Jessie was 35 when she was diagnosed with celiac disease. She discovered there was a problem when she met a friend for dinner and had a sandwich. "I was sick for two days and couldn’t go to work." She began eating gluten-free and says it worked immediately. No longer did she have pain or "inner stress." She was a bit sad that she did not know what had been wrong for the past 35 years but she said, "Finally, I was able to understand so many things in my life." What do yo

In April, I started a journey in an attempt to heal my stomach and find out what was causing my ongoing symptoms. I have been eating gluten-free for over twelve years due to my celiac diagnosis. As long as I can remember, I have had stomach issues. Sometimes my stomach seemed to get better, and then it returned with a vengeance. In Search of Answers When I began this journey in April, I was sick at least three times a week. I finally committed to meeting with a nutritioni

Fireworks As we eagerly step into the New Year, the air is filled with aspirations and resolutions. While setting new goals is a tradition deeply embedded in this season, it's equally crucial to take a moment for reflection, acknowledging the milestones and accomplishments of the past year. Reflecting on Achievements: Celebrate Your Wins Before diving headfirst into resolutions, let's pause and celebrate the victories of the past year. What did you accomplish? What challenges

Snowflakes As the holiday approaches, many of us can feel our stress levels rise. Lists are made of what we need to purchase, what needs to be done in our home, and what gluten-free food should be made for everyone to enjoy. This time of year is portrayed as fun and magical, but can quickly become overwhelming. Social Media Social media can reinforce to us that our holiday should be perfect. Scrolling through social media shows perfectly decorated houses, happy families,

Cutting up a turkey Thanksgiving, a time of gratitude and togetherness, often revolves around a table filled with culinary delights. However, for those who need to eat gluten-free, it can be overwhelming and challenging. At times, I must remind myself to focus on what I can eat. With a little creativity and the right recipes, a gluten-free Thanksgiving can be just as delightful and delicious. Let's look at some ways to celebrate this holiday gluten-free. Reimagining Clas

Rollercoaster Having to live gluten-free can be exhausting! For many people, eating gluten-free is not a preference, but a necessity. There are so many people affected by gluten. Some, like me, have celiac disease, and others have a gluten intolerance or a gluten/wheat allergy. Many people with autoimmune diseases are recommended to eat gluten-free to improve their symptoms. Let's look at some of the positive and negative aspects of having to eat gluten-free. The Positive

Gluten-Free Ghost S'Mores Dip The leaves are crunching under your feet, the air has gotten cooler, and the nights are longer. We once again find ourselves approaching Halloween. This is one of my favorite holidays. There is no worry about buying the perfect present or hosting people for a fabulous dinner. Halloween gives children and adults permission to dress up and have fun. If you or your child has celiac disease, you can still enjoy this holiday! There are so many d

Tootsie Roll Candy-a gluten-free/nut-free option While attending a gluten-free expo, I realized how foreign it is for me to be able to eat without asking lots of questions...one of the best parts of the expo was being able to eat all the food there without the usual stress. Of course, I still checked labels, but the anxiety of potentially getting sick from eating food outside my home was much less intense. What is Normal? I think after you have been diagnosed for a long tim

A school bus is driving down the road in the fall. It’s that time of year again; soon the days will get cooler, and the kids will be back in school. For families managing Celiac disease, gluten intolerance, or gluten allergies, this season can bring more than just shopping lists and schedules. It can bring stress. Learn more about preparing your child and the school for their needs. My daughter was diagnosed with Celiac disease when she was just four years old. I’ll never for

Flyer for the Gluten-Free Expo on September 30th Come out and join us for gluten-free food and beverages! I am excited to announce that we will be having a Gluten-Free Expo in Hunt Valley, MD, on September 30th. B.C. Brewery and I are working together on this event. The expo will be held at the brewery. This is a rain-or-shine event and will be taking place outside. Catering to your Gluten-Free Needs A gluten-free expo is a great experience. When you attend, you are surro

Image of the Netherlands with a windmill and red tulips I recently interviewed Kim from the Netherlands. I love to travel and I'm always excited to learn what it is like to live with Celiac disease in other countries. Kim was just 9 years old when she learned she had celiac disease. "Before then (the diagnosis) I had horrible stomach aches and I was always tired. After many trips to the doctor, they diagnosed me with celiac." Kim van der Meer feeding a baby lamb at her fr

Enjoying Niagara Falls, Canada I've been a bit quiet on social media lately. I had to take a break to focus on feeling better and healing my gut. As with many people who have celiac disease, my stomach has not been completely healed with a gluten-free diet. I decided I was going to work with a registered dietitian to find out what causes my underlying stomach issues so I can address them. I feel like doctors have been treating my symptoms but not addressing the underlining

Image of the Cathedral of Cologne I was excited to be able to interview Claudia from Germany. Claudia was 52 years old when she found out she had celiac disease. She has had stomach pain since she was 18 years old. Her mother passed away from stomach cancer a few years ago, prompting Claudia to investigate her symptoms. Since she has stopped eating gluten, casein, and lactose she no longer has stomach issues. Claudia has two daughters and a sister that also has celiac di

View of Portugal Photo Credit: @celiaccoach_byabir I recently interviewed Abir who is from Lebanon and is currently living in Portugal. She shares her experiences living with celiac disease in Portugal. Abir was only eight years old when she was diagnosed with celiac disease. She says "I can't forget the day and all the mixed feelings I passed through!" She had several symptoms of celiac as a child such as "stunted growth, eye-vision shortage, joint pain, headache, const

Celiac ribbon-More Education about Celiac Disease When I was first diagnosed with Celiac disease I had no idea what it was. I did not know anyone at that time that had celiac. I left the doctor glad to have answers, but I did not know what was next. I went home, started researching, and bought a bunch of books so I could begin to educate myself. Shortly after I was diagnosed, my four-year-old daughter was diagnosed with celiac disease. That made things a bit more stressfu