<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

Hello, Listmates:

Mara's post this morning -- "dear, I only put two cups of flour in. Is that
too much?" brings up a frustration that most of us have probably
experienced. I have discovered that comparing what we've got with a
phenomenon people do understand sometimes helps them get the message:

"It is not dose-specific like an allergy---for instance, one bee sting is
not as bad as forty bee stings--but rather, an absolute intolerance,  One
grain of flour or gluten is as bad as a pound."

Depending on the reaction, I sometimes say "yeah, it's strange but there it
is." or "But there is lots and lots I can eat--it's really not such a
problem." Whether the diet is or it isn't a problem, saying it is not helps
gets past the suspicion than one is merely being hypochondriacal.

Happy Holidays -

Mary B
NYC