JEN’S QUICK N’ EASY Q N’ A GLUTEN-FREE GUIDE
PART 3 ORGANIZING TIPS FOR GLUTEN-FREE LIVING
WHAT ORGANIZING TIPS CAN YOU GIVE ME FOR ARRANGING MYKITCHEN FOR GLUTEN-FREE LIVING?
The key to gluten-free living is removing all of thegluten around you. This is done by first cleaning and sanitizing allappliances, dishes, silverware and work spaces in your home that have ever comein contact with gluten. Make sure that all crumbs and even the tiniest of particleshave been removed.
If you are unable to remove all of the crumbs or foodparticles, you must throw out all the appliances and dishes that cannot be completelycleaned.
Once the old appliances have been banished, go outand purchase new ones.
Below is a list of appliances that are hard and nextto impossible to clean and will most probably have to be replaced:
Toester |
Sandwich Maker |
Toaster Oven |
Kitchen Implements |
Baking Pansand Cookie Sheets |
Cast-Iron Skillets & other Pots and Pans that cannot be totally cleaned. |
DO I HAVE TO GO TOTALLY GLUTEN-FREE?
NO. While it is much easier to cope with gluten-free foodpreparation with a totally gluten-free living area, it is possible to set up akitchen which combines both regular and gluten-free sections.
Your first step is to separate your space into two parts-theregular area and the gluten-free area. It is very important that you make surethat your regular area and any items containing gluten remain totally separatedfrom your gluten-free area.
The next step is to divide your utensils into two groups-those for regular eating and those which will be used in the preparationof gluten-free foods-most probably newly purchased. There must also be twocompletely separate sets of cooking, frying and baking utensils. And don’tforget-separate cleaning-up utensils-sponges, scuby-dos, steel wool, etc., area necessity.
One of our most important organizing tips is for youto use color coded labels. Labels are highly recommended for easyidentification of what kitchen utensils are to be used in only the gluten-free livingsection (link to order labels). The labels shouldbe put on all food packages and storage containers, shelves, pots and pans,silverware and appliances.
The next step is to divide up your cabinets into twoareas as well. There must be total separation in your food cabinets, pots andpans’ cabinets, refrigerator, freezer and deep freeze. This means separatepantry, refrigerator and freezer shelves and drawers for gluten-free andnon-gluten-free items.
WHY DO I NEED TO WORRY ABOUT GLUTEN IN MY BATHROOM?
A gluten-free kitchen isn’t enough to relieve thesymptoms of celiac disease. Neither are gluten-free living areas. You also needto organize your bathroom so that it will be gluten-free as well. Gluten can befound in many bathroom, health and cleaning products such as shampoos,toothpaste, soaps, detergents and even everyday household cleaning items.
HOW DO I SET UP A GLUTEN-FREE BATHROOM?
Here is the most basic of organizing tips: Read your product labels. If a product lists gluten, don’t buy it. If the label is unclear, contact themanufacturer to ask him if the product contains gluten. Keep abreast in the News Section of this site and other celiacorganization sites to find out which products are problematical.
Go through all the products currently found in yourbathroom and check them for gluten. If they have gluten, dump them.
Next, check out your cosmetics to make sure they aregluten-free as well.
Finally, read the labels on your cleaning productsand throw out any that contain gluten. After you have done all this, yourbathroom can now be considered a gluten-free living area.
GLUTEN-FREE MEDICINES-DO THEY EXIST?
Making sure that the medicines that anyone sensitive to gluten takes are gluten-free is very important. Unfortunately, the only way you can know for sure if a medicine is gluten-free is if it is so labeled. This is very rare.
If there is no indication on the label of a gluten-free status, the manufacturer must be called.
WHERE IS GLUTEN HIDDEN IN MEDICINES?
Many starches are used as filler ingredients inpills, tablets and capsules. While those produced from corn or potatoes areacceptable, those produced from wheat will cause problems for the celiac sufferer.
Be on the lookout for items labeled with dextrates and maltose, as well as starch, in the ingredients.
Unfortunately, most pharmacists do not have information at their finger tips on which products are truly gluten-free.
In addition, pharmaceutical companies are often unaware of the gluten status of their products as raw materials produced by outsidemanufacturers and suppliers are used. Furthermore, there is always the possibility of cross-contamination between different products during themanufacturing process.
Finally, manufacturers often change the inactive ingredients in their products. This means that just because a product was oncegluten-free does not mean that it will always be gluten-free. You must be on the constant lookout for ingredient changes.
To help you out, lists of gluten-free medications are available on line. Click here ……..
GLUTEN-FREE PRODUCTS: HOW CAN I FIND THEM?
There is more and more awareness of celiac disease and the need for gluten-free-products. Manufacturers are now producing alltypes of gluten-free items from apple pie to pizza and beyond. Check out our products section.
There are also manufacturers of gluten-free cosmetics.(gluten free cosmetics link)
GLUTEN-FREE MENUS AND RECIPES
The internet is filled with sites, forums and articles filled with menu ideas and recipes galore. So start surfing here at Jen’s ….. And begin to enjoy your gluten-free living.
CAN I EAT OUT?
Although not quite as simple as eating out before thediscovery of celiac disease in your family, it is still possible to go out todine. Gluten-free eating is possible in many restaurants all over the country. Nowadays,there are many restaurants with gluten-free entrees on their menus. Inaddition, there are on-line listings and books full of gluten-free restaurantguides.
WHERE CAN I GET SUPPORT?
While living with celiac disease takes a while to getused to, there are many organizations, support groups and forums that can helpyou receive the emotional support that you need. This site is a good place tostart on your new gluten-free living lifestyle.
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