No one wakes up and decides to be gluten free, well at least not anyone I have ever met. For most who are gluten free it is out of necessity. No matter what the reason, one thing we all can agree on is that going gluten-free is not all that fun or for popularity.

As the term gluten-free became a mainstream term, I realized there seemed to be growing confusion and downright animosity towards those eating a gluten-free diet.

Gluten is the protein in wheat, rye and barley.

There are several reasons people avoid gluten: for some it is the only treatment for celiac disease , an autoimmune condition; for some they are intolerant , which means their body experiences digestive problems after eating it; while some have gluten sensitivity and for others they are allergic to wheat, rye and/or barley and will experience an allergic reaction if consumed.

For celiac disease, living a strict gluten free lifestyle is the only treatment.

It only takes a small amount of gluten to cause an autoimmune reaction for someone with celiac sprue.

For me, being diagnosed with celiac disease was a blessing. Not only did I finally understand why I was so sick, but it was a treatment that I had control over. I immediately went gluten free. I wanted to stop throwing up daily, to ease the gut-wrenching pain and just feel better, that I was willing to never eat again, if it meant I’d feel better and be able to resume my life.

When I first went gluten-free in March 2012, I never imagined 10 years later I would be still fighting daily for my health in the way I do. Sure, things have gotten a lot better. I finally have doctors who get it, as well as validate my pain, symptoms and struggle. To still be tracking symptoms, undergoing testing and waiting for on the unknown is hard to believe. I have shared so little about what the last 10 years had really been like. For quite some time I have wanted to share in depth about my journey from diagnosis after diagnosis, but finally I am making that vision a reality with this blog.

When first diagnosed, I cried. Yes, literally shed tears over Thanksgiving dinner. It was March and I was crying over future Thanksgiving dinners. The thought of never having a Thanksgiving meal and missing out on those family days of cooking together, sitting down and eating together was too upsetting. Little did I know, that eating delicious food and even my Thanksgiving favorites without getting sick would become the highlight of my gluten free lifestyle.

 I set out to prove not only to myself, but to everyone willing to listen, that gluten free could be as delicious, comforting and satisfying as all the gluten filled foods that dominate our culture and our world. I was determined to disprove the common misconception that gluten free food is bland, boring and unsatisfying.

I am finally ready to share our recipes. From a girl who could only cook a handful of specific meals she learned growing up, to cooking strictly gluten and dairy free meals, to our whole 30 experience and living our food freedom. I am now confident enough in the kitchen and in my own cooking to share our favorite home created recipes and meals. For some, going gluten-free may seem awful, but for me it has been life changing and a blessing. An opportunity for growth and positive change.