My Mother's, friend's Mother has Celiac. So, she grew up in mostly gluten free household. When I found out I have Celiac, I knew exactly where to go and what do to. I can't imagine living in the 50s, 60s, and beyond, and having so few resources to work with, or even having many people who knew what the disease was. Regardless, she somehow managed, without all the lovely conveniences we have today.
Granola bars- they're (usually) healthy, easy, quick, and inexpensive. They are not usually gluten free. Major bummer. For reals. Let me back up for just a moment, with another anecdote. My kids will eat nearly anything you put in front of them. Many years ago, while home for a visit, we were in local grocery store, looking for some "new" things to get for my oldest, and we came across Larabars. Being Jew-ish (emphasis on the ish), I found it utterly hilarious that this granola bar was Kosher, while also being gluten free, vegan, and dairy free. We bought a few anyway. My daughter happily ate it, while I thought it looked a little funny.
Fast forward about eight years, and I started having digestive issues. When I was diagnosed with celiac, I happened to remember those "odd" granola bars when I passed by them in our local grocery store. I grabbed every flavor they had (I now know that they did NOT have every flavor- they only had a small sampling of what Larabar offers). I got home, opened one up, and there it was again. I thought, ok, the worse that will come out of this funny looking thing is that it tastes dirt and sand, and I'll never buy one again. I closed my eyes, took a bite.... and then another bite.... and another..... and then it was gone! And then I ate four more bars. Yeah, I know, I went a little crazy. Who in their right mind eats FIVE granola bars all at once?! This chick. In my defense, I was sooooo hungry! I skipped breakfast (like I usually do), and it was lunch time.
We live in a small town. It's a hazard of our career choices and having to move all the time. It's not a destitute town, but compared to where I grew up (Houston), it seems like it. So, I visited the lovely Larabar website, and discovered a plethora of other products they carry, that I have not found in our town. Needless to say, I am about to order an insane amount of their other, yummy, gluten-free goodness!
One last thing I want to point out- you don't have to be a Celiac to enjoy Larabars. They really are delicious (I did NOT drink the purple drink)! They're great for vegans, those who keep Kosher, and they're great if you're trying to live a more healthy lifestyle. So, try it, please? You won't regret it!
