Food is powerful. It can be powerfully good in taste, texture, healthfulness, nutrition, and healing. Food is also powerful in an emotional sense. Close your eyes and think of food—what pops into your head?

For many of us food is related to special people—like our grandmothers or an aunt that would spoil us with decadent confections we believed were somehow magical they tasted so good. Was your Uncle the go-to guy for the best barbeque chicken?

Food is associated with events like weddings, birthdays, Fourth of July BBQ picnics, and Sunday brunches. Gatherings, celebrations, family, and friends. The essence of our lives is in the food we eat.

I think back to all of my powerful associations with food and I get overwhelmed with emotion; happiness, fullness, love, and contentment. As a kid my life was all about food; hamburgers, ice cream, popcorn, hot dogs, roasts for Sunday dinners, lobster feasts on the back patio, popsicles, birthday cakes, penny candy from the neighborhood candy store, hot, fresh, homemade cookies and milk.

Even as I write this I am flooded with strong association and memories long put away in the deep sulci of my brain. Prior to finding out I am Celiac I would happily eat anything! I really believed I had an iron stomach. I am still sad I was brain fogged and delusional about food all those years. I just didn’t know better; thankfully, now I do.

When I found out several years ago that I could no longer eat gluten my first response was—“What the heck is gluten?” When I found out gluten is wheat, barley, rye, and oats, I realized, that’s what I eat for breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner—followed by dessert. What do I eat now? What else was there to eat? Panic set in.

What I started doing was simply replacing all my gluten-containing products with gluten-free products. This made sense to me at the time. What other options did I have? It didn’t take long, however, to realize this was a very expensive and not a very nutritious approach.

For the past several years, I have reevaluated everything I eat. Is it the best food I can afford? Is it nutrient dense? Is it helping my body heal or is it hindering the healing process? Can I do better? Who can help me find answers to my questions?

Several years ago I met Tammy and have been blown away by her passion, determination, and creativeness in providing gluten-free food for her family. My initial exposure to Tammy’s baking was in the form of an English muffin. Really? Gluten-free English muffins? I’m from the East Coast so I thought, “Sure, I’ll try your hockey puck.”

To my amazement that English muffin was amazing! Light, fluffy, with incredible texture and taste—not at all what I had learned to expect. “Bring me more!” I said enthusiastically with my mouth still full.

As I have talked with Tammy over the last few years, both of us have continued to evolve in our gluten-free eating and our lifestyles. She is the person I turn to regarding food questions, and concerns. It is fun to converse with Tammy regarding great tasting, gluten-free, dairy-free, and egg-free options for people of all ages.

You see, food is powerful, and hopefully powerfully good. For those of you new to the gluten-free lifestyle, learn from us. Tammy will help you avoid the pitfalls and obstacles as you start your own journey down a different food avenue.

Read this book knowing the flours Tammy uses are not empty-calorie carbohydrates, but rather nutritionally dense. She has perfected each recipe to not only her high standards, but also to the high standards of her children. Every recipe has to pass the “kid test” in her own home.

Your life as you knew it is over as far as the food you used to consume. The thing you will miss the most is the convenience of picking up anything to eat. While that convenience is lost, you will gain your health, your brain, and— hopefully—a better life. It’s worth it.

Trust me, I am a nurse. I want you to feel better. Read Tammy’s book and utilize her recipes. You will come to reconnect with food in a whole new way. Learn from her experiences and save yourself time, energy, and money in the long run. Cut to the chase and enjoy the new path you and your family are on. It is a great one!