Starting on a gluten free diet doesn’t have to be as hard as it sounds. Yes, it does take some getting used to – if you are a huge carb queen, it takes a lot of discipline not to dig into that lovely crusty bread from the Portuguese bakery at the beginning. Checking labels will become a way of life, not something you just like to do. Constantly asking if those yummy looking appetizers at a party are gluten free before you can take one is also a given or you just don’t eat. Chances are that if the appetizers are anywhere near gluten containing food [cheese and crackers] there is a chance you will also get some cross contamination and you will get glutenized. Now, this isn’t an issue for everyone but there are a few people that will be affected by the minutest amount of gluten.
As with any other diet whether it is a peanut free, dairy free, egg free etc. you have to take precautions and you have to tell people about it. You also have to ask questions and don’t just assume they know what you are talking about.
It does get easier, and more and more there are a great number of new products coming out every day that can be found not just at a specialty store but also at your neighborhood grocery store.
Restaurants are becoming savvier and in tune with the increasing number of people who are on a gluten free diet, and are offering or catering more and more to GF so dining out doesn’t have to be hard.
Finding new and interesting flours to use in your baking is actually fun, and discovering new recipes can be an adventure.
The easiest way to get on the diet is just to eat fresh, wholesome food that is not processed in any way and stay away from wheat or gluten containing foods. The best thing is that you will start to feel better and if and when you do get glutenized, you will realize that being gluten free is not so bad after all. 
I have been living a gluten free lifestyle for the last 2 yrs, although it is a little easier now than when I first started, many places and people still don’t understand why it is a big issue and that cross contamination can be a problem, I have had to explain what the diet is about and why we need it and measures we have to have in order to avoid being glutenized.
Have done product reviews for Companies that makes gluten free items and am always looking for new products and recipes to try.
Love looking for great restaurants in my hometown, and on my travels that, although they may not be completely gluten free, have a GF menu and are very aware of steps needed to avoid cross contamination.
