A little insight into the whole Gluten Free, I'll have a cookie, thing

What I'm about to share is personal. It may or may not apply to what is happening at your inns. But I thought I'd share.
I have rheumatoid arthritis and it is bad. Painful stiffness in my knees so that I walk about like Frankenstein and struggle on the stairs. It runs in my family and, like teen wolf, I hoped it would skip me. It didn't. This has developed and worsened over the past year and I have tried many things to alleviate the pain and to function ... because it's very debilitating. Doctors are debating whether surgery would help me. In the meantime, I will try anything. Just. about. anything. To minimize the pain and to walk around like a normal person. Also, it makes me so darn tired sometimes I can barely get anything done. A frustrating situation.
So in my research I started reading about inflammation and what causes 'flares' and foods that aggravate it ... you guessed it ... gluten in foods is on the list. A big problem for me as I LOVE to bake ... traditional yeasty breads and bagels, you name it. And I love to eat them. It may be the way that traditional wheat and flour is processed or harvested that is the problem. I won't bore you with studies on organics and GMO's and glyphosates. There is debate raging on all sides of the question. And I am experimenting with my baking to use alternative ingredients.
I am trying to limit gluten in my diet.
But I do still eat it though much less than I was and it is helping me. Me. I can't speak for anyone else. If you felt the pain I do, you would understand why I am trying this. Maybe some of you do have pain - and if you do I am sorry. Like I said, it's personal.
And I just thought I'd share.
This might be your guests coming in. For whatever reason, believing that less gluten is better, opting for the 'gluten free' breakfast and then helping themselves to cookies or deciding to eat your waffles. Because they don't have celiac disease, maybe they don't have a gluten intolerance. Maybe they think they'll lose weight. Maybe they have a medical issue. Maybe they think it's just better for them. I can't speak for anyone else.
If I was staying at a place that offered the gluten free option, I'd probably choose it ... as a guest, I would not consider that it's extra work or an extra expense. It's an option and I'd take it. I would agree to pay a few dollars more to be a gluten free guest. You might want to consider this. Because gluten free flour and yeast and cereal costs more. But I'd also be tempted to eat some of your amazing traditional baked goodies. And you might be furious with me. But not as furious as my knees!

Hi Seashanty,
I'm sorry you have to suffer with RA. You might also check into essential oils (or I can if that's easier) to see if something there might give you some relief. Regarding providing gluten free options, I ask my guests if they have any dietary requirements so I can tailor meals to suit them. I've had gluten intolerant, and a real challenge, candida cleanse diet. So far, it's worked out perfectly. Makes for happy guests too.

I am so sorry about the RA. A friend of my Mom suffered with that. When a guest asks fo GF, I just do it. Mine is not to judge - as you point out, there are more reasons other than Celiac for GF - although the entitled trendies have made it difficult for them since thy know not what they are asking and doing. The only GOOD thing from the trendy is it is now easier to find GF foods. So perhaps we should be thanking them.
I remember how difficult it was to find no-sale and sugar-free when Himself was put on those diets in the 1970s.
I hope you are able to find relief.

Thanks for the insight, and so sorry to hear about the knees. Hugs.

I've given up chocolate and sweets in an effort to get better sleep at night. It kills me that it works! Plus, eating chocolate now makes me feel off. But, yeah, those brownies!
Sorry about the knees. I'm wondering if you could shop for flour at an ethnic shop. One that imports flour from somewhere that doesn't over process or use tons of pesticides, etc.

That sounds awful. I do hope the diet helps you find relief.
My friend is avoiding dairy this year and it's the first year she can remember that she didn't get pneumonia in the spring. Do what you gotta do.
I hope my semi-snarky cookie comments didn't hurt your feeling. They were certainly not meant to. Like gillum said, it's the trendies we're talking about, not the truly sensitive.

TheBeachHouse said:

That sounds awful. I do hope the diet helps you find relief.
My friend is avoiding dairy this year and it's the first year she can remember that she didn't get pneumonia in the spring. Do what you gotta do.
I hope my semi-snarky cookie comments didn't hurt your feeling. They were certainly not meant to. Like gillum said, it's the trendies we're talking about, not the truly sensitive..

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Goodness no! I'm not at all offended. I have seen this growing trend of people requesting GF and then eating all kinds of things that have gluten. It's annoying as heck. I can't speak for any of them ... just myself.
They could be thinking ... I'm on vacation I'll treat myself ... or maybe they are just trying GF because it's trendy or based on anecdotal evidence that it's better for them. I have heard of limiting gluten as opposed to eliminating it and they might be doing that. Who knows?
In any case, as I said, I would pay extra for the gluten free option if someone is going to the trouble of providing special things ,,, I wonder how many guests would request it if they had to do that!!

Morticia said:

I've given up chocolate and sweets in an effort to get better sleep at night. It kills me that it works! Plus, eating chocolate now makes me feel off. But, yeah, those brownies!
Sorry about the knees. I'm wondering if you could shop for flour at an ethnic shop. One that imports flour from somewhere that doesn't over process or use tons of pesticides, etc..

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I gave up wine for a while and did sleep better. And lost weight. But, but, I LIKE wine!

Had 2 gluten intollerant (can have a bit but not a lot) was happy to help and the bread we use they really liked as I know the standard gluten free loaves in the shop are pretty horrible but we have found one variety which is pretty good and we got them rice crispies as they like them (ie rice puff cereal) also one of the two ladies is also dairy free and we picked her up the little pots of milk in soya as they do them in the wholesales here now. Was so pleased asked us if we could get her a box as they would be so handy for having in her hand bag and we told her if she wants more she can order them on ebay where normal people wouldn't think to look. We got into them as have 2 ladies who come for 21/2 weeks every August and are both dairy free so we just buy a box and give it to them and then they are all set.
Also partner of one of our other B&B owners (ie couple that run it but I know one better than the other) says its something to do with pain receptors and that D is much better without gluten pain wise - I run on the principle if it works run with it. Other people swear by the nightshade diet ie not eating nightshade veg.
As I always say if people need it I will go above and beyond to accommodate it - but I have no patience with people who say no gluten in one breath and are chowing down on 3 slices of regular toast in the next moment.
I also feel it means the real people get tarred with the brush when its the fakers and fadders stopping them being taken seriously

Jcam, would you share the bread you found? some tastes so ... well, nasty.

seashanty said:

Jcam, would you share the bread you found? some tastes so ... well, nasty..

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http://www.newburnbakehouse.com/ plus it actually looks like the pictures!

I just had a glass of wine, a chocolate mousse, and a chocolate biscotti. If anyone wants to chat, I'll be up all night. But, golly, it was good!

You all have been so kind in your responses. I really was not looking for sympathy and I am sorry it reads this way. Because of course it does.
Thank you all for your suggestions.
Unfortunately, it looks like the awesome bread is only available in the UK but I will try Trader Joe's. Because, yes, it's hard. I eat the cauliflower bread which isn't bad .... sort of like a pizza crust ... but it gets old.
With RA, probably with a lot of things, you're told to keep a food diary to see if there are patterns to how you feel. I don't like calling it RA, feels old-ish. ha! But my bike (complete with basket and bell) is waiting for me to take it out of storage.

seashanty said:

You all have been so kind in your responses. I really was not looking for sympathy and I am sorry it reads this way. Because of course it does.
Thank you all for your suggestions.
Unfortunately, it looks like the awesome bread is only available in the UK but I will try Trader Joe's. Because, yes, it's hard. I eat the cauliflower bread which isn't bad .... sort of like a pizza crust ... but it gets old.
With RA, probably with a lot of things, you're told to keep a food diary to see if there are patterns to how you feel. I don't like calling it RA, feels old-ish. ha! But my bike (complete with basket and bell) is waiting for me to take it out of storage..

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But you misheard the message - not sympathy, empathy. We feel your pain because you are family.

king Arthur, a company from Vermont makes amazing Gluten free flour. Also muffin mix and more. Check them out out guests love them

seashanty said:

You all have been so kind in your responses. I really was not looking for sympathy and I am sorry it reads this way. Because of course it does.
Thank you all for your suggestions.
Unfortunately, it looks like the awesome bread is only available in the UK but I will try Trader Joe's. Because, yes, it's hard. I eat the cauliflower bread which isn't bad .... sort of like a pizza crust ... but it gets old.
With RA, probably with a lot of things, you're told to keep a food diary to see if there are patterns to how you feel. I don't like calling it RA, feels old-ish. ha! But my bike (complete with basket and bell) is waiting for me to take it out of storage..

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We can't help ourselves. ;-)
We feel badly for each other and always try to help.
You'll be cute pedaling your bike around. Join the club. I think we're all getting older and creakier.
I'm having to do stretches for my knees and back. It's not like 40 years ago when I could sleep for 12 hours and then bounce out of bed and touch my toes. Now if I sit still for an hour I hobble around.

seashanty said:

You all have been so kind in your responses. I really was not looking for sympathy and I am sorry it reads this way. Because of course it does.
Thank you all for your suggestions.
Unfortunately, it looks like the awesome bread is only available in the UK but I will try Trader Joe's. Because, yes, it's hard. I eat the cauliflower bread which isn't bad .... sort of like a pizza crust ... but it gets old.
With RA, probably with a lot of things, you're told to keep a food diary to see if there are patterns to how you feel. I don't like calling it RA, feels old-ish. ha! But my bike (complete with basket and bell) is waiting for me to take it out of storage..

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Honey its because we want to help - If we have found something which could help you why wouldn't we share it? For example in my town they do gluten free baking classes now and again slogan is "just alright isn't good enough" -

seashanty said:

Jcam, would you share the bread you found? some tastes so ... well, nasty..

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Trader J's makes a nice whole grain gluten free bread that has the texture of a rustic loaf. My guest loved it. It also made great French toast. Do you have a TJ near by?

Silverspoon said:

seashanty said:

Jcam, would you share the bread you found? some tastes so ... well, nasty..

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Trader J's makes a nice whole grain gluten free bread that has the texture of a rustic loaf. My guest loved it. It also made great French toast. Do you have a TJ near by?
.

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Silverspoon, I will try to get over there. Thanks