Hi, my name is Rebecca, and I’m a celiac.

 

I’m afraid that I might still have a compulsion – a problem with…. gluten.

I dream about things that I know are bad for me, like sandwiches and ravioli.  I haven't had them for years, but

last night, I thought I fell off of the wagon:

 

I went to bed, drifting off quickly with the help of a sleep aid.  

What I remember next is that I am standing in the kitchen, the smell of the ‘real’ lemon-poppy seed muffins that I have freshly baked for my family perfuming the air. I  swooned, and couldn't think about anything except how good they must be. 

I pick one up, and take a big, warm bite ….mmmmm, heavenly…….I close my eyes, savoring the taste.  And then, reality hits ----- OH NO! What have I done?!  I spit muffin into the sink, trying desperately to wipe every morsel from my mouth with a dry dish towel – hopefully before the gluten that I have most definitely ingested can make it’s way to destroy my gut! 

 Fuzzies from the towel stick to my tongue.

 

I wake in a state of panic, trying to make sense of the place and time – and hoping that I have not actually been into the muffins that I really did make for my family last evening.

I did after all, take a sleeping pill, and have heard that some have side effects that involve 'sleep-eating'.  I didn’t take one known to have those side effects – but the dream was so real, that I question for just a minute if it might have actually happened. And my mouth was so dry... 

 

This is not my first time.  I have had these tortuous dreams many times since going gluten free a few years ago. 

 

Once, I spent the entire night wandering through kosher bakeries with old Jewish women who were trying to steer me to just the right loaf of challah bread.  Really - all night, and I never decided on one loaf before the alarm clock chimed.

 

Another fitful night found me back in San Francisco, sopping up ciopino with fresh sourdough, condensation dripping down the glass of a cold micro-brew sitting in front of me.  I don't remember, but I probably woke with tears in my eyes that morning.

 

I know that I am not the only celiac living in this nighttime fantasy world, where gluten is good again – and I am bad.  At our last gluten free dinner meeting, several members long without gluten were telling me about their dreams of 'normal food'.  The conversation was started while we told a ‘newbie’ that she would soon stop craving regular bread and other unsafe things. Yeah, right. We might have blown our credibility while we recounted, eyes glazed over and mouths watering, vivid stories of our dreamtime escapades with forbidden foods.  

 

And if that didn't scare her straight to Krispy-Kreme, the conversation then turned to “last suppers”.

Yeah, that’s exactly what I mean.  When the warden comes knocking for your last order, what are you going to ask for?  

 

Me?  A Big-Chic fried chicken sandwich with a basket of fried okra, and a cold Corona, with a wedge of lime of course. Simple, but definitely Heaven on a buttered bun – the only way to go.

 

Got anything that you would like to share with the group? Glutenous dreams or last meal requests?  It’s okay, you can share – you are among friends here!

 

 

Replies:

 

 

Ingredients:

1/2 to 1 lb Ground Turkey

1/2 lb firm Tofu

1/2 oz. minced Ginger (small knuckle)

1/2 small Sliced Red Onion

2 Chopped Green Onions

2 T. Fish Sauce (gluten free)

2 T Lime or Lemon Juice with zest if possible

1/4 cup Dry Roasted Peanuts (gluten free)

6 pc Chopped Fresh Chili peppers or Chili sauce (only if you like it spicy)

Several Fresh, uncooked Cabbage Leaves (cutting the head into about 4 - 6 wedges makes good sized pieces for this dish)

 

First saute the pork, 1/2 of the ginger, and the tofu. 

In a large mixing bow, place the cooked meat mix, and all ingredients except for the cabbage leaves.

 

Place the cabbage leaves on a serving plate and place the bowl ingredients on the top - to eat, scoop up the mix with a cabbage leaf - eat and enjoy!