July 10, 2014

Wheat Wars: The Great Grain Debate

Artwork by Walt Kelly

*This post is a light-hearted commentary on the recent attention on the gluten-free lifestyle. *

I have been thinking about it and I have come up with six different types of people. These are not official titles, I just like them...so just go with it! The six types are: "Celiacs aka Gluten-Intolerants," "Gluten-Sensitives," "GF Dieters," "GF Supporters," "Innocent Bystanders," and "GF Conspiracy Theorists."
I have met all of these people while on our GF journey. Of course, there will always be some gray area between groups- but for the most part, people will fall into one of these. Check out our fancy-pants flow chart and find out where you stand!


Now that we have that settled, let me give a little information observation about each group.

The "Celiac" aka the "Gluten-Intolerant"- This is the hardcore gluten-avoider! Most of the people that fall in this category have been eating wheat-free before it was cool and easily accessible. If you are looking for a great resource for your GF questions, they are the ones to ask.

The "Gluten-Sensitive"- This group of wheat-free warriors have made the choice to avoid gluten because it benefits them in one way or another physically. Gluten avoidance can benefit people with thyroid disease, autism and countless other diagnosed medical issues. If you need advice on gluten-free self control, talk to them!

The "GF Dieter"- These waistline watchers are who we have to thank for all of the new GF products on the market. If you cut out foods containing gluten, you may drop a few pounds. It is not a guaranteed weight loss method. This group will disappear as soon as a new "quick weight-loss plan" pops up!

The "GF Supporter"- People in this group are normally the moms, dads, siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents and friends of those who eat a gluten restricted diet. They are also known as the test dummies, taste testers and guinea pigs of the GF world. They also help try and find new products for their loved ones. Everybody needs a cheerleader!

The "GF Conspiracy Theorist"- They exist- for real. I am not sure if they are concerned that the rice producing countries of the world are planning a take over or something, but they think that this is just a fad or a scam. If you are a GF Conspiracy Theorist, please know that your criticism is not well received or warranted- accept maybe for the GF Dieters:)

The "Innocent Bystander"- They don't hate gluten & they don't love it...they just don't know about it or care about it. Essentially, they are the draft dodgers of the Wheat Wars! They probably have no idea what the post is about. Maybe their browser is just stuck? 


We want to know, what group are you in? 

113 comments:

  1. As a proud gluten supporter, it's nice to be appreciated by those on the front lines. FUN post - love the flow chart! Which software did you use to create it?

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    1. I used creatly.com! Thank you for being a GF Supporter/Cheerleader!

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  2. I'm a big GF supporter! I support, taste test, advocate and read read read! And those rice thins.... those are all your fault. I bought brie and everything! :)

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  3. According to your chart i am a supporter :).I try quite a lot of gluten free products for myself as i like to try and see any differences.

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  4. I tried gluten free and then my doctor said I as OK, eat gluten! I do love whole wheat and whole grain for healthy eating.
    thanks,
    Mitch

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  5. I like to feel like I am a supporter too! I love that chart, really informative!

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  6. I love your chart. So cute. You can add me to the supporter list!

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  7. I think this was such a cute post. I definitely fall more into the Innocent Bystander category on this one.

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  8. I'm an innocent bystander! Ha! Cute chart. :)

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  9. Guess I am a supporter. It is ok with me how people want to eat or not eat.

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  10. I eat it. So ..... I'm ok with wheat and bread. I say yummo! lol

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  11. TBH I can't decide which group I am in. If I see a snack and it's GF .. I try it and if I like it I get really excited. I bought GF muffins but have not eaten it yet for fear of it being dry.

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  12. I'm not really sure either way. Honestly, I {{heart}} bread. But I tend to like white enriched breads. It's just what I grew up on as a kid. Later on, as an adult - I find that whole wheat products like pasta tend to make me feel super duper bloated though. I wonder if there is an issue there.

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  13. I would say I am a supporter, however I don't have anyone close to me who is impacted.

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  14. i know 1st hand gluten can wreck havoc on a body. my niece suffers from celiac.

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  15. My daughter is a celiac, and I am a GF Supporter! I don't care about people eating gluten free, but my daughter gets irritated at the fad dieters.

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  16. I'm an innocent bystander. :) I appreciate that GF is getting better tasting though, for those who have to have it, I know that is appreciated by them too.

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  17. Thank you Lindsey! I used a free online software at creatly.com

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  18. That would be fun to do. I'll have to look at our old photos and try to re-create it e

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  19. I know how much you love nail art! Good luck!

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  20. I am a GF Supporter. Great post Babe!

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  21. Thank you! You are the best GF Supporter I know!

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  22. I just went and fixed the issue! Sorry for the confusion!

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  23. For some reason, my site was acting up- Anessa sent you this 3 days ago

    "Hi Dina, please check your email as I have sent a reply back regarding our products and rosacea. Thanks and I look forward to talking with you."

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  24. Virginia @thatbaldchickJuly 11, 2014 at 8:01 PM

    I'm a GF supporter and sometimes GF dieter. I feel horrible when I eat gluten, but then I crave it when I don't.

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  25. I have a few openings in the next two weeks for a free facial for any local ladies that are interested. If you book a facial from this blog you will get a free gift from me too!

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  26. I am totally with you on that! My daughter is 100% and I still struggle with going the full GF! I am close!

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  27. What a great deal! Thanks for being so great to my readers!

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  28. Virginia @thatbaldchickJuly 11, 2014 at 8:11 PM

    I'll go like five or six days without any grains at all, then I ruin it with a night of binging on cereal or bread. #sigh

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  29. Glad you enjoyed it! If you have any friends who would be interested in having a free facial, please pass my info on to them and they will get a free gift from me.

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  30. It seems like so many are affected. It's nice there are so many options out there now.

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  31. Virginia @thatbaldchickJuly 11, 2014 at 8:31 PM

    Mind. Blown. I honestly never thought of contact allergies to wheat, barley, and oats in beauty products. Wow. That really limits things for some GF sensitive folks, doesn't it!

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  32. that is soo cool! I'd love to do these with my family! How fun!

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  33. I am a GF Supporter. I have a good friend who has Celiac disease, and I know how important it is for her not to have anything with gluten in it.

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  34. I have no idea where I fall in that chart. I don't really have any dietary restrictions and no one in my family is gluten intolerant either.

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  35. I stay away from gluten even though I am not allergic. I think what the FDA allows to pass as food on grocery shelves is horrible, so I avoid them at all costs

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  36. Your friend is so lucky to have a cheerleader like you!

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  37. That would make you an Innocent Bystander:)

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  38. It only works if everyone is willing to really try:)

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  39. My good friend sells Mary Kay and their products are really awesome. Good quality and I have sensitive skin, so they don't make me break out! Good stuff.

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  40. For the most part, I ignore all the gluten related news. No one in our family has dietary restrictions so it is not personally important to us.

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  41. nice new system here. I love the easy reply feature!

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  42. Me too! I should have had this from the start!

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  43. Understood! You are an "Innocent Bystander"

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  44. I have to change up my regimen every few weeks because my skin gets used to what I am doing. Not fun. Amber N

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  45. I think I fall into the innocent bystander category! I've heard quite a bit about gluten though, but just haven't tried anything GF.

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  46. Gosh you know this is one brand I have never actually tried. And I have tried a lot of them and obviously I know of this brand because who doesn't? It sounds like your consultant was great with your little one too.

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  47. It is so important to start a skin care routine at a young age. I have a teen daughter and make sure she uses good products now.

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  48. Shari Radetsky FreimanJuly 12, 2014 at 11:04 AM

    I'd love to help you order it! It's only $12 & the chain is $10.
    you can order on your own at: www.sharifreiman.origamiowl,com
    or email me for help: sharifreiman@gmail.com thanks :-)

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  49. I hear ya! My skin is finicky too!

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  50. They have my must have product for hand care. I can not recall the name and I am not home to check but it exfoliates your hands as you wash them and there are two levels of moisturizer depending on what you need - I love these.

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  51. Chef Demetra OvertonJuly 12, 2014 at 2:36 PM

    I'm an innocent bystander but I have been eating low carb lately so I haven't had any gluten in about 2 weeks. I definitely notice a difference in how I feel.

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  52. Great! If you contact Anessa, tell her I sent you and she will hook you up;)

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  53. I just place an order through your website. Can't wait to get my order!

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  54. I eat whatever I want as long as it tastes good and is what I consider to be wholesome. We don't eat bread very often so I buy whatever I want when I want a sandwich. I think we may only eat bread once or twice a month, so I am not worried about any of it!

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  55. Liz @ A Nut in a NutshellJuly 12, 2014 at 4:49 PM

    I have to say that I'm an innocent bystander although not an ignorant one. I just don't go out of my way to try GF or anything.

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  56. The nail wraps are so cute. The pendants are awesome too. I will have to look into this one. Interesting.

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  57. Elayna ~ The Positive MOMJuly 12, 2014 at 5:52 PM

    Wow... you sure are styling! I like the pendants with positive messages and the gorgeous nails, too!

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  58. I've been using skin care cream for the past few years. I am not yet 30, but women in my family age fast!

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  59. What adorable nail wraps and those pendants are totally cool.

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  60. I did a Mary Kay party years ago it was so fun may hve to try one again.

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  61. I tried the wrap nails from Avon a LONG time ago.. before jamberry ever came out with them and loved them. But they were difficult for me to put on.

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  62. I've never tried Mary Kay products. I have heard many great things about them.

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  63. The pendants are really cute! I keep meaning to try the Jamberry nails.

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  64. This is a good post. My son falls under the "gluten sensitive" category. I, myself, could take it or leave it, but feel I'm healthier without it (because I tend to love it too much and it accounts for most of my calories, anyway).

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  65. I fell into the "Innocent Bystander" category. I actually find the discussion on gluten quite interesting though!

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  66. Interesting. I'm definitely supportive of it, but I also do think there are some that do it for the 'fad'. I read that people who just 'cut down' on gluten are really not helping themselves at all, because gluten is gluten and it's still going to be in your system. I know someone who is convinced that she is "allergic" (really meaning sensitive, but they say allergic) to gluten, yet eat things that contain gluten frequently... Then I've also met someone who is REALLY allergic and cannot have one bit of gluten touch her tongue or it's anaphylaxis, and she carries a few epi pens at all times. So hard :( Either way, it's nice to know the ins-and-outs of gluten, and have some options up your sleeve for when visitors are coming who are GF.

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  67. I think Jamberry nails are super cute and that one accent nail you did is totally adorbs!!

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  68. We buy wheat not white. We started buying sprouted bread to experiment with not having wheat in our diet. We wanted to see if we noticed a difference with how we feel, have not really but love the spouted bread.

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  69. I'm an innocent bystander who recognizes that stomach issues are serious (I have my own). Therefore when a friend says they are gluten free, I say let's eat out wherever you can.

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  70. It can take 6 months or more for your gut to "heal" if you do have issues with gluten. You have to cut all gluten out to see a difference. (I am not suggesting you go GF- just a bit of information)

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  71. I'm a GF dieter/gluten-sensitive mix. Is that a thing?

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  72. I actually had a Mary Kay consultant come to my home a few months ago and give me a mini makeover. I ended up buying quite a few things. Their products are actually pretty good.

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  73. These items are too cute. Love how the nails turned out. Must enter when I get home!

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  74. What a fun idea. I might have to try something like this with some of our old family photos!

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  75. I've heard a lot of good things about Jamberry and I love that they support a good cause.

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  76. I'm a GF dieter! Ha! I actually did give up gluten for about two months and lost weight.

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  77. What a great giveaway, I love personalized items. I am getting ready to try the Jamberry Nails, finally getting mine grown out enough to use them!

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  78. Giggle, I didn't know there were all of these terms! While I don't mind gluten, I definitely am more aware and try to accomodate my sensitive friends and family

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  79. Please do! Fingers crossed for you!

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  80. So fun! I would have to try this with my cousins. As an only child, they're as close as I'm gonna get to siblings. LOL!

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  81. Bahaha! My Mom would say I'm a GF Conspiracy Theorist - she has jumped on the bandwagon and I sometimes don't get it - except for people who really are allergic!

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  82. Wow the nail idea is a very wonderful idea. My friend has an autistic child and I know she would love this post. I will let her know about it! Wishing you and your family many blessings!

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  83. I love the cure for Autism is unconditional love necklace. My older son is autistic and it rings so true.

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  84. Neptune & Aqua Marine
    Praise Him Pendant

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  85. Thank you for your order Pam, it was great speaking to you the other day!

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  86. Hey Jennifer that is our Satin Hands. It's a 3 step process and is AMAZING! We currently have 3 fragrances (fragrance free, honeydew, and peach). If you are running low or out and don't have a consultant - I would love to service you. My website is www.marykay.com/anessabarton

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  87. Hey Paula, not sure if you are local - but if so I would love to offer you a free facial. If you are not local, I am more than happy to mail you some samples so you can try the products first hand. Please reply here or email me at anessabarton@marykay.com if you are interested. Thanks and I look forward to speaking with you.

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  88. Hey Rebecca - are you local in GA? Would love to do a pampering party for you and your friends. Let me know if you are interested. If you aren't local, I can always just mail you some samples so you can still try the products. anessabarton@marykay.com is my email address

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  89. Let me know if you are interested in trying them. We could either set up a free facial if you are local or I could mail you some samples. My email address is anessabarton@marykay.com Thanks! =)

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  90. Hey Felicia - have you ever tried their skincare products? If you don't currently have a MK rep - I would be happy to let you try out our skincare line - it's just as amazing as our makeup! Contact me through my website if you are interested

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  91. Let's set up a FREE facial for you to try out our MK skincare products! Are you local? That's what great about MK is you can try before you buy and if after you buy you aren't 100% satisfied - you can swap it for something else or get your money back. Mary Kay is also backed by the good housekeeping seal of approval. That is how great this skincare line is! Send me a message through my website and we can get something scheduled.

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  92. Hey Liz - where are you located? Would you like to schedule your FREE facial so you can give this fabulous line a try? Just contact me through my website and we can get it worked out. Thanks! =)

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  93. Yes a free facial! Bekki - do you have a MK consultant already? If not, I would love to offer you a free pampering session. Contact me through my website if you are interested.

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  94. I would love to meet with you and show you the new Mary Kay and have you share with me how it compares to what you remember. Contact me through my website and we can get a free facial scheduled or if you aren't local, then I can always send you some samples to try.

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  95. Hi TerriAnn, I sent you a message through your blog - but email me and I will send you some samples to try for you and your daughter. anessabarton@marykay.com

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  96. TouristMeetsTravelerJuly 13, 2014 at 8:38 PM

    Wow this looks like a great product to use, I need to try this!

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  97. TouristMeetsTravelerJuly 13, 2014 at 9:10 PM

    Wow the pendants are really cute, I like them.

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  98. Wow, what a great post. I love companies that support great causes and promote the conversation of those causes that are incredibly common in our society.

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  99. QuestionableChoicesJuly 14, 2014 at 7:57 AM

    I'm a innocent bystander mainly because no one in my family is GF. If they were, I would try really hard to find yummy food that they could eat :)

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  100. Mary Kay products are great! I LOVE their Satin Hands line!

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  101. I don't fall into any of these - I'm Pro-Gluten and like my wheaties :)

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  102. Deb do you currently have a consultant you use? If not, I would be happy to offer you a free facial or mail you some samples. Email me if you are interested at anessabarton@marykay.com. Thanks! =)

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  103. Are you local in GA? If so email me your contact info and lets schedule a free facial so you can try them first hand. If you aren't local, then I can still send you samples for you to try the products. My email address is anessabarton@marykay.com. Thanks! !

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  104. I think I fall into the innocent bystander. I have no idea at all.

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  105. I'm an innocent bystander! I am not allergic to wheat (I was as a child but outgrew it!)-I understand it but as for me--I want that wheat!

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  106. Glad to hear that it has benefited your child. I guess a sidebar for the Conspiracy Theorist would be to add anyone on the spectrum as I know that GF does benefit them. Those would really be the two groups that need GF.

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