I didn’t know how to cook until I was 30. In my mind, my mother was eternal and she was going to prepare food for me all my life. But she returned to the world of spirits too soon, so I learned to cook. I had her recipe book and a few good housewives friends, I learned pretty quickly how to make edible food. But after 10 years I chose to give up gluten and dairy in my desperate quest to get rid of my spondylitis pain and had to unlearn pretty much everything I had learned and reinvent myself. Sure, I could complain that it’s too hard, why is life so hard on me, what did I do wrong, God, why are you punishing me, and stay with what I knew. I would probably have been a respectable middle-aged lady with a few extra pounds, ankylosed from spondylitis and full of physical and mental pain. Or who knows? I had no idea what I was getting myself into more than 10 years ago when I changed everything: job, diet, lifestyle, way of thinking. One of the things I learned during this time was not to regret my choices and not to ruminate endlessly “what if I chose something else?”.
I am always asked if I really don’t consume gluten at all, at least a slice of cake at Easter or a pretzel. I don’t remember the exact day, but it was around the spring of 2012 when I said to myself: let’s see if giving up gluten really has an effect. I was in a flare of spondylitis, I couldn’t even bend down to put on my shoes, I had about 7-8 kilos extra that pressed on my joints and I was generally in a bad mood. In a few days the pain went away, I lost 1kilo per month until I reached size S and XS, I went into remission for the first time and started a new life. It was hard for me then, any change is hard, but the results motivated me not to give up.
Everything in life is about priorities. What we prioritize gets the biggest chunk of time. Look at what in life takes up the most time and you will find out what you prioritize, consciously or unconsciously. Don’t say you’d like something else, what’s the use of complaining? Empower yourself and start organizing your life and activities so that you prioritize what is important to you. And what can be more important than your health and well-being? I am so happy when I get testimonials from my readers that they understand how important nutrition is to them and how much giving up gluten has helped them! Messages full of joy of success, excitement of culinary discoveries and hope for the better.
Ileana
“Good morning!! Do you know what I noticed in time?! That I can cook without gluten and I was very scared and of course I also made many mistakes!! I was also scared of the costs, then I gave up processed foods, unhealthy snacks and other crap that I was spending a lot of money on!! I discovered tasty dishes with few ingredients, I discovered the true taste of fresh vegetables and fruits and not covered by mixes!! The surprise was that although everything seemed more expensive using few but quality ingredients, the budget adjusted and I no longer spend so much on expensive processed foods of poor quality and harmful!! Ps: now don’t think that we don’t indulge ourselves from time to time with something “forbidden”. Have a great and healthy day!”
Alexandra
“I really enjoy these posts. I’m eagerly waiting for them. In the last 5 years I have given up gluten several times. But I kept coming back. For me it’s a long and arduous process. I gave up sugar and carbs with great ease for years. And I was able to give up dairy and soy more easily. I eliminated gluten again for a few months, but I still had small escapades that frustrate me to the max. But I will make it. I have to succeed because life without gluten is like a revelation. I feel so good without it. I think we would all be healthier if we were educated in this regard. People don’t think they can get rid of pain or other ailments by giving up certain foods. But it is true!”
What do you prioritize in your life? What do you do for your well-being and health?
