Welcome to my Blog!

People ask me all the time, how do you know so much about food and cooking.  I cook most of what I eat for myself and my family. I know what is going into the food, how much oil, grains, assortment of vegetables. Ignorance is not something that is acceptable in todays day and age.

It is so important today, to know what you are putting into your mouth. This blog will discuss ways to shop, what to buy, where to buy, and share some great photos and recipes from some of the cookbooks I have worked on, and the one that is in the works right now.

Why is food so important? The answer is easy, eating properly saved my life.

When I was 23 years old, I was diagnosed with a rare connective tissue disease. I was working full time, going to school at night for my C.A. degree, and suddenly, I could barely press down on a can of deodorant, because my fingers in my hand would not function properly. Suddenly from being a very active women, I developed arthritic type symptoms that baffled 6 doctors. They all told me that I had arthritis and sent me on my way. Over the next few months, the pains increased, my mobility started to decrease, and I was very fatigued. Finally the seventh doctor, Dr. Kirk Osterland, took an interest, said to me, I don’t know what you have but we will find out together. At last, someone who took things seriously. Over the next several months, I was hospitalized, tested for every imaginable neurological disease, MS, MD, Lupus, you name it they tested me.

Finally a diagnosis was found, I flew to Baltimore, to John Hopkins University to meet the doctor who discovered the disease and it was confirmed. Eosynaphilia Fasciatis, or Shulmans Disease. I was lucky. I would not end up in a wheel chair.

However for the next 7 years, several medications were tried, none helped, except for Prednisone. A steroid. A wonder drug. I felt better on it, I did not wake up in the morning unable to move for 2 hours. I was not perfect, but boy that drug did wonders.

Unfortunately, at the time, no one told me to increase my calcium levels and take Vitamin D supplements. So years later, the drug left me with borderline Osteoporosis.

At the age of 30, the disease seemed to go into remission. The way it came it went away. Was I completely pain free, no, but I could manage with no medications. I had made a conscious decision to get off all drugs. Deep down, I knew they helped in some ways, but there are always some side effects. Believe me, I am a huge advocate for modern medicine, however, I truly believe that we must look at alternatives as well.

That is where food comes in, it is the only thing that is completely within our own control. At the age of 36, the pains returned. This time I was put on Vioxx, ( a drug taken off the market since). I was on it for 3 months, with little effect. Someone told me about a naturopath who helped her son with his Rheumotoid Arthritis. I figured why not.

He directed me to eliminate wheat, dairy and sugar from my diet. I followed the regiment to a tee for one month. At the end of 3 weeks, my pains disappeared, I was off all medications, and I felt great. It has been 14 years. I have never felt better. Do I eat any wheat dairy or sugar, yes from time to time, but overall, I have changed my way of eating.

What you put into your mouth, is so important. I believe in preventive medicine. You only have one body, so take care of it.

I will share some great recipes, some great food tips, and teach you as I have been taught over the years.

So join me as we explore different foods, and products available on the market.  Remember you are what you eat. This is not just a saying.

Teaching Your Kids How to Eat »