I'm 48 years old. I was diagnosed at the end of 2012 after 7 months of illness, but looking back, I've probably had celiac disease for 20 years.  My symptoms were far from typical.  It was difficult to describe  at the time, but now I know I had ataxia.  It is a balance difficulty that to me felt like I had just gotten off a roller coaster.  7 months of roller coaster riding is nauseating.  

After many specialist appointments and laboratory tests, it was determined that I was severely vitamin deficient, and the cause was celiac disease.  The cure was a strict gluten free diet.  

It took roughly two weeks to feel better, but healing was just beginning.  Learning to live gluten free has its ups and downs, and mistakes are costly.  Gradually, I regained health, strength and energy.  In August 2014, I ran my first half marathon.  Never in my wildest dreams had I imagined what I was capable of.  

I've always been a great cook and a great baker.  My celiac journey added another challenge- how to bake and cook gluten free.  I'm not a fan of mediocre food, and I love to entertain, so the food from my kitchen needed to taste so great that nobody would care that it was gluten free...  except me.  

My friends talked about my food to their friends, and eventually, people with Celiac Disease were eating my food too.  I found my new calling.  I need to improve the lives of Celiacs by improving the food in their kitchens.  And here's my blog.