Living Gluten Free in 2013

When the Avenues computer lab opened last summer the hope was to be able to teach our clients computer skills.  However for many clients it has had a much greater impact on their lives.

Jenny has been learning computer skills but she has also gotten so much more out of her weekly visits to the lab.  Jenny was diagnosed with Celiac disease several years ago which meant she had to completely eliminate gluten from her diet.  At the time she did not have access to the internet and living a gluten free lifestyle felt very limiting to her.  Thanks to Marissa, the computer lab instructor, Jenny was been able to gain access to an entire online gluten free community. 
 

Every Wednesday Jenny is able to spend an hour in the computer lab looking up gluten free recipes she would like to make at home.  Jenny’s favorite website EZ Gluten Free even has videos she can watch to help her decide whether or not a recipe is worth printing out.  Once Jenny gives the recipe a thumbs up Marissa helps Jenny learn the skills to be able to print out the recipe to add to her collection.

Jenny watching a video on how to make Gluten Free Tex Mex Chicken Lasagna  

Not only has Jenny been able to look up gluten free recipes but Marissa has also helped Jenny find websites that tell her what frozen meals and restaurants offer gluten free options.  Before Jenny felt like she was always being told what she couldn't have and now she can walk into the computer lab and say exactly what she would like to eat. This particular day Jenny was in the mood for lasagna and Chinese food.

Jenny with her folder full of gluten free recipes