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Hi, I’m Liv and I am a chef with Celiac Disease.

Growing up, most kids I knew loved to play pretend, bake in their easy-bake ovens and watch cartoons like the Ninja Turtles. While easy-bake was fun for a while, hours of my childhood were spent in my mom’s kitchen experimenting and smearing every surface with sauces and batters, and instead of Ninja Turtles, I was watching my favorite chefs like Julia Child and Graham Kerr make delicious dishes with fascinating ease. By the time I was nine, I knew what I wanted to be when I grew up.

Today, I am a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America and I am living my dream working as a private chef, recipe developer and consultant in the New York City area. I feel so lucky to do what I love and be a part of the talented culinary community here. It wasn’t until recently that I became part of another community that altered my life. I am one of over 2 million people in the U.S. for whom the term “gluten-free” has become a daily part of my vocabulary and diet.

Last January I found out that I have Celiac Disease, an autoimmune disorder triggered by eating foods that contain gluten (wheat, barley, and rye). Before my diagnosis I was anemic, weak, and tired. I saw a hematologist regularly and received intravenous iron to treat my anemia, but no one could figure out why I was so sick. It took ten years, countless doctors, and tons of tests before I was finally diagnosed with Celiac Disease. When I found out, I panicked. Coping with Celiac isn’t really easy for anyone, but for a chef, it changes everything. I had to change the way I cook for my clients because I’m not allowed to taste foods containing gluten. Before long I was beginning to feel better, but I still battled temptation and cravings. I remember one day I when I was yearning for homemade chocolate chip cookies and I attempted to replicate my mother’s recipe. They turned out nearly inedible! After many failed attempts, I nailed the cookie recipe and have since created a ton of other delicious recipes I am really proud of. That’s why I started my blog Liv Gluten-Free. My focus is easy-to-prepare dishes that you can also serve for your friends and family regardless of whether or not they participate in a gluten-free regimen.

I am thrilled to join Foodielink! Look for articles and recipes from me here, every month! And try my Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Banana Bread, below.

Do you suspect you or someone you know might have Celiac Disease? It’s one of the most common chronic health disorders in our country and it affects over 2 million Americans. Unfortunately it’s extremely under diagnosed, and often misunderstood. Look for my blog next month, with more information about Celiacs, symptoms, and getting diagnosed.