Safe Travel Kit, Gluten-Free Travel

Safe Travel Kit, Gluten-Free Travel

JET LAG:  This trick makes your first day seem endless, but it’s so worth the effort.  Where ever you’re going, no matter how long it takes to get there, no matter what time you arrive…DO NOT go to sleep until at least 9:pm the evening of whatever time zone you end up in. We use our first day to settle in, find our rentals, locate the house, unpack our luggage, do a bit of grocery shopping, and talk about our plans for our visit.

ACTIVATED CHARCOAL: is very effective adsorbent for diarrhea resulting from getting glutened, food poisoning, bacterial infection, or virus.  If you’re taking any medications please be certain to take them at least 2 hours apart from the charcoal.  Also, make sure you hydrate well to prevent constipation after taking activated charcoal.  In addition, be careful to avoid activated charcoal that’s been combined with sorbitol. Sorbitol can act as a laxative!

ANTIBACTERIAL WIPES:  I’m not a big fan of antibacterial anything…I feel many of us fear germs far more than necessary.  It may sound contradictory, but exposure to germs is necessary to strengthen our immune systems. HOWEVER, when it comes to using strange toilets I’ve discovered the value of Antibacterial Wipes.  Buy those travel packets, make certain they’re the antibacterial type, then keep some in your purse or backpack, more in the rental car, and the rest in your luggage for future use.

ELECTROLYTE MIX:   Sea Salt, Baking Soda, Raw Sugar added to a glass of Lemonade is great for replacing any electrolytes lost during a ‘bad’ day on vacation. And if you can find those dried lemon crystals even better! Mix equal portions (salt/soda/sugar/crystals) in a small container and toss them into your travel bag.  Then simply add 1 tsp (1/2 tsp for children) of the mix in your bottled water and sip throughout the day.

GINGER:  Any way you like it, capsules or candy, it’s great for nausea and sea-sickness. You can also order ginger ale to drink as often as you like.  Ginger has a long history of being used to treat nausea, stomachaches, and diarrhea.

GRAPEFUIT SEED EXTRACT:  Works wonders for bacterial, viral, and fungal infections including yeast infections as well as those nasty little stomach bugs you occasionally find when drinking strange water.  When I picked up that bug in Peru, this was a vacation saver for me.  I have the liquid concentrate in my bath kit.  All it takes is a few drops in some bottled water.  And apparently now you can even purchase it as a capsule…which is exactly what I plan to do next trip. 

IMODIUM:  Yes, it’s a permanent item in my bath kit. No, I don’t take it any more often than is absolutely necessary. If your system is trying to expel something it doesn’t want inside it’s foolish to try and stop that process. It does come in handy on occasion if a long travel trip is planned and you’re feeling a bit iffy.  Or after you’ve already spent the day getting rid of whatever was bothering you and you want to venture out the next day.

LATEX-FREE BAND AIDES:  Before I got my Dermatitis Herpetiformis under control I went through hundreds of these. Not so much any longer, but they’re still in my bag every trip. My fingers used to crack and bleed something awful. I used these little babies to 'stitch' things up many times. They saved me from a lot of pain and discomfort. If the bandage is too wide for the area...simply cut one in half lengthwise...then wrap as usual.  This little trick worked great if I had to apply one around a toe or between two knuckles. 

PEPPERMINT:  I love Peppermint, tea or candy they both work great for many tummy issues.  Thanks to its calming and numbing effect, peppermint relaxes your stomach muscles so that bile can break down fats and food can move through the stomach quickly.  However, if you have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), you should not use peppermint. 

TOILET PAPER:  Yes, Toilet Paper. Just because you love your comforts of home, doesn’t mean you’ll find them everywhere you travel. Get a roll of your favorite Toilet Tissue, unroll it, and break it down into 3 or 4 packets and put them into Ziploc baggies. Keep one in your purse or backpack, another in the rental car, and the rest in your luggage for future use.

VITAMIN C:  Great for burns…even sunburns.  Make certain you pack the capsule form…not the chewable ones.  Dissolve a capsule or two in cool water and apply generously. Try to use distilled or filtered water only…remember you’ll be applying it to damaged skin so you honestly don’t want to be introducing more germs than necessary. 

Carolanne LeBlanc

Website:  http://glutenfreeforlifeexpo1.blogspot.com

Email:  GlutenFreeforLifeExpo@Gmail.com

FaceBook:  http://www.facebook.com/glutenfree.inflorida

Meeting:  4th Saturday of every month except December
               Imperial Palms, East Clubhouse
               101 Imperial Palm Drive

               Largo, Florida  33771

Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo, Gluten-Free Friendly

Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo, Gluten-Free 

http://www.lowryparkzoo.org

Winner of 4.5 stars from TripAdvisor, Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo is one of the most popular zoos in the southeastern US, with over 800,000 visitors annually. The mission of the Zoo is "to connect people with the living earth." One of its most important conservation programs is the Manatee Hospital, the only nonprofit critical care facility of its kind in Florida.

I love the Zoo…and the Aquarium.  I think it’s left over memories of days spent with my Dad.  And we’re lucky to have a really nice Zoo right here in Tampa.  It’s not a huge Zoo, so spending a full day is not difficult and not exhausting. The Zoo emphasizes endangered, threatened and vulnerable species from climates similar to that of the Tampa Bay region, with park areas devoted to Asia, Africa, Australia and Florida.  Which is actually pretty smart since it cuts down on enclosed, climate-controlled spaces and allows the animals and birds to be kept in comfortable open air environments.  And I love that even though the entire place is outdoors, there are tons of shady areas with plenty of places to sit and enjoy.

September was a ‘freebie’ entrance fee for us so after 3 weekends of rain we decided to take the plunge on our last Sunday and attempt a day at the Zoo. Now when I say ‘comfortable’ don’t be misled…this is Florida after all…it’s the sub-tropics. That means the Zoo is one place you won’t normally find me during the summer.  With temps in the 90’s and humidity in the 80’s I’m definitely spending my time some place with air-conditioning.  This trip wasn’t too bad because it was overcast and grey all day while we were there.  So the animals were out, doing their animal thing, and much more interactive then they are when they’re sleeping in the shade away from the intense heat of the Florida sun. 

As we were leaving the driveway for the day I had told my daughter that I was going to walk on the wild side and I wasn’t bringing any Gluten-Free snacks.  She understands that can be a real challenge for me, but I figured we’d only be a few hours and home was only minutes away…I would survive.  Bringing food into the Zoo is not difficult…but it does pay to be discreet. They do frown on any disposable plastics because they can endanger the animals.  And most certainly bring something that won’t melt in the Florida heat…because you will be outside. 

First stop for us was to pick up a Scooter for me.  I have a mild walking disability and one of those electric Scooters means I can keep up with my girls and not be a drag.  And for $25.00 for the entire day it’s a lot cheaper than the ones at those big parks.  Our next stop was to feed the Lorikeets…that’s always a favorite!  Except perhaps when one lands on my head!  Bird poop in the hair is not a pleasant way to spend the day. The Lorikeets are hand fed a mixture of juice/honey/water and they absolutely love it.

After wandering around for a bit, the girls got hungry & thirsty so they stopped for some chocolate milk and a doughnut.  I knew they wouldn’t have anything there for me so I didn’t even ask. I figured I’d get a cold soda later…so when we stopped for them to ride the Carousel I wandered over to the Sweet Shop to investigate.  I was totally surprised to find they had a whole cabinet with Gluten-Free treats!  Rice Krispy Bars, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Brownies and Peanut Butter Cookies…nice :-)  By the time the girls got off the Carousel they found me happily enjoying a brownie while I waited.  I did share though.

We skipped over lunch, the Safari Grill was closed for a private party and the Garden Grill was over at the Main Gate and we weren’t ready to leave.  It’s my understanding that Gluten-free menu options are available at the Zoo restaurants but you’ll need to speak to a Food and Beverage team member for assistance.  We were more interested in stopping at Chili’s Restaurant on the way home for what the kids like to call L’inner.  So after the Giraffe’s they settled for some nachos and cheese to hold them over and I simply got a bag of chips and a drink.

We ended up spending the entire day wandering the Zoo and enjoying some great family time together.  The weather held out for us…we didn’t even need sunscreen this trip…and we left late in the afternoon just before the thunderstorms began.

Carolanne LeBlanc

Website:  http://glutenfreeforlifeexpo1.blogspot.com

Email:  GlutenFreeforLifeExpo@Gmail.com

FaceBook:  http://www.facebook.com/glutenfree.inflorida

Meeting:  4th Saturday of every month except December
               Imperial Palms, East Clubhouse
               101 Imperial Palm Drive
               Largo, Florida  33771

Carnival Cruising Gluten-Free

Carnival Cruising Gluten-Free

http://www.carnival.com/

Hello everyone! Just thought I'd put my 2cents in on cruising. I've been taking cruises for years...on just about every line.  I have to say that for the price Carnival is probably my favorite.  It seems to be younger cruisers...activity is planned pretty much around the clock if you want to participate...and I honestly find the rooms to be some of the most comfortable.

Which is why we booked Carnival last Spring for a little Family Reunion on board Carnival Sensation. And I did the whole thing GlutenFree with no problems at all…starting with dinner at Port Canaveral. We arrived the night before departure and went out to dinner at Fish Lips in port. They had a GF menu with quite a bit of selection.  They even had a most incredible dessert that I ordered to go...just because I could...and enjoyed it later that evening in my hotel room.

The cruise was easy. There is a form you'll need to fill out when you book your cruise. It's really simple and you can get it online or from your travel agent. I got mine from my travel agent…filled it out…and emailed it in...a copy to the cruise line, and a copy to my travel agent just to be certain.

Once on board I checked in with the main dining room just to warn them I was there and would need a GF meal plan. They told me to come back at dinner time and speak with the Matre'd…which I did. She was great!! She handled all my meals from then on. The first night my choices were limited to what was already prepared and would be GF…but she knew what was available. Then each night she would bring me the menu for the following evening and I could choose ANYTHING that I wanted and it would be prepared GF just for me. Anything!!  Oh joy!!  I even ordered Crab Cakes one night.  I haven't had a decent Crab Cake in years.  Heaven :-)  The only thing I didn't enjoy was the bread…it was that white rice cardboard that most of us have tried at least once since going GF. I'm pretty certain no Chef has ever actually tasted that stuff...or they'd be using it to scrub down the sinks instead of serving it with their wonderful meals.  Dessert was no choice…but different every night and delicious!!

Breakfast in the morning was in the Main Dining Room again and totally Gluten-Free. We discovered some time ago that the Food Services on ship are all done under some incredibly strict rules and guidelines and the food and service in the Main Dining Room make it the safest place to eat.  So every morning we met at the Dining Room for breakfast and I got the fluffiest GF pancakes every day with fresh fruit, eggs and bacon. I didn't bother with the bread.  In fact…as soon as I got home I wrote them a letter introducing both Udi’s & Rudi’s breads and baked goods.  I’ve since heard back that they would consider them…but nothing since.

Lunch on the Lido deck was a bit more challenging…since I had no-one to guide me or ask questions of. As always the Wait Staff were all very knowledgeable and understanding even though their options were much narrower. But when I wanted something more than breakfast or dinner it really worked out pretty good. I just had to be a little more selective and careful.

Carolanne LeBlanc

Website:  http://glutenfreeforlifeexpo1.blogspot.com

Email:  GlutenFreeforLifeExpo@Gmail.com

FaceBook:  http://www.facebook.com/glutenfree.inflorida

Meeting:  4th Saturday of every month except December
               Imperial Palms, East Clubhouse
               101 Imperial Palm Drive
               Largo, Florida  33771

Keeping it clean...and Gluten-Free

Keeping it clean...and Gluten-Free

People often ask me what the best way to get started is.  My house is 100% Gluten-Free and has been for many years.  Some families maintain that without going 100% they can still keep a safe environment.  I’m afraid I have a hard time believing this and truly can’t recommend it.  I have Potluck Dinners every month in my home, and large Potluck Parties 3-4 times a year at my house, and those are the only times gluten might find its way into my house. My friends and family know my needs, and they’re truly, extremely careful in my home.  But there have been occasions after an event where I’ve found myself spending the next few days sick.

After which I go back to the beginning and clean my kitchen from top to bottom once again.  If you're transitioning from eating gluten to a gluten-free/wheat-free life the first thing to do is clean, clean, clean. Empty all the cabinets and wipe down all surfaces…I like to use those anti-bacterial wipes only because I know it may be quite a while before I ever do anything like that again. I may even sprinkle a little borax into the corners just because I live in Florida and bugs like to share everything. Overhead cabinets, and underneath cabinets, all counter tops…everything should be pulled out and every surface wiped down. Don't forget to clean the fridge and freezer too. It's going to take time…so I suggest you handle one major area a day and don't feel like you have to handle it all at once.

Use the dishwasher…a lot. In fact I have a rule in my home…if it doesn't fit into the dishwasher it goes into the trash. So run as much as possible through the dishwasher before putting it back into the cabinets. There are times when I’ll even wash the same load twice, letting is run through an entire cycle.  The second time I don’t use any soap but add about 2 cups of white vinegar instead.  Hand wash everything else and rinse, rinse, rinse. As you're putting things away do a quick inspection of anything that might be tough to clean…like those pots and pans…anything with cracks and crevices. Run your fingers over the surfaces…any bumps or lumps are suspect and need to be cleaned off or you may need to consider tossing the items. If you can see any metal through the scratches on non-stick surfaces those will need to be tossed anyway…so don't waste your time cleaning them. Deep non-stick scratches are great hiding places for gluten and every time you use the pan you're poisoning yourself with the exposed metal anyway.

You’ll need to replace your toaster, and perhaps anything plastic or wood.  I kept my first toaster oven, but scoured it clean and then ran everything removable through the dishwasher.  Keep in mind the more smooth, and less porous the surface the better when replacing your kitchen tools.  Personally, I love glass and use that as often as possible for prep, cooking, baking and storage.  Glass cleans up beautifully and I have no worries when others borrow something for their glutenous foods. I only use wood cutting boards and spoons, even those get thrown in the washer, then get treated with oil before being put away. 

Read the labels of all food items as you're putting them away. If you're feeling ambitious go ahead and give the packages a wipe down with one of those anti-bacterial wipes too. Sort out any suspect items and set them aside to be donated to a food pantry. If you really can't part with a favorite item…then Google it. Go to Google.com and type in the name of the product along with the words "Gluten-Free" and then see what comes up. You can make your decision then as to whether you should keep it or give it up. I generally have a rule that if I can't read the ingredients or pronounce the words I don't buy it and don't use it. For me the fewer ingredients the better; I avoid processed foods as much as possible.

Going Gluten-Free can seem so overwhelming and you feel like you're losing many of your favorite foods. After 25 years I still look at a good donut and just sigh…ah well. I have many friends who keep a Gluten-Free home, and save their glutenous desires for when they eat out or visit friends :-)

Carolanne LeBlanc

Website:  http://glutenfreeforlifeexpo1.blogspot.com

Email:  GlutenFreeforLifeExpo@Gmail.com

FaceBook:  http://www.facebook.com/glutenfree.inflorida

Meeting:  4th Saturday of every month except December
               Imperial Palms, East Clubhouse
               101 Imperial Palm Drive
               Largo, Florida  33771

Disney World Parks - Gluten-Free Safe

Disney World Parks - Gluten-Free Safe

Enjoy Magic throughout the year

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/

Ok…so I told myself I was never going to do this.  I mean, truly – Google "Disney Gluten-Free" and a ton of stuff comes up.  Everyone has a review of some restaurant at the park that they want to talk about.  But then I realized…that’s the point.  Most of the reviews are restaurants…and I generally don’t do those…probably because it’s nearly impossible to get everyone to sit down for more than 15 minutes when we’re doing the Parks.  Living only 1.5 hours away from the Mouse means we generally get to visit him quite often.  And since I’ve been Gluten-Free for years now I have to say I’ve watched the Disney World Parks improve by leaps and bounds.  Disney World is by far one of the Gluten-Free safest Parks to visit…and I can say that without any prodding from the Mouse.  I’ve stopped at the little Downtown Stores…and found treats clearly marked “Gluten-Free”…Yahoo!!  I’ve stopped at the Street Vendors to ask questions about their product and they generally know the answers :-)  I’ve stopped at their ‘Fast-Food’ style Eating Emporiums…lol…and been treated like royalty with quick, honest answers and knowledgeable staff!!  Dang!!

Whether it's a day with visiting family, a trip to support Gay Days, or just a weekend away with my girls and the grand kids, honestly, I have no fear when visiting any of the Disney Parks.  Last time we were there we stopped for lunch I think it was Pinocchio's Place.  Anyway, I just got in line with everyone else...and asked to know what was Gluten-Free and safe for me to eat.  Almost like magic a Manager appeared with a GF Menu for me to choose from.  She personally took my order, told me to NOT accept any food from anyone else but her took my order into the kitchen and re-appeared a few minutes later with my hot Mac n Cheese, Fresh Fruits and Brownie and a drink.  Then because she felt the Brownie was still too cold she also gave me a free Chocolate Chip Cookie to hold me over...lol.  I don't know how my prices compared to anyone else's...but seriously, when I can receive such individual attention and enjoy a safe meal...I really don't care if I have to pay a bit more for it.  So if you're planning a Disney Day, go ahead and pack a treat or two just to make yourself feel better - but don't worry at all about enjoying a snack or meal with your family in any of Disney's establishments...no reservations needed!!

Carolanne LeBlanc

Website:  http://glutenfreeforlifeexpo1.blogspot.com

Email:  GlutenFreeforLifeExpo@Gmail.com

FaceBook:  http://www.facebook.com/glutenfree.inflorida

Meeting:  4th Saturday of every month except December
               Imperial Palms, East Clubhouse
               101 Imperial Palm Drive
               Largo, Florida  33771

Just getting started...Gluten-Free

Just getting started...Gluten-Free

 For someone starting their new Gluten-Free journey learning to navigate their own kitchen can be just as challenging as traveling to a new country.  I always get questions from people who are new to living Gluten-Free and they're usually feeling pretty overwhelmed. It can certainly seem like Gluten can hide in anything. They want to do what's best for their own bodies, or their loved ones, but there's just soooo much information to try and process. And they want to feel better fast. Sometimes the best thing to do is to stop a moment, take a step back and begin again with a slower approach.

Yes, you want the Gluten out of your life – but it's not going to happen overnight.  Be patient with yourself.  Give yourself a little time and go back to basics. Once you manage to remove the gluten from your life…please don’t race to replace everything with Gluten-Free substitutes.  That’s the biggest mistake I see so many people making. It’s one of the reasons why so many people still feel so sick many months after going 100% Gluten-Free. 

You have to remember that your gut has been damaged…it’s going to need time to heal. Once you break that gluten addiction you’ll probably go through withdrawal, you’ll have some incredible cravings, a roller coaster ride of emotions, your body may want to purge all the junk out of your system through every conceivable orifice, and you’ll wonder more than once if you’re doing the right thing.  Hang in there…it does get better!

I normally ask people to dedicate the first 6 weeks to just cleaning up their diet. Learn how to eat real food again.  Go back to basics…real proteins, real fruits, real vegetables.  Good quality foods that feed the system and the soul.  Understand exactly what gluten is and what it is not.  Gluten is a general name for the proteins found in Wheat (Durum, Emmer, Spelt, Farina, Farro, Kamut® Khorasan Wheat, and Einkorn), Rye, Barley and Triticale. Gluten helps foods maintain their shape, acting as glue that holds food together.

CLEAN UP - start with a good cabinet cleaning and don't forget the fridge and the freezer too. Get rid of the obvious – WHEAT – and while you're at it learn how to read ingredients. Take some time to read up on Gluten, but get rid of the wheat in your diet ASAP. Don't worry about replacing it right away. Give yourself time to get used to pulling things out of your diet without adding Gluten-Free items back in. Gluten-Free foods can be expensive…and often times very disappointing at first.

NOTHING PROCESSED - which means if it comes out of a box or a can put it back on the shelf and step away. Eat real food. Focus first on quality foods…real meat, real fruit, real vegetables. Try making everything from scratch…so that you know exactly what goes into it. Frozen fruits and vegetables are fine…provided that's all that's in the package.

NOTHING WHITE – generally the whiter something is the more it's been processed.  Just replace your whites with a bit of color. Instead of white potato try sweet potato, instead of white sugar use brown or raw sugar, honey, or molasses.  Instead of white rice use brown or wild rice…you get the picture. Even milk…if you can handle it try an alternative…or go organic and get lactose free. Many people with Celiac have lactose intolerance due to the damage already done to their gut. Try going lactose free for a while and you might be able to go back later without the distress.

VITAMINS & MINERALS – if you haven't started with these yet…it's time to find one that works for you. I generally recommend liquid or capsules, powders are great too…stay away from tablets. Your gut already has a hard time digesting, why add to its distress.  You should be taking a good multi-vitamin, multi-mineral every single day.

Give yourself just six little weeks to get used to all the new changes you'll be adding to your life. Don't let yourself get so overwhelmed. You can do it…one step at a time.

Carolanne LeBlanc

Website:  http://glutenfreeforlifeexpo1.blogspot.com

Email:  GlutenFreeforLifeExpo@Gmail.com

FaceBook:  http://www.facebook.com/glutenfree.inflorida

Meeting:  4th Saturday of every month except December
               Imperial Palms, East Clubhouse
               101 Imperial Palm Drive
               Largo, Florida  33771

Busch Gardens is NOT Celiac safe :-(

Busch Gardens is NOT Celiac safe :-(

Busch Gardens - Where the UNEXPECTED comes together

http://www.buschgardens.com/

Well, as much as this disappoints me, I have to say that Busch Gardens is NOT a Gluten-Free safe place to visit.  Not only did they not have a clue...but didn't seem overly concerned about it either.    And I have to say that I was really looking forward to doing a positive review after my visit.  Sadly, that's not something that I can do.  Thank goodness I always pack something to eat...just in case.  This time I only grabbed a couple packs of Schar's Crackers just to share with my sister, who is also Gluten-Free. 

It was an incredibly beautiful day so we took ourselves and the grandkids to the park for the day.  I really didn't expect any trouble with finding something safe to eat.  I mean we've been to visit the Mouse before in Orlando.  And the care and understanding were second to none.  I honestly expected nothing less at Busch Gardens Tampa - one of the largest tourist attractions in my area. Not so in Tampa.  First of all none of the employees that I spoke to had a clue.  In fact I had to repeat my request because it appeared they'd never even heard the words 'Celiac' or 'Gluten-Free' before and didn't understand what I said.  I will give them credit...they immediately turned to a supervisor for guidance.  But even that didn't seem to help.

My lunch consisted of chicken and grapes...that was all I was told I could have...then they plopped the standard roll on top.  When she saw my daughter poke the roll (my baby always watches out for me :-) and pull it off the plate...then begin pulling off the area of chicken it had touched...she came back and took the dish back with an off-handed comment.  She then dumped the dish into the trash with a look of disgust on her face...and disappeared back into the kitchen.  She returned a few minutes later with a fresh piece of chicken and grapes.  When I asked if there was anything else available to me she said no…that was it.  Apparently it was a huge bother for her to take care of my needs.  I was charged full price for the disservice!

When my sister arrived about 10 minutes later she received the exact same treatment…with the roll plopped on top of her chicken and grapes…very sad.  Trying to find dinner was no easier…I ended up eating my last package of crackers, with my sister getting a side salad and everyone else eating a full meal.  Our questions always met with the same uninterested, uneducated, ill informed answer and a ‘who cares’ attitude.  I might even have understood if the park had been filled to its normal capacity…but it wasn’t.  The park was practically empty with only five-minute waits on all the lines.  It was perfect timing for us to enjoy the day without lines…the kids loved it.  And it also meant that the restaurants were uncrowded.  In fact, our dinner restaurant had NO-ONE else there…and our lunch restaurant had very few people.

So my suggestion??  Pack a full day’s supply of food!!  Because you’ll have a very difficult time finding anything safe to eat…and when you do you’ll pay quite a bit for the risk.  Pack sensibly, sandwiches, dry fruit, nuts, protein bars...much the same as you would for a plane trip.  And don't be shy when the guards go poking through your bag.  Make certain you tell them exactly what you're packing and why.  I've never had any problem bringing food into any park...especially after I've paid $85.00 for the privilege.  They want my money...I want to be safe.

PS – I was sick for the standard three days after my visit :-(

Carolanne LeBlanc

Website:  http://glutenfreeforlifeexpo1.blogspot.com

Email:  GlutenFreeforLifeExpo@Gmail.com

FaceBook:  http://www.facebook.com/glutenfree.inflorida

Meeting:  4th Saturday of every month except December

               Imperial Palms, East Clubhouse

               101 Imperial Palm Drive

               Largo, Florida  33771

Gluten-Free Emergency Disaster Kit

Gluten-Free Emergency Disaster Kit

While this isn’t exactly a travel tip…it is about being forced to live outside your comfort zone for a bit.  What will you do if an emergency hits and you have to live without decent food, water and the other comforts of home?  It always amazes me, when you ask if someone is prepared, the common response is they’ll stock up with a few extra cans of tuna and some granola bars.  These people are lucky…they’ve obviously never had to miss more than a single meal due to an emergency.  Oh no!  My phone is broken…bring out the granola bars!

When you consider that the average disaster/emergency could be about 1-2 weeks without a proper stove or refrigerator what are you going to do?  Truthfully I never even thought about it myself…until one year when I actually had to use those Hurricane Shutters I had installed on my home.  That’s when I realized my family would be able to find food if they were desperate…but what about me?  Was I willing to eat unsafe foods simply to survive?  And would I survive if I did that?  One day = 3 meals, 1 week  = 21 meals, 2 weeks = 42 meals…and I’m not even willing to voluntarily do the gluten challenge to get properly diagnosed with Celiac Disease.

So I decided to pack an emergency `bucket' to store in the closet just in case. Home Depot sells those bright orange "Homer" buckets with tops that seal up tight. They're brightly colored so you can find them regardless of your home's damage. And once the tops are tapped into place they're pretty waterproof too.

Just fill the bucket with your emergency gear...including Gluten-Free food...and seal it up. Stow the bucket somewhere that's easily accessible.  They have handles that make them easy to carry...but be careful not to make it too heavy.  If you need it you'll be functioning under less than optimal conditions and you'll want to be able to handle it yourself. And don't forget to put it where you can actually find it.  I keep mine stored inside the house in an interior walk-in closet that might actually become my shelter in the event of a Tornado.  I also store blankets, jackets & sweaters there as well.  During Hurricane Season I’ll probably stash water in there too.

Once it's closed its water tight…so you'll want food that has a long shelf life…something you won't have to worry about for a few years.  I spent quite a bit of time researching online for Gluten-Free Emergency foods and found a couple sites. They have many Gluten-Free choices and you can purchase things in smaller airtight pouches, and the shelf life is five to twenty years.

I decided not to include anything that might have a shorter shelf life.  I could always pack those things separately a little more last minute if needed.  Protein Bars, Energy Bars, Vitamin/Mineral Supplements, Dried Fruit and Nuts...these are all things I keep well stocked during the Season, but continue to use rather than waste storing them beyond their freshness dates. Even if you do need to open the bucket to remove any outdated 'goodies' and replace them with fresh, don't worry - you can get a new top at Home Depot to reseal the bucket.

And don't forget to store your sunscreen (the strongest you can find), some chap stick and of course bug spray!! Here in Florida these are just about as indispensable as the Gluten-Free food is.

If you get evacuated to an Emergency Shelter take the bucket with you. You’ll find beds and clean linens and hundreds of people without a clue about eating Gluten-Free.  So take care of yourself and bring everything you’ll need with you.  That way you can still eat safe and the only thing you’ll need to have is water to prepare your own food.

I packed my bucket for about $150.00 – a 1 weeks supply of Gluten-Free Food along with Antiseptic, Band-Aids, Batteries, Bug Spray, Flashlight, Freezer Bags, Garbage Bags, Gluten-Free Dehydrated Food, Hand Sanitizer, Knife/Fork/Spoon, Pens/Paper, Playing Cards, Pocket Games, Scissors, Soap, Stick Matches, Sun Block, Toilet Paper, Water, Work Gloves.  I’m honestly hoping that I’ve wasted my money…I don’t ever really want to need to use what’s been packed inside that bucket.

Wise Company, Gluten-Free Food Buckets

We carry a wide variety of gluten free survival food and invite you to take a look at the many different gluten free survival food kits we carry.

https://www.wisefoodstorage.com/emergency-food-kits-supplies/gluten-free-food-storage.html

Legacy Food Storage, Gluten-Free Collections
Legacy Food Storage. Enjoy a large selection of truly delicious, long term emergency gluten free food storage.

https://www.legacyfoodstorage.com/collections/gluten-free

Augason Farms, Gluten-Free Food Kits

At Augason Farms we have everything you need providing vital nutrition for the individual with the most meticulous of dietary requirements. And of course, all of our gluten free products have an extensive shelf life and are designed with emergency preparedness in mind.

https://www.augasonfarms.com/gluten-free

Carolanne LeBlanc

Website:  http://glutenfreeforlifeexpo1.blogspot.com

Email:  GlutenFreeforLifeExpo@Gmail.com

FaceBook:  http://www.facebook.com/glutenfree.inflorida

Meeting:  4th Saturday of every month except December
               Imperial Palms, East Clubhouse
               101 Imperial Palm Drive
               Largo, Florida  33771