I have Celiac Disease. It has been 33 months since I’ve eaten gluten (well, knowingly at least). What’s my story, you ask? It all started one fateful day in March of 2005. I remember it vividly because that is when the evil “D” (read - diarrhea) started. Before going any further, let me make a disclaimer: I will be talking now and then about poop and will try not to gross anyone out. Ok, you’ve been warned I guess you could say 2005 was a stressful year for me. In March of 2005, I was six months pregnant with our second child while chasing around our energetic first child. My husband and I were selling our current home and building a new one. Apparently, factors such as stress and/or pregnancy (bingo!) can trigger the onset of celiac (I unknowingly had the gene, it just was inactive). So in March 2005, the pooping began. It was ridiculous — too many times a day to count. No one knew what to do with me — my primary care doctor, my first GI doctor, nor my OB/GYN doctor. No one wanted to touch the pooping pregnant woman. After three hospitalizations, I was initially told that the cause of the “D” was “Pregnancy Induced Diarrhea” and would go away after the birth of my child. In May 2005, despite how sick and weak I was, my son was thankfully born strong and healthy (he must have been chowing down on ALL of my nutrients!). But the pooping continued. Next came the diagnosis of Ulcerative Colitis. Then began the joy (insert sarcasm) of enemas and extensive meds (and GI Doctor #2). Yet, the pooping (insert expletive) continued… Finally, desperate for some relief and scared out of my mind that I would never live a healthy life, I went to a local Health Food Store in search of alternative medicines. There is where my life changed. A nutritionist happened to work on-site and, as I described my symptoms, she matter of factly told me that it sounded like I had Celiac Disease. This amazing person wrote down the exact bloodwork tests I needed. I called my GI doctor immediately and requested these tests to be done. Wouldn’t you know it, I did have Celiac. Not Pregnancy Induced Diarrhea, not Ulcerative Colitis, but Celiac Disease. I finally had an answer and found that I could heal myself without medication (or enemas, thank god), but by omitting gluten from my diet.


Hold The Gluten
This is a gluten-free zone - you'll find nary a wheat, barley, oat, or stalk of rye lurking here. Join us as we blog and podcast about our lives, gluten free.

Score a Gluten Free Goal - Hold The Gluten 45
by holdthegluten@gmail.com (Maureen Stanley)
26 Jan 2012 at 8:49pm
The latest episode of Hold The Gluten Podcast is now live! Episode 45 “Hut Hut Hike! Score a Gluten Free Goal!” Features: Gluten-Free Super Bowl snack ideas! Maureen’s mozzarella sticks, onion rings, & 7 layer dip recipes. Delight Gluten-Free Magazine Super Bowl event Vanessa’s gluten-free trip San Fran, California & Vancouver, Canada Trip favs – Q Drinks, Herbal Water, Iveta, No Bake Cookie Company Chick-fil-A fast food chain offers gluten free chicken nuggets Clean out your pantry! All-Purpose Gluten-Free Flour Mix list What do YOU think of the HTG Podcast? Leave your feedback wherever you download this podcast! Read the blog. Listen...
Happy Gluten Free 2012 - Hold The Gluten 44
by holdthegluten@gmail.com (Maureen Stanley)
12 Jan 2012 at 7:40pm
The latest episode of Hold The Gluten Podcast is now live! Episode 44 “Happy Gluten-Free 2012!” Features: Happy New Year!  Gluten-free resolutions Vanessa’s trip to Breezes Bahamas – gluten free food galore Maureen’s Philly gluten free dining experience You voted!  Winners of the GFreek Awards are announced Maureen’s Beer Battered Onion Ring Recipe Vanessa head to the Fancy Foods Show in San Francisco, CA January 15 – 17th 14 Colleges that Cater to Gluten-Free Students Maureen’s schooling of Vanessa on all things 80′s What do YOU think of the HTG Podcast? Leave your feedback wherever you download this podcast! Read the blog. Listen to ...
You Asked And We Answered - Hold The Gluten 43
by holdthegluten@gmail.com (Maureen Stanley)
30 Dec 2011 at 10:24am
The latest episode of Hold The Gluten Podcast is now live! Episode 43 “You Asked and We Answered!” Features: Congrats to Scott Morizot – winner of the free Delight Gluten-Free Magazine Digital Download Can you have Celiac Disease or Gluten Intolerance and other food allergies or intolerances? When do you introduce gluten into a child’s diet of parents with celiac or gluten intolerance? What is the difference between celiac disease and gluten intolerance? Vanessa’s ridiculously fabulous Chocolate Hazelnut Whip Recipe. What do YOU think of the HTG Podcast? Leave your feedback wherever you download this podcast! Read the blog. Listen to t...
GFreek Gluten Free Awards and Delight Gluten Free Magazine Giveaway - Hold Th...
by holdthegluten@gmail.com (Maureen Stanley)
15 Dec 2011 at 10:12pm
The latest episode of Hold The Gluten Podcast is now live! Episode 42 “GFreek Gluten Free Awards & Delight Magazine Giveaway ” Features: Special Guest Josh Schieffer of GFreek.com GFreek 2nd Annual Gluten-Free Awards Josh’s family’s gluten-free story December Gluten-Free Giveaway! Win one free download of the Winter/Holiday 2011 digital issue of Delight Gluten-Free Magazine. What do YOU think of the HTG Podcast? Leave your feedback wherever you download this podcast! Giveaway!  Enter to win one FREE download of the Winter/Holiday 2011 digital issue of Delight Gluten-Free Magazine.  Delight Gluten-Free Magazine is a quarterly internatio...
Hold The Gluten 41 - NOT So Gluten Free Primetime
by holdthegluten@gmail.com (Maureen Stanley)
1 Dec 2011 at 8:41pm
The latest episode of Hold The Gluten Podcast is now live! Episode 41 “NOT So Gluten Free Primetime ” Features: Man Up needs to Man Down – disappointment with ABC & Man Up Show Send your feedback about the show to ABC.com Yes Please! Pastariso Gluten Free Macaroni and Cheese Cups Helping Hands Gluten-Free Bakery and their story What do YOU think of the HTG Podcast? Leave your feedback wherever you download this podcast! Read the blog. Listen to the podcast. Educate yourself. Rock on Celiacs! Visit our site - http://HoldTheGluten.net
Hold The Gluten 40 - Infertility and Undiagnosed Celiac Disease
by holdthegluten@gmail.com (Maureen Stanley)
17 Nov 2011 at 6:49pm
The latest episode of Hold The Gluten Podcast is now live! Episode 40 “Infertility and Undiagnosed Celiac Disease ” Features: Vanessa’s trip to Israel and her amazing gluten free experience Bar-El Gluten Free Baked Goods Link between infertility and undiagnosed celiac disease Maureen’s 1st gluten free experience with Red Robin Burgers Great Gluten Free Expo in Alabama (5k Run!) University of Maryland 5K for Celiac Disease What do YOU think of the HTG Podcast? Leave your feedback wherever you download this podcast! Read the blog. Listen to the podcast. Educate yourself. Rock on Celiacs! Visit our site - http://holdthegluten.net
Hold The Gluten 39 - Cup4Cup Gluten Free Flour Launch at Per Se
by holdthegluten@gmail.com (Maureen Stanley)
3 Nov 2011 at 8:02pm
The latest episode of Hold The Gluten Podcast is now live! Episode 39 “Cup4Cup Gluten Free Flour Launch at Per Se” Features: Maureen and Vanessa attend the Thomas Keller & Lena Kwak Cup4Cup Gluten Free Flour Launch  Chef Keller and Chef Kwak speak about what makes Cup4Cup so remarkable Find Cup4Cup at Williams Sonoma and Bouchon Bakery What do YOU think of the HTG Podcast? Leave your feedback wherever you download this podcast! Read the blog. Listen to the podcast. Educate yourself. Rock on Celiacs! Visit our site! http://holdthegluten.net
Hold The Gluten 38 - Gluten Free Groceries
by holdthegluten@gmail.com (Maureen Stanley)
27 Oct 2011 at 8:56pm
The latest episode of Hold The Gluten Podcast is now live! Episode 38 “Gluten Free Groceries ” Features: Maureen shares her pizza woes  Mamma Lucia – gluten free pizza Gluten free grocery shopping Gluten Freely & Amazon Subscribe and Save  FREE gluten free oats from Montana GF Processors Bird Poop Theory Hotels Go Gluten Free Kind Bars Peanut Butter & Dark Chocolate What do YOU think of the HTG Podcast? Leave your feedback wherever you download this podcast! Read the blog. Listen to the podcast. Educate yourself. Rock on Celiacs! Visit the site at http://holdthegluten.net
Hold The Gluten 37 - Gluten Free Food Fanatics
by holdthegluten@gmail.com (Maureen Stanley)
13 Oct 2011 at 9:12pm
The latest episode of Hold The Gluten Podcast is now live! Episode 37 “Gluten Free Food Fanatics ” Features: Dr. Fasano says we’re too clean and that’s why the incidence of celiac is going up. New study looking at growth in gluten-free market. Natural Products Expo East where there are more than 200 gluten-free companies exhibiting this year! California Pizza Kitchen pulls gluten free pizza from menu Gorton’s Seafood offers gluten free grilled fish options Maureen’s experience with Macaroni Grill’s gluten free menu What do YOU think of the HTG Podcast? Leave your feedback wherever you download this podcast! Read the blog. Listen to the p...
Hold The Gluten 36 - PIX11 Health and Wellness Expo
by holdthegluten@gmail.com (Maureen Stanley)
29 Sep 2011 at 10:21pm
The latest episode of Hold The Gluten Podcast is now live! Episode 36 “PIX11 Health & Wellness Expo 2011” Features: Maureen & Vanessa attend PIX11 Health & Wellness Expo NYC   Karen Miller of Three Dogs Bakery Erin Smith of Gluten Free Fun Jamie McIntyre of ShopRite Super Markets Nicole Hunn of Gluten Free on a Shoestring Spent the day with Dom and Corey of Gluten Freely Dinner at Ta Cocina Restaurant Hold The Gluten Podcast voicemail line! (502)35GFREE aka (502)354-3733 What do YOU think of the HTG Podcast? Leave your feedback wherever you download this podcast! Read the blog. Listen to the podcast. Educate yourself. Rock on Celiacs! Vi...
Hold The Gluten 35 - Celebrate Celiac Awareness Day!
by holdthegluten@gmail.com (Maureen Stanley)
12 Sep 2011 at 8:51pm
The latest episode of Hold The Gluten Podcast is now live! Episode 35 “Celebrate Celiac Awareness Day” Features: Podcast guests (and gluten eaters) Eric and Chuck (our husbands) share their experience in living with a gluten free person. Gluten free beer taste test – Bards & Redbridge vs gluten-filled Yuengling. Cooking with gluten free beer – Vanessa makes beer brownies, beer bread, and more! Dogfish Brewery in Delaware to offer GF beer. Thanks to Gluten Free Philly for sharing this info! How much gluten is safe for me? Dr. Fasano’s breakdown on FDA labeling. Hold The Gluten Podcast voicemail line! (502)35GFREE aka (502)354-3733 What do...
Hold The Gluten 34 - Gluten Free Emergency Prep
by holdthegluten@gmail.com (Maureen Stanley)
1 Sep 2011 at 9:30pm
The latest episode of Hold The Gluten Podcast is now live! Episode 34 “Gluten Free Emergency Prep” Features: Gluten Free Emergency Preparedness Kit – what to include in it? Romano’s Macaroni Grill has gluten free pasta available on their “Create Your Own Pasta” menu at all restaurants.  Extensive gluten free menu! Vanessa’s trip to Denver for the CSA Incredible Edible GF Expo.  Gluten free food finds:  BeauJo’s (cheesy garlic bread!) and Blue Moon Bakery (gluten free lava cake!). FDA Information explained. NEW Hold The Gluten Podcast voicemail line!  1 (502) 35GFREE aka (502) 354-3733 What do YOU think of the HTG Podcast? Leave your feed...
Hold The Gluten 33 - New Beginnings
by holdthegluten@gmail.com (Maureen Stanley)
18 Aug 2011 at 9:23pm
The latest episode of Hold The Gluten Podcast is now live! Episode 33 “New Beginnings” Features: Update on where the heck Maureen has been… Introducing Hold The Gluten Podcast’s new fabulous co-host Vanessa! Subway incorporating gluten free sandwiches. California Pizza Kitchen gluten free menu: safe or unsafe? What do YOU think of the HTG Podcast? Leave your feedback wherever you download this podcast! Read the blog. Listen to the podcast. Educate yourself. Rock on Celiacs! Visit my site at http://HoldTheGluten.net
Hold The Gluten 32 - Gluten Makes Me Grumpy
by holdthegluten@gmail.com (Maureen Stanley)
28 Jan 2010 at 10:55pm
The latest episode of my Hold The Gluten Podcast is now live! Episode 32 “Gluten Makes Me Grumpy” Features: Feedback from listeners Scott and Nate about onion rings in the french fry order. Are you attending the Gluten Free Life TV Twitter Party on February 2nd? 2010 Gluten Free Cooking Expo April 17th & 18th in Lisle, IL. Sausage Recall due to salmonella.  1.2 million pounds of sausage recalled! In search of gluten free gravy for my mashed potatoes:  Trader Joe’s GF Turkey Gravy (premade) for $1.49 and Road’s End Organics Golden Gravy Mix & Shitake Mushroom Gravy (mix) both 99 cents. BIG Brown Rice Tortillas from Trader Joe’s –...
Hold The Gluten 31 - Gluten Free 2010!
by holdthegluten@gmail.com (Maureen Stanley)
9 Jan 2010 at 7:40pm
The latest episode of my Hold The Gluten Podcast is now live! Episode 31 ?Gluten Free 2010!? Features: Listener Amanda, a high school student with celiac disease, shares her story.Is there a connection with celiac disease and our immune system going into hyper-drive when faced with other illness (i.e.  common cold)?Gluten free cookie crisis ? Hershey?s recipe revamp gone terribly wrong.Burger King shares their gluten free food options!Listener Joe Z. found Joe Corbi?s Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough to be tasty.Listener Julia LOVED Udi?s White Sandwich Bread ? even untoasted! Gluten free food ideas:  Peanut butter sandwich a...