A long time ago I babysat a Celiac baby. I wished I could pipe in air to the change table. It was hard to be cheerful while tossing my cookies.

I am wondering why it is so important to you to find someone who does not drink?

You say you are a christian. I would suggest getting involved in your church on a congregational or other level (if you aren't already). Do something you love and you will find like-minded people who may turn into great friends or something more.

There is an old adage:   to find the type of (boy)(girl) friend you are looking for, hang out where that type of person hangs out.  

It would be hard to find a non-drinker in a bar.   But you have a good chance of meeting one at a church that is dead against drinking - and you have a pretty good chance of finding one who either refrains or uses alcohol in moderation. 

Another good place to meet a non drinker would be an AA meeting.

Celiac disease - again I would recommend a church.  I know the little church I attended previously was very aware of food problems associated with celiac disease.  We served potluck meals with an assortment of gluten free main dishes and desserts clearly marked and we were very careful never to mix utensils used in preparation or serving.   Also at communion, we served rice bread on a separate plate - just ask or indicate - after a few times they already knew to reach for it as you approached the table.

But always remember to carry something with you - just in case.

I wonder if it is more important for the person to never drink or to respect the fact that you choose not to drink by not drinking around you? I just feel like you are missing out on some wonderful people who may only drink on special occasions.

Hi Sterton - yes, life in general feels more complicated with a (perhaps new?) diagnosis of Celiac - lots of adjustments to make, but I'm sure you'll be able to work around the dietary thing once you get the hang of it.   You'll hopefully start to figure out where to eat out etc. & how to gracefully redirect. 

I guess when the time is right, you'll find a partner!   In the meantime - get out there, join lots of stuff ... see where the path leads you ... enjoy life ... and keep posting here!  I see you've been a member for quite a while, but I don't recall reading many posts from you - so let me say welcome!

Hey Sterton - one of the good things about a site like this - you can just skip over or not respond at all to posts - explanations are optional IMO.   Not respected ... I get that too - just a difference of opinion is how I try to look at it.   Sometimes I post stuff & there's not much response, then somebody else says essentially the same thing & there's lots of response - I've kinda given up trying to make sense of it sometimes!  But I do really like some folk I have met here, and others I have definitely learned a lot from.  Others make me laugh!

Anyway ... there are few folks here either with celiac themselves or in their history (me) or having friends or family who have it.   We've had some past discussions about it - recipes etc. - did you happen to be around when any of those chats occured?   

Speaking for myself, I'm not blazingly celiac now, but had that diagnosis as an infant & was on a really restricted diet for many years.  Kinda settled things out I think.  So now (past few years) I try to maintain a "mostly" gluten free diet (darn, I keep typing "died" instead of diet!!) avoiding the major gluten culprits - I find I don't really need to be diligent about minute amounts (eg in sauces etc.) - and for me that works.  I know it's not the way it is for everyone though.  Are you particularly rigorous in keeping your diet free?  (no need to answer if too personal!)  

Hey Sterton - I was recently directed to this website by an acquaintence whose family has been profoundly affected by Celiac Disease: www.celiac.ca/. According to the website, they have chapters across the country - I wonder if there is one near you? That seems like it would be a great place to meet people who are going through something similar to you.

 Hi Sterton,

Can you explain how being Celiac makes dating more difficult?  You might have to be slightly picky about a restaurant or something, but most places now offer gluten free options.  Is it so severe that you can't kiss someone who has eaten gluten?

I'm just a little confused how one affects the other.

Sterton, I am a non-drinker in RL but I am the life of the party where ever I go in RL or in Social.

crazyheart...are you trying to get a date?

Hi Sterton,

It is hard for people to understand highly reactive celiacs and the social limitations.  You can order a gluten free meal from a gluten free menu but if there is gluten in the kitchen, on the waitstaff's hands, etc. you could spend an inordinate time in  an autoimmune funk.  It sounds like paranoia to others and it feels embarrassing for the celiac to make a fuss. 

That said, dates that center around an event or project are often much more fun than the ones centred around the bar or restaurant.  I often eat my meal at home and join others and order a salad with olive oil and lemon and herbal tea.  Good luck in your quest!

I think you'll gradually get the hang of it Sterton - and when you see how much better you feel when you stick to your diet (damn - I typed "died" again!  what's with that???)  it's wonderful & reinforcing - you'll start to see what's being gained, rather than lost ... and then that will come across to others too ...

I have a friend who's a very strict  vegan - so when we eat out - out comes the ingredient list from the kitchen, or the chef to answer questions ... just part of the routine now! 

I can see where the gluten-free diet is much more difficult in a small town.  Sorry, I just automatically think of a large city when I think about dining out!

 If you're comfortable enough with someone to go to their place or have them at yours you could have fun trying out a new recipe together.  If there's a big enough kitchen you could even get a small group together if it's someone you just met.

Who knows Sterton - maybe next month someone else will show up to that meeting! And maybe it'll be a single man who happens to be everything that you are looking for in a guy right now. One can dream right?  

Seriously, I can understand your apprehension about dating right now. I like the idea of a date that doesn't involve food. Perhaps a movie or something involving exercise would be a good idea.

chemgal: Yes I’m used to living an hour from the nearest Tim Hortons (or any other chain).

chemgal: Yeah that’s an activity for after I feel safe with them and like them.

somegalfromcan: That’s my plan :) Bowling would be doable.

Bowling sounds fun! The other day my friends and I were lamenting the loss of both of the bowling alleys in our city a few years ago. In a city of over 330 000 you would think there would be at least one!

Thought of you yesterday. A big group was at a meeting downtown. We broke for lunch.

The 2 co-workers I was with are both on wheat free diets-we went to a vietnamese resturant and had noodle bowls (rice noodles) with various stuff on them. These 2 even know the locally available wheat free soy sauce-there are 2.

Now I know you are in a small town-but this might work next time you are in a city.

BTW they said Boston pizza's wheat free crust is ok but don't order it takeout as it doesn't taste good cold!

By the way-both these coworkers are happily married!

To each other? 

Nope-both have non-celiac mates! One has 3 young kids and the other is older with kids and stepkids well out of the home.

Today I was at the bookstore & picked up a copy of Living Without magazine - recognizing it as one gecko has recommeded.  Good reading this afternoon - and a yummy new recipe to try for dinner tonight.   I also found it really interesting to see all the adverts - Betty Crocker has a gluten free cake mix now!  Possibly just in the US - but nevertheless.

And this one caught my attention - www.SinglesWithFoodAllergies.com - yup - an on-line dating site for folks with food allergies!  So that brought you to mind Sterton & I thought I'd just pass it along! 

I also noticed in the magazine you can go to its website & sign up to receive a recipe every week by e-mail - I think I may try that. 

 I'm excited to learn about Betty Crocker: WOW.  I'll have to ask my mom to pick a box up next time she makes her States trip :)

Yes I've visited that site but there were no Canadians signed up.  I do like the idea though: very smart.

I never heard tell of "Living Without" but will Google it.

Thanks Carolla!

I've rec'd a few new recipes from the site - they look pretty tasty!  Haven't got my personal chef (aka loving husband) to try them out yet though ... will have to work on that.

 I was curious, so I checked out the living without site.  When I went through seafood allergies, a shrimp dish came up 

I guess they just post a few recipes at a time, and they aren't specific to the allergy you're looking at but I was slightly disappointed.