Gluten Free Girl, by Shauna James Ahern

I grew up eating what most of us in this country were eating in the 70's and 80's. My sisters and I joke about the point - well into our teens - at which we learned you could bake a cake without a Betty Crocker box, or the discovery of lettuce other than iceburg. Oh, the food of our childhoods - The brands. The salt. The sugar. (and for me, like many others - the childhood ulcers, asthma, and allergies that went along with the diet). Oy. I remember clearly the moment when I was 13 years old and babysitting in another home - and opened the fridge to discover shelves full of green stuff. I had no idea what any of it was. But I knew I wanted it - needed it, in fact. Next came the discovery of an old, worn and tattered Moosewood Cookbook that I opened like it was some sort of precious artifact (well, it is, really), and brought home with me to devour the unfamiliar words in the recipes. It was then - much to my parents credit - that I began doing my 'own' grocery shopping. Wandering around the natural foods aisle grabbing tofu and fantastic foods mixes - having no idea what to do with any of it, but knowing that it was a start. I've learned a lot about food since that point 20 (gulp) years ago, and I'm still learning a lot about food. I can happily say that my fridge looks more like that one full of green stuff than I ever thought it would. Good food is important to me - important to my family. And the most basic - and yet, revolutionary - thing I've learned about food is how directly it is linked to every sense of my health - of mind, body and spirit.

I've had these food memories and thoughts on my mind since receiving Shauna's book last week, and reading her story of finding the 'right' food for her. And today, I'm honored to be a stop on her virtual book tour for the release of Gluten-Free Girl: How I found the Food That Loves Me Back & How You Can Too. The book arrived last week - and I gobbled up the entire book in one day's worth of our adventures - sneaking reads whenever I could until I reached the end. You could say I devoured it - laughing and tearing up throughout it. Shauna writes from such an open and honest heart - the one we've come to know through her blog - and the result is a truly beautiful book.

And, you might be wondering, no we are not gluten-free. This is a book about food, love, health - the whole 'life' picture. The story of her path to wellness through food is so inspiring. And throughout the flow of her storytelling in the book, she weaves in information about Celiac disease, tips on living gluten-free, and an array of delicious-looking recipes. Anyone already living gluten-free - or just beginning that path - will surely find much in this book to add more beauty, joy and good food to their lives. And everyone else who reads it will think a little differently about the food they eat, where it comes from, how it is prepared...and the kind life in which it all happens.

This weekend we made the Curried Carrot Soup from the book. It was a big hit - sooo good and deep in flavor, and so perfect for the fall evening in which we ate it, after a long walk in the woods.

Cheers, Shauna! It's a beautiful book you've shared with the world!

Comments

[Jess H]

OOOOoooohhhh....aaaaahhhhh! That looks DELICIOUS! I recently discovered the Moosewood Cookbook and love, love, love it! I have bee crazy cooking again lately also, there is something about the chill of Maine autumns that seems to ignite my kitchen.

[Eren]

Oh my! What timing! Today I am just getting ready to go pick up my husband from the airport and thinking about what we will be eating the next few weeks with him home with us again. He was diagnosed with celiac's about 18 mo. ago. I have some tried and true recipes, but I think a trip to the bookstore to order a copy is in order on the way home. Thank you for this Amanda!

[Sarah]

Shauna's book is on my wish list (along with yours!). Yay, bloggy authors!

[Diana]

You do a great job wth your bolg, helping people think about their balance in life as a family, as creative persons, as people involved in their communities. Now if you also help people eat better you're up for a nomination to the next Peace Nobel Prize. Really!
I came to Maine 2 years ago from Spain, with a French mom. So one of my first thoughts here was: "I can't believe some people here eat so badly having such a great produce". Well, the good news is that I meat many other people who eats happy.
Eat happy and you will be happy!

[Diana]

Sorry for all the spelling mistakes in my comment (previous). I guess I need some more coffee...

[Bluebirdbaby]

Thanks for the review! I've been gluten free for a year and a half now, so this book will be on my "must read" list. Interesting to read your path to a greener diet. It was much like my own.

[Jennifer]

I first discovered the Moosewood books, and the world of delicious, fresh produce when I first came to Japan. It was here that I learned that spinach can taste good (only memories of slimy canned stuff before that), that caring about the seasons and having certain food available only at certain times of the year really is important, and that eating thoughtfully does not require gourmet skills in the kitchen. Do you like Alice Waters books, too? Thanks for the review of Gluten-free Girl!

[Becca Lloyd]

Your story is identical to mine--13 years old, experimenting with the cauliflower soup from moosewood, trying to detox from a childhood of Ramen, mashed potato casserole, and Lyn Wilson frozen burritos (sorry, mom). I can't wait to read this new book!

[Stefani]

That soup looks truly soul warming. Thanks for sharing the review Amanda. I might not have considered this book, since we're not gluten free, but I will definitely have a look now!

[julie]

Oh, a Moosewood cookbook was the first cookbook my husband and I bought together! Loved reading your quick story about discovering green...

[Stefanie]

Thank you for sharing this! It hits just at the right time of my life as I have been considering going gluten free and this may be the book to help bring that change.

[jean]

can't wait to look INSIDE this one. soup season is upon us.

[liza]

Amanda, I got to taste that soup last night and I must say, Delicious!!!

Si warned me that it was "picy" but I thought it was perfect with a little (ginger?) kick!

[Diane]

Agree with your thoughts and ideas on food. I always appreciate and enjoy a peek into your past (and others) as I find you and your choices and lifestyle so fascinating. Now I guess I should buy the book!

[Ella]

your discovery of food is so very familiar even the moosewood cookbook. i remember discovering avocado in high school and i wonder now how i ever lived without it. Thanks for sharing your opinion of this new book. i am indeed quite interested in whole food, healing, enjoying...but i am in dire need of inspiration.

[Bree]

Hi,

I've been lurkng for a while, but I just had to comment on this post. As a Dietitian I am always excited to see people so interested in food! I'm glad that there will be something a little more friendly and personal on the market for those with celiac disease.

[Carrie]

Thanks for all of the information! I've been hearing a lot about the benefits of a gluten free diet & you've just given me my first push in the right direction!

[Anne]

I really make an effort to provide good food for my family and it's nice to see that other people feel the same way. It's an uphill battle at times; fighting the Mac & Cheese, but I try to make good choices. A common childhood meal for me was a fried cube steak sandwich with ketchup on Wonder bread-nutritious!

[Jen]

Yum-O! I have a huge bag of organic carrots in my fridge just begging to be made into that soup.

~Jen

[heather]

i remember at 16 my boyfriend and i making tofu "meatballs"... at the time i was a vegetarian, and like you would be fascinated strolling the aisles of our natural food store. it was like a whole new world opened to me.

i've been following shauna's virtual book tour, what a wonderful idea...

[kendra]

Your journey through food finding sounds much like my own. From Iceburg and Betty Crocker to Moosewood and then Tofu. We don't do much tofu anymore, but now my husband grows much of our greens (and reds and oranges and purples) and our meat eating was revolutionized by reading the Omnivores Dilemna. Now we try and eat grass fed as often as possible.

I'll have to check out Shauna's book too.

[melody]

I can't wait to read this book! We've been gluten-free for a little over a year now. To the people out there who are considering going gluten-free, it is hard in the beginning. But after a bit, it gets to the point where I now honestly think "what's the big deal?". We are so used to this way of eating now, that it is no longer a struggle. And...(I never thought I would be able to say this)I no longer crave the gluten-y foods that we can no longer have. The health improvements within our family have been tremendous!

[Grace]

Your review of the book is so beautiful and heart-felt that I'm going to have to buy it.

Ditto to everything that Kendra (above) said except we don't have a garden (yet).

[m]

My path to a greener fridge started much later than yours, but I made it and my body, mind, and soul has definitely responded positively and has been for a while. I am happy that I can give my family a healthful, balanced life. We're not foodie-saints (I absolutely must have a bag of Sm*rt F**d now and then), but we're in place that makes us all feel good.

Thanks for sharing your journey and your thoughts on this book.

[Rubyellen]

I am such a big fan and I always tell my husband about your post. We so admire how you raise your family. My husband is a dietitian and he loves to keep our fridge full of green stuff... it is important to feed the body with good things!!! We live in smoggy southern California, famrs aren't as close by, and we aren't as able to do some of the things you do with your kids... we always joke around and say we need to move to somewhere like Maine!!! Your family is very inspiring...

[Carolyn]

I have a similar experience, while 16 and working in a library shelving books I found myself in the cookery section one day and ended up reading the moosewood cookbook, soon after I joined a community garden and began eating whatever homegrown food that the rabbits didn't get. 3 years later I'm eating a lot healthier and am one of the only college students I know that regularly cooks all my own meals rather than eat fast food.

Thank you for sharing your story, and of course delicious looking pictures of soup!

[Shaylind Standing]

Thank you for the Moosewood reminder! I've been on the hunt for a new cookbook to add to my collection and I'd forgotten that gem.

[Ginnie]

I never knew broccoli wasn't naturally salty till I went to college and someone besides my mom cooked it! But I did grow up on homegrown food, which really spoils you for the grocery store stuff.

[Melissa Garrett]

First off, I live in Ithaca and *love* Moosewood; it's literally five miles down the road!

My son has been battling some "issues" related to his health and behavior and although we are still waiting on some sort of diagnosis, it's been thought he may be mildly autistic. He also suffers from sensory disorders which makes eating most foods very difficult for him. Cook books are simply wonderful, especially ones that emphasize whole/healthy eating habits. My pediatrician suggested a wheat free/gluten free diet, as, in some cases of mild autism, a change in diet can help. I would love to see if I could find that book and read it myself. Thanks for this post!

[Amber]

I enjoy Gluten-Free Girl, too, even though I don't live gluten free. It's all about health and eating mindfully----knowing what your body needs. Great post.

[m]

Oh, and completely not about food--what does that note with the pinecones say? I keep trying to read it, but can't make it out. Please help me out so I can stop obsessing!

[SOULEMAMA]

m - yes, yes...I'll stop the obsessing. ;) they're our mealtime blessing cards. The one on top says:
Blessings on the Blossom
Blessings on the Root
Blessings on the Leaf and Stem
Blessings on the Fruit.

[Kristy]

Mmm, good food. My favourite cookbook of all time is the Rebar Cookbook (from the Rebar restaurant in Victoria BC). All of the recipes are AMAZING, & while it is vegetarian (with the occasional fish recipe) it isn't gluten-free. I am also really into the Hundred Mile Diet these days (also a British Columbia book) & we are trying to eat as in season & from scratch as possible. What I really need are some ideas for dairy-free snacks & breakfasts for toddlers - any ideas?

[m]

Thank you! (What a simple, yet lovely blessing.) Obsessing stopped.

[Julie]

I went to college in Ithaca and the Moosewood had half-price desserts on Tuesday nights. Oh. Dear. God. I would go back to college just for that. It was wonderful.

I'm glad you posted this because I'm definitely interested, both in Shauna's book and in her blog, which I hadn't come across yet.

[Barbara]

mmm yum! that soup looks so good! i have been on a transition of the S.A.D. too, trying to eat mostly fruit, veg & nuts with the occasional gluten-free product.. just now, i made some fabulous gluten-free pancakes from namastefoods.com
delicious!

[Skeek]

I am hoping it was my house where you were babysitting, Amanda! Of course it was you I trusted my children with!

[Emily]

My mother is gluten-free - this will make a great present for her! Thanks for sharing it with us.

[mithrilsea]

I know what you mean about longing for wholesome food. As a teen, I longed to be free from greasy, fatty sausages and the like. Moosewood is so good.

Now, in our family, we all love greens and wholegrains, including the kids.

Will recommend Shauna's book to gluten-free friends. Thanks.

[Lila]

Congrats, Amanda, your blog teaches me a lot. This post made me think.... why not a photo of your fridge? A view that could inspire some other eyes, like yours did when you had 13. Greetings.

[Plumtickled]

As I'm not ready to give up meat...... I find myself craving and wanting more and more vegetables in our diet. I live in a small town without good sources for fresh produce........ didn't you once post a web-site that helps you contact groups that share?

Also, I would love to know what a "typical vegetarian" family would eat for supper each night. We've always planned meals around the meat dish......... very curious.

Recipes would be just wonderful as well. Not that you don't have enough to do!

(I pre-ordered your book the other day and am waiting for April!!!!!)

[molly]

your review of this books makes it sounds like a must-read. Another for my list--you are making christmas shopping for my husband so easy!
this topic is near and dear to my heart--where our food comes from, what goes in to our bodies, and how it effects my life and my children.

[Jamie Lentzner]

Great post - new to your blog, not sure how I got here. My sister and I comment on this all the time - what "junk" we ate as kids, though we had more veggies - just always frozen. We actually took my parents for Sushi last night - first time they EVER ate "that" food. Oh well - glad to know we have all grown up and matured our taste buds. Great blog - look forward to reading more!

[Candice Shelton]

That book sounds amazing! I will definitely be checking it out....thanks for the info!

[enlicsler]

As stressful as her intense dibs and shaken groceries moved me, I replayed myself and selected on.