Hi everyone and welcome to Exploring Gluten Free. My name is Aoife Jones and I am the owner and
founder of this small Australian business. We focus on people with coeliac disease and we want to ensure more people are aware of cross contamination and how easy it is to ensure everyone can have a GF meal no matter where you are.
My mum, my daughter and I are all diagnosed with Coeliac disease(CD). I was diagnosed when I was 21, a few months before I was about to travel to Australia for a year of travel, work and fun (clearly I never left). That was my second time being tested for CD, I was tested for CD when I was very young and it came back negative, I say this as it is not something that people realize, you can develop CD at any age if you have the gene. Now adays you can do a blood test to see if you have the gene, if the gene test is negative this will automatically rule out coeliac disease but if you have the gene then you will need to go for further testing before starting a gluten free diet. I don't believe the gene test was a thing when I was younger as I was told I couldn't have CD when I was 20 as I was already tested for it. Although you may have the gene this does not mean you will develop CD.
I digress, when I was diagnosed at 21 I was in denial for such a long time. I came to Australia with a friend and on my second week in Sydney I went on a date, a beautiful lunch cruise around Sydney harbour and ate everything that was on offer (no it was not GF I didn't even check to be honest). After the cruise we went to the iMax and in the queue I fainted. My body had enough it couldn't take the gluten and that is my reaction I faint. I should point out everyone's reaction is different and some people don't have an external/obvious reaction when they eat gluten. My body stops absorbing nutrients and it feels like it is draining me of every piece of energy I have. My now husband tells everyone I fell for him on our first date which I did (don't tell him) and yes I married the first man I went on a date with in Australia. I am use to having CD but it has been a learning curve watching my daughter navigate it at such a young age and she has been amazing. It is hard at parties or going out to eat that is where you need to be prepared.
Gluten is not my friend and I am aware of how to protect myself and my daughter when we eat at home and how best to avoid cross contamination but this is not known by everyone. I had to teach my husband how to keep us healthy and educate family and friends because they want to do the right thing but unsure how. That is why I started Exploring gluten free. I want to educate coeliac's and their families and friends on the best way forward and ensure we all enjoy a gluten free meal whether at home or in someone else's house.
I named the business Exploring Gluten Free as I see it as a constant journey ever changing from place to products (always check the label they change like the weather), an adventure finding new places to eat new products to try. There are bumps in the road but we will be there to guide you and show you what you and your family need to ensure a 100% gluten free lifestyle.
Commentaires