It's been awhile since I've posted regularly. For that I'm sorry. But there was a reason.
The Gluten Monster reared his ugly, ugly head.
I had lunch with a mentor and friend at P.F. Chang's - a restaurant I've eaten safely at no less than twenty times since going gf. I didn't give the server my usual spiel (something only slightly less severe than, "If you give me any gluten, I will DIE."), but instead said simply, "I'll have the fried rice off of the gluten free menu. Extra gluten free."
When the meal arrived, it was on one of the special "gf" plates that P.F. Chang's serves. I LOVE that they have these. It allows me to tell the difference between my entree and one that has gluten when they would otherwise look identical. The waiter who dropped it off confirmed that it was gluten free.
It was, however, not. SO not.
So I spent Thursday evening flat out on the couch in utter misery. I was supposed to drive to Minnesota to visit family. I was supposed to spend the evening in the car with my husband singing along to the radio. Instead I went to bed at 7pm, curled into the fetal position in tremendous pain. Boo. Hiss.
Friday I was a foggy-headed mess. By Saturday I had also picked up a really miserable cold. Does this happen to anyone else? A gluten attack so revs up your immune system so that you catch absolutely anything else in the days following? I continue to sniffle nearly a week later...
I'll go back to P.F. Chang's. They have a great track record with me, and I'm sure it was just an honest mistake. But they'll be getting a letter in the mail from me. And next time, I will grill the server.
Sigh. Just another hazard from the great world of gluten freedom.
I look forward to heaven, when I'll be getting new intestines. Amen to the bodily resurrection, eh?
"I look forward to heaven, when I'll be getting new intestines." -- AMEN! I hope you're feeling better soon...
ReplyDeleteEating out, even off a "Gluten Free Menu" is scary...and always risky! But, then again, life is a risky business...
Many thoughts to you and your tummy...
Erin
I'm so sorry you had that reaction. My daughter and I have celiac and she sometimes has debilitating reactions like that too (BTW, I found your blog via Peacebang and really like it here).
ReplyDeleteHave you ever been to a Chipotle restaurant? I read yesterday that most of their menu items are GF so I'm interesting in trying it.
Anita - Chipotle is a great option. I always have the line workers change their gloves (to avoid cross-contamination from the flour tortillas), but everything there except those tortillas and the medium salsa is 100% gluten free.
ReplyDeleteThey've gotten good at being an allergen-friendly restaurant recently, too. I used to have to personally ask each worker to change gloves, but now they tend to yell, "Allergy!" down the line and change them on their own, when I tell them I am "allergic" to wheat (that's easier than explaining an intolerance). I give Chipotle a huge GFJF gold star.