Living a Gluten Free, Vegan lifestyle can be tough…especially for a 23 year old actress living in New York City. But it is something I’ve embraced for my health. I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis when I was 16 and have been coping with it for 7 years with a healthy lifestyle, strong faith, and an amazing support system. Join me on my culinary adventures for a healthy, happy tummy!
glutenfreehappytummy 
HI Care,
Hope all is better? Just popping in to say hello and love the pics of all the recipes that you are making.
Hope to see you soon,
much love,
Trudy
Hey Trudy!
Thanks for “stopping by” :) Yeah, we’re taking it one day at a time and staying positive. I can’t wait to see you too! Dreaming of the 4th has gotten me through the winter “blahs!” Love you!!
Hi! My name is Shawna and I work at Lobsta Bakes. We really appreciate your kind words! As a transplanted New Yorker, total health/fitness geek, and former loyal Bounty Seafood customer, I can attest to the freshness and quality of Kevin’s offerings.
Just wanted to share this link with you since it’s impossible to ignore that gluten is not a viable food source for most people and doing so can be tracked back to many health issues such as yours. http://scdlifestyle.com/2012/03/is-celiac-disease-reversible/
You also may want to check into Loren Cordain and Robb Wolf if you haven’t already.
Good luck and take care.
Hi Shawna! Thank you so much for checking out my blog. We are so grateful for Lobsta Bakes! No matter what we get, we know that it is the best Mother Nature has to offer. And thanks for the info on SCD. So interesting. And I’ll definitely check out those two.
Again, thank you for the gift that you give to Cincinnati in the form of amazing, fresh seafood!
Caralyn
OK, so there is a Lobsta Bake shop right down the street from me in Newtown (Cincinnati) and I agree that the seafood there is the best in the city! My wife and I love Ahi tuna seared ever so slightly and I am going to surprise her with this dish. While we do not need to worry about gluten restrictions in our diets, I am so excited to make this dish! I just hope mine will look as beautiful as your presentation!
Thanks Jeff! Yes, that is the one! Cincinnati is so fortunate to have Lobsta Bakes for amazing seafood. And lucky you to live right down the street! :) I hope your wife enjoys the Ahi Tuna surprise! Thanks for stopping by my blog!
Best, Caralyn
Hi Caralyn! Just wanted to make my way over to visit your blog and say hello – I admire your path very much and look forward to following along! Glad you found me and thanks for stopping by to say hello on my blog too! Cheers! :)
Hey Shira! Thank you! I love your blog too! You photography is truly stunning! Have a great weekend! Thanks for stopping by:)
Thanks Caralyn! My pleasure! :) Have a great weekend!
Yeah for vegans with U/C! I went vegan in January and I’m totally in remission! Do you take probiotics?
here is my first post about why I went vegan
http://goodcleanfood.wordpress.com/2012/02/19/sick-of-being-sick/
Yeah! wow, thats awesome that you’re in remission!! :) I do take probiotics…right now I’m on Dr. Ohhira’s probiotics – Yay friendly flora! can’t wait to check out your blog! thanks for stopping by:)
Great! So many UC sufferers don’t take advantage of probiotics or diet for that matter to heal themselves. It’s an interesting journey for sure!
I’m new to your blog…and I love it! I’m struggling through a similar health crisis and your blog is a wealth of knowledge…plus, your recipes look AMAZING! I can’t wait to try some of them!
Awesome! Thank you Sarey! I’m sorry to hear that you’re going through a health crisis — that’s no fun. I’m right there with ya:) I hope you enjoy the recipes! Let me know how they go:) Glad you stopped by! Have a great day!
Every time I look at your blog, I am amazed at your pictures and how you make your food look like mountains of food! You have some really good ideas on how to make food healthy and love how you work in veggies any way you can!
haha Thank you! I just love eating a variety of produce. I try to “eat a rainbow” every day! Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for posting a comment on my blog so I could find your blog!! I’m allergic to gluten and dairy and have been a vegetarian for 20 years. I’m so excited to find someone else in the same “dietary boat”! :-)
Thanks Natasha! Awesome! I know, its always so comforting to find someone else who’s in the same “dietary boat!” :) yay! So glad you stopped by:)
I just found your blog and I love it. I have Celiac so I too am gluten-free. I am also allergic to eggs and dairy so your recipes are perfect for that too. Can’t wait to see what you post in the future!
Thank you Alaine! Welcome! I’m glad you stopped by:) I find it so comforting when I find someone who’s in the same boat:) have a great night!
Hey, I just found your blog, and I’m very inspired by you! A friend of mine has recently been diagnosed with a disease similiar to colitis, and I’ve been enormously worried, but thankfully, she’s doing better, and I’m glad to see that you’re thriving despite your disease! :)
Thank you so much Tricia! yeah, digestive diseases are no fun at all. Your friend is lucky to have you “in her corner” as a supporter! That’s so appreciated when times are tough:) Sending healing thoughts and prayers to your friend! Thanks for stopping by! Have a great night!
I’m a gluten free vegetarian living in NYC. Living in a city surrounded by such incredible food that I can’t/don’t eat can be kinda depressing. Is it weird that it’s comforting to know I’m not alone out there?
Hi Liza! haha no NOT at all! i feel the same way! the “iconic” NYC street vendor hot dogs and pretzels and cupcake shops — I’ve found that going to the Union Square Farmer’s market makes me feel not “deprived!” Maybe I’ll see you there:) Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day!
I was looking for an email but didn’t see one. I wanted to say that I am so happy I found your blog. I was diagnosed with Celiac two years ago when I was in college. I just graduated and for the first time have my own kitchen. Living with flare ups for over two years I am excited to finally be in control of what I put in my body. Your site is an inspiration and I hope to take full advantage of all your recipes. Thank you!
Thank you so much Alex! That just made my day:) Yay for having your own kitchen! It really does make all the difference:) I’m so glad you stopped by! Best of luck on your healing journey:) Have a great afternoon! And congrats on your graduation!
Hi! I’ve nominated you for a Versatile Blogger Award! Read about it here: http://christinadesignsart.wordpress.com/2012/08/09/versatile-blogger-award/
Oh my gosh, Thank you so much Christina! I’m honored! Have a great day!
Hey girl, I’m just stopping by to tell you I’ve nominated you for a Liebster award http://eatandgetmoving.wordpress.com/2012/08/09/liebster-blog-award-11-random-facts-about-me/ :) Love, Leanne
Wow, thank you so much Leanne! I really appreciate that:) I hope you have a great afternoon!
Thanks, you too! And you’re very welcome!!
Hi,
My name is Ilona and I am also on the body ecology diet and def. gluten free. I started a candida support group in the nyc area if you are interested in joining us! I am also a graduate of IIN and do mind/body work and nutrition counseling. Would love to hear from you! – ilona
How awesome! Thank you Ilona! I’m actually not currently in NYC right now (I’m home because of my Ulcerative COlitis Flare) but that sounds like a great group! Thanks for the invitation! Have a great day!
Hello,
your blog is amazing! I’m currently coping with a terrible parasite and have many digestive issues because of it. I recently ordered Dr. Ohirras probiotics and I just saw that you take these too. Do you take any other supplements? And, have you ever done a cleanse?
Thanks for are your help! -Cat
Hi Cat! Oh gosh, I’m so sorry to hear about your health struggles. I was taking Dr. Ohirras, but I switched about a month ago to Garden of Life’s Primal Defense Ultra Probiotics. They’re from the guy who wrote, “Patient Heal Thyself” which is a great read that I highly recommend. I’m also taking Boswellia and a multi Vitamin. I hope that helps. and No, I have never done one. Sending healing thoughts and prayers! Thanks for stopping by!
What brand of multi vitamin are you currently taking? i’m on the hunt for a new one and would like a recommendation. By the way, thank you so much for all your postings. Your blog is truly amazing!
Hi Sara! I take Source Of Life multi vitamin. I love it:) Hope that helps! And thank you so much:) I hope you have a terrific weekend!
Thank you for your enthusiasm for grain-free meals. It’s having a contagious effect on me!
Thank you Morgan! Aw yay:) Yeah grain-free doesn’t have to be boring or a “let down!” It just takes a little creativity and an open mind:) Thanks for stopping by! Have a terrific Friday!
Hey girl! i’m so sorry you are dealing with so much health wise! you remind me a lot of myself except im not sure what my issues are yet! They are digestion related though definitely. ive tried so many things, including Body ecology!! Now i still have tests to do to test for celiac because I am really wondering about me having it! If I do though, i must be extremely sensitive since i eat mostly gluten free. Just so many things that have gluten or tiny bits that you wouldn’t even know!! best of luck to you!!
Thank you! Yeah digestive issues are no fun at all. Hopefully your tests will reveal some answers!! I know, it’s crazy! There’s so many teeny-tiny ingredients that have gluten, or are processed on equipment that shares with gluten-containing foods…it can be frustrating. Best of luck to you as well! Sending healing thoughts and prayers:) Thanks for stopping by!
Hey lady! You won my NuNaturals giveaway! Drop me an e-mail at iris(at)thedailydietribe(dot)com so we can coordinate. xoxo
Thank you so much Iris! I’m so excited! I love NuNaturals! I’ll email you right now:) Thanks again for hosting such a great giveaway!
I am so glad I found your blog! I too have lived with IBD since I was about 16 years old, and it is wonderful to hear that you have had success in managing UC with your diet. I am eating a vegetarian diet now, and maybe some day I’ll try a vegan diet and see how my Crohn’s reacts :)
oh my gosh, thank you so much! i’m sorry to hear about your IBD – it’s been a very long journey for me, but I am managing my disease through the SCD diet and asacol. I’m not 100% yet, but about 90%. Sending healing thoughts and prayers your way:) thanks for stopping by! have a great week!
Thank you so much, you are so sweet! I’m glad that you are almost feeling 100%, that’s a big accomplishment with IBD :) I have recently heard about the SCD diet and IBD but don’t know much about it, any suggestions for resources where I could learn more?
absolutely! The book, Breaking the Vicious Cycle is THE book for the SCD diet. they also have a website. But i would highly suggest reading the book — i refer to it all the time. It really works – it’s the reason why I’m able to be back in NYC! Have a great night!
Great, thanks so much! I will definitely look into it. I am actually going to school in NYC now so maybe one day we can connect! Have a nice night!
I can’t believe you take all the photos & cook all the food you have listed in your blog & act too! How do you find the time, girl? I’m looking forward to a long enjoyment of your blog. I’m new to gluten-free. My accupuncturist recommended it to me.
thank you so much! how awesome! yeah, it definitely takes a lot of time, but it’s a passion of mine, and I’m hoping that it helps people, which is why I do it:) I’m so glad you stopped by! Have a fabulous week! enjoy the recipes!
Hello,
I just came across your blog and really love the recipes and how great they look. I have UC as well and know how hard it can be, I am recovering from my own recent flare up but am doing well med free. I really appreicate the BED recipies and in the new year will be seeing how my body does on that. I also wanted to let you know of another great asset for people with IBD. It is a book called ‘Listen to your Gut’ by Jini Patel Thompson. She healed herself naturally from chrohns, you can google the book title and will come across her website. She has some amazing resources and a lot of great information. It really helped me during my flare and I thought you may be interested in it. I hope you are doing well and thanks for a great blog!!!
Hi Kyla! Oh my gosh, that you so much. I really appreciate that! sounds like an interesting book! I’ll definitely have to check it out. thanks for the heads up:) So glad you stopped by! Thanks for your kind words!
Hi! I love your blog, I made the cauliflower pizza the other night, my boyfriend (who has no digestive issues.. grr) loved it! :)
I was wondering if you could give me some more information on the diets that you have tried and what has worked? I have been gluten free for almost 2 years, and mostly grain free since this past May. I got tested for food sensitivities and now am trying to cut out dairy.. and last night I had joint and muscle fatigue (similar to what my gluten outbreaks feel like), and I’m thinking I have a nightshade problem. :( It reminded me that I was just reading that you had to cut out tomatoes at some point, so I was wondering how that went? Thanks! :)
Hi Allie! Thank you so much! i’m glad you and your bf enjoyed the pizza!!
Absolutely…The diets that I have been on are: gluten free (always), the Body Ecology Diet, the Specific Carb Diet and Vegan. The BED, I was on for 4 months to fight a Candida overgrowth. I found that whenever I would eat sugar – even fruit! – my stomach would just balloon up! So i cut out all sugar (including fruit, dairy, wheat, soy and yes, tomatoes!) and it took care of the issue! I still don’t eat sugar, and am VERY cautious with fruit (read: 1 piece every 2 days)…I am still sensitive to sugar. The Specific Carb Diet has really been my saving grace for Ulcerative Colitis…in this diet, there’s no starch (grains or potatoes or corn etc), soy, sugar or dairy. I am also vegan, but I do eat eggs (farm raised and pastured) for protein. My body does very well on this diet and it has allowed me to move back to New York and reclaim my life! In regards to the nightshades, I’ve never specifically cut them out, except for tomatoes during the time of the BED. My biggest suggestion would be to cut out grains and dairy, which you are doing! :) If you’re still feeling the fatigue, maybe try cutting out soy. Also: do you take any probiotics? I take Primal Defense Ultra Probiotics. They are amazing. I hope that helps! THanks for stopping by! Have a great week!