Hello! My name is Lisa and I am Gluten Free! Through my trials, and let’s be honest errors, I’ve learned so much about how to make necessary dietary changes that put me on the road to good health. I’m at the point in my life now where I can help others navigate along their journey and that’s why I decided to start this blog. There’s so much information out there it seems hard to follow for those of you just starting out. One thing I’ve become a pro at is creating transformational foods from gluten to gluten free without losing an ounce of taste or breaking the budget. All the flavor, none of the pain and bloat! These recipes are tried and true, I’ve shared them with many friends, family and colleagues and I’d like to share them with you.
Of all the websites out there on gluten free why me? What can I offer you that’s different? Experience. First hand, real deal, raw experience from a lifetime of battling a disease I never knew I had, until I did and the battle became more of a challenge but one that I have learned to overcome and live with. My tale of misery dates back to me as a kid, I was always complaining of a stomach ache and was painfully thin. It was never really questioned though and up until 1997 when I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and 2 years later IBS, which later turned out to be a misdiagnosis, I spent most of my time and money on the ultra-softness of toilet papers best brands. I was easily in the bathroom 10 times a day if not more. In 2000, I thought I had my why only to find out, after the med I was on was taken off the market, that I had actually been misdiagnosed. So long tacos and Mexican food in general! It was a fun ride while it lasted! The hypothyroidism was real but I did not have IBS.
Now, off the med that was treating me for a disease I never had and I’m a mess. My hair was thin, I was thin! My nails were brittle, I could barely get myself out of bed in the morning and I’m back to spending half my life on the throne. I saw many other doctors including the allergist, gastroenterologist, primary care and dermatologist to name a few and received a handful of other misdiagnoses including lupus and I am no better. Actually I was planning my wedding! Yup, as bad as I was I landed a man, there’s hope out there for everyone! And then, on one of my many trips to the endocrinologist, she asked if I’d been tested for celiac disease. What?? How do you spell that and no, I’ve never even heard of it – it’s June 2009 mind you, this was not that popular. So I get tested and surprise, surprise turns out I have celiac disease with a side of microscopic colitis, oh joy. No really, this was joy because I had a name and I had a remedy. But this was not something that could be managed through medication. This was much bigger than all that.
By June of 2010 I was eating gluten free for over a year and you’d think I’d be feeling great. Sadly that wasn’t the case. So in my never ending attempt to feel like a normal human, off to the allergist I go. Honestly there was nothing left to be tested for but I was hopeful. Hopeful they’d find something so I could treat it and move on to living and not just existing! Here’s the big cliffhanger – not only did I find out that I was allergic to foods I’ve been eating my whole life but that in a lot of cases these foods were things I depended on in my gluten free diet as replacements. Soy, sunflower, melons, green beans, shrimp all off the list and my limited but manageable diet just got super complicated. Most, not all, gluten free crackers are made with soy and or sunflower. When I say most it’s literally all but two. That’s just the beginning of my whole world changing yet again, this time for the good.
I had been cooking gluten free but this new information added a whole new twist! I couldn’t buy the pre-made ‘gluten free’ go-to’s that made life simpler. It was homemade everything with no shortcuts and it wasn’t good, I wasn’t good! I used to be a terrific baker but I can’t tell you the countless times I had to throw everything away and start over. There was a lot of meal prep trial and error in my kitchen but I was learning. Even though patience wouldn’t be the first word my husband would use to describe me, I was learning that too but only in the kitchen!
We started to host again, we had to, I couldn’t risk having someone else try their hand at something they’re not familiar with when I had been working so hard to perfect it. The crazy thing is no one noticed. I used to tell people one of my two lasagnas was regular but the truth is they were both gluten free and no one knew. I’ve come a long way on this journey and have the extra pounds (healthy weight gain is a good thing) to show for it and the recipes to share with all of you. I’m finally able to enjoy eating, living and feel good in my own skin!
GLUTEN FREE PERSONAL CONSULTING SERVICES
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