<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> Dearest listmates I have been following posts about being more positive and those that say you can't be on a GF diet. Well, frankly only a few weeks ago I probably would have agreed with the latter. For the first time in my entire 23 years (or so it seems) I feel alive!!!!!!. Just so a few more with extra challenges can identify too, here is my case history. I have CD, lactose intolerance, thyroid, liver and pancreas problems. I believe all interrelated. With all these things I have felt alone, extremely depressed and frustrated, and of course tired all the time. All this got worse after doing a gluten challenge earlier this year. And I have lost friends who found it all too difficult to handle, but for me I am obviously better off without them, I still have a very supportive family. Sound familiar. OK, what I really want to say is that we are all pioneers. CD is still relatively unheard of, even most doctors don't have a clue. Doctors unfortunately are only human and don't know everything about every little human ailment, it has taken time for me to except this. Statistics are proving that CD may occur as much as 1 in 80 people!! As most of us already know, it is not rare, just rarely tested. Society as a whole is way behind with dealing with this. We are the educators, just today I got Woolworth's (NZ) to consider ordering GF Deli meats. I miss my bacon and ham. Anyway, why this turn around?? Like most people I finally got a list of commercial GF and dairy free products in NZ. This is now my bible. I am endeavouring to be totally GF, LF and low fat (for my liver). I also have a very experienced naturopath helping with everything, needless to say my faith and bank balance doesn't extend to doctors. It has taken time, it seems forever, but I am very pleased to say the time has arrived. I am sure I will have the odd accident, as I have already had with a supposedly safe product. I now avoid that one, and have written to the company. This will happen again no matter how diligent I am but each time I will listen to my body. Since I have a fairly regular diet this is easy to do and I introduce new foods one at a time so I can tell. My selection is increasing every week! I ask at supermarkets for products I want and they don't have ensuring to tell them why, most are helpful enough to try. Some even know me by sight now and tell me straight off whether they have been able to get them or are still trying. Further, like many I am on a very restricted income, so the only things I really buy is GF cereal and bread and maybe a little something for sandwiches. Food wise everything else is meat and veges, apart from topping up on the sauces and spices. I also shop around for everything, and top up on things if I have extra money that week. YES I usually spend most of my money on food, and have to save for anything else even a haircut!! But for me the right food means good health and a life. Something I have only come to realized. I am really excited about what lays ahead now and feel I no longer have to put plans on hold. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, you just have to be determined enough to find the light switch. And don't cheat, as tempting as it is, just remember how bad you will feel afterwards. My gluten challenge cured me from ever cheating again. The only good thing to come out of it!! Remember, listen to your body and will tell you whether the food agrees with you or not (well, in most cases). Good luck to everybody, my thoughts are with you all. And after a while food is not the be all and end all, just some thing you have to eat to live. Alanna New Plymouth New Zealand