Glutened.

I knew it would happen sooner or later- the dreaded first glutening.

Though it was far from pleasant, it was not nearly as agonizing as I had anticipated.

Since going gluten-free, I had only eaten out once, and it was by far the most stressful meal I have ever experienced. In the many months prior, I had suffered unbearably. Eating caused such extreme nausea and dizziness that there were times I could do nothing more than sit idle on the couch with the inability to think or speak. It was as if I was hovering on the verge of passing out.

As you can imagine, and as many of you can relate, I still have an anxiety towards food. Soon after going gluten-free I began convincing myself I had other intolerances simply because I was far too terrified to eat anything. Now that I have begun to expand my diet, I am overly particular, and go to extreme lengths to make sure everything that I consume is gluten free, and made in a gluten free facility. While this is generally a good thing, my anxiety towards eating turns it into a nightmare. The thought of accidently consuming gluten constantly haunts me.

For this reason, eating out has not been an option. However, recently my mother decided to intervene, and somehow convinced me to try a little cafe she heard about through word of mouth.

Once we were seated, I asked our waitress about the gluten-free options that were available. She was extremely knowledgeable, and consulted with the Chef if she could not answer a question. She even went into detail, ensuring my food would not be contaminated in preparation. Feeling much more comfortable, I decided on a Grilled Tuscan Chicken Salad with Annie's Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing.

This salad was the most delicious thing I had tasted in months. It was so fresh, and so full of flavor with lettuce, roasted peppers, cucumbers, sun dried tomatoes...I was in heaven.

Though, within an hour I knew it. I had been glutened. The familiar stomach aches, the familiar migraine, the familiar fatigue returned. Online I looked up the article in question: Annie's Balsamic Vinaigrette.

Now the bottle says GLUTEN FREE but this is directly from the website: MADE ON SHARED EQUIPMENT THAT ALSO PROCESSES EGG, MILK, SOY, TREE NUTS, WHEAT, AND ANCHOVY.

Great.

But I really cannot blame the chef or the waitress. After all, the dressing bottle does say gluten free. However, I will mention it to them, to ensure other people do not get glutened. I may also call Annie's.

All of this is to say we are all bound to be glutened no matter how careful we are. Rather than be filled with fear and anxiety I think we should take a step back and clear our minds. Getting glutened was probably one of the best things for me since going gluten free. Facing my worst fear somehow helped me to relax, and helped me to enjoy eating once again.

Now, I am not saying go out and get glutened, but it will happen eventually. Just do not let that fear prevent you from enjoying eating, and enjoying life.