Welcome, to our Gluten-Free Journey

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I have delayed the start of “announcing” our gluten-free journey for quite some time. Mostly, out of fear of backlash and misunderstanding. But, the reality is we are new to this journey and have no clue what we are doing. With any life adjustment, there is always the fear of sacrifice. The feeling of missing out is very real, especially because food has a tendency to evoke feelings, harness memories, and can be a “sacred” thing of sorts in any home. Food concretes us as humans, and it can be the make or break of how we treat our temples.

I have wanted to start a food blog of sorts (more of a lifestyle blog) to share the journey of discovering new recipes and ways to enjoy food at home. I love creating recipes, trying new things, and sharing those meals with family and friends. I guess it comes from watching my grandmother in the kitchen create Southern staples that would be shared around a big family table. Certain foods remind me of her, and through the process of recreating her Southern staples, I have learned a thing or two myself. I’m no chef, no pro at gluten-free living and, to be honest, I struggle most weeks with reasonable meal planning that works for our schedules. Plus, I have desired a central hub for our “foodie” experiences around our hometown of Chattanooga and our travels.

So, where did this all begin? My husband has known for a few months that he is gluten-sensitive. And with the removal of more and more items we are learning that have hidden gluten, we are realizing it is a journey. A journey of adjusting, learning, trying new things, being more strategic with meal planning, and overall, sacrificing what we “love” for viable options (albeit healthier in most instances) that are easy for him to enjoy. I am not gluten-sensitive, but that doesn’t mean I don’t choose to enjoy those foods with him. I might sneak a piece of bread now and then, but part of evolving as a married couple is making those sacrifices along the way, especially if it makes sense for budgets, time, and overall convenience. Truth be told, I am all about trying new and funky food with alternative ingredients and new flavors. So giving up gluten in our home is not a huge deal to me. If anything, it will be part of an exciting personal challenge that I will learn and grow from.

For both of us, we are taking on the journey of discovering new ways of enjoying food to become healthier and more aware as we consider growing our family in the future. When I scope new recipes and cook, I lean into bold flavors, easy meals with leftovers and enjoy trying something a little different with still my Southern roots attached.

So what can you expect on Grate with Gillespie? I enjoy sharing my beauty, home, and lifestyle finds. I like to think that I have pretty solid product recommendations. But, this is also the space to share my recipe finds across the internet, share with you how I am learning more about gluten-free living, and also share how I meal plan month by month to make our lives easier. I am a huge proponent of planning. It helps my husband and I communicate with no surprises about what is for lunch or dinner. And I have some pretty unique ways that help us, and I look forward to sharing those ideas with you.

The more I have sat with why this blog will centrally focus on a food journey, but not be an all-encompassing food blog is due to my beliefs about how food affects our day-to-day lives. I have noticed over the course of my adult life how food gathers. It gathers the best of family, the newest of loves, and the oldest of friends around a table for meaningful conversations about life. We are all on a journey to better living, and as a Christian, I have had many conversations about Jesus around a table. And goodness, those are the conversations I live to reproduce and curate in my life. When I realized that food was why we sat down, I understood that all of the conversations – good and bad – were the real reason as to how we found ourselves there. In our home, we eat mostly at the table. No screens, no phones, just each other. It has become a rhythm that no matter what the days hold and no matter what the conversation is about, it means something for us to sit, talk, and eat a really good meal. We are foodies by nature, my husband and I, and we would be lying to convenience you otherwise. Our traditions in traveling include finding the best restaurant and the best coffee to create another memory in our journey of life. Why not document it? If anything about this blog is true, it’s that this is a personal diary that you’re welcome to take a peak inside of. We are the Gillespies who try taste and test new recipes and food. Expect the good, bad and honest. Will we be perfect in our gluten-free living? Absolutely not. Will we have fun and learn together? Yes. And, I think that’s the best part.

Welcome, to Grate with Gillespie.

Cheers,

Hannah