Mmmmm… delicious!
Food is one of the most amazing things in the world; so versatile, universal, and universally loved. All of us have that one dish, that one flavor that we can’t get out of our minds. Fluffy doughnuts, sweet cakes, flaky pastries and pies, chewy warm cookies and bread, sauce-smothered pasta, gooey pizza, hearty potpie, classic sandwiches, steamy pancakes, fresh sushi… the list goes on and on!
I have memories of cooking and helping (or hindering) my parents in the kitchen from as far back as I can remember; whether I was simply grabbing ingredients, stealing tastes from the pot, setting the table, or doing prep work. I’ve loved cooking ever since I was small, and that won’t be changing any time soon! I mean, who doesn’t enjoy a wonderful, hot, mouth-wateringly delicious home-cooked meal?
Now foodies, remember that dish from before? I want you to imagine that you’ve just discovered that you have a food intolerance, or an allergy, to something in that dish; how do you feel? What will you do? How will you ever eat it again? Do you feel like your life is over?
Is the light at the end of the tunnel a train?
Six years ago, my mother discovered that she was gluten intolerant. She had been living with terrible headaches and stomach pain for a long time before she decided to try an elimination diet; no medications or home remedies were helping her symptoms, and she was almost resigned. Finally, after months of slowly eliminating and reintroducing foods into her (and consequently our) diets we discovered that she had many food allergies and intolerances, chief among them gluten and corn. Ever since we made the discovery, we’ve been slowly adapting our diets and habits to incorporate gluten-free foods in place of glutinous products.
Five months ago, in early November, my good friend discovered after a month of sharp stomach pain, that she is gluten intolerant as well. Unfortunately for her, she had no idea what that really entailed. Before her discovery of her own intolerance she had no exposure to gluten free foods or lifestyles, yet all of a sudden she had to learn to live without all of the comfort foods and staples of college living. Ramen? Nope. Bread? No. Pasta? Nein. Chicken nuggets? Oh no no no. And flour tortillas? Forget it. Suddenly McDonalds became a death trap and everything became more complicated. Luckily, I was able to help her transition into her new lifestyle, and impromptu cooking classes became the norm.
I decided to write this blog to share some of what I’ve learned in my 5 year gluten free lifestyle, and to spread awareness of Gluten sensitivity. This blog isn’t meant to be another recipe filled blog like so many others, but rather a place for discovery, a new perspective, or a way to add another yummy dimension to your life. Sadly food intolerances are becoming more common, but I don’t think they should be allowed to detract from our everyday lives, right foodies? My contribution to the world of food blogs will hopefully bring you joy, awareness, and (just maybe) a full tummy.
Have fun and eat well!
