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Let me introduce myself first.  My name is Barbara Hardisty, I live
in Maryland (hence the MD), and have been diagnosed with celiac for
18 years.  I have learned to live with it, to do without favorite
foods, and to find alternatives.  I am 60 years old, was diagnosed at
41 and now my 40's something younger sister is coming down with it.
I have reason to believe my mother and her father may have had this
disease also.  I belong to a support group called Celiac Sprue
Association/USA, P.O. Box 31700, Omaha, NE 68131-0700, telephone
402-558-0600.  You can get all kinds of information and lists from
them.  I attended their 17th annual conference in Detroit in October
and one invaluable piece of information I picked up there was a
shopping guide put out by the Tri-County Celiac Sprue Support Group.
Their address is 6015 Lahring Road, Holly, MI 48442.  It has listings
of all GF foods in groceries everywhere in the US.  I have found a GF
bread I like at my local health food store.  It is put out by Tree of
Life and is called Almond-Rice Bread.  It keeps well in the
refrigerator and toasts well.  It has much more flavor than those
breads made with tapioca flour.  I have found Bette Hagman's books
most helpful and the CSA/USA people have a series of small cookbooks
called the Pantry Collection.  I find that it takes 24 hours for me
to feel the effects of "catching some flour."  I find when I am
having an episode of celiac, mothing takes care of the stomach cramps
faster than a cup of Gramma's Tummin Mint Tea (Celestial Seasons) and
a medium heat pad.  I enjoy receiving this index.  My try my hand at
baking some cookies.  I sure miss English Muffins and spaghetti.
Good health to all.