Growing up Italian during the holidays meant special treats…I was surrounded by cookies, pasta, cakes, and breads. All of them were homemade, and each one became a comfort food. And them in March of this year, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. One of the first things I read was the importance of removing “gluten” from my diet.

Wait…what? You’re asking me to give up everything I’ve come to know and love about food?

Ever since being diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, I’ve been thinking about myself differently. My world was filled with “I can’t wait to…” is not filled with “I used to…”. “I can’t wait to go to dance class” became “I used to exercise 5x a week.” “I can’t wait to go to the club” became “I can’t want to get home and stay home.” “I can’t wait to get my hair and nails done” became “I used to feel better about myself.”

I know it’s been quite some time since you’ve heard from me, but all I can say is that it’s been quite a year! In May of this year, I announced to the world via Facebook, that I had been diagnosed with Hashimoto's, a form of hypnothyroidism. A friend of mine told me of all the illnesses anyone could get, at least mine had a cool name! After being officially diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis in April, I have spent the better part of the last 6 months focusing on healing my body, naturally. I had to make many adjustments in my schedule to accommodate my new health regimen, but the time and effort was well worth it. My follow up blood work came back, and I am feeling the best I've felt in years.