When I first found out I had celiac I never really planned on keeping an entirely gluten-free kitchen. G still ate bread and bagels and I managed to maintain some kind of separation of foods, at least for a while. As dementia slowly took up residence in our lives however, confusion and contamination became constant issues. So even though I hate fanaticism as much as I hate wasted food, I ended up with a gluten free kitchen. I had my doubts at times, especially when family was visiting, but gradually I insisted on strict rules.
Until I didn't. It didn't work with having other people in the house helping George. It was difficult to deny someone the ability to eat their own food, and an environment of suspicion is never good in a kitchen or a house.
I was in fact ready intellectually and emotionally before I managed to have a full structure set up for different foods. I realized that part of my own insistence that wheat and its ilk not enter the house was a desperate fight for control over something. I couldn't control dementia. I couldn't control most of what was happening in my life. I could control what food went into my kitchen.
Until I couldn't. Surprisingly, I found I didn't mind.
Some simple changes were made. Some were easy things like squeeze bottles for mustard and mayonnaise. I deliberately chose different toasters, in different colors to help distinguish them, but just in case someone forgot, I also labeled everything.
Although I like clean lines, I dislike being sick even more. Blue painter's tape is a godsend. Everything can be labeled.
After the plastic utensils were used in hot pans with pasta and gluten-containing sauces, I set up separate sets, again labeling everything with blue tape. I suppose the blue tape distracts somewhat from the lovely sleek stainless containers (these are wine coolers, which were half the price of the lovely stainless canisters I originally coveted) but they are safer too. No one has to wrack their brain trying to remember where something goes or what they can use.
After pasta was drained in my fine mesh strainers I have new colanders and cutting boards as well, the gluten-free ones all clearly labeled "Mardel Only Do Not Use" -- clear and to the point. Most other things are glass or ceramic or metal and can be easily washed. With hard materials there is no risk of stray gluten being burnt into the plastic or caught in little tiny holes or cuts that can't be easily cleaned.
So far it has been a success, one week free and clear and I'm hoping for more.
