As someone who cooks most of their meals at home, I depend on my freezer just as much as I do my fridge. And although I prefer to cook as often as possible with fresh ingredients, it is not always feasible. For example, when certain fruits and vegetables aren't in season and items such as gluten-free bread, tortillas, seafood, and meats can go bad without being frozen. There are days I genuinely don't have time to prepare an entire meal and when realities get in the way, I need a quick and healthy alternative. This is where frozen food comes to my rescue. Frozen food isn’t at the heart of my diet, however, it sure is helpful in my day-to-day life. 

We’ve only just begun to scratch the surface when it comes to celiac disease and other forms of gluten sensitivity. In fact, it wasn’t until the 1940s when Dutch pediatrician Dr. William Dicke discovered the link between gluten and diseases.

For those with an intolerance to gluten, a gluten-free diet is prescribed, alleviating most of the common ailments associated with it.

We were excited to find out about imaware™, and how easy, convenient and inexpensive ($99) it would be to screen him for celiac disease, before making an appointment with a gastroenterologist. They are able to test for four celiac disease biomarkers (including tTg-IgA aka “the screening gold standard”) by using just a few drops of blood, and without any doctor’s prescription or leaving your home. And unlike many at-home testing companies, they utilize their own lab equipment and dedicated staff at a CLIA certified lab, rather than contracting out the whole process, allowing for quicker turnaround times.

When I found out I could no longer eat gluten I was simultaneously relieved that there was finally an answer to my health issues and devastated that I could no longer eat freshly made, still-warm flour tortillas.

The past few years have been tough getting used to this unwanted lifestyle, but luckily there are so.many.gluten.free.treats. I get so excited when I see a new product to try! Even when traveling, I research the hell out of gluten free eats to see what I can enjoy. It actually makes eating out much more fun.

After much trial and error, I’ve come up with a list of my top 5 favorite #treatyourself goodies. Key word is TREAT YO SELF so don’t judge me ;)