My Name is Melea!
But my family calls me MeMe. I have celiac disease and honestly, it’s hard.
I was diagnosed over a decade ago and have learned so much about myself since then. I’ve accepted it’s a lifestyle.
There are no cheat codes or shortcuts. But that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy the food I eat.
Thankfully I was raised by a mother who taught me how to cook. She made everything homemade, and it always tasted amazing. Many of my childhood memories are tied to food. But I also remember my stomach hurting all the time. I was sick more often than not. The doctors at the time were unable to figure out why.
1st endoscopy – 1994
Fast forward to summer 2012. I had a flare up in my symptoms, I saw a gastroenterologist and she ordered another endoscopy. Still groggy from the procedure, the nurse told me I definitely have celiac disease. My stomach’s villi were completely gone.
I was given nothing but a pamphlet and instructions to follow a gluten-free diet.
I had no clue of the journey ahead. Just avoid gluten I thought. I learned very quickly it’s not that simple. Gluten is in everything, well almost.
Today I avoid gluten, dairy, soy, corn and many other ingredients. My body systems are wrecked from years of poisoning myself causing great sensitivity to many foods.
I am grateful to have figured out what foods ease my symptoms & pain. Trial & error, the elimination diet and tons of research on the internet has given me the tools to create and adjust recipes that meet my needs.
What works for my body might not work for yours. But my hope is that it helps. Invest in yourself, have a plan & keep certain recipes in rotation to make life manageable.
With Love,
MeMe