About
Figuring out Free…
Hi.
My name is Alea and I’m a RealFoodivore. Um… that means I eat as much as I can from scratch, without preservatives, unprocessed, in season, and local whenever possible. Oh, and in my case, also gluten, dairy, egg, soy, corn, refined white sugar, xanthan/guar, garlic, tomato, sulfite, nitrate free… (and the list goes on and on and on… ;) ). I figure if I’m going to live till I am 100, I better cut out the stuff that’s been making me really sick. And get cooking.
Honestly, all I want is to be healthy when I’m old. I want to be that crazy old lady in a bright pink feather boa who walks down the street in garish electric blue stilettos and neon orange nails, just cause I can. At 93 years old. Thats the goal.
Soooo… getting to that level of healthy eccentricity means I’m going to have to do some shopping ;) and some healthy eating. Shopping? Feather boas? No problem. Eating—err. A little more difficult.
I have a long list of foods I’m intolerant to, beyond the ones listed here. But it doesn’t matter. I’m determined to eat real food, from scratch, that plays nicey-nice with my guts and gizzards. So here I am. Trying to figure out what it means to live free.
This blog is to record those ‘messings around’ in the kitchen, and a place to make allergen-free versions of the beautiful things I remember eating as a kid at my Nonna’s house with our weekly visits.
Some people drink, I cook. At least I am productive ;)
This blog is free of:
Gluten, Dairy, Soy, Corn, Eggs, Refined White Sugar, Xanthan/guar gum, garlic, Peanuts, Sulfites, Nitrates, Shellfish. (There are a heck of a lot more things I can’t eat but this list is long enough as it is!)
PLEASE NOTE:
The information in this blog is not to be construed as medical advice. Please understand that the use of the recipes and ideas displayed here are at your own risk. When preparing food for allergic needs please speak to your doctor/ medical specialist first.
Thank you.
******
So- take a look around. Come join the happy madness.
And please. Take very good care of your gut. :)
– Contact: Alea myrealfoodlife@gmail.com
– Gluten Free Resources : favorite links
– My side hobby in photography: www.fullmoonfoto.ca
I almost cried when I stumbled across your site via pinterest. My family and I have extensive allergies and it can be somewhat overwhelming to handle! THANK YOU! I’m so glad we’re not the only ones taking this on. Looking forward to following your site!
yaaay! Janet, i am so happy to help! if there’s anything i can do, or anything you are looking for, please feel free to let me know! xox alea
Just wanted to say thank you for writing this blog!!!!!! These recipes (especially the desserts) have been life savers when my husband starts craving all the foods he can’t have!! Thank you thank you thank you for sharing your knowledge!!
awww Jennifer- i know how you feel!! msg me anytime if there’s any kind of recipe or anything you’re looking for- i’m always happy to help – and i come across some awesome blogs that fit all our dietary restrictions- so if you ever want any ideas, just give me a shout. :) ox
Hey, i just stumbled upon your website, and I can’t wait to try some of your recipes. I have just been told that I am also allergic to wheat, gluten, soy, corn, dairy, refined sugar, plus a million other things. It’s nice to know that I’m not the only one. I’ve just booked marked your website, you may be my saving grace as I have been eating alot of salad lately.
awww thanks Jen! i have a raw cold oatmeal and hot rice/quinoa one – both with coconut milk. i hope you enjoy… and feel well :) so happy to hear from you!
alea
Hi Alea!
I just wanted to thank you for your blog. I was recently diagnosed with a very long list of food sensitivities and your recipes are ones that I can actually eat! I’m super excited to try out the Oat free Oatmeal! So thanks!
hi maureen! you do indeed :) i was offline for a little while but i am back now- feel free to message me with any questions :)
oh gosh… thank you so much!! you made my day!!
You are amazing; I LOVE your blog and I am so happy to have found you. I’ve been reading your posts for awhile but had to comment and let you know how similar our eats are; I cannot eat any processed foods as my body reacts and swells up. I too am a ‘free’ eater of so many things like you and enjoy the good lean proteins, healthy fats and vegetables.
Keep up the beautiful work! I love your recipes and content.
Checking to see if I get through to you!
hi there Teresa-
i just came across a great list of allergy-free food blogs- be encouraged, there’s some wonderful food out there! http://www.circleofmoms.com/top25/top-food-allergy-blogs-2011?trk=t25_top-food-allergy-blogs-2011#_
I’m new to this whole everything-free lifestyle (I wish everything were free!) and will definitely be trying your suggestions! Right now I am corn, wheat, dairy, soy, sugar-free. Along with a selected list of other foods. Makes it difficult to say the least….
heya Jenn!!
If there is anything at all that i can do to help, please let me know!! Especially if you have a recipe you are looking for- i find all kinds of neat stuff as i hunt a round ,and usually post links to it on my FB fanpage wall to share with everyone. I’ve got some fun recipes coming up- please, really, if there is anything at all i can do to help i’m totally here :) oh! and another blog you might really enjoy is called Lexie’s Kitchen. She does similar stuff too and has wonderful recipes as well :D
alea
So glad I found your blog!!! My son was just diagnosed with multiple food intolerances (his sound very much like yours) and I’m joining him on this diet because it helps me too and there’s NO WAY I’m telling my 8 year old son that he’s the only one in the family who can’t have any cane sugar or fructose. We’re in this together. I’ll be trying your vanilla ice cream recipe first of all – wish me luck and thanks for putting this blog together!
anytime kellye! and i soooo love the lamb recipe idea you are doing this weekend… i’m picturing it right now :D *mouth watering*
if there’s anything i can ever do for you, don’t hesitate to let me know- i love a good challenge :D
Love your blog, Alea! Thank you for doing this! I’ll never go hungry again!
thanks so much Kathy!! thats high praise from you, so appreciated! :)
Hi Alea
I just wanted to say how much I LOVE your blog and what you are doing! Way to go girl!:)
Awesome gluten free recipes using whole foods and wholesome sweeteners…
Love it!
wow- thank you so much Sarah!!
You’ll find that even though I do use almond flour and coconut flour, both can be replaced by chickpea flour in most recipes- if there are any you,re not sure about please don’t hesitate to let me know! :)
I think I just fell in love, with your blog. I too cannot eat dairy, eggs, soy, gluten or nuts, and avoiding sugar is crucial to health.
My fiancee lovingly puts up with my baking experiments, but I don’t have the time (or the space!) to play like I wish.
I am so happy to have found your site!! I can’t wait to get baking
Sarah
aww thanks susan… :D hey, if you ever want to link up for free by video cam, i’m sure we coul try something out too, so let me know :)
Let me know if you’re ever coming to Halifax !!!! Would love to do some workshops with you!
yay!! I’m so glad you liked it Susan! its one of my favorites too- so hard to believe no dairy, eh? :) thanks so much for the feedback :)
alea
Made the boozy ice cream for a girls night last night. FABULOUS!!!!! Thanks for such a great site!
Hi Melissa! Thank you so much! i do have tree nuts in alot of stuff here but i can totally make some modifications to any recipe, j ust let me know… and oh- have you checked out the gluten / oat/ nut free granola recipe? great for snacking :)
I’m so excited that you like the blog…I’m working my little hiney off to make it awesome… if you guys ever want free samples of tarts or cupcakes at the store, just let mek now. i’d be happy to make them :D
Alea what a great idea and website!! Lui passed along the information to me. My daughter who is now 14 months is allergic to a long list of foods …. eggs, dairy, peanuts, tree nuts etc etc. I’ll be trying out some of your recipes for sure in my quest to provide her (and my family) with a varity of healthy, clean, allergin free foods!!
Hello there lovely girl!! so great to hear from you! email me your contact info so i can add you to facebook :) i’ll see you sunday after this one..xo
I love your site! Thank you for the ice cream!! You brightened my birthday! Hope to see you again soon!!
i was so, so, so very thrilled to see you and Joyce the other night. made my year, i’m telling you. :)
Wonderful site Alea. Congrats on living your dream and promoting your passion. Joyce and I were thrilled to see you at the wedding and look forward to reading your web insights regularly. Blessings.
So lovely to hear from you Laura, thank you so much! If there are any particular recipes you or anyone you know would like adapted for allergen free, please let me know, i am more than happy to accomodate! :)
Hi Alea – Kerry sent me to your site. Kudos to you. It is great. I have passed it onto some of my friends and they loved it too.
Laura
No chocolate? My middle baby, Jessica, would probably pass out at the thought.
Nice site Alea. I know a few people with gluten/allergen related issues.
thank you so much Linda :)
alea-this is the beginning of great things! love the site and will visit often…linda
you’re the best lubee. :) thank you!!
I love the site.. it looks great! Your photography is getting so good :)
Love you
I love reading all the recipes! Although I’m not allergic to most foods, the recipes just show a healthier way of eating… that should help all of us live a long life! I will try the baba Ghanouj and nacho chips! I love your photo gallery!
yay! thank you… so great to hear from you… new stuff coming soon… i’ve been saving recipes and articles for ages. :)
Hi Alea
I am so excited that you finally did this! I love the ideas so far, and am tempted to try them myself- that will at least let you know if a “beginner” can manage to replicate some of these recipes :)