Let’s be real, the gluten-free life didn't exactly come knocking on my door with a welcome basket. More like it kicked the door down! Sound familiar??
My gluten-free journey started over 11 years ago, and back then, hardly anyone was talking about it, let alone how to live with it. It was incredibly challenging to share about it, ask in restaurants, and learn the in/outs.
Quick recap: I wasn’t long out of college when I started getting really sick. At 25, my supposed metabolism golden years, I experienced endless fatigue, bloating, stomach aches, anemia, migraines, and GI issues. COUNTLESS doctor visits later, I was diagnosed with celiac disease (your classic case) and a gluten free lifestyle for the “foreseeable future.”
My doctor didn’t sugarcoat anything. She told me, “You can take care of this now, or it’ll catch up with you later.” I asked, “What do you mean?” She replied, “Well, it’ll kill you.” I remember thinking, How could bread and pastries kill me? But seeing as she seemed credible and I didn’t want to gamble with my future, I committed to the lifestyle.
In true gluten-free fashion, there were so many emotions to follow. I remember thinking that my life would for sure be less fluffy and delicious now, just like my new food. Over time though, my view shifted and its become so much more than just powering through. It’s about finding moments to rejoice, embracing new things, and having the best time in the midst of it all. What started as something I had to do has evolved into something I am willing to do because of the tremendous benefits it has on my life.
Now, I’d love to say that after 11 years, I’ve got it all figured out. But the truth is, I don’t. Just two days ago, I got cross-contamination. It started out as a fun night with great food and an awesome waitstaff, but just a couple hours later, I knew all that was promised in my delightful dish, was not true. And all the feelings come back and frustration with the way my body processes food. I'm still learning!
For anyone who feels overwhelmed by gluten-free living—whether it’s the stress of dining out or navigating tricky situations with friends and family—trust me, I’m with you. I won’t ever say it’s easy because it’s not but with support, awareness, and a lot of sensitivity and kindness—both from those around you and from yourself, it is ABSOLUTELY manageable.
I hope sharing this helps in some way, and if you make silly mistakes like I do, you know you’re not alone. We’re all on this journey together. And, we can still live full, fabulous lives—even with the added challenge of being gluten-free. We’re doing our best, it’s not a perfect system.
So that’s what this blog is about—helping you find joy, laughter, and all the good in living gluten-free. Until next time, stay snack-ready, vibe steady, and always Gluten-Free.
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