Hello, it’s always nice to have visitors here in the FoxKitchen, I’m glad you stopped by.
My name is Laureen and my body has an adverse reaction to the gluten protein found in anything made with Wheat, Rye, Triticale and Barley. I’ve probably had this condition for years but I didn’t get a diagnosis until February 2011. Since then, I have done my best to avoid ingesting gluten.
I am relatively new to living a Gluten Free ‘Lifestyle’. I prefer to use the word ’Lifestyle’ rather than ‘diet’. When I think of a diet, I think of something I would choose to do. For example, I was on a vegetarian diet for 20 years because I chose not to eat meat. Two years ago, I chose to move away from a vegetarian diet and gradually started to eat meat again. It’s a decision I made after I realized I had problems digesting wheat. I was just not satisfied with what I assumed would be pretty limited food options.
I am living Gluten Free because Gluten makes me sick. I fully expect I will be eating Gluten Free for the rest of my life, but I’m really okay with that.
In February 2011, during my Gluten Free Trial and then later, the Gluten-ful Trial (I had to consume gluten in preparation for Celiac blood tests), I stumbled upon the amazingly supportive Gluten Free Blogging Community. It’s a community that was invaluable to me as I dove into an ocean of new information about GF Living. A community that I found was immensely helpful in guiding me through the overwhelming changes that I had to make in my life. A community who made me realise that my food options were abundant.
But yikes, the changes I had to make over the next few months!! I had to rid my pantry and fridge of all things Gluten. Well, except for the toaster and the beer. I kept the gluteny toaster for my husband as he still enjoys the odd slice of Glutenful bread and the beer, well, who doesn’t enjoy a nice cold one, eh? That’s right, I’m Canadian and apparently I say eh? Maybe someday, I hope someday to find a GF bread that is up to par with Glutenful bread but beer? I’ve had some decent GF bread but have not yet had what I would call a good GF beer. Mind you, here in British Columbia, the Provincial Government controls the liquor distribution and at this time, they only distribute 2 or 3 kinds of GF beer. Bards, New Grist and occasionally I can find Greens at some of the private liquor stores.
Aside from pining for a good beer, I’m really enjoying my new GF lifestyle. It’s gotten me back into the kitchen, which is something that I used to enjoy but had gotten away from as our children got older. You see, when our kids were little, we were fortunate enough to have me be a stay-at-home-mom until after our youngest started going to school. I always had a little veggie garden and I used to enjoy cooking most everything from scratch. Since going Gluten Free, I’m once again cooking from scratch. I try my best to make healthier choices and I’m not sure I’ve ever felt better in my life. The changes I’ve made have also been beneficial for my husband. He gets home cooked meals that are healthier for him and he gets to live with a healthier, happier wife.
Well, there I was, a healthier, happier wife and I was feeling so good, that I decided to start this Blog. I’ve never had a blog before and I’m a little surprised at how much work it’s been to get it set up…hence the fact that it’s taken me the better part of a month to finally post this “about me” page.
My blogging goals? I would like to make some connections with people who have had or who are experiencing the same health issues as me. People who have similar interests and the same dietary needs as I do. I also think of this blog as a way to contributing via stories, information, recipes and reviews to the Gluten Free Community that has been and continues to be very valuable to me.
Laureen
XOX
PS, while you are here, I would love to hear from you, so please leave a comment.
Disclaimer:
I am not an expert, nor am I a doctor, nutritionist or dietician. I have no medical training. The information I share in this Blog is based mostly on my own experiences since I went Gluten Free in March of 2011. Most of the information you will find on this site comes from other Bloggers or from books, magazines and websites about Celiac Disease and Gluten Free living.
Any products mentioned in this blog are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. You should consult a doctor before altering your diet in any way, including going on a gluten free diet.
Unless otherwise noted, all of my recipes posted on this Blog are gluten free.
When an ingredient in a recipe may contain gluten, such as oats or soy sauce, I am always referring to the certified gluten-free version of that ingredient.
Companies do change their products from time to time and you should always read labels and check on the gluten-free status of a product or ingredient. I am not responsible or liable for any reactions that might result from the ingredients you use to make these recipes nor the environment where you are making them.
Note: If you would like to use any of the recipes and/or pictures that I’ve posted on this Blog, please give me full credit by linking back to Fox in the Kitchen and send me an email at Laureen (dot) foxinthekitchen (at) gmail (dot) com or you can Direct Message me @Foxkitchen on Twitter. Thanks again for taking the time to visit.
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