A Letter To My Readers

Dear friends,

I love writing this blog. I hope you love it, too. I find it to be rather therapeutic… putting my thoughts on paper (well, on the screen) while simultaneously sharing a yummy and “safe” recipe for my fellow gluten avoiders. In a way, creating and maintaining this blog helped me use my gluten intolerance diagnosis for a good purpose. Let’s face it… the first few weeks (for some, months) after the diagnosis are tough. There is a time of denial, shock and a form of mourning as you realize how life is going to change because of a little thing called gluten. No more corner pizza shops, no more Toll House Cookies, no more chewy bagels.

Starting this blog was my way of saying, “I’m not going to let this miserable diagnosis stop me from making great food. AND… I’m going to freely share the recipes for that food so that others can have the same satisfaction.”

If I have helped you in your gluten free journey in any way…then I have succeeded.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t plan to stop blogging anytime soon. I guess I just found myself reflecting on my gluten free life and how things have changed. The interesting thing I realized during that reflection was that… even though (at times) I still loathe this intolerance… I wouldn’t change it.

Sure, I miss the adventure of trying a new restaurant. Being Italian, I miss “real” pasta and pizza. I dream of the crusty, chewy bread my Grandpa used to get down at the local Italian bakery he frequented in New Jersey. Those parts of my life are just memories now.

But…

I love a culinary adventure. I (now) love the challenge of making gluten free food that doesn’t taste gluten free. I have learned so much about things I knew nothing about. My kids eat “healthier” treats and don’t realize it. In fact, they love what I make. My mom has voluntarily cut down on gluten considerably and is happy to be doing so. My husband has never once complained about how life has changed. Even though he is free to eat whatever he wants, he chooses to not. He has only ever supported me, helped me and cheered me on.

So… I believe I have grown because of all this. And I wouldn’t trade that. I had no idea that a little thing like gluten would one day change my life… but in the end, I’m glad it did.

I’ve had numerous people tell me they suspect they have a problem with gluten but are afraid to find out because of what it means going forward. If this is you, please listen to me. A gluten free life… is a good life. It just means educating yourself and making healthy choices. That’s not scary, is it?

There is a lot of information (and misinformation) out there that can be overwhelming. Before overloading your brain with facts and possible myths… please contact me. I will do whatever I can to help. Glean from those who have already walked down this road.

You are not alone.

Blessings, dear friends… and thank you for reading my blog.
Katie