The Gluten-Free Blessing

You might be asking yourself how being gluten-free can be a blessing? "The Gluten-Free Blessing" seems like an oxymoron, doesn't it?! Most people assume that a gluten-free diet is a huge inconvenience, not tasty and extremely limiting, but I'm here to tell you differently!

Going gluten-free has been a huge blessing to my family. I will save the story of why we went gluten-free and specific examples of how we went gluten-free for another weeks post.

Basically today I'm just here to tell you why I have started this blog...

I have had several family, friends and just plain strangers ask me about being gluten-free. Most of them have the same questions as you probably have or had. "Isn't it hard (especially with kids)?" "You must not get to eat much variety?" "Isn't it expensive?" and on and on they go.

I too had many questions when we first embarked on this journey, so I tapped into my Military Police Investigation training and got to work (you can call me PI Kelli!) I started by doing LOTS of research on the Internet about what Gluten was in the first place. I read many medical research studies from reputable sources such as, The Mayo Clinic Hospital, and learned what the different symptoms/reactions to an allergy/intolerance of gluten are. I also talked with family and friends that have made the switch, taking away what I could from their experience. I then compared what they said to the medical research just to see how they matched up. I also watched A LOT of food documentaries to learn more about the food we put into our bodies.

I then put what I learned into action. There was a lot of trial and error, but now I feel pretty confident in what information/knowledge I have. I'm constantly striving to learn more and know that I don't know it all!

I was able to put that knowledge into use as I recently coached a friend in going Gluten-Free. I basically shared with her my story of why we went Gluten-free and as we spent more time together, she saw what we ate and became more intrigued. She asked questions here and there and along the way, she began to identify some symptoms in her family that could benefit from going gluten-free. She asked more questions, which I answered and I encouraged her along the way. Finally she decided to take me up on doing an elimination diet for 2 weeks (more on that in another post). So I immediately called her up and said let's go shopping! We went to the store to get the basics, my favorite transitions for kids and adults, and I shared easy meal ideas (do you see some post topics in the making?!).

But back to those questions you and many others have and why I started my blog...

It was suggested of me to start a blog to help others learn how to make the switch since I'm not able to personally coach and shop with everyone who asks (I am a wife and mother of 3)! I'm here to answer the questions as best as I can and to share with you how to go Gluten-Free! I will have weekly topics that are derived from the most common questions I get asked, questions that I've asked, and many more, i.e. favorite products and places to eat Gluten-Free.

Having the opportunity to share my experience is a blessing in itself and I know if you take the leap of faith, going Gluten-Free may be a blessing to you as well.

So join with me in experiencing...The Gluten-Free Blessing!