We all have different stories. But each one brings us to the same place. Having to eat gluten free to maintain our health and wellbeing.

It all started when I decided to begin eating "healthy"!

Listening to the latest health news and the benefits of eating whole grains, I decided to start eating whole wheat bread and cereals to increase my fiber intake and to receive the nutritional benefits that come with it. I was doing fine for awhile, and then...

I had begun to start running to get myself back in shape. Here I am, coming down the side street to my house, when halfway there my heart started beating out of my chest! I thought I was having a heart attack! I could barely walk back home! I made it in the front door and sat down until my heart calmed down. I decided to try running again one more time ( real smart of me!) and it happened again! Well, no more running for me after that! Pretty soon, it started to happen when I was just watching TV or reading a book. It was most prevalent when I was sleeping. I would just drift off when all of a sudden I would get this strange sensation that would wake me up and then my heart would take off at 140 beats per minute. I ended up in the emergency room to find out that my Magnesium and Potassium levels were so low my heart was having problems. Well, they would load me up with a full IV bag of magnesium and liquid potassium (yuck) and send me on my way. Boy, did I fill GREAT for about 2 1/2 months. Then I would slide right back down and end up in the emergency again! We did this for another 3 times.

Meanwhile, I was seeing doctor after doctor trying to figure out what in the world was causing my magnesium levels to tank! I was taking over 2000 milligrams a day and still not able to keep my levels up! Something was seriously wrong, but what!

Well, enter one doctor from Sweden, a gastroenterologist, who listened to me and came up with an interesting thought. You may have celiac sprue, he said. I might have what? I had never heard of it before. It's an intolerance to gluten in grains like wheat, he said. BINGO! THE LIGHT CAME ON! As I sat there and listened to what he had to say, I realized that all this had started when I began eating whole wheat! He had me go through all the tests and they came back positive! No more wheat products for me!

I was so thankful! God had given me an answer to what ailed me! Halleluiah! Now all I had to do was avoid products with gluten. What an eye opener that has turned out to be!

I am truly grateful to know what my medical problem is! I would rather know and begin to deal with it, than to be in the dark looking and looking and not finding.

I LOVE TO COOK! I have found that most of the pre-packaged and pre-made gluten free products are not what I would call appetizing! The choices are getting better and better as people learn about celiac and companies are more responsive to our needs. But, I still enjoy making my own goodies and feeding my family and myself great tasting meals that don't break the bank! I still have a hard time paying the prices for gluten free cookies or cake mixes when I can make my own cheaper and better tasting! But sometimes, you just don't have the time or the desire. I understand that. I get that way too.

Now you know why I started this web site. I have learned alot about gluten free cooking and all the weird and strange tweaks and twists to get something to taste good, especially bread! In some ways, I think we eat healthier than most since we cannot go to the fast food drive thru and pick up junk food! I know it can be frustrating and difficult, especially if you have just been diagnosed. Take heart! I am willing to help you get over the anxiety and frustration of what to eat! Please let me help you any way I can!

I have come to accept what my life is and have decided that it is a way for me to help all of you as I help myself in this journey of gluten free cooking and living.

God bless! Kathy