Fantastic news from gluten-free favorite Tu-lu’s Gluten-Free Bakery in New York City, they’re offering Thanksgiving pies. Both pumpkin and apple are planned as well as the possibility of more. For more information, get in touch with Tu-lu’s directly.

Revised November 9, 2010:

A quote directly from Tu-lu’s Facebook page:

Now taking orders for Thanksgiving pies! We will have pumpkin, apple, and plain pie crust so you can make your own traditional pies. Sign up soon, because we might reach our limit!

I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 1999 after a few years of a hellish experience — I watched my body waste away with a whole host of problems due to malnutrition. With all of this happening, I had no clue as to what was wrong with me and let my imagination run wild as to what could be wrong. Thankfully, after a visit to a great gastroenterologist and a few tests, celiac disease was the diagnosis. I was grateful to hear what the treatment for celiac disease was and that it didn’t involve any hideous daily regimens of medication and that I could possibly start feeling better again.

I still remember my first trip to the store after my diagnosis and realizing that what seemed to be every single thing that I was used to buying was off-limits now. I don’t know what drew me to it, but while in the dairy section, I spotted the Kozy Shack Tapioca pudding. I looked at the ingredients and it seemed to be OK (this is long before they started labeling their packaging “gluten-free”. I didn’t initially buy it, but I went home and immediately looked for Kozy Shack online and then sent them a message inquiring about their ingredients and the risk of cross-contamination. They got back to me very quickly and assured me that it was indeed gluten-free. After buying the pudding the next time at the market, I eagerly tried it. I can’t even begin to tell you how good I thought it was — so good, I ate the entire tub. Unfortunately, that is a whole lot of sugar and calories :( After going several years where food always nauseated me and left me feeling lethargic, eating became fun again, a little too fun. I found myself eating Kozy Shack’s Tapioca (and sometimes the rice pudding) a few times a week and continually eating the entire tub. The tapioca pudding soothed my stomach and made me look forward to eating. Now it was time to learn self-control again as I wasn’t used to this new found sensation of enjoyable eating.

Thankfully, 11 years later, I’m conscious of my caloric intake and I don’t indulge in the desserts nearly as often. But, every once in a while I remember back to my post CD diagnosis days and sneak in some Kozy Shack Tapioca pudding — I just now split the tub with my kids.

What was your favorite food that nursed you back to health both physically and emotionally?