Moving Forward…

moving-forward

This is not a political post…so yes, feel free to continue. On Wednesday morning, I wrote the following on my Facebook wall: I’m going dark for a bit as I try to process what happened last night and also try to figure out what my role, if any, is in the celiac community moving forward, which I’ve been mulling over for some time now.

That’s it. I didn’t bash anyone. I didn’t rant. I didn’t cry. I didn’t complain. I’m not turning my site into a political platform. I just simply said that I needed time to come to terms with some things. And what did I get in response? How about these beauties?

Oh good grief. Get over it. I thought this was about celiac and not just another page where people can’t accept reality. Thanks for your efforts but an attitude like yours isn’t going to help me on my celiac journey.
You’re a Celiac Advocate, not a political source. Go dark if that’s your solution. There are plenty of undramatic, informational Celiac pages to follow. Attention seeker.
Seriously?! Get the fuck over yourself. way to be an advocate. you totally ruined my day by seeing this bullshit.
SERIOUSLY! What B.S. Guess you got to crawl in your “SAFE SPACE”, because your afraid!
Are all Celiac’s this skiddish? Seems like every celiac on my page is crying about something today. Grow a sack and stand on your feet.
Not sure what Celiac Disease has to do with the election, but I don’t want someone as a “voice” of my community to be someone who abandons it when things don’t go their way. Unfollow.

So I’ve been pondering for the past 48 hours how to move forward as a celiac advocate and hell, as a person. Well…here we go. You may want to hide the kids…here comes some truth.

To the Celiac Community

I love you. You have welcomed me into your hearts and have given me a purpose in life beyond taking care of my family. I am grateful for that. And to be clear, I got lots of support on my FB post that warmed my heart and gave me hope.

But for those who slammed me these past two days…and I take no pleasure in saying this…just go away.

I have written over 600 articles on this website. I started a forum which now has over 1,000 users so the community can help each other. I created The Faces of Celiac, a place where people can share what celiac means to them. I get hoards of emails weekly asking for help and I try to reply to every one of them. I helped Disney remove a gluten-free bullying reference from an episode before it aired. I helped get the “gluten free people are weak” reference removed from the Super Bowl ad (and took weeks of the most unbelievable abuse you can imagine because of it.) I have gotten products to change the way they produce their food. I’ve gotten them to change their packaging. I have taken it on the chin more times than I care to mention.

I do this because I WANT to do it. I have done all of this to help the community. I do this while running a company that takes about 60 hours of my time per week.

And if you can’t give me one fucking moment of reflection without threatening to “unfollow” me, than seriously just go away. You think I give two shits about how many followers I have? I care about how many people I am helping. Period.

Sorry for the bluntness folks.

To My Fellow Celiac Bloggers

As you read this, please know my heart is in the right place and this is absolutely nothing personal. I consider myself friends with many of you, even though we’ve never met.

Before you write your next post, I implore you to ask yourself one question: Will what I’m about to post help the celiac community or will it just help me? Am I posting it simply to promote a brand or line my pockets, or am I posting it because it may make a difference in a fellow celiac’s health or attitude?

I am well aware that there are a handful of popular celiac bloggers who don’t like me. That’s ok. Not everyone has to like everyone. Respect? As much as possible. Like? Hey…we’re all different people.

But after seven years of having this insidious disease and continuing to struggle with my health, I have come to a few realizations. And the biggest one is this: If I eat like crap, I feel like crap. If I eat too many grains or sugar or alcohol or eggs or dairy or corn, my body goes into “what the hell are you doing to me??” mode.

After spending a weekend with Jennifer Esposito and learning about the AIP Diet, both Mrs. Dude and I jumped into it head first. In two weeks, I lost six pounds of inflammation and have never felt better. I used to feel the need to nap every day. No more. I used to feel awful after almost every meal. No more. I used to crave some foods that I knew were not my friend. No more. My body has healed. Will I stay this way 100% of the time? Of course not. But 90% of the time? Hell yeah. And why? Because I deserve to feel good. We all do. And THAT is the message I will try to convey as much as humanly possible.

My point? Too many of my fellow bloggers promote crap. Either they are in bed with the brands. Or they write articles promoting gluten-removed beer or how the latest Kardashian went gluten free. Or they defend companies who don’t have our health in their best interest. And if I bring it up, I get shit from other bloggers that I am causing problems.

And this is why I say I’ve been struggling with my role in this community. I no longer know where, or if, I fit in. I had the same experience back at the Cheerios Summit where I knew I was the odd man out. I feel like besides a select few, most fellow celiac advocates only care about eating the way they used to eat. And hey, now that Cheerios are gluten-free, I’m gonna do a giveaway! That is not how we are going to heal folks. That is not how a celiac is going to get better.

I know the best advice is just to do what I do and not worry about others. But when others are hurting the community, then it does affect me. I care deeply about the community. I’m not in it for the money, or the popularity. I could give two shits if I’m voted “gluten free blogger of the year.” Seriously, who the fuck cares about that stuff? All I care about is promoting a lifestyle that helps the community and doing it in a way that is passionate, humorous, sarcastic at times, educational and above all…entertaining.

That always has been and always will be my goal.

To All Gluten-Free Companies

Please don’t email me asking me to try samples, unless your product promotes the health of a celiac. Once I become about the brands, I am no longer serving the community. Please note this does NOT including gluten-free beers. By god…yes…please keep sending.

So how do I move forward?

I knew you were going to ask that. Here’s the deal. I’m not going anywhere. Be patient with me as my life is hectic and I am a husband, father and business owner first, and an advocate second. In the past few months, I’ve gotten a bit caught up in trying not to rock the boat too much. Trying to stay on a nice and even keel. And you know what? That ain’t me. I’m boring that way.

So yeah…onward and upward. Just give me some time.

May the snark be with you.

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69 thoughts on “Moving Forward…”

  1. Good stuff Gluten Dude! You’ve saved me years of accidentally harming my child coeliac.. so big thumbs up and please do keep yourself just as you are 🙂

  2. Keep educating the Celiac and non-Celiac communities, Dude. You have much more respect and credibility if you don’t hawk products. I find most Gluten Free products are almost nutrient free, and misleading.

    We, as a community have to promote better labeling, and urge better product distribution. Encourage airlines to carry healthy GF snacks and meals and urge them not to charge a huge premium!

    Did you know many American GF products are not available here in Canada because our labeling laws are more strict?

    1. True! I’m Canadian an, yes, I constantly read about a “great product” there is n’er to be seen here.

      Gluten Dude……..do you ever eat a GF product? Never a slce of GF bread? Or only whole food? I only ask as I try to stay away from that stuff but sometimes I just want a damn sandwich.

      By the way, I like the straight up attitude you convey. I respect that. Besides, popularity is over-rated.

  3. Eleanor Gallagher

    Dear Mr. Dude: Thank you for all you do! Don’t let the bullies get you down. I understand where you are coming from not wanting to continue, but if that happens we in the Celiac community loose a great advocate and those morons and bullies win! 😡

  4. Colette Sullivan-Ledoux

    How wonderful to read this post! The time spent worrying about others takes precious time and energy – the focus has to be with you, and yours.

    And, as for rude posters, remember the wonderful new phrase coined by a very wise woman……”When they go low – We go high” 😉

    Good luck on your journey!

      1. Well, we did pass that proposition…

        Seriously — this is just the post I needed to read after “going dark” myself for a few days (except to friends and family, who are all similarly flummoxed and unhinged). Stay committed. We need your voice. We need your energy.

        And thank you AND your awesome family for all you do for our community.

  5. Betsy in Michigan

    Golly – maybe those nasty posters are still getting accidentally glutened, thus affecting their mood (or maybe they’re just jerks in any situation)! Go high when they go low.

  6. Betsy in Michigan

    Golly – maybe those nasty posters are still getting accidentally glutened, thus affecting their mood (or maybe they’re just jerks in any situation)! Go high when they go low (though getting high might be fun).

  7. Keep on doing what you’re doing, Gluten Dude! You live with integrity and I appreciate your honesty and sarcasm! As a newly diagnosed Celiac, you’ve helped me with the very steep learning curve. We need you! Warmest regards from Canada!

  8. I am so glad you have decided to keep on. We need you, Gluten Dude! I feel I can trust you to have our backs – always. I am sorry that some do not appreciate you. Please keep in mind that many, many do. I thank you for all that you do!

  9. Well, I for one am glad you’re sticking around! With the level of sarcasm in my house, I need someone equally versed in it to help keep me sane! 🙂 Hell, even my 9 year old is fluent.

    We are embarking on a week long liquid diet to hopefully reset some of the 9 year old’s stomach issues. Bone broth and pureed fruits and veggies and lots of water! Then we will slowly add back food that can be chewed. I’m hoping this resets his tastebuds a little as well so we struggle a bit less with healthy foods as I am going to try to keep meals as close to AIP as possible.

    He’s been struggling lately and isolating himself from friends in fear of food. It may be a drastic step…but hopefully one that helps.

    Anyway, may the snark also be with you!

  10. I’m happy to hear that you aren’t going anywhere! I just found your blog recently. I’ve had celiac disease for over 20 years, but my 7 year old son was just diagnosed last year and his concerns are much different than mine were when I was diagnosed as an adult. I am looking for all the information and resources I can find to help him as he grows up to be a gluten free dude himself and I want to teach him how to manage his celiac disease with great success and be an advocate for his health and needs…

  11. Thank you Dude. I’m sure that most of us felt ashamed when we read those comments. We do appreciate all the advocacy that you have done for us. I look forward to learning more about the AIP diet, It sounds promising.

    1. I agree with Patty – I was ashamed to read some of those nasty comments.

      Gluten Dude – go dark anytime you need to; get introspective anytime you want. Take care of you!! You do such a good job taking care of us. I love your stuff, your humor, your sarcasm, your honesty, your snark. Thank you for everything, including not letting those going low get the best of you.

  12. When my daughter was diagnosed at 9 1/2, I was consumed with finding the best gluten-free products for her so she didn’t feel so left out. I stuck almost exclusively with certified and reputable gluten-free brands, but certainly relied on them. We were very careful and went only to good quality restaurants with educated staff. We made our entire house gluten-free. After 2 1/2 years on a strict gluten-free diet, she still didn’t heal completely. Although much better and although she regained much of the lost growth, she still had symptoms and on biopsy still had marsh 3b. She has now been on the Fasano diet (similar I think to the AIP) for 2 1/2 months. It is hard as hell, but her symptoms are almost all gone. There is an end in sight. And while we will go back to some gluten-free products, we will keep the whole natural diet as much as possible.
    We have learned through this journey that most people, including much of our family and friends, can’t understand life without processed foods. So don’t expect them all to jump on board with your approach. The easier route is to use the processed foods so that life can feel like it is still normal. Your approach is the healthier one and the better one, so don’t mind the critics.

  13. I like you exactly as you are and you were one of the first people in the celiac community to help me. Thank you for that and keep doing you!

  14. Hi there from Canada (you have quite the following here LOL) In a world where most certifications are for sale, and so are a lot of the bloggers you are a breath of fresh air. I got my diagnosis in early 2009, found you a few months later and have been following you ever since, lurking in the shadows and commenting the odd time. When I was being battered by everyone around me because of this your work here helped me keep my sanity. You are needed, and much appreciated, do not ever forget that. Those nasty comments, well people who are having a bad life really like to share and it looks like they were trying to spread the misery. Be happy you are not them 🙂

    May the snark be with you, always!!!!!

  15. I 100% stand behind you on this and 100% agree as well. I feel exactly the same about health and promotion of oneself and/or products, and they do not go hand in hand. I respect what you do and what you deal with everyday. I also have been a blogger for years, and I constantly battle with whether people care what I have to say and whether it even helps anyone. It’s all that matters to me….helping people. You do you, and be the best you that you can be, and if that means taking some time away, so be it. Take care of yourself and your family and thank you for being who you are. F@#% the a**holes. 😬😁😆

  16. Glad you’re sticking around. I appreciate your information and your advocacy. And I depend on you for gluten free beer reviews! Really sorry the haters attacked. Too many sparks in the air right now. I know you’re one of the good guys.

    I think I’ve been following the AIP diet for 7 or 8 years. I didn’t know it had a name until I read your blog. It’s just what worked for me. Glad it works for you.

  17. Your site has been a lifesaver for me and what gave me hope when I felt overwhelmed and a little bit crazy. I’m so glad you’re choosing to continue. We need you.

  18. I, for one, am very happy that you do not promote the crap. When people find out I have Celiac, the first thing they start to tell me is all the great gluten free foods there are in the grocery store. The next thing is “did you know Cheerios are gluten free?” UGH! I tell them I don’t eat that crap. Keep doing what you are doing. This is YOUR blog and YOUR Facebook page. It is YOUR opinion, the others can do what they want. I refer people to your blog all the time if they have questions, I tell them you have tons of good information. Thank you!!!

  19. Your blog has saved me many a glutening and I really appreciate your snarkiness and honesty! Take care & looking forward to your next post, whenever that may be!

  20. So glad to read that you are human. So we learn, live, wander and grow. It is such a great thing we live with tolerance and grace. Welcome to the human race!

  21. Great post, Dude. Just keep being you and know that no matter what there will always be at least 5% of the folks who assholes. It just seems like a lot more. I, too, am numb from what has happened this week and the uncertainty of our future. Most critical leople are. You are not turning political, you are being a caring individual. We need to be here for each other, and let the haters go away. I love your posts and humor, and I will not quit you. Hang in there, good guy.

  22. Gluten Dude, I love your posts and you witt. I believe Celiac would feel much better if they went 100% Paleo or AIP if Paleo didn’t help. So glad you’re feeling better AIP. All the gf crap out there is just that, crap.

    You give hope to many and have amassed an awesome following. Keep fighting the good fight all while living your very full life.

    Blogging and social media are a wonderful but peculiar thing…..a few otherwise usually decent people turn into haters. Love how you called them out here!

  23. Will admit, my first thought the other day wasn’t that your announcement was in any way “political” but more of an “ah crap, did I miss something/has something happened?” I know you’ve had some occurrences lately with being glutened and those are never fun to deal with and I just hoped nothing had gotten too out of hand. I for one have loved your blog and am very grateful for all the hard work you have done for us all. And I agree, it has been rather sad making to find that some sites that seem like they should be strong advocates and proper sources for information have turned out not to be quite what they seemed.. I got very lucky when I first got the whole “gluten bad” thing that I was able to find some really good local sources for information and found some really good online resources as well and eventually found my way to you.
    I for one hope you stick around for a long time to come, but i also know that sometimes things get hard and you might need a break from it or even have to turn in another direction for a time and sometimes have to sever ties with our pasts.. if this is one of those times for you, then it just is and I wish you the best and I am quite certain there are many, many others like me who are out there and silent. So, you do what you need for you and your family, but know that we are still here and supporting you.

  24. Yay, just yay. We need you – and it’s your blog. The haters can spend the time, money & energy on their own fucking blogs – they can blog about hate & trolling people. As you know, I have had a hellova time posting to my g-f beer blog. Chronic daily migraine, celiac, thyroid & now menopause thrown into the mix (making everything that much worse) – it’s a lot of work….

  25. I’m so sorry for the abuse you receive just for doing the right thing and giving celiacs a voice when they need it most. As I’ve grown in my blogging journey, I’ve definitely realized that part of being a blogger is knowing that your voice can and will impact how people view brands, products and even themselves. I can’t say that I won’t review or publicize different products and brands, but I can say that I will do the best I can to be an honest voice for what works for me and what COULD work for others. Let us all find the health, happiness and unique methods that bring them…and let us all be kind to others who have different roads! Thanks for being an inspiration, as usual. 🙂

  26. Donna Chamberlain

    Dude, thanks for keeping it real and having the cajones to tell it like it is. Can’t imagine being on this celiac trip without you. Much love and gratitude!

  27. I’m so sorry people were horrible like that. Thank you for all you do for our community. I enjoy your blog and learn new things reading it; even after 13 years as a diagnosed Celiac. I needed time to regroup after the election too. You have my total support.

  28. Relax Dude, everyone has their own life, agenda, feelings, rants, and ideas. I respect yours and I feel you respect mine? We are all different but the same too. Take your time, I will wait and look forward to your return. You have helped me immensely and I would not be as far along as I am today without you. It was a dark place for me before you. The doctor told me I had celiac’s but admitted he had no real experience with it. He was in a large group and they had one? doctor with a bit of experience….right? WRONG! I went to the nutritionist in the group and saw the scope of this doctor’s experience all written down on 3 sheets of paper. I already knew more about celiacs disease just from searching a little on the internet than he had written down. It was your community and the answers you gave all the folks asking for help that taught me what to eat, hey pills have gluten too, cross contamination is real! etc. etc. etc., the list goes on and on. You have helped me so much, if there is anything I can do for you, I am here!

  29. You and Jennifer Esposito are doing so much for this celiac-disease community! I saw her backlash, too. You have great information and recommendations about gluten-free products, and I so appreciate it! There is no reason for anyone, gluten-free or otherwise, to put hateful comments on either website. I was diagnosed with celiac disease 30 years ago after researching my symptoms in an environment when no doctor believed me and no adult was believed to have celiac disease unless they were diagnosed before they were a year old. You help people do the same and stand up to their doctors! Thank you!

  30. You do you! You’re doing great stuff here.

    And I get the need to reflect and regroup; I’m still doing that, and I don’t even have a blog.

  31. I got diagnosed last week, started googling and clicked on a few links that came up, including yours. The first thing I read from you is to not jump on the gluten-free products. That made sense, and I bookmarked your site, and I keep coming back. The humour helps 🙂
    I am glad I found you, thanks!

  32. After reading… Everything… The internet had to offer about gluten free a couple of years ago, now there are only three gf bloggers I read on a post-to-post basis: Glutendude, Esposito, and Ahern. That’s it.

    Some posts are read for entertainment purposes, some for comfort (I am not alone!) and some are read for “how do I make a decent chocolate cake that my gluten-eating dairy free significant other will love too”. – and other kinds of problem solving.

    Seriously Dude, you’re awesome. And the community here is great and fairly inclusive. The Interwebs would be at loss without you (us?).

    May the snark be with you all!

  33. Seems ironic that your entire homepage is about monetizing your site through links that you don’t even disclose as affiliate links to your readers, but you are telling other people that they can’t do the same? Seems like you are overestimating what you contribute to your readers. I’m disappointed, I always expected more than childish impulsiveness from you GlutenDude.

    And since you apparently don’t care, I’m not planning on ever coming back to this site. Start writing longer articles with more information and maybe someone will pay you.

    1. Josh…I’d like you to come back to the site just one last time so you can read my response, then you are free to f*ck off.

      My entire home page? Really Josh?? You are correct that I do try to make back some of what I spend on this site. I do this in only two ways: 1) A couple of small ads from companies I trust that appear on the right side of the page; and 2) One page of products that have gotten great reviews on Amazon. That’s it my friend. So please enlighten me on how my entire home page is affected by that.

      And if you think that remotely covers the time and money I spend running this community, you are out of your mind. And that’s ok. I’m willing to do it.

      And please show me where I said my fellow bloggers shouldn’t monetize their efforts. What I said is that if that is their main focus, than it’s a problem. See the difference? Probably not.

      Ok…you can go now.

  34. Absolutely beautiful. Bravo!

    As a newbie to the GF/AF bloggerphere (joined October 2015), I have always known that my advocacy for “real food”/AIP would not be as popular as trying to “eat like everyone else”, but it was the only pathway I could choose as a person with Celiac Disease and multiple severe food allergies and intolerances, and the the only path that allowed me to heal my guts and strengthen my body to complete my first marathon, my first Half Ironman races, and this year, my first full Ironman race in August.

    Your choice to try AIP and see if it addressed the inflammation that does not heal on a standard processed food GF diet sounds like it is already paying off, and I am happy for you and Mrs. Glutendude, and your family members. The joy of health has no bounds. I have personally experienced the best year of health I have had in decades, only three years out from diagnosis, and only two year’s out from a massive accidental gluten exposure that left me fighting for my life. AIP and then healing my gut with a variety of supplements, plus the absence of processed foods (even most GF processed foods) are a powerful pathway to healing.

    Thank you for all the work you have accomplished so far. Thank you for being real and vulnerable. Thank you for making it clear you cannot be bought by the food industry. Thank you for sticking to your values.

  35. Gluten Dude,
    I started following your blog because of the fact that you keep it real.
    You aren’t an “Everything is roses because I have been diagnosed and the whole world is awesome and we all hold hands and sing kumbayah at the camp fire with our gluten free s’mores” kind of guy.
    I appreciate your hard honesty and ability to Not beat around the bush. (You remind me of my husband, who is unable to sugarcoat anything.)
    I trust your words over any other gluten free bloggers, who only are here to promote their latest books using (insert affiliate products here.) Indeed, I really only follow you and a nice Southern Gal who has excellent recipes and promotes eating whole foods for healing.
    I believe in your mission and your sarcastic approach to things makes me chuckle and downright LOL many times.
    Do I always agree with your view on things? Not always, but we are all different, and you know What? I don’t have to get nasty or even comment if I do not agree with something. This is something many have forgotten. If they don’t like the content, just move on! Why bash and try to tear down someone who is trying to do good? We should be lifting each other up and supporting one another on this journey that can be so difficult and crappy!
    I know you have the celiac community’s best interests at heart, and you aren’t another money grubbing schlub, and I can respect that.
    Please keep doing what you do!

  36. Honestly? I don’t know why you would even question your role in the Celiac Community. First they ignore you … then they laugh at you … then they fight you … then you win. Ignorance is bliss … I could go on and on with colloquialisms that would apply to the people who choose to be stupid is as stupid does … but I won’t. Keep sane. That is all we can do 🙂

  37. I needed time to process what was happening in the nation with somebody elected by electoral vote (not by popular vote) that makes fun of people with disabilities (celiac disease is a disability) who is not interested in people´s welfare, only on HIS welfare. I do not know what is going to happen with people with disabilities with this new… “president”. Is he is going to forget us when he is signing or revising laws? Is he favoring the gluten monopoly because it is more powerful?
    And we, celiac people, are we going to let this businessman step over our needs and rights?

  38. Tuesday night every time I woke up I thought about how surreal the election results were. I am still in shock and wish I felt well enough to join the protestors out there.
    I am happy you have opened yourself up because I have felt pretty lonely in this realm of Republican insanity. I hope they have not reset the clock to 1963. I was under the illusion that we were progressing as the human race. Now I think we may have taken “the great leap backward”.
    You are the voice of the celiac community. What you are doing is vitality important.
    Rant on!

  39. Dude, I think you know that I’m always in your fan club. I so appreciate all that you do for all of us. You know how we all have a protocol we follow when we realize we’ve gotten glutened? Part of mine is to read your past posts. I’ve read them all, but just reading some again, at random, just helps me so much. I’m sorry that some of the nastiness in the country over the past year wound up splashing into your face that way. You don’t deserve it. Maybe one thing Celiacs and others with autoimmune diseases can contribute to our society is our courage to keep going, stay educated, stay positive, try to support each other. Those are all things that I feel our population gets in spades, and perhaps we might be a role model, one at a time as well as a whole group, for others. I’m so glad you don’t get sucked in to the whole brand thing; I agree with you that I really dislike how other bloggers allow that to happen. I’m so glad that what you’re about is your health, your family, your business, your life, and giving us a forum to support each other in doing our version of the same. And I’m always SO GLAD I can refer to you when people around me give me grief over the GF beer thing. There are a couple (ACTUAL GF beers) that I really enjoy, and I will continue to try to educate people over the whole stupid ‘gluten removed’ thing. I know what’s dangerous for my health and I’ll continue to advocate for myself and others. And you’re one of my role models. Thank you!~

  40. Gluten dude,
    I remember 4 years ago when I was diagnosed with celiac disease I found your website and for the first time I felt understood. It felt like finally someone was real, raw and so helpful. I was inspired to go to school to be a nutritionist and help others because I wanted to give someone that feeling you gave me that day when I found your website. I remember I sent you this long email and you actually replied! It made me very 😊 happy. Fast forward a few years and I started my own little gluten free blog. But it all started with you so thank you. Never forget that there are countless people who also felt your warmth. You’ve helped so many.
    Elizabeth

  41. Dude,

    You rock! Don’t stop being you or doing what you do to serve the celiac community. I knew nothing about CD until my granddaughter was diagnosed at 3.5 and your site was one of the first that my daughter found and shared. We all appreciate what you do more than you can ever know.
    Heal yourself, take care of your family and your business. Keep teaching all of us how to deal with CD, because it doesn’t go away. Politicians come and go, anger and frustration come and go, CD will be with those who have it forever.
    Thanks to you ( and of course the lovely Mrs. Dude) for the education and compassion you share.

  42. You are my champion, Gluten Dude. Bless your heart for giving me an educated forum to come to when I need a pick me up. You were the first site that I came to that made me feel like I was not on an island. You do so much good and give such great advice. We all need to work together and reach out with respect and understanding, I’m certain we’re going to be stressed in the coming months…this too shall pass! I for one am looking to the immediate future to be well, be safe and be glad that I still have Gluten Dude to make my week!

  43. Go Dude Good to see you back!!!! You tell them all !!!!! I want you to know that you have helped me more than you can ever know over the last year or so……Your advice is always good and straight.
    Do what your heart tells you to do and tell the nay sayers to F*** Off.

  44. Thank you for everything you do, and please stay true to yourself. You’ve been so helpful, and you certainly deserve some time off to process whatever life throws at you, politics or otherwise.

  45. If you watched a recent Samantha Bee show, you would learn that many of the trolls out there are actually Russian hackers who are paid to disrupt websites. And some are just asses.

    By all means, Rock This Boat!

  46. “May the snark be with you”. Hee hee hee :D. Keep that snark coming, GD. That’s a large part of what keeps me coming back. I will mark my 5th year anniversary of receiving the Celiac Disease diagnosis next month (Dec. 19, 2011) and that was a dark time for me. I had just left an abusive relationship and moved homes (4 days earlier) and the news that I had Celiac was a real drag. The doctor rushed through telling me and really didn’t offer much in terms of advice. I bawled my eyes out on the drive home and made a bee line for a public library close to my home. I googled Celiac Disease and Gluten Free information immediately and your blog came up. I started reading it and I never looked back. Thank you again for advocating for us and having that snarky, biting sense of humour. I love it so much because your words are true. Fuck your critics because they can never understand what we go through. Their opinions count for nothing. You have our best interests in mind and we thank you for that

  47. Probably repetitive at this point to read another post thanking you and heralding what you do, but I echo all the positive comments. And it’s because of you that I feel better than I have, since it was in one of your posts that I learned about Whole30 and feel so much better as a result.

    It’s been a difficult, strange, heartbreaking week — but it’s good to know, through you, we all have each other. OK, maybe I didn’t need that second glass of wine tonight … 🙂

  48. Dude, you’re awesome. What you said is 100% true, we can’t eat how we used to. Thanks for being real and true to yourself.

  49. Glad to hear the diet is helping. I still don’t know how you get enough calcium without dairy. We are already at risk for weakened bones. There’s no question too much dairy/alcohol/coffee etc. are not a celiac’s friend. Oh, and f*ck the bashers. Our country is all about freedom to voice our opinions. To criticize that is unAmerican!

  50. Dude…Please don’t leave. I don’t know what happened but know you are appreciated. If you’re sad about politics, I voted for Hillary. I’m very sad right now and angry but trying to keep a lid on it. I wanted a better place for my kids, not one filled with hate and prejudice

    Peace my friend
    Galwayfan

  51. You just keep on going with your own flow, Dude. It’s a good one. The coeliac community needs people like you and Jennifer to keep that clear voice of reason and reality sounding. And it’s great to have a laugh with you and to know that you are 100% true. An honour and pleasure to follow you! (all the way from the Netherlands)

  52. I’ve always loved the way you talk about what it’s *really* like to be celiac. If not for people like you, the food industry would control the entire conversation. Wherever your path takes you, you’ve done a lot of good for a lot of people. Thank you!

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Who I am. And who I'm not.

Who I am. And who I'm not.

I AM someone who's been gluten-free since 2007 due to a diagnosis of severe celiac disease. I'm someone who can steer you in the right direction when it comes to going gluten-free. And I'm someone who will always give you the naked truth about going gluten free.

I AM NOT someone who embraces this gluten-free craziness. I didn’t find freedom, a better life or any of that other crap when I got diagnosed. With all due respect to Hunter S. Thompson, I found fear and loathing of an unknown world. But if I can share my wisdom, tell my stories and make the transition easier on you, I’ve done my job.

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