How Going Gluten Free Let Me Find the Love of (My) Life by Shauna James Ahern (via Gilt Taste)

Did you see this post by Shauna James Ahern (aka Gluten-Free Girl)? I’ve read bits and pieces of her story over the years, but seeing it here really made me reflect on how celiac disease changed my life (for the better). While it wasn’t the way that I found the love of my life, it was what woke me up and made me realize that life can be good. I’ve had my ups and downs, but when it comes to food — I am a very happy person.

I’m happy to see Gilt Taste showcasing stories like this. If you’re not familiar with Gilt Taste, take a look, it’s an online market giving you direct access to artisan products and ingredients, many of which have only been available to professional chefs until now. Looking through their listings, my mouth waters as I go from image to image and see some absolutely beautiful cuts of meat, artisan cheeses, and some great looking produce. Other than the fact that it will be shipped to you, the quality looks as good as what I get at my local farmer’s market.

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“Some things you never imagine. As an aspiring writer, I never imagined that giving up gluten would lead me to see a book with my name on it. And as a perennially unfortunate dater, I certainly didn’t imagine that it would lead me to find the love of my life (sitting on a picnic bench stained with bird poop, surrounded by drunks).

The winter of my 38th year, exhausted and sick, I dragged myself to doctors. They ordered expensive tests, shrugged and sent me to the next specialist. In the spring, a friend sent me a story about celiac, calling it the most under-diagnosed disease in America. Desperate, I asked for a blood test and stopped eating gluten.

Within days I came to life. Suddenly full of energy, it was like someone had cleaned my contacts for the first time: So that’s what the world looks like! Faced with the realization that I would have to consciously choose every bite for the rest of forever, I decided to make that focus joyful. Instead of fearing food, I grew excited about it. I tried anything, made friends with farmers, lingered over the smell of Saigon cinnamon. And I started writing, but freed from the heavy hope of wanting to be a professional—it was purely to share the joy of sautéed amaranth leaves, fig cookies made with teff flour, seared tuna with peas and avocado crème fraiche.

I embraced food and life, and I tattooed the word YES on my wrist to remind myself to accept every moment as it is – imperfect. But there was something else to it, too…”

Read the full article from Gilt Taste »