Whatever Wednesday: The Gluten-Free Edition

Whatever Wednesday is when we explore all the different ways that What-EVER! spray can be used around the house. It is an amazingly versatile little workhorse and because it is so safe and friendly, the uses are endless. If you'd like to share the unique ways you use What-EVER in your life, post a link in the comments or email me kate at cleanhappens dot com and tell me about it.

Yesterday being the Ides of March and people walking around all day (well at least on Facebook) telling me to "Beware!" my mind kept coming back to a good friend of mine. And not because she stabs her friends in the back or because she prophesies for Emperors, but because she regularly points at stuff and dramatically declares, "That's poison to me! Couldn't you be more AWARE?" (And she is really good at the dramatic stuff because she is a for reals actress. No, seriously. She has a Star Trek fan page, which I would totally link to but for the fear that she would brain me with a cast iron skillet. Did I mention she was violent?)

The first time I was writing this post, it came off sounding like one of those After School Specials I grew up on.

Kate met a new friend today and invited her over for pizza. When "Sally" arrived they started chatting and laughing and having a great time! But, when Kate pulled the pizza out of the oven, Sally cried, "I can't eat that. I have Celiac's disease and wheat is poison to me!"

Kate gasped, "Celiac's disease? Is it contagious?"

"No, silly." replied Sally, "Celiac's Disease is genetic auto-immune disorder that effects 1 in every 133 Americans, mostly of Northern European descent. Those affected suffer damage to the villi (shortening and villous flattening) in the lamina propria and crypt regions of their intestines when they eat specific food-grain antigens (toxic amino acid sequences) that are found in wheat, rye, and barley."

"Oh. Sooooo, you're allergic to wheat?"

Sally patiently explained, "No, allergies are different. They cause the body to create histamines and other chemicals that cause a reaction in the body, like a rash or difficulty breathing."

"Well what can we do? How can we be friends? I love things with wheat, rye, and barley! What about beer?!" exclaimed Kate.

Sally shook her head, "There are many options available today that are gluten-free, so we can just make a gluten-free crust for me and a regular one for you."

The new friends laugh and hug.

aaaaaand scene.

What I hadn't realized was that gluten is in so much stuff. Not just in stuff you'd expect, like bread, but in lots of stuff I never would have even thought of, like prescriptions. And though Sally's doctor told her she need not worry about gluten in inedible products, many patients with Celiac's disease have reactions to conventional cleaners because of their compromised immune system.

Gluten-free inedible products are more important for those with allergies. I have a couple of friends with children who have severe wheat or gluten allergies and contact with chemicals made from gluten can cause reactions.

All this is to say that What-EVER and all Better Life cleaning products are gluten-free.

I am obviously not an expert on Celiac's disease but you can get information from people who are here. And for information on wheat allergies here.

Disclaimer: This post is not making fun of all people with Celiac's Disease or Wheat Allergies...just "Sally."