BJ's Restaurant is celiac-friendly!

Hi everyone! 

This is just a personal blog, just me sharing different things pertinent to me.

Who am I? 

Just an ordinary housewife, an illustrator, and a writer.  My works in progress consist of several novels and a gluten-free cookbook.  I will, from time to time, give my two cents on products and recipes I've had the pleasure (in some cases displeasure) to experience.

Speaking of gluten-free eating, I had a wonderful experience recently at BJ's Restaurant and Microbrewery, and thought I should share.

http://www.bjsrestaurants.com/

Our family just celebrated the 70th birthday of one of our own.  Because I have celiac, the name BJ's was tossed up as a possibility because they have a gluten-free pizza.  (My very thoughtful niece suggested it.)

Well, I tried it, and it is WONDERFUL!!  I had made my first gluten-free pizza crust a few days before.  My pizza crust wasn't half-bad, but BJ's was a little bit better.  The manager, Rene Ramirez, was soooooooooo kind.  The only gluten free appetizer available on the menu is the Caprese Salad.  I happen to love it, so it was cool.  I know some people who suffer from celiac disease are also unable to digest lactose.  Fortunately, I have no problems other than the celiac, so I can thrive fine on dairy products.  My cookbook isn't soy free, or dairy free, or vegetarian, or any other "other".  I have sections in the book that help those areas shine, absolutely, but the book itself is like any other cookbook, with the exception of wheat, rye, oats, and barley, because those grains contain the protein gliadin, which I cannot digest.  Makes me miserable! 

Mr. Ramirez very kindly checked on me regularly, in fact serving up my Caprese Salad himself.  After our meal, as we were leaving, he stopped me to ask in detail what all I had, and how did I like it?  Such brilliant service!!!  I gushed and told him how amazing the pizza was, and the salad.  He seemed very interested in helping me spread the word about my experience.  I will be publishing a gluten-free menu he gave me.  I intend to let people know about BJ's, because I can tell you, when I first got diagnosed, I wondered if I would ever be able to eat out ever again.  If you don't suffer from such a horrible malady, do count your blessings.  I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

I've spent the past year building up more strength.  I know I have a ways to go, yet, and probably won't see a truly dramatic change of energy for a couple of years yet, but I can tell a huge difference from where I was before.  There were days when I was so malnourished I didn't have the energy to literally open my eyes.  On those days I stayed in bed.  I had to save my energy on those days just to make certain I made it to the bathroom and back.  The energy to get something to eat or drink was simply out of the question. 

So you see, I've come a very long ways.  But my journey is just beginning. 

As for baked goodies, I'm making my own delicious creations.  I don't miss a thing, and finally am building up enough energy to actually get all my projects done!!

Shameless plug of my best friend's new blog:

http://tambrakendall.blogspot.com/

Peace & Love,

Kath :)