2021 started out unlike any year I’ve experienced before. I did not feel like celebrating a new year. Yes, I was glad to leave 2020 behind but was there really anything to celebrate entering a new year with almost 400,000 COVID deaths in the US? Then, on January 6th, there was an insurrection terrorist attack on our Nation’s Capitol. I sat in disbelief and tears while I watched the news. I couldn’t muster up wishing anyone a happy new year. From connecting with so many of you on social media, I know you felt the same way. I guess there is something comforting in sharing the discomfort of the world. I am here now to wish you a Happy February.
With travel so up in the air right now, Gluten-Free Globetrotter is an interesting situation. This website thrives on travel. I thrive on travel. What does one do when they are taking a travel hiatus due to a worldwide pandemic? Good question and something I have been thinking about a lot lately.
My plan for Gluten-Free Globetrotter is to go back to my roots of sharing my personal story, advocating for the celiac disease community, and helping others navigate their gluten-free journey both near and far. I also plan to update my Gluten-Free in New York City content including more guides, more maps, and maybe even a gluten-free food tour after years of you asking me for one. Stay tuned!
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2021 also happens to be a HUGE personal milestone year for me. This year is officially 40 years since my diagnosis with celiac disease. Yep, you read that right.
FOUR DECADES OF LIVING WITH CELIAC.
While I don’t feel like I can be old enough to have been living gluten-free for this long, I do know with this many years of experience I have a lot of information to share. I also want to celebrate living with celiac disease for 40 years. Not many people I know have this badge of honor. I truly believe that my diagnosis when I was a toddler and my growing up with celiac disease made me who I am today.
For those who are new here, thank you for reading so far. For those who have been around since the beginning, thank you for your continued support. My favorite part of living with celiac disease has always been the amazing community of people that I have connected with around the world. You keep me doing what I am doing.
Leave a comment below and tell me what you are looking for here on Gluten-Free Globetrotter. I will do my best to create content for you. I look forward to your feedback for my 2021 posts.
Happy February to you, too, Erin! And congratulations on that anniversary!
Thank you Beth!
You are AMAZING Erin! Keep doing what you are doing as you continue to be the gift that keeps giving while showing others the way to the freedoms and liberation of self-empowerment.
Thank you Marianne. Happy New Year.
Love your newsletter!
Pedro Arroba 718 369 7444 pedro@everybodyeats-inc.com
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Thank you Pedro. I hope I can finally see you in 2021.
Hello and thank you for all you do. I’ve followed you since pretty much the beginning as I, too, have been Celiac for over 4 decades. My more recent contribution to the community is an allergen-friendly Bed & Breakfast that I have officially opened in the south of France. My kitchen is 100% gluten-free (and can accommodate other sensitivities as well)… and we’d be thrilled to have you stay with us as soon as travel is again possible. Check us out at https://lagoose.fr/the-bb/
Oh my goodness, Jan. I would absolutely LOVE this! We have family in Paris that might be moving south this summer. It would be so wonderful to make a detour to Cros. Can you please send me your email address so we can connect? gfglobetrotter@gmail.com. Thank you so much for your comment!
To the nasty commenter who did not like my “liberal bullshit” in this post, your comment has been deleted. No one forced you to read this post.
I sit here and write this from my home in snowy Southern New Jersey. I should be in Florida. That’s where I have been for the last 20 years in February. I especially like Fresh Market there because there cooked Salmon and other things have agreed with me. We don’t have one in Southern New Jersey but there is one near my condo in Annapolis. I have been unable to be there.
I do not have celiac disease but was shocked when the my alternative doctor told me I was allergic to wheat, oats, barlley and gluten. I have had problems with IBS for50 years and much of it was be cause of that allergy.
I live in an area that is very limited in what one can buy that is gluten free. I have yet to find bread that is like real Italian or French bread. I know if I lived in the city – Philadelphia or New York I would have many more choices. I also haven’t had anything that tastes like good moist chocolate cake. I could probably order one somewhere but they are expensive and I don’t mind spending the money but want something that tastes very good.
I am glad you are updating your New York information. I go there at least once a year for a few days but have not been there since COVID took over our lives.
Thanks for all of your information. I just gave your email address to someone on a Celiac Facebook page. They were traveling and asking about restaurants in various US cities.
I look forward to your new newsletters. Glad something I am reading is not political.
Connie Marchione Schuchard
Roadstown, New Jersey and Annapolis, Maryland