Mind

    When the going gets rough or scary or stressful I wind up in the kitchen. Which for me is a wonderful place because I get to zone out, be creative and it becomes a place for me to relieve my stresses. I know it might sound odd but cooking and baking really helps me feel like I have some control over my health. When I get in the kitchen I don’t feel restricted, I’ll make something that is good for me yet I feel like I’m still a “normal person” who is eating “regular” food. I suggest to anyone, even if you don’t normally like to bake or cook, if you have celiac disease or other health conditions that restrict your diet, to get in the kitchen and make something delicious that you CAN have. It really gives...

    First I want to thank everyone who has followed me to Open Sky. Or those of you who learned about my blog and mission from Open Sky and followed me here. The support and the emails I get means so very much to me and I am grateful. It makes me realize how many of you out there feel as strongly as I do about spreading the word about celiac disease and all that that truly entails. There in lies the reason I recently decided to no longer work with Open Sky.   When I was first approached by Open Sky they were a much newer shopping site to the online market. The site seemed like a wonderful way for me to get you some of those hard to find...

      I was recently asked by my amazing Doctor here in New York City, Dr. Fratellone, to bake my deliciously moist carrot cake cupcakes for his wedding that was happening very soon. My doctor is also a Celiac and dairy and soy free so already knew the challenges in finding quality foods and baked goods that are not just loaded with filler ingredients to make them taste good. And since I love to bake and decorate – the idea of being a part of and creating something special for his “big day” was a honor and I was up for the task!! The request was for 50 regular size cupcakes and one large cupcake, all adorned with these awesome yellow rubber duckies dressed in tuxedos that he provided. So I rallied up My Troops, devised a plan...

Did you know celiac disease and depression are linked? Did you also know 90% of the bodies supply of serotonin (which is linked to depression) lies in your digestive tract? Serotonin is a chemical manufactured in the brain and when at “healthy” levels we feel balanced and happy. In short it regulates our mood. So if our gut is off then we are off! And since we, Celiacs, already have a decreased ability to absorb crucial vitamins and nutrients, we may not be absorbing enough of the important protein that create serotonin. We have millions of brain cells and serotonin affects most of them directly or indirectly – which will then affect our mood, appetite, sleep, memory and learning, and some social behavior. And that’s only to name...

  A few months ago I was having some tea with a friend at a restaurant uptown. There was a couple sitting quite close to us and was in a pretty heated debate. My friend and I tried not to notice, and continued our conversation to give them their space. At least until the gentleman leaned over and said “can I ask you ladies for your opinion on something?” As he proceeds to tell us about their discussion the woman looked horrified. You know, it was one of those man/woman debates that we have all had at times. Us being non bias (yeah right!) we sided with the lady and she suddenly became light hearted and all smiles. We ladies must stick together! My friend and I finished our tea, said goodbye to the couple, and left. A few weeks later I happened to...

One might say, what does your soul or being soulful have to do with food? Well my opinion? EVERYTHING. What you eat not only nourishes your body, but your mind and soul as well. You know how good it feels to sit down and share a good meal with friends. You also know with just one smell of baked cookies or bread or whatever, brings a smile to your face. It’s not a coincidence these things happen. Our senses all work together and send a direct response to ones body. Happy, sad, glad, HUNGRY. When you take gluten away you will feel deprived, at first. There is no easy way to put that but as I said it. It’s true at first you might feel lost, angry, scared and yes depressed. If you are depriving yourself and are undernourished by the food you are having or...