Specialty diets can weigh on the budget. I remember when I was newly diagnosed and thought I would go broke with all of the books, new appliances, and specialty foods. After the original investment, my bills have leveled out, but I am sure they are higher than the average.

Some of these investments might be better left for Santa to take care of.

Larger Gifts

Appliances: My most impressive appliance is a perfectly round non-stick griddle. It is made by T-Fal and is called the Raclette Grill or Party Grill. Most frequently, I use it to make crepes of many flavors and textures, that I subsequently use to make wraps, cannelloni, desserts, and breakfast pancakes. On occasion, we use to it make a shared Korean barbecue. What makes this a great appliance is its round shape and the fact that the griddle top is removable. It makes an easy clean up.

It can be found here.

High tech: Clan Thompson's Celiac/Gluten-Free SmartLists are a series of electronic programs (for your palm pilot, computer etc.) and books which make it easy to find gluten information on thousands of mainstream products sold at most chain stores throughout the USA. Can be purchased through www.celiac.com or www.clanthompson.com

Stocking Stuffers

Milk Frother: I am from Seattle. Home of Starbucks. Coffee was a part of my upbringing. I enjoy very strong coffee. I also enjoy it with warm frothed milk. Buying it daily is not in my budget. My most used appliance is a battery operated hand held milk frother. The milk in my kitchen is just like a barista makes it and for cents on the dollar. It makes a great stocking stuffer. There are many on the market priced anywhere between $6-$29.99. My $5 one (bought in Europe) has worked perfectly (hint — it cannot beat eggs).

Sealer: Do you keep emergency food supplies at home, in your car, at the office or with your child’s teacher? Do you have half eaten bags of items that you spent a small fortune on? The Euro Sealer is a heated press that re-seals bags. It does not remove the air, but can protect your food, very well and efficiently. I have a couple of Euro Sealers stored in strategic places to protect our food. This small gadget is fabulously useful.

Euro Sealer - http://www.safetycentral.com/eurosealer.html

Candles: If you like to set a beautiful table on which to place the wonderful meals that you create, candles add a wonderful accent. The handmade wax candles by Candle Works are incredibly unique. I have many friends in the diplomatic community who garnish their table with these for representational dinners. The first time you light them you will see the difference. I buy their Christmas candles - the Holiday Twists, every year. Please don’t save these candles because they look so beautiful, burn them — that is where the magic truly lies.

http://www.candleworksnw.com/

For the kids:

A Book Basket: All titles available from Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.

There are many aspects to being on a gluten free diet. Some are practical such as groceries and recipes. For a child in the midst of developing a self identity: many overlapping issues can and should be addressed. My first vocation is a teacher and a reading specialist, at that.

Literature is a wonderful tool for children to gain an insight into the world in general and themselves in particular. I have found a marvelous collection of books to use with my Celiac son and with his classmates. Any chance I can, I go in to read and to cook.

My top choices for books for children:

	Gluten-Free Friends: An Activity Book for Kids (Paperback) by Nancy Patin Falini My son loves this book. It was a wonderful tool for him to understand his body and to work through pages as he would in school.
	Everybody Cooks Rice (Picture Books) (Paperback) by Norah Dooley This book is part of a series of the Everybody Cooks ….. I share this with friends of my son in an attempt to remind them of the obvious. Rice is a great option and it is not unique.
	Eating Gluten-Free With Emily: A Story For Children With Celiac Disease (Hardcover) by Bonnie J. Kruszka, Richard S. Cihlar My son’s kindergarten teacher read this to the class. She told me to send it to school every year with Grant. A high recommendation!
	You Are Special (Hardcover) by Max Lucado, Sergio Martinez You are special is a wonderful story of the uniqueness and value of each of us. Some days, I know it is difficult for my little boy to be different. I hope that with resources such as this book, that I can instill in him an identity not based on the opinions or comments of others but from something greater inside.

Books:

For the newly diagnosed

The Gluten-Free Kitchen: Over 135 Delicious Recipes for People with Gluten Intolerance or Wheat Allergy (Paperback) by Roben Ryberg The Gluten Free Kitchen is by far the best gluten free cookbook I own. The recipes are cheap, no frills basics that ALWAYS turn out with great flavor and texture. When I am in touch with someone newly diagnosed, I always recommend this book ONLY.

Of course, I would love for you to pay my shopping bills by purchasing my book Globally Gluten Free. It is filled with ideas for your holiday table. It is for my son that I put this book together. As a portion of the proceeds will go to education, it is my wish that eventually this will make Grant’s life easier.

I wish you peace and happiness in the upcoming holidays and year.

Nancy Baker, the mother of two sons, the oldest with Celiac disease, currently resides in Madrid, Spain. Nancy is the wife of a diplomat and as such has had the opportunity to live in Budapest, Prague and now Spain. Nancy has compiled a fabulous collection of gluten-free ethnic delights from all over the world, offered in her first book, ‘Globally Gluten Free’. Globally Gluten Free focuses on international recipes, techniques and ingredients. Her book is now available. To order Globally Gluten Free please contact Nancy Baker at globallyglutenfree@yahoo.com.