"gluten hell", acrylic on canvas, 16x20, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering
I was at business holiday party. Working the crowded room, chatting, laughing, sipping my wine – enjoying myself.
A caterer breezed by with a lovely platter of cheeses on crackers. He assured me this tray had only rice crackers. Terrific!
I chose a yummy looking cheese and popped it in my mouth. One bite and I knew. Yes. It-was-a-wheat-cracker.
A wheat cracker!
Panic.
How could I get it out of my mouth - and fast. Too many people around to spit it out in my hand. Bathrooms were on another floor. At that moment the owner of my company came by to introduce me to an important client.
I had to swallow it!?!?! Knowing what havoc it would wreak in my body. I had to swallow it!?!?… nothing could stop it now.
I woke up shaking and sweating. Worst nightmare I've had in ages, and I've had my share of nightmares.
And - my very first gluten nightmare.
Laying in bed I felt like I was being suffocated.
And a migraine was beginning. Migraine means I actually did get gluten the day before. Where? I have no idea.
Is my subconscious trying to send a message? Questioning whether I will still put politeness before my health. If so, it has to stop.
It took me most of a week to shake the awful feeling of that nightmare, but I won’t soon forget it.
Have you ever had a gluten involved nightmare?
