Welcome to the blog of Gluten Free Goalie Girls!
The inspiration: Brooke Kimel. Brooke is a student-athlete living with Celiac Disease since 2009. She is a bright, witty, and strong young woman. She loves dogs, hockey, tennis, movies, and time with friends- oh and of course, FOOD. Most often we come home to her baking something yummy with her friends in the kitchen- or at least the dishes in the sink as evidence of her latest creation. Stephanie, Brooke’s mother and older sister Brynn have joined Brooke in the creation of a family blog to inspire fellow gluten free individuals through innovative recipes, restaurant suggestions, gluten free brands, and interesting posts tailored to gluten free foodies. We would like to raise awareness about Celiac Disease, while showing the world what life with Celiac looks like. I hope you enjoy all this blog has to offer.
Living a gluten free life: Brooke was diagnosed in 2009, when she was four years old, and ever since Stephanie (Mother) and Brynn (Sister) have worked to make everything and anything gluten free. Brooke’s diagnosis led to our entire family becoming gluten free. This transition is one that many families with food allergies experience. It is for this reason Stephanie, Brynn, and Brooke created this blog to share our life with celiac and inspire others.
What is Celiac? “Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that occurs genetically. Where the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine. It is estimated to affect 1 in 100 people worldwide. Two and one-half million Americans are undiagnosed and are at risk for long-term health complications. When people with celiac disease eat gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye and barley), their body mounts an immune response that attacks the small intestine. These attacks lead to damage on the villi, small fingerlike projections that line the small intestine, that promote nutrient absorption. When the villi get damaged, nutrients cannot be absorbed properly into the body.” Source: “What Is Celiac Disease?” Celiac Disease Foundation, 15 Jan. 2007, celiac.org/about-celiac-disease/what-is-celiac-disease/.