My Journey/About Me

Hi all!  Thank you for checking out my blog!  I don't know how you found me but I am glad you did.  Here is a bit about my journey:
I went gluten free July 2009 and started strictly following rules in October 2009.  I always had digestive problems, but never thought it was anything but my body.  Then I started working with children with Autism and realized I had the same digestive symptoms some of my kids did.  Those children had gone gluten free and seen amazing results.  So I went for it!

Going gluten free was harder than I thought it was for the first 6 months or so.  I'm half Polish so I love my breads, perogies, and desserts.  Half the time I wondered what I was thinking!  At the time I was living in Nashville, TN.  Nashville is a WONDERFUL place to be gluten free- most of the restaurants understand the diet and there are even bakeries that make gluten free cupcakes!  I missed gluten but I found alternatives.

In July 2010 I moved to Athens, GA to attend graduate school at UGA.  I am earning my Masters in Special Education.  Moving was a gluten free culture shock!  Everyone looked at me funny when I asked if they had gluten free bread or bakery and offered me yogurt or eggs as an alternative.  One man asked me how I thought he should make pasta without using flour!  However I have also found wonderful local restaurants that are either very open to learning about gluten free or already know.  Eating out is the hardest part for me when it comes to being gluten free so it is refreshing to find those amazing places!

I go in and out of cooking slumps and am hoping this blog will keep me out of them!  I love coming up with new ideas and tasty treats for myself and others that I can eat!  I love eating out and experiencing different cultural foods, no matter where I have to go!  Hopefully this blog can be helpful to those new to Athens or new to the gluten free lifestyle.  Feel free to contact me if you have any ideas, tips or questions.  Thanks again!
~Jessica