah

I didn't know about Harvest Bread gluten-free. I actually quit all grains about a month ago; but had I known beforehand, I would've checked it out. Be cautious of cross contamination - but it sounds like something to give a shot.

At Fairhaven you invent your own "concentration" (degree), and I haven't gotten to that point yet. I go very slowly - one or two classes per quarter - I like it that way. Mostly I study writing, but also identity issues, the Middle East, and human ecology/sustainability. Fairhaven has very few tests; rather, they asses your progress on paper writing and projects. You also don't get grades; instead you get long praise and critique of your skills and your progress. It's an interesting place of about 300 students. I'm not sure what my ultimate goal is, since I'd like to become a farmer/rancher -- the llamas won't know if I have a degree or not, right?

Anyway, let me know if you need any help with anything and how the Harvest Bread Co thing goes. Also, if you want to go to the meeting.....

Take care.

Hi there! I am not from Washington State but I go there to do some gluten free shopping sometimes. I am going to Bellingham next Tuesday for a Gluten Free Baking class at the Community Food Coop I can't wait. Is anyone else going to it?

Karen

Karen, that does sound like fun!! I am new to this WOL I have only been gluten free for 3 days now. I will have to check into there clases, I didn't know they offered classes like these.
AWESOME!!

I tell ya I sure like it that the fog has lifted considerably!! I feel so much better already!!!

Oh, I'm loving this thread! So many notes posted since I was here yesterday.... how do I catch up?!

I'll ramble....

Fairhaven sounds much like Evergreen college. My oldest son (turning 32!) got his Master's in Teaching there a year ago. My younger son and daughter also graduated from Evergreen. Great school - love that they don't do much testing, and grade you on understanding, papers, participation, projects, seminars instead. How does he like it, Leah?

I don't know what restaurants to suggest here. I'm new to this too, as of about three months ago, and each day I learn something new. I've specifically learned that trace amounts of gluten bother me (I have the rash/itch more than the stomach problems) so I'm really concerned about eating out. I did eat at Outback Steak and ordered from their gluten-free menu and didn't have any trouble.

Cross contamination is a problem. I thought I'd be fine with the wonderful granola they make at the Blue Heron bakery near Evergreen. The label showed no gluten foods in this one kind, but it's made in a bakery next to flour, and I suppose that was my problem. I'm really learning the hard way. I drank Rice Dream rice milk, got itchy and bloated and foggy and achey, then read on the side panel that it has gluten! Pacific makes one that is gluten-free but you have to look carefully because they also make one that is not.

The fog - I never realized just how foggy I had become until I went off gluten. Now I feel like I'm part of the world again. I had gotten so uncomfortable in an indescribable way that I think I had slowly become an observer rather than a participant in life. Now I'm back to my old self. I think I slowly started getting sick about 25 years ago! (although, my guess is that I have had this since birth) Let's talk about that fog more!

It's really helpful to read notes from everyone here, and particularly fun to connect with other Washingtonians! How exciting that some of you live close enough to get together up north. Let us know if you meet.

Nancy
Olympia

He wasn't crazy about it at first, but in Spring quarter he took a photojournalism course that he really loved. I've never seen him so excited about school. He's an incredibly smart kid but has always had a sort of contempt for school, largely, I suspect, because he hates to be told what to do! Evergreen seems a good choice for him since it is so self-directed. It does worry me a little that he will eventually have to face the real world-- I hope he can find a career that plays to his strengths.

What are your kids' interests (aside from teaching, that is)?

Leah

p.s. Fog is a problem for me too, still with me I'm afraid, though not as constantly. It's weird, I'm pretty sure I've had this all my life too, but it suddenly became much worse when I was 42. I knew something was going very wrong, but nobody else seemed to believe me because I was still more or less functional. I'm a freelance illustrator so as long as I could paint & make my deadlines nobody knew the difference. If I got floored by a migraine or something I just worked more the next day to make up for it. And thank God the bathroom was always handy on those D days!

I think my husband thought I was just getting lazy when I would need a rest during the day or had to crash at 9 pm, but I knew there was something physical going on. I often had chills, ached all over, had the fog, & so on. My kids used to make fun of me because I was constantly trying new vitamins, &c. I just KNEW something was amiss! When I was finally diagnosed, I was so grateful! Everything finally made sense!

Hello! i'm from Tacoma, (just south of you) i heard about a support group near puyallup...if you are interested i can definitley get more information on it for you!

Leah, Your son sounds like all the other Evergreen students. How wonderful that your son has found a niche in photo journalism. Is he still interested in that? My oldest two are teachers and my youngest is working as a child advocate in an agency for abused women and families. Their interests are broad, but they love the outdoors, reading, healing arts. I've found that the pacific northwest awakens something natural in all of us - I love it.

You really had trouble with the fog, Leah. Wow! Chills too? I bet you couldn't believe the difference when the fog lifted. It's hard when we have a bad day and get a glimpse of what we lived with! I don't have migraines, thank goodness. My daughter does and I'm trying to get her to try the gluten-free diet. She has so many symptoms and was finally told she might have chronic fatigue, for a lack of anything else to diagnose her with. It comes and goes. Right now she doesn't have the fatigue or muscle pain, but she lives with sinus problems, headaches and general malaise. Sound familiar?

Karen, Let us know how the gluten-free baking class went. If it was good, and if there is going to be another, would you post the schedule? I am pretty far from Bellingham, but if it was a good class, I might make the drive! Have fun!

Nancy
P.S. I just posted a note here: http://www.glutenfreeforum.com/index.php?showtopic=21887 and would love feedback about vitamin E if any of you are affected by it. Thanks!

The Class that I am going to is tommorrow night at the Community Food Coop. To see the other classes and events that they have go here http://www.communityfoodcoop.com/community/classes.html
I'll post how it goes when I get back.

Karen

The guy teaching that class, Tom Malterre, is the nutritionist I saw for my Celiac. My doc wanted to refer me to St. Joseph's, but I didn't get the impression anyone there was a particular expert. Tom is gluten intolerant, though not Celiac, and seems to know what he's talking about. Not only that, he respects ways I've decided to take my diet even though they were not his suggestions (going grain free, for example, and bean free). I like him. Should be a fun class. Enjoy!

p.s. shopping at Terra Organica is good, too. They have bulk nuts (if you eat nuts), that are not too dangerous for Celiacs. They keep them all in separate jars in a refer. I get my walnuts, pistachios, pumpkin seeds, and figs there, and feel pretty safe about it. They also sell Skagit River Ranch grass-fed angus beef. It's good. A wee bit more expensive, but much more nutritious and delicious.

Anyway, talk to you later.

-Sherri

Funny, I'm trying to get my other son to be tested for Celiac, since he has some suspicious symptoms. He's very resistant. Won't try the diet either. I admit it would be tough for a college student.

James, my Evergreen son, is definitely still hoping to be a photojournalist. And wow, you are exactly right about the influence of the Northwest. J. scarcely ventured into the outside world before going to Evergreen-- his twin brother was & is a lover of nature, but J. was content to stay inside doing amazing things with his computer. It absolutely floored me when his Christmas request was for a pair of hiking boots! He's taken some stunning photos of the Northwestern forests. It's an amazing & very powerful landscape.

Leah

so Karen, please share... how was the class?

I will let you know when I get back it isn't for a few hours yet. I am so excited! Hopefully there isn't a long wait at the border.

Karen

The class that I went to last night Delicious Desserts presented by Tom Malterre and Ali Segersten of Whole Life Nutrition was wonderful. I was lucky that we left home around 3:30 as there was about an hour wait at the border. I had enough time to pick up some gluten free foods at the coop before the class started. I can't wait to try some of them since I can't get a lot of things here in Canada. I picked up a bunch of Lundberg products, Fantastic Food soup cups, and DeBoles rice pasta and cheese.

There were about 20 people at the class and thankfully there was enough delicious dessert for everyone as they made double batches for some recipes. The recipes that we received and sampled were Raw Chocolate Hazelnut Brownies, Brown Rice Crispy Treats, Coconut Cashew Cookies, Lemon Blueberry Pudding and Blueberry Fruit Pie with Raw Nut Crust. There was also fresh lemonade, Tom's own chocolate pudding and fresh fruit with cashew sauce over top. My fav 2 were the Rice Crispy Treats and the fruit with cashew sauce over top. Included with the recipes we got was info on using different natural sweeteners in baked goods as well.

Some members of the Bellingham GIG were there and I got the chance to talk to them after the class which was great. Hopefully I will be able to attend their event in November. They also let me know of a couple places around town to eat. I just wish I had written down the directions on how to get to them later.

Karen

Karen, it sounds like you had a fabulous time, and you got more acquainted with gluten-free recpies. What fun! I wish I could have gone. I'm sure it would have been quite a drive for me though. Ok, stopped and did a mapquest and it says 165 miles, and about 3 hours (that would be without traffic.) I'd have to consider staying the night nearby, I think, since it's a nighttime thing. Probably worth it though. You must have had about the same time on the road since you had such a wait at the border.

It must be a very nice co-op. Tell us about it! Do they have a nice kitchen area for classes? Are you going to make some of the recipes now? I'll watch for more gluten-free classes and think about making the drive. Love their website. Thanks for sharing!

Nancy

The classes are held in a separate building just outside the co-op in the same parking lot. There is a stove top and counter and above is a mirror so you can see all the stuff that is going on. If I tried to make some of the recipes I don't know how they would turn out. I think I will try the rice cripsy treat one as that one seems fairly simple.

Karen

Olympia Gluten Intolerance Support Group
Eve Brown, Coordinator
phone: 360-493-7507
email: evelyn.brown@providence.org

Thanks so much! I wonder if that's the same group Sam wrote about... I'll email Eve now.

Nancy

Hi fellow washingtonians.


I'm from the tri-cities. Both of my son's have gluten allergies (didn't test for celiac) and we are waiting for my results.

Still very new! but already seeing positive changes

Hi Rick

Welcome to a great place for support and information.

Hi Nancy lovely to meet you