Full English Breakfast at Henley Street Tea Rooms, Stratford-upon-Avon

You just can't beat a good old fashioned English fry-up. I love them! But this is one of the things I definitely miss now when staying in hotels and going on holiday - a full English breakfast is usually off limits to me being a Coeliac. But on a recent trip to Stratford-upon-Avon I was delighted to see that there were a few places that were offering a gluten-free breakfast.

We stumbled across the Henley Street Tea Rooms by accident really after checking out a few other tea rooms first we decided on here as it is located right opposite Shakespeare Birthplace. An ideal spot if you ask me for picking up the tourist trade.

The tea rooms have a whole gluten-free menu to choose from ranging from breakfast, sandwiches, afternoon tea and main meals. Just look at the choice!

The staff were really friendly and knowledgeable about the gluten-free diet which is always a pleasure to see.

The breakfast itself was great, really enjoyable. I was so happy it also came with gluten-free toast and marmalade. Perfect!

It would have been nice to have seen some a gluten-free sausage or 2 on the plate and maybe some baked beans (Heinz baked beans are gluten-free) but it was yummy all the same.

Edward Moon, Famous English Brasserie, Stratford-upon-Avon

I had a great weekend away in Stratford-upon-Avon a few weeks ago (apologies for the rather late blog about it). This was a weekend of visiting the sights of Shakespeare country, taking in the culture, and of course eating great gluten-free food.

Having done my research beforehand I had located a few potential places to eat out. So after a busy day of sightseeing on the Saturday we stopped off at Edward Moon - Famous English Brasseries. The brasserie is situated on Chapel Street and is just a 5 minute walk away from The Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Coeliac-friendly options on the menu are all marked with a (c). I would estimate that about 75% of their menu is gluten-free.

My tasty chicken dinner, complete with chips, yes proper chips!

My chicken was cooked to perfection, very succulent and full of flavour, the chips on the side were a very welcome bonus and the side salad was crisp and complimented the chicken very well. I would definitely recommend Edward Moon to anyone, but especially Coeliacs. As Coeliacs we sometimes find there isn't always a big choice on a menu but this isn't the case here - you can pretty much have whatever you want from the menu. There is also gluten-free bread if you ask.

All in all an excellent gluten-free meal out, in very classy surroundings. I would love to go back!

Frankie & Benny's

I was a big fan of Frankie & Benny's before I was diagnosed as a Coeliac and so when I heard that they had started doing a gluten-free menu I was very excited.

I checked on their website first and yes it was true, their gluten-free menu is there for you to peruse before you dine. It seems like they are pretty clued up on the risks of cross-contamination for people with food allergies and they have kitchen procedures in place to help reduce the risk. Here's what they have to say about their gluten-free menu. When we got to Frankie & Benny's the waiter showed us to our table and it was clear that all the staff had had training on their gluten-free menu and the controlled procedures in the kitchen. Knowledgeable staff, yes! Obviously because the food is prepared in a kitchen that also prepares gluten-containing food it's never 100% safe but as far as they can their procedures help to significantly reduce the risk of cross-contamination.

This was the menu I was presented with.

Excellent choice and variety. 

Now I don't normally go for the full 3 courses when I eat out but this menu was just so tempting and had so many things I wanted to try so I did go for 3 courses. To start I went for the loaded potato skins with goats cheese.

For a starter this was pretty epic. 3 jacket potato skins with their insides scooped out, filled to the brim with goats cheese, with a massive pot of sour cream on the side. A very hearty portion size if I say so myself, and I like my big portions! Great value for money and very filling (excuse the pun). Absolutely delicious too.

I went for the Boston BBQ chicken for my main course - chicken breast topped with cheese and crispy bacon and smothered in yummy bbq sauce. Very tasty!

When this came out from the kitchen my eyes nearly popped out of my head. Just check out the portion size! It looked mouthwatering. The chicken comes with a jacket potato, massive side salad, and coleslaw. Yes I kind of regretted having the potato skins for a starter as this dish also comes with a jacket. It's a good job I love jacket potatoes! To be honest it was nice to not have chips actually (now I never thought I would say that!)

It was probably the best bbq sauce I have ever tasted, mouthwateringly good and full of juicy flavour with a bit of a kick to it. And you get lots of it! For me there's nothing worse than having a massive slab of meat and hardly any sauce. I think Frankie & Benny's have definitely got the balance right here. I'm ashamed to say I ate the whole lot and still ordered a dessert.

At this point I felt like I was the size of a house after everything I had eaten but I really wanted to try the banana split sundae from the dessert menu. Banana's are one of my favourite fruits and if they are on the menu somewhere I order it.

Here it is.

  Sooooooo good and yet sooooooo naughty

Now I was well and truly full, but a very happy Coeliac and already planning my next visit.

A bit of good news from the Dietician!

It's nice to get a bit of good news every once in a while, and believe me I'm due some!

My latest visit to the dietician last week went very well indeed. So much so they decided to discharge me. I've gained a pound in weight since December (yes, a whole pound!). Now I know this isn't very much to a lot of people but regular readers of this blog will know that since my diagnosis last year I have struggled to put any weight on and in fact have been losing weight since changing my diet. I've dropped a whole dress size in the space of a couple of months and it meant I had to go out and buy myself new clothes. 

As I've maintained my weight and my blood tests have come back negative for the Coeliac antibody I no longer need to see the dietician. Result!

My first Coeliac Anniversary!

HAPPY (COELIAC) BIRTHDAY TO ME!

Today marks my 1st Coeliac anniversary. I've survived my first year as a Coeliac, yippee! It's been tough, I'm not going to lie, but I'm proud I've got through it. And what better way to celebrate than with a huge slab of gluten-free chocolate orange polenta cake (I followed the Honeybuns Bakery receipe).

Those of you who have followed my story from the start (a big thank you to you!) may remember my post when I first got diagnosed with Coeliac Disease about my apprehensions about changing my diet and worries of how it may affect daily life . And yes, it has changed my life. But I do think it's changed for the better. I may not be 100% recovered from my symptoms yet, which is frustrating, but I am definitely getting there. I think back to how I felt 12 months ago and am so thankful that I feel so much better now. My health has improved massively over the past 12 months and I know this has all been due to removing evil gluten from my diet.

However, my Gastro and my Dietician are still keeping a careful eye on me as I still don't seem to be gaining any weight (and may actually still be losing a bit) and I'm also still suffering with mild symptoms e.g. sore throat, swollen glands and tiredness, every now and again. Refractory Coeliac Disease has been mentioned to me as a possible explanation for my symptoms not disappearing. This is a rare form of Coeliac Disease which needs to be treated with drugs as well as a gluten-free diet. I really hope this isn't the case but we'll have to wait and see.

So, what have I learnt these past 12 months?

1. Coeliac Disease affects people in very different ways. People can have a variety of symptoms, not just stomach problems. Some people's symptoms improve after a few weeks of going on a gluten-free diet, for others it takes a few months and for some it can take up to 12 months (or in my case longer than that).  I've learnt that it's OK to feel frustrated if this happens, after all no one wants to feel ill all the time. 5 weeks in to my diet change I blogged about some of these frustrations. Everyone's bodies are different and will therefore take different times to recover. There is therefore no set timescale to notice relief from symptoms. This just goes to show how complicated and life changing Coeliac Disease can be.

2. There are a lot of bonuses of going gluten-free. You tend to eat a lot more heathily, eat more fruit and vegetables and eat a lot less processed foods.

3. There is a wealth of help and support online from fellow Coeliacs who have been there, done that, and "free from" companies that know what it's like catering for someone with Coeliac Disease. I have listened to and shared many stories online and there really is a lovely community out there who all look out for each other. A big thank you goes to my Twitter followers and fellow bloggers whom I admire and learn from all the time. Thanks for all your help and advice.

4. My confidence in eating out has steadily improved as I have found more and more places that cater for Coeliacs. You may recall my initial frustration at the lack of places in my home town of Leek and the nearby surrounding areas that provided gluten-free food. However I am confident that this number will continue to grow. I find that by talking to people in restaurants and educating them really does help raise awareness of the condition. If you ask every place you go whether they cater for the gluten-free diet this will only increase the demand for gluten-free options and more places will have to listen and change their menu's. If you don't ask you don't get, that's my motto!

5. Yes, Coeliac Disease is a very serious, lifelong condition but it CAN be managed and to be honest there are far worse conditions to have. I feel so fortunate that what I have is treatable whereas other people with more serious conditions have no control over their illness. I feel I am more in control of my body as a result. I am now eating the foods that my body can tolerate and more importantly I am now getting the nutrition from my food that my body so desperately needs.

6. Blogging about my condition has really been quite therapeutic and has helped me come to terms with having Coeliac Disease. Talking about things always makes them seem better and this is why I started this blog. When I was first told I have Coeliac Disease I felt so overwhelmed by the whole situation and just didn't know where to start; I had no idea about what Coeliac Disease really was. Since then I have gained so much advice and tips from other bloggers that one day I really hope my blog will help someone else who is in the same position like I was a year ago with no clue about living with Coeliac Disease.

I know I still have a lot to learn but I just want to thank everybody who has taken the time to read my blog, I really do appreciate all your support. I also want to thank my husband, friends, family, Coeliac UK and all the medical staff who have helped me along the way to manage and live with Coeliac Disease. It can be a pretty daunting process, from getting that all important diagnosis from your doctor, doing your first gluten-free food shop, exploring what products different supermarkets have to offer and eating out for the first time with Coeliac Disease but I've come a long way and am already looking forward to what the next 12 months has to bring.

Moving forward here's my pledge to you for the next 12 months...

1. I WILL blog more and keep you updated on great products and restaurants I find.

2. I am determined to bake a lot more.

3. If this blog can help just one person I will have succeeded.

Thanks for reading.

Emma

Gluten-Free Fish & Chips at George's, Leek

Yes, you did hear me right...gluten-free fish & chips are now being served at my local chippy, George's on Broad Street, Leek.

I very nearly crashed my car when driving past my local chippy a few months ago. A new sign had been put up in the window advertising Gluten-free Sundays, the first Sunday of every month. This is very exciting news for Coeliacs living in Leek. Finally another place we can eat!

To offer my support I paid George's a visit on their opening Sunday to sample their gluten-free fish and chips and I was not disappointed. Since then I've been again and both times I've enjoyed beautiful fish and chips like a normal person.

Gluten-free fish and chips are served between 12-4pm on the first Sunday of every month. They use a completely separate fryer to fry the fish and chips in gluten-free batter so it's completely safe and free from contamination.

I ordered a small fish and chips and rushed home to tuck in. Now this is a small portion of fish and chips which I think is a pretty decent size and I can happily say I demolished the whole plateful.

It was so good to have "proper" chips again. You just can't beat chips from the chippy. The batter was light and crispy and not as thick as normal batter which meant you could taste the flavour of the fish a lot more. It was not as greasy as normal fish and chips which is definitely a bonus and in a way felt a bit healthier (probably wishful thinking). All in all these fish and chips tasted just as good as any fish and chips I've had pre-Coeliac days. Even my husband couldn't tell the difference.

It's so pleasing to see a chain of fish and chip shops like George's offering gluten-free Sundays. I really hope that the people of Leek support Gluten-free Sundays so that it stays for good. I certainly will be. I loved the fact that a family who came in to the shop after me ordered 5 portions of gluten-free fish and chips. If this is anything to go by the word is already being spread.

George's also have chip shops in Allestree, Belper, Chellaston, Chilwell, Ilkeston, Long Eaton, The Thorn Tree Inn, West Bridgford and Loughborough.

You can view their website here

Thank you George's for my first gluten-free fish and chips. I'm already looking forward to next month!

The Pepper Mill, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent

I've visited The Pepper Mill in Longton a few times these past couple of months and every time I've visited I've had a great gluten-free meal with no nasty after-effects.

I was recommended to go here by a friend I used to work with as she had noticed when she went for a meal there that on the menu it advertised they offer Genius bread as an alternative to normal bread with their sandwich options.

I then visited their website and discovered their whole Main Menu Allergy List. This is basically a condensed version of their main menu highlighting all the dishes that do not contain wheat or gluten. There are starters, sides, mains and desserts to choose from. Even better, the chips are marked gluten-free!

The Pepper Mill serves mainly pub food but they also have a tasty carvery served daily. So far I've tried the chicken tikka masala, chicken melt and the carvery (twice). All four meals I could not fault.

Not only do they offer Genius bread sandwiches for Coeliacs but if you ask the staff they will provide gluten-free gravy with their carvery. It's awesome that I can now go out and have a carvery just like everybody else (avoiding the yorkshire puddings, stuffing and normal gravy of course).

What I like about The Pepper Mill is that their staff seem pretty knowledgeable about the gluten-free diet, they are very accommodating and willing to help and there is an impressive choice of dishes to choose from, not just one or two. It's great to find somewhere like this where I don't feel restricted or left out and where I am treated the same as everybody else.

I can see myself visiting here time and time again not only because the location is handy for a lot of my friends and family but also because The Pepper Mill offers great gluten-free pub food in a lively atmosphere.