I'm a second grade teacher, and part of my teaching philosophy is building a classroom community where we each really know each other and our families. It's no secret to my students that I have multiple food allergies and Celiac Disease and must eat gluten free. We've had many discussions in class about respecting each other, and taking care of each other. We know we can't share snacks and we have to be really careful about food in the classroom and the lunchroom due to my allergies and a few other students in the class. They are wonderful about it.

Kids are curious and often ask me about what I eat at our snack times. I'd like to say that I eat apples, bananas, rice cakes and yogurt for snack everyday to act as a great role model. Sometimes I do. However, sometimes I want a snack sized bag of Doritos (especially since they removed the wheat from the ingredients!). So, the kids are always asking, "Can you eat that? Why? What can't you have? What happens? Can you eat chips? Can you eat goldfish crackers? Can you have pudding?" There are a few of my students who really have surprised me and actually answer other student's questions for me. "Ms. M, can you have pasta?" "No, she can't have pasta, it has wheat in it!" Question answered. It really makes me feel good.

Recess was special one day. A few girls came running to me after being in the sandbox for a little while. "Ms. M! We made you something! Come see what it is!" Of course, I made my way over to see their creation, which I was sure would be another sand volcano with a stick flag on top. "Ms. M. we made you a mud pie! And it's gluten free!"

They really are a great bunch of kids, and genuinely care about one another, and obviously, me.

What!? Doritos are gluten-free?!!! Please, please, please tell me they are gluten-free.

According to the Frito Lay website Doritos are gluten free! However, they do contain milk ingredients..... you can't have milk though, right?

I can honestly say, not a day goes by without a funny story in my life. Raising an 11-year old boy with autism (who thinks potty humor is hysterical, and breaks out in song sporadically- he's on a disco kick lately), brings so much comic relief to the table.

My son (Andrew) knows he's on a special diet, and if you show him "contraband", as I call it, he will most likely tell you that it "hurts (his) belly". When he was younger, we began GF/CF at age 3, his food infractions occured when I unknowingly gave him something he shouldn't have eaten. Now that he's older though, he has gotten very sneaky at stealing bites of things. I watch him like a hawk, but even mommies have to pee sometimes.

My boyfriend Daniel and I have been dating now for about 2 years. Today was the first day ever I let Daniel drive him to school for me. I wouldn't argue if you called me overprotective, I kind of have to be... I know my son!

About a year ago, Daniel accompanied Andrew and me on our bi-weekly shopping trip to Whole Foods. My son LOVES shopping, and we can all actually sit down and eat together there. We had all picked out our food, and took a seat outside to dine. Suddenly, I realized I forgot to pick up some apricots. Not wanting to disturb Andrew's and Daniel's meals, I asked if Daniel would mind if Andrew stayed with him. After all, I could see the produce section from where they were sitting- what could possibly happen? He agreed.

Practically walking backwards into the store, as not to lose sight of my little man, I quickly grabbed my fruit and breezed through the checkout lane. I wasn't even gone 2 minutes. Daniel was very impressed at how quickly Andrew had grabbed a bite of lasagne from his plate. LASAGNE?? I begged Daniel not to joke about that (Daniel's a prankster). I went pale... tears formed in my eyes... and Daniel wasn't kidding. He felt terrible- he thought everything at the store was safe for Andrew to eat. Plugging his ears, his typical "I just did something wrong" move, Andrew had been busted.

Daniel felt terrible. Poor guy... did I mention this was the first time ever I let him watch my son? I bolted back into Whole Foods, and bought the best digestive enzymes I could find to break down that gluten and casein that shouldn't have made it into my son's belly. It had been a while since my son had an infraction, at least that I was aware, so I wasn't sure what would happen.

It wasn't that bad. Andrew was a little gassy and hyper. He had a few extra trips to the bathroom that evening. I expected SO much worse. On the brighter side, I learned my son doesn't react nearly as bad as he used to when he ate something suspect. I certainly didn't think it was funny at the time, but looking back, I have to crack a smile.