True Story: A Day in the Life

Valentine's Day. A day full of love, dinner, and lots of chocolate. Before I was diagnosed with severe Gluten Sensitivity and a host of food allergies this holiday was an easy no brainer and my fiance would surprise me with chocolate galore and dinner at a nice restaurant, often with a prix fixe menu. While it require a bit more planning and preparation, I have to say this Valentine's Day was a sweet sweet success.

About 2 weeks before Valentine's Day Anthony and I realized that for the first time in about 3 years we were both off from work on Valentine's night so we decided to make dinner reservations. Most of my former go to places were only offering a prix fixe menu that did not allow for substitutions of any kind. Enter Portobello Cafe and my dilemma was solved. When I called to inquire about reservations the hostess was happy to answer all my food related questions and told me that they would be happy to accommodate my dietary needs. (Side note: I've eaten at…

When people hear about my food allergies and severe gluten intolerance I often get looked at like I'm some kind of alien. It often provokes questions about my lifestyle and I'm happy to oblige in their education on the seriousness of these issues. Sometimes it leads them to say, "Wow I had no idea. I admire you for having to deal with all that." Other times it has the opposite effect. "So you SERIOUSLY can't even touch it? I think you're overreacting." "No wonder you're so thin, you can't eat anything." "Oh I try to avoid gluten too, but it doesn't really bother me. I mean it doesn't really hurt you."

As an adult I can be confident in knowing my condition is real no matter what anyone else thinks. (I also have an amazing fiancee who will vouch for that from personal expereince.) I'm very much ok with bringing my own food places, having to carefully select a restaurant when dining out, and not eating if I don&…