Rice? Sweet rice? Tapioca? Why is it all so complicated? — There is no way around it: most baked goods are based on wheat flour. And that’s the root of our problem. No wheat, rye, spelt or other gluten-containing flours can pass our celiac lips. Learning to choose the right flour for a gluten-free cake, cookie, brownie or treat recipe took…

For most of us, finding love is an important part of finding happiness. We want someone to share our hopes, dreams, successes, and even our sorrows. But gluten-free dating is not always easy. What’s a single celiac to do? When do I say “I’m celiac”? The virtual world is now the go-to place for many celiac…

Bread and pasta are no help at all — With a war in Europe and refugees on my doorstep, stable celiac life is taking on a whole new meaning. You’ve seen them on the news: mostly women and children, the elderly, or the disabled. Their situations are heart-breaking. Many fled home with just the clothes on their backs. There…

Tangy and sweet, top them with frosting or enjoy them unadorned — Another grey day in late winter…I need some sunshine! And a snack wouldn’t hurt either. Opening the refrigerator, I see the bag of clementine oranges that I bought on Monday: Bright orange, almost perfectly round, a little bit shiny. Clementines always make me smile. Hmmm, could I bake something with…

I’m having a bad day — pass the brownies!! Whether it’s a tough day at work, a fight with a loved one, or a big math test, each of us faces stress in life. Coping with that stress is the real measure of our resilience. 2021: A year to remember. Or not.

Another $165 down the drain — It’s that time of year again — chocolate-filled hearts, teddy bears and balloons, cards and t-shirts, and gifts at all price points. All designed to imply that this is THE day to tell your loved ones how much you, well, love them. People genuinely buy into it. According to Hallmark…

What do I do with these new little emptinesses? — I’m taking a lot of deep breaths these days. After 9 months of caring for Dad through what was ultimately his final illness, I always felt just a little short: of breath, of time, of answers, of anything that would give him back a little…

Is avoiding gluten ‘enough’? Since 1996, when I added “celiac” to “New Yorker” and “veterinarian” on my list of self-descriptors, I’ve always been grateful that I could control my disease with a gluten-free diet. I’ve probably said it a million times: If I had to have a chronic disease, at least it’s one I…

How to make the center of your home safe for your gluten-free needs — Newly diagnosed with celiac disease? Now you need to make your kitchen safely gluten free. Should you make the whole house gluten free for one person? Welcome to one of the biggest controversies in the celiac world! You must have lots of questions. I’d like to help. Do you live…