Is it Gluten Free?

My Pinterest algorithm has figured me out. I'm gluten free. Not only do they promote gluten free recipes, but they also show me funny shirts about being gluten free. This new diet preference is coming for my money! But many people ask me if it's been a hard adjustment and I tell them the same thing. "I knew the day was coming where I would be signaled to try this and I am just lucky to live in a time where gluten free substitutions are readily available." So overall, this is a positive thing in my eyes. That said, there has been hard moments and sprinklings of curiosity.

When I went to St. George I was amazed at how easy it was to navigate a gluten free meal! I thought for sure this would follow in San Diego. Well, I was proven wrong. Before SD we went to LA for Universal Studios. I looked ahead for gluten free options and found the Three Broomsticks. Luckily everyone else wanted to go there too! What happened next isn't the food establishments fault, it's something I overlooked. You see, that night they were doing a special event that we didn't go to, and I looked at that menu. Their daytime menu was different. Luckily all of us caught this while we were waiting in line, and they had other gluten free food. But before that occurred, everybody was trying to help and I felt like an overwhelmed spectacle.

Once we arrived to SD it was time to discuss dinner. I offered recommendations, but we decided to save those for a different night. Momma Jan (my mother in law) found this Mexican diner place that had good reviews, and I told her I would call and confirm to make sure I could eat there, but that I usually have luck with Mexican and diner places. I shouldn't have been so relaxed, because when I called the guy he said that they have no gluten free options. I explained how cross contamination is okay and he continued to say they have nothing. I even asked about their eggs and he said no to that as well. To which I uttered, "You put flour in your eggs?" He responded yes. It definitely gave the impression that he didn't know what gluten was. And how good can your food be if you don't know about your ingredients? Jacob and I were both upset, and I felt like a spectacle yet again. Luckily, we ended up eating at a brewery that was MORE than accommodating. When I called prior, the host was very clear and helpful, making everything feel okay. Not to mention their ahi tacos on a corn tortilla were delicious!

At this point in the trip, I felt tired of everyone having to cater to me (which they didn't mind by the way). So he next day for lunch, I made it clear where I was going to eat at the mall. And if people wanted to, they could chose somewhere to go and we could eat together in the common's area. The family opted to go get Buffalo Wild Wings so Jacob and I ate alone then went and looked at a store that supported local artists. It was nice to eat a good sandwich at a local eatery with Jacob then explore around. But even as I type this now, I can't help, but feel a little guilty since buffalo wild wings is gluten free, and yet I didn't eat there. Let me explain, just because it's gluten free doesn't mean it's good for me. For one, their wings are fried which doesn't make me feel great, and I overall find that it's not a very well balanced meal. And two, especially on vacation, I try my hardest not to eat at chains because local delicacies represent the cities culture. I want to explore when I'm on vacation! But I can understand why people feel safer eating at places they know. It's just not my thing especially since google reviews exist at the touch of a button. After the mall we went to La Jolla together and enjoyed dipping our toes in the water, looking the sea lions and otters, and exploring the rocks of smaller sea life. For dinner, we chose pizza that overlooks the skyline and ocean. Luckily for me, I got to have my own 10 inch pizza because that was the only gluten free size. I had that, a glass of wine, and my family surrounding me. It was a lovely evening.

The next day was my favorite day I think. (I really can't complain about the trip as a whole). After eating a smoothie and gluten free muffin, I went for a run the first time in months

on the beach. I was so excited and proud of myself for channeling my mom, following my cycle, and getting out there. The endorphins came and just kept coming! Because later that day there would be more beach and exercise where that came from. We got back, changed, then went to brunch at the bistro in front of the hotel. This is where I indulged on some steak chilaquiles and a fresh glass of orange juice. It was simply splendid. After which, we headed to the beach as a family again. I'll admit, the water was cold at first, but I went in anyways and got acclimated right away. Soon enough I was body surfing, boogie boarding and living joyously with Jacob. All the while, Jan and Dan were looking for sea shells and Sara and Aubree were hanging out in the sand. We were all whooped by the afternoon so we just idled around, enjoyed each other's company, planned the next day, then went and got Mexican food from Old Town, CA where I enjoyed another favorite dish, chicken mole. Afterwards, Aubree, Jacob, and I got milkshakes then watched Sonic 2 because Aubree wanted us to soooo badly. It was a nice night together.

The third day was spent going to museums like the USS Midway the and Mormon battalion field (there was a gun from Jacob's family on display). Since that day was jampacked we ate at Chik'fil'A. Which I didn't mind. However, it wasn't very well balanced and I definitely felt like I didn't want anymore greasy food that day. However, we were talking about getting BBQ food for dinner which made me a bit, apprehensive. But I also felt withdrawn so I decided I could eat it regardless. However, when we got there at 7:30 they were out of food. I came up with suggestions since places in Coronado would be closing soon, but between other people's preferences and cost, it made this quite difficult and so everyone else decided on Texas Roadhouse. I really didn't want to go there, but like I mentioned earlier, I was feeling

withdrawn and now stressed. Texas roadhouse really isn't enjoyable for me because they don't offer a lot of gluten free options, their food is just okay, it's noisy, and like I mentioned before I don't love supporting chains if I can help it.

Jacob tried to offer up a solution that everybody would enjoy, but that was null and void. Wanting to talk to only him, I sent him a text saying I really didn't want to go there but I didn't feel like I really had a choice. At this point, as dramatic as it may sound, I was ready to go back to the hotel. He texted me (by the way we were in the car with everyone), and said he also wanted to eat somewhere else. Then, literally in the same parking lot, he found a delicious Japanese spot that we could walk to from Texas roadhouse. I got sushi with no sauce, eel sashimi, and a happy hour deal of sake. It was so fun and left me and my body feeling much better. However, there was and is, a part of me that wished I stayed with the family, but for the first time in a long time, I didn't feel the need to fret about their perceptions of me and my decisions and felt proud of myself for sticking true to what would make my body feel better. After all, their family, and want me to be happy. Luckily, this would be the last dinner we ate separately.

The last day in town was momma Jan's birthday! To begin, we woke up at 6am to go explore the low tides. It was a blast, we found so many cool shells and sea life! I was definitely happy to wake up that early and experience this with Jacob and his parents. After the sea air, we showered and got some breakfast to go, bought pink cowgirl boots spontaneously, then got ready to go to the zoo. We planned on eating food we brought to the zoo so I got a salad from a local bistro (catching a trend here?) While everyone else got sandwiches from Jimmy John's. With our wonderful options in hand, we went to the zoo and saw pandas, giraffes, elephants, bears and more. I hadn't been to the SD zoo since I was a kid so it certainly was a sight to behold. Having eaten fresh that day, I was ecstatic to get my hands on some BBQ food (which we called ahead to check on food for).

Now this is where I got curious. After dinner, I had ordered Jan some chocolate cake, before I was gluten free, from a local bakery. I had been so good about not eating gluten on this trip because I wanted to save it for this cake. Now I know I shouldn't have, I should've gotten my own thing, but I didn't want to because I wanted to know how it would make me feel. I deeply enjoyed the cake that I couldn't finish because of it's richness. What I didn't enjoy was the next two days after. I felt fatigued even on 8 hours of sleep. And my stomach felt bloated beyond belief. This lasted two days so now you, can bet your bottom dollar, I won't be doing that again. Overall, the trip was a much needed breeze that represented different family members, with all their quirks, coming together. It definitely was a place where core memories were made. And I'm so grateful having got to go and experience such specialty.

Exploringly yours,

Emma