I was diagnosed with Celiac disease way back in 2005. Like a lot of people back then I had never heard of it, and like a lot of people then and now, I didn’t realize how serious it could be. It’s just like a wheat allergy right? Wrong! This if from the Mayo Clinic:

Mayo Clinc

Celiac disease is an illness caused by an immune reaction to eating gluten. Gluten is a protein found in foods containing wheat, barley or rye.

If you have celiac disease, eating gluten triggers an immune response to the gluten protein in your small intestine. Over time, this reaction damages your small intestine's lining and prevents it from absorbing nutrients, a condition called malabsorption.

The intestinal damage often causes symptoms such as diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, bloating or anemia. It also can lead to serious complications if it is not managed or treated. In children, malabsorption can affect growth and development in addition to gastrointestinal symptoms.

There's no definite cure for celiac disease. But for most people, following a strict gluten-free diet can help manage symptoms and help the intestines heal.

The problem is exposure to gluten can set a person who has Celiac back and cause not just these symptoms, but as it says “serious copmlications”, what kind of complications can continued exposure to gluten cause? “Anemia, usually from iron deficiency due to decreased iron absorption.

• Loss of bone density, called osteoporosis, or softening of bones, called osteomalacia.

• Itchy, blistery skin rash, called dermatitis herpetiformis.

• Mouth ulcers.

• Headaches and fatigue.

• Nervous system injury, including numbness and tingling in the feet and hands, possible problems with balance, and cognitive impairment.

• Joint pain.

• Reduced functioning of the spleen, known as hyposplenism.

• Elevated liver enzymes.”

Yikes! and of course this one is a biggie that I worry about: “Cancer. People with celiac disease who don't maintain a gluten-free diet have a greater risk of developing several forms of cancer, including intestinal lymphoma and small bowel cancer.” Yeah, I don’t want to get cancer!

So we have created a safe space for those with Celiac and / or gluten allergies. And we take this very seriously. That is why we ask everyone who stays in the unit to not being in ANY gluten to the unit. We know often a person with Celiac is traveling with a spouse, child/ren, or friend who may be able to eat gluten, but we ask that no one brings gluten into the unit. This includes bringing in snacks that have gluten, leftovers from a restaurant, cereal, bread, etc. We also cannot guarantee our guests that no past guests have had gluten in the unit, but we expect and hope everyone will abide by this request for the health and safety of those who we are really trying to serve with this Gluten Free BnB.