I was diagnosed as a coeliac when I was three years old. By the age of 21 I had only met two coeliacs; one 7 year-old boy when I was on holiday who I got very upset with because he kept on eating my special coeliac sandwiches, and the ex head of Coeliac UK who had a beach hut next door to my grandparents.
Then in 2009 my best friend was diagnosed as a coeliac, and I visited New Zealand. It was heaven! Every single restaurant or coffee shop I visited in my 6 weeks in NZ had gluten free menus and speciality dishes for me to taste.
I had my first ever club sandwich, my first pie, my first 99 ice cream with the cone and my first ever glass of beer.
When I had finished my travels I went to study at Cardiff University and knowing nothing about the local area I started writing a blog about my experiences.
A small confession
The Cardiff Coeliac no longer lives in Cardiff. I have had such a great time reviewing, writing and engaging with wonderful coeliac/celiac disease sufferers through blogs that it seemed silly to re-name my blog when I moved away.
The mini food revolution that was started in Cardiff has now gone nationwide with the Coeliac Map. The mission statement I started with almost 2 years ago still remains true today.
“My boyfriend and all my family are also Wheaties. I want to talk to other coeliacs, and road test restaurants and recipes. I aim to disperse some of the myths about Coeliac disease (yes we can actually eat a lot of things and no it isn’t terrible for us to not have take aways!!)”
Cafe in Cromwell New Zealand
And finally
In the interests of accuracy and fair play I want to say that my real name is Hannah Green. I went to Cardiff to study a postgraduate degree in Broadcast Journalism and currently work as journalist. The opinions that I express on this blog are purely opinion based on my own experiences and do not reflect the views of any of my employers.
Hi Cardiff Coeliac. Just spotted your WordPress blog and was very cheered to readyour comments about New Zealand as we are there for an extended tour in February next year.
I was diagnosed as a coeliac in my 40s when I was suffering severe weight loss and lots of nausea etc, etc, I am sure you know the story. Diagnosed on a Wednesday and by Saturday 10 days later on the diet I was 20 years younger.
Hi John,
Great to hear that you are going to NZ, I would really recommend spending most of your time on the South Island, with the only exception being the White Isle (active marine volcano top of north island).
Try to eat at independent cafes and smaller restaurants since they seem to have the most GF stuff, and always ask because most places keep GF bread on standbye.
Mount Eden in Auckland is a good place to start but my favourite place is the Otago region near Queenstown. Not only is there lots of great wine but Arrowtown in that region has loads of GF places including a small coffee shop with the worlds best GF French Toast with Maple Syrup and homemade jam!!!
I hope you have a great time, if you head down to milford sounds be sure to stop off at the little laybyes since 9/10 a endanged kaka (giant parrot very funny) will appear and try and chew your tyres (won’t damage it but is very funny).
xx
Thanks Hannah, We will look out for the kaka, after seeing on Stephen Fry’s programme about endangered species that’s got to be a must.
I will be putting together a blog about our journey so if you want to follow it please let me know and I will send you an invite.
Keep up the good work with the blog.
My husband is Australian and often tells the story of the shop in Adelaide dedicated to Gluten Free food. Over there people CHOOSE to eat GF as a health choice not because they are diagnosed as a coeliac.
When faced with living with me he had no problem embracing a GF diet as it is promoted amongst those who want to be fit and healthy in Australia.
Perhaps Oz and NZ are more enlightened than we are!
If anyone is out that way then in particular he recommended KYLIE’S GLUTEN FREE BAKING & SPECIALTY CAKES 4 Aroha Tce, Forestville. Adelaide’s only completely gluten-free bakery. More than 150 home-baked products and about 600 grocery lines.
We’ve traveled extensively around France, Austria, Czech Repulic and I often go to Germany for work. And food? We could choose regional dishes that naturally didn’t have any gluten in them. Even Bavaria (I have to go there for work) where they are very bread focused, I just produce my card that I keep in my wallet that says in German – feed this woman gluten and she will die (well not those words exactly but you get the gist) and they offer me the most fantastic food.
If you visit germany again make sure you get a frankfurter!!
i grew up in germany and am always pleasently suprised about the amount of GF food available there. Have you by any chance perfected a GF schnitzel? Only i used to have them when i was little but now seem unable to find a good recipiex
Hi,
I live in Roath, Cardiff. A week yesterday I was diagnosed as coeliac after a painful 10 year battle. I’m stressed out & though I initially laughed & joked the fear of what it means is setting in. A person who understands really would be fab right nw.
Thanks,
Love Gem x
(P.S. What place in Roath!) X
Hi Hannah,
I’m currently compiling a list of Cardiff Foodbloggers for Walesonline.com and would love to feature your blog.
If you’re interested, drop me an email to
cardiff-bites@hotmail.co.uk and I’ll let you know what info I need.
Nicki x
Hi Hannah,
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and will enjoy your New Years Celebrations.
I’d like to point out that my ‘old’ website David’s Space for Coeliacs is set to close down in March.
I’ve been busy migrating the important Coeliac related information from the MSN Spaces site to my ‘New Website’ The Irish Coeliac on WordPress.
The new site is much more user friendly and organised, check out the Coeliac related videos.
Best Regards,
David