Setting up your GF pantry

If you plan on having GF food and food containing gluten in the same kitchen, you aren't alone.  It is practical to have everyone on the same diet, but not always enjoyable.  If everyone follows some simple but STRICT rules, it is possible to do it all and stay safe.  The first thing we did here is I went through every single food item in our entire house, every single one, drinks included.  Then we designated a set of cupboards that would have ONLY GF food in them and I set up all the GF food in that cabinet.  All the food containing gluten was moved to another set of cupboards.  There was a drawer in the fridge crisper designated to store all the flour blends, xanthan gum, chocolate chips and perishable baking items in.  If you need to share cupboard space then the GF foods MUST be on the top shelves.  This is so that if any food containing gluten should fall out of it's containers, the natural direction to fall is down, so it is safer to have gluten foods on the bottom.  This is also true of storage containers that you store in shelves or anything for that matter.  We have a separate section in our silverware drawer for his utensils too.  We shared silverware for a long time, but b/c of the little grooves on the butter knives and the nooks and crannies in the forks, we just got him some separate silverware.  We also got separate containers to hold GF utensils too.  We got two toasters, and a separate set of non-stick skillets.  Gluten is microscopic and can hide in the tiniest cracks or scratches in pots, pans, utensils, bowls, etc.  So to protect the person with gluten sensitivity, it is just simpler to have two of these things.  Even when you store things in the fridge, save the top shelves for the GF fare, and keep the lower shelves for regular food.  Try to keep the freezer separated in the same manner too.  If we have to share freezer space, the food with gluten is always put into freezer bags to keep any crumbs from getting loose.  Please if you have any questions at all, don't hesitate to put them in the comment section, and I will get you answers ASAP!  I know I will think of more stuff to say about it as soon as I sign off on this post, but the longer you are GF, the more you will be able to see little things that can be changed in your specific circumstance to make things easier and safer for you.  It DOES get easier!!