Living Gluten Free

It's been months now that I started living gluten free. I mainly started because of health related reasons and my not feeling well for who knows how long. My best friend is gluten intolerant and she was the one forcing me to get tested and all since she felt that whatever I went through was exactly what she went through before she found out she had this vicious food allergy. So yes, it's been four full months so far and I can't say I'm fully used to it. I know it takes years I guess to completely get used to living and eating differently, but I'm making the best out of it.

Worst part of it all is...Europe is not as open-minded to that food allergy or category as I thought it would. Yes, there are regular grocery stores offering gluten free products such as pasta and bread, and maybe one lemon flavored cookie; but that's about it. Price wise, we all know that, it's ridiculous. Then, if you really want gluten free flour and even more products you have to enter a store that you normally would not be able to afford and when you see the gluten free products and their prices then you get shocked all over again. I gave up. Most food, even pure meat, and some other things have gluten in them. Here even more than in the US. Kind of astonishing to me. Most dishes are either breaded, fried, or just include bread-like stuff and hello?; that I can't eat anymore. It's a constant battle.

However, over the past months I learned to go around the gluten stuff. You know, eating more fruits, veggies, meat, fish, and cook it all myself and not have it pre-prepared for me already. Though, there are times you want to go out and have a good time with friends and family...in the US it's basically no problem. Most restaurant I came to learn (and love) offer gluten free menus, or have the gluten free stuff labeled on their already existing menu. I really appreciate that.
Here in Switzerland? Well, let's just say it doesn't exist. I found one restaurant that had it labeled. One. At least in my city. Maybe if I go to Zurich or Bern I might get to see more places that do that. And when I look through the menu I always mostly have to end up with a salad since that is the safest. Definitely, reading a menu these days takes ten times longer than usual.

As much as I don't like to compare things or places it is hard not to. I rely on food and their ingredients, and if I see barley, wheat, malt-anything for example in something I love (chips, skewers, ice cream, yogurt *yes, awful*, cereal in general, and drinks...) I just get really really sad.

So guess what I'm doing in Turkey now?
I eat more than normal portions of fruits, veggies, fish and lamb. You vegetarians might go nuts with this, but it's all I can eat. There's cornbread but one can only eat so much of that, and it's really *sorry* disgusting. My favorite Turkish dishes such as Bulgur, Lahmacun and Gözleme are a no no, too...which creates a huge problem. Börek? Heck no. No more. 

I have to admit that much though...I had to give in just once...I had to. It wasn't the best decision ever since my stomach wasn't my BFF for two days, but it was definitely worth it. 

Here's to another week of Turkish food, sceneries, and culture...

...I shall survive, with or without stomach aches. ;)

And yes, I'm still on Twitter or Instagram!!!