Sometimes life throws you a curve ball… sometimes you are aware of what’s to come and sometimes it takes you completely by surprise that it leaves you breathless. In my case, it left me breathless. I am trying not to get all emotional on you while I type this post but for some reason my eyes want to swell:) For those of you who know me and those of you who have heard about me- I would hope first and foremost you heard I love my Lord and Savior but secondly, that you know I LOVE TO COOK. It is my passion. It is what I truly believe God gave me to do. To do for myself because it brings me joy, to do for my family, friends and as an act of service to strangers and the needy. I am constantly looking for someone who needs a good home cooked meal or a little something sweet to brighten their day. Cooking is what I do. Cooking is what I dream about. Cooking is ME!
Now last line is what I need to explain further. Cooking is ME but today I found out that I have Celiac Disease. It is an autoimmune disease that damages the lining of the small intestine and prevents it from absorbing parts of food that are important for staying healthy. I have to admit. I sometimes wish I would have never gone to the doctor- I would like to think what you don’t know can’t hurt you but then I would be lying to myself. This all started 3 months back when I finally got fed up hearing from my husband and family about how skinny I was. I eat and I eat but you wouldn’t know it my looking at me. I love my cookies (at least 3 or 4 every night) my ice cream, my fried chicken, my pasta- you name it I love it. There in lied the problem. I was eating more and more every month trying to keep from losing weight, trying to prove to everyone I did eat and trying to stave off the “Your too skinny and Are you not eating” comments I began getting used to. I proceeded to run tests with the doctor which started off with a diagnosis of pre-diabetes (which I have learned is a typical misdiagnose of Celiac) and finally led to actually testing for Celiac. I got the results back just this past Friday and to say my world was turned upside down is an understatement. Now, don’t get me wrong. I completely understand and realize that having Celiac is not the end of the world. I understand it could be worse, I understand people who aren’t even Gluten sensitive have taken on this gluten free lifestyle just because but for yours truly- it was a huge hit. A hit to my passion and a hit to my confidence as a cook.
That is until I took a step back and realized that the Lord had been preparing me for this moment for quite some time now. I won’t go into details but I will say that He was preparing me for a challenge and I wanted to handle this challenge in a way that only brought glory to His name. God knew about this the whole time He led me to start this blog 3 years ago and I want to continue to enjoy my passion and help others along the way. I will make GLUTEN FREE BELLEICIOUS!
My vow to you all is that nothing will change here in regards to the types of dishes I make. I will continue to make the dishes you will love here on Kitchen Belleicious- they will just happen to be gluten free. I am determined to in a way prove that going gluten free can be just as delicious as cooking with it and if not even more Belleicious. I will be creative, daring, out of the box and most importantly fearless. I’m ready to embrace- are you?
Disclaimer: I am not going to pretend to give you any information that is more valuable and all encompassing than the information you will find on the gluten fro godess site and gluten free on a shoestring. They do an amazing job explaining the ins and outs of Gluten free living, substitutions, etc. What I am here for is your go to spot for Gluten free food that is amazingly delicious- so much so that no one even knows it is Gluten free. I will prep, cook, bake, and through trial and error provide you with a trustworthy list of incredible recipes you can be sure your whole family will love. One thing I do know is food and one thing you can be sure of is that when you see a recipe here on Kitchen Belleicious- you can TRUST- that the dish is going to be fantastic and its going to taste just like the real thing. That is my promise to you! I won’t settle for par- it’s not in me.
- 1 large avocado
- 1 can drained chickpeas
- ½ tsp salt and pepper each
- 1 lime, jucied
- 1 tsp Devo toasted sesame seed oil
- ⅛ cup olive oil or more depending on desired consitency
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Cut avocado into quarters, getting rid of the stone and peel. Drizzle with a olive oil and season with salt & pepper. Bake for about 15 minutes in a 400 degree oven. Remove and allow to cool.
- In your food processor- place the chickpeas, toasted sesame seed oil, olive oil, salt, pepper, lime juice and garlic powder. Pulse a few times then add in the cooled roasted avocado slices. Pulse, adding a little more olive oil if necessary until the hummus is nice and smooth.
oh sweet girl, i am so sorry to hear your news! i will be praying for you! and i can’t wait to see your gluten free recipes! and i think you will help SO many people who have celiac disease.
Hey, stranger! First and foremost, know I am praying for you. But I think you hit the nail on the head – God is giving you a new challenge and you will continue to bless people with your food but in a much different way. Those with gluten into,era cries now have a new resource and a delicious one. Bless you, friend!
Oops – *gluten intolerance
Maybe I should proofread more carefully. 😉
I’m so sorry to hear that! I know you will come up with some A-mazing recipes that fit your new lifestyle 🙂 Can’t wait to follow you on your new journey!
I’m so sorry this has happened to you. My thoughts and prayers are with you. But I can tell that you’ve taken the right path and will take on the challenge.
Sam
Oh Jessica – I’m SO sorry this had to happen – but with your will and incredible cooking skills (I always LOVE visiting your blog) I know you are just going to reach new heights!! – I have NO doubt – especially if this delicious avocado hummus is any indication – YUM!
Lots and lots of love
Mary x
oh wow jessica. i am sorry that you have had to deal with so many difficult emotions of fear, shock, frustration…….
i KNOW however, that you will use this to benefit not only your own health, but that of your family, and alllll of your fans (including myself) here at GLUTEN FREE BELLEICIOUS!! you are passionate, resourceful, motivated, and extremely talented, and i cannot wait to try each and every recipe and tip that you share moving forward. ever since ryan became ill (he’s better now), our eating/cooking has drastically changed… which is why i haven’t tried many recipes here or on other blogs… i think the last one i made was your fish recipe! not that you cooked totally unhealthy- it is just that we have chosen to reduce the gluten in our diet (and fat… AND sugar :)), and have started to cook with new ingredients (i.e. products, flours).
i know that this will not be easy, but it will be a time of insurmountable growth, learning, and positive change, and please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions… we’ve learned so much along the way as well! xoxo
p.s. can’t wait to try the hummus! adding this to my meal plan, which i am doing momentarily.
Girl, you are LSU tough plus you have the talent and skill to bring something great to the “gluten-free” world! I know that this will be an adjustment but, I’m confident that GOD is lighting your path.
I’m sooooo pre-ordering the Kitchenbellecious Gluten Free Gourmet! (Just a suggestion) In the meantime, you’re going to love baking with coconut flour 🙂
Wow. That’s a tough one with the Celiac disease diagnosis. But, at least you know what the problem is and you can combat it properly! This hummus looks absolutely delicious. Thanks for sharing a personal part of your life with us.
Jessica, I know how devistating this must be to you and I am so saddened to hear this. Yes, there are worse things but I do know how you feel as someone so passionate about cooking and baking. What I do believe is that so many have become diagnosed with this and God blessed you with this amazing talent to create delicious foods and you will now be creating gf recipes! How lucky the world is to have you!! I wish you the best in 2013!
Belle, I commend you for taking your new lifestyle with Celiac disease so gracefully and I am truly looking forward to your gluten free meals. Have a fun time preparing and planning your new gluten free meals.
🙂 Mandy xo
GIrlfriend! My heart is with you! Good thing you’re such an AMAZING cook-I know you will be able to make delicious GF creations. Look at this one! YUM!
HI Jessica. I’m so sorry about your recent diagnosis. We went through that with my son, but in the end he was misdiagnosed originally and did not have celiac’s disease. I did research many, many recipes and bought crazy flours from Amazon. Please email me! I have been trying to decide what to do with these unopened flours I bought that help make awesome pancakes, waffles, and cupcakes. I also bout two FABULOUS cookbooks that made me stop crying and start baking. The first weekend my son was diagnosed and I had my flours in from Amazon, my daughter and I cleaned the pantry and baked the most delicious cupcakes and made HUGE batches of a gluten free flour mixture that can be used with many baked goods. Don’t fall for most of the prepackaged stuff, it’s just not very good and I know you can bake and cook like nobody’s business so you will not have to suffer in the end. It will just be a learning curve like you have posted. I know what a huge curve ball this is though. I imagined what my son was going through and cried and cried for days and yet I knew how grateful we were that he had something treatable. I have a gluten free page on my site and a few GF recipes (look in recipe section) which although it only has a few things, they are tried and true and we made them many, many times. If you email me your address, I will ship you the flours (unopened of course) and the cookbooks if you would like them, my treat. Take care. Geni
Hey girl! So I guess you got the results back. I was hoping since I didn’t hear back from you about the test, that all was ok. Well, if anyone can embrace this, then you can, right? Maybe this is god’s way of getting you out there a different way. Maybe a gluten free blog is what is needed and one that showcases “real” family friendly recipes. I love your attitude about all of this, but don’t be hard on yourself when you have those days where you get bummed out and just want to eat an old favorite dish. Luckily, there are so many gluten free choices at the grocery store and at restaurants. There weren’t as many a few years ago. I stumbled across this gal via twitter and I haven’t checked out her show yet, (she has a cooking show) but she is hilarious and all of her recipes are gluten free. You should check her out.
https://twitter.com/AlexThomopoulos
I love the first recipe you went with and what I love about it is that anyone could enjoy it. I love dips, hummus, guacamole. They make snack time a bit more enjoyable. I like having something to dip my tortilla or cracker in.
I’m also loving the new layout and look of your blog. You’re so talented 🙂
xoxo, Jackie
I think I am proud of the young woman you have become to the point that you can’t surprise me– and then you do. Blessings, my sweet daughter! I love you and I KNEW you would get a God perspective on this new life.
Jessica, I just know that you will easily soar over this new challenge that has been been presented to you. I can’t wait to see what you will do with this one. Thank you so much for stopping by with your kind words today. You blessed my heart. *hugs* May you and your family be blessed beyond measure this new year!
Oh Jessica! I am so sorry to hear this for you, as I know as I know having a food restriction and cooking is hard. Especially with a passion like yours! However, I KNOW that this will be a culinary challenge you will overcome. You are such a talented cook and I bet you will feel so much better 🙂
I am sure it is a blessing in disguise. You have a great attitude. I know more and more people are being diagnosed with Celiac and are having a hard time figuring out how to make their meals taste good. I am sure you will be perfect to do that! XOXO Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
Oh jessica!! That sucks. But being such a fabulous mum and cook that you are, I know you will create some amazing recipes that you won’t even think that you are missing out!! I find that by reducing and cutting wheat and most sugar, my digestive system works better AND there are so many creative things you can do.
And did I mention it I never thought of roasting avocado? Brilliant idea.
Hi Jessica, I’m so sorry to hear about your gluten intolerance. I’m sure that you would overcome it with the support of your family and friends, and your very positive attitude that I really admire. Take care!
Wish you and your family the very best of 2013! Have a blessed and wonderful year!
If there is anyone that can make gluten free taste delicious…it is you. Take care of yourself.
That must have been a shock but now you have some answers as to what was going on all these years. You’re right you can eat well and thrive without gluten. Here’s to your new gluten free journey!
First and foremost, I am SO glad you are on the road to getting better!! That must have been so scary.
Secondly, I love your attitude towards this. I’m sure you can make equally as delicious, if not more so, gluten-free food and that you are certainly up for the challenge!
First of all, I’m so glad and relieved you found an answer to your medical issues. I know this is a shocker, and a life changing diagnosis, but I know you’ll deal with it with grace. You’ll have a whole new group of blog followers and admirers along with all of us who will still come for your marvelous recipes! You will shine!!!
Oh Jessica, I am so sorry for your diagnosis, but in today’s world there are so many options; I wouldn’t be able to imagine how someone would have survived 30 or 40 years ago. I stumbled across a blog that I think you will get a lot out of Elana’s Pantry, these crackers I made for my gluten intolerant friend came from her blog. You can find the link in the recipe http://kitcheninspirations.wordpress.com/2011/06/13/gluten-free-almond-sesame-crackers/
I do wish you well on your new journey through a gluten-free life.
I too believe that things happen for a reason and it only take time to reveal the true meaning behind aspects of our lives. So while I can only image how difficult life has been for you, I’m extremely happy that you know what has been been creating imbalance in you life and you can now correct it.
You’re an inspirational cook and I look forward to your gluten free recipes. Gluttons don’t discriminate about what’s in or not in the food. Just so long as it’s good!!
Happy New Year Jessica and love the new look too!!
Jess, I can tell how strong you are as a person after reading your posts, it sounds like you are going to kick this change into shape and let it know who is the boss in your kitchen!! I’m looking forward to seeing what comes next 🙂
Take care…
Oh dear! I know how it must feel and I know how hard it must be 🙁 You are an amazing cook and I am sure you will find your way in gluten free world as well and sooner or later you will start to enjoy that as well. Atleast now you will get better right! (((hugs))) take care dear.
jessica, sorry to hear about the disease. Good to hear that you remain positive and i know there’s nothing can stop you from making delicious food! i wld still be following you on your gluten free cooking journey and i know you will still continue to amaze us with your creations! hugs!
Jessica, first of all I’m really sorry to hear about your diagnosis, however it’s good that you found out early and you are ready to change your lifestyle for your health. It was a shocking for me, but at the same time I was really impressed with your positive attitude and took the whole thing with grace…I know someone like you will come back with amazing gluten free recipes. You have so many recipes already and I know you will go further. Good luck with your journey and I’m excited to read your future posts!
First off, just breathe. I know it seems totally depressing but there are ways to live gluten free and enjoy life. You should be glad that you found out what was wrong with you and now you can at least live a healthy life. Eating gluten free will be difficult in the beginning and you might have withdrawal symptoms (your dietician might have told you everything) from not eating wheat but you will soon get better. You have passion for cooking and I know you can come up with amazing recipes that your whole family will love. {Hugs}
What a unique and lovely recipe! I can’t wait to try this !
Hi Jessica,
I am sorry to hear about your diagnosis but am sure and look forward to the wonderful gluten free recipes I will get to see on your blog. You certainly are a very strong and determined person and I wish you all the best for the New Year!
My dear friend,
My heart is with you at this time of emotional stress-Hang in there Jessica! Speaking as a woman who is lactose and meat protein intolerant, trust me when I say it is difficult at first but it surely doesn’t mean the end of the world by any means. My daughter has colitis and she has to watch what she eats too. We have been lucky enough to be healthy after a lot of research and trial and error with different foods. I’m sure that God will give you the strength to make gluten-free bellicious just as delicious as it has been all this time!! God Bless u
Oh goodness. I am so thankful that you see God’s hand and His grace in all this! It is so tempting sometimes to sit and wonder “why” – and to empty our struggles of the blessings God wants to squeeze out of them!
I look forward to your new recipes (just as much as I always have), and am praying for a healthy 2013 for you and your family!
I’m sending you a big hug Jessica! Big, big hug! This has to be such a shock and is going to be a challenge, but if there’s anyone out there that can pull off utterly delicious gluten free food with ease, it’s going to be you. I have no doubt. And I can’t wait to share some of your new recipes with my best friend who is also gluten intolerant. She doesn’t have celiac, but another autoimmune. In all seriousness though Jessica, big hugs. Any kind of change can be difficult, but when it hits something so a part of who you are….well, just know I’m thinking of you. I know you’ll pull off gluten free with grace, style and deliciousness!
Hey there–I am so sorry–life does throw curve balls but there’s a lot of good here. knowledge is power, and now you know how to improve your health. and if anyone can create wonderful, flavor-packed gluten-free recipes, it is YOU!
Know that you’ll have the keen interest and support of your friends and readers everywhere. All is well.
I am so sorry. Life does have a way of throwing curve balls . You are definitely an amazing cook and I have followed and enjoyed your blog for quite some time and look forward to your new creations. This Hummus looks amazing. I am trying to eat healthier and this recipe looks great. I bet it would be super good with some jalapeno and cilantro. Can’t wait to try your recipe. Be encouraged and you will get through this new phase of your life stronger and better than before.
Oh reading this just made me want to cry!! I know your passion for cooking and baking is so strong and I know that the Lord will use you to benefit so many people. We pretty much eat gluten free and we really are glad. We had read so much about all of the GMO’s in the wheat, corn ad grains and are happy not to be ingesting it. When I deliver to the health food stores that sell our products I am amazed at how many people come in to get gluten free products because they are gluten intolerant.The most common thing I hear them say is that it is so hard to make the food taste good. I am so excited to tell all of these people I come in contact with about your blog. That way they can know how to make food that they can have taste good. I pray that the Lord lead you in this new venture. You are so special
It will be a challenge I’m sure, but a fun challenge! I did Gluten-free for a while when we were trying for baby #2 and had trouble. Baking was the biggest challenge to me, I wasn’t able to find a good flour combination. But, honestly, I didn’t try that hard and gave up on Gluten-free when I didn’t notice any changes after a month. I can’t wait to see what you come up with.
Hi Jessica, so sorry to hear about your diagnosis, I can imagine it’s a real shocker and takes time to get used to it (I was in denial when I learned about my food allergies). But behind every let down is an opportunity, which I’m sure you’ll take full advantage of. I tend to believe that challenge inspire some of the most brilliant ideas and I’m looking forward to your gluten free recipes! Have a good weekend!
Dear Jessica, so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. The good thing though is that you now know how to deal with it. You are an amazing cook and the good Lord will lead and direct you in this new path you have to take. Sending big hugs your way…Biren xo
Oh sweetheart, I am happy and sad (but in a good way) for your new discovery. I am happy that you now know what is going on with your health and have a promising way to live with celiac disease through your nutrition. However, in a good way, I am sad for you in that I would give so much (but not anything) to be able to eat and eat and eat without gaining weight and remaining (or at least to get) skinny and thin. Something I’ve only been twice in my life and it was through unhealthy starvation methods. Our Lord in his infinite wisdom gave me my cross to bear in life: weight problems along with a passion for cooking and a super-thin husband that loves to eat, eat, eat. But we take what we are given, for whatever His reasons are, and we accept, and give praise for all things including what we see as ‘bad/negative’, because He has his reasons that are beyond our understanding. I look forward to your new cooking philosophy and approach, but yet, remember, I have to lose weight while you’re seeking to put a little bit more on. So I’ll have to make adjustments so that I can continue to try to lose. I know that everything you will continue to share with us will be absolutely delicious and BELLEICIOUS! xoxo, Roz