Goodbye Gluten
January 2015: A Celiac Diagnosis-
I started the journey to find out 3 months previously. To be exact the week before Thanksgiving. Looking back I remember thinking it was the end of the world. My love for food -world at least. I was 7 days out from eating the glutony of rolls, stuffing, and pies galore on Thanksgiving, and was told for the rest of my life, my diagnosis did not have a pill to take. The treatment was a diet that consisted of being gluten free (which now I am thankful for this simple holistic treatment).
A gluten free Thanksgiving. Let me tell you, this alone was not only a learning experience, but a depressing one. No gravy, no stuffing, no dinner rolls, no pie. As I sat there and watched my family eat, I grieved. But for the first time in a long time, I left a holiday meal not feeling like shit. I had felt like crap for quite a while, maybe a year. I always chalked it up to something I ate, stress, or IBS.
In order to fully diagnose that I had Celiac, I went to the Gastroenterologist to have an endoscopy. Two- four weeks before the appointment they have you perform a “gluten challenge.” I ate all the fresh pasta, and bagels you could imagine, and Maine Craft Beer..whoa I did NOT FEEL GOOD.
Fast forward to 4 years later, I am 30 pounds less, I am in the best shape of my life, and I truly did go through a grieving process. I went through periods of time with high anxiety dining out (I still occasionally do- I am human), or I would feeling guilty having friends & family go out of their way for me. I am still learning. I have been on the quest to find the best gluten free versions of my old favorites whether its products or places to dine (and being confident and an advocate for myself)!
I have gone back and forth about creating a blog, but in 2017 I was blessed to become a Mother to two beautiful babies (twins). Research has shown that un-diagnosed Celiac disease in women may have issues with fertility. I had about a 15 months of healing before I became pregnant, so part of me wonders if this would have been an issue for me, but regardless I feel so so blessed to have brought life into this world. My babies are my everything.
Which brings to me to my WHY….My mission is to help and inform people with my passion to find the best gluten free/allergy free products and places that have helped me live my best life (and my families’). I hope to provide resources, or be a resource and share my story and what has worked for me (I am not a medical professional, so please consult with your PCP). My children also experience food allergies; one has egg & the other pistachio/cashew. I am not only having to read labels for myself, but protect them as well. So here I am creating this blog, a space where I can be creative and resourceful!
More to come, Cheers to feeling good!
{Our Wedding Cake Photo: Kate Crabtree Photography}
{Picture on left below is Spring 2014 before my diagnosis & Right , Summer 2019 4.5 years later 30 lbs less. Photo by: Kelly Carey Photography}
