Our Story

My daughter's were diagnosed with Coeliac Disease at age 9 and 8, 15 months apart..

 

 

The first diagnosis like many came out of nowhere for my eldest daughter. She was simply complaining about headaches and dizziness for a few months, and I thought it had gone on long enough to have the doctor run some bloods. Unbeknownst to me, the doctor had added a Coeliac marker to the blood results. When the doctor called and said "Yes she's low in iron, but she has Coeliac disease" I was floored. I only knew one person who had Coeliac disease and my understanding of it was limited. She couldn't eat gluten, right?

 

What followed was an appointment with a gastroenterologist pediatrician, who explained that she was so allergic to gluten, that one one-hundredth of a piece of bread would affect her. He briefly explained changing chopping boards, utensils, separate spreads and butters and sent us on our way. Not to mention that we needed to keep our second daughter on gluten, so she could be adequately tested then. She ultimately had two endoscopies over 8 months, with a diagnosis in June 2024. You can read the story here.

 

The whole "OK, we will make our life all gluten free" just wasn't the option. Not to mention the cost! For the four of us to eat gluten free food immediately added $150 to our grocery bill each week. Neither my husbane or I have Coeliac disease, and we also frequently have family members staying with us. 

 

So I had to come up with a system to make it safe, easy, and obvious for our family to cook and maneuver around the kitchen. I am a visual person, as is my husband, so I wanted it to be blindingly obvious that these utensils were the ones safe for our Coeliac daughter, and not to be used for any cooking that required gluten. And that's where the concept of Mama Coeliac was born.

 

I am not here to provide recipes to improve gluten free bread, or to give you options for cooking different foods, there are plenty of resources out there for that. I'm here to help you set up your kitchen so that you can take the mental load away from the logistics of cooking and preparing food with a coeliac in your house. Not to mention, I'm here for emotional support, I assure you, if you've thought it, so have I!

 

The impact of this disease is underrated in society, and the frustrations you have on a nearly daily basis are rife. I hear you, and I see you. But hopefully, this space can provide you with the tools and support you need to forge ahead.

 

With much love from one Coeliac Mama to another.