My Blog

I was an exchange student in Norway when I was 16. I knew it was one of the best experiences I could ever have, but I had no idea what a huge role it would play in my life later on. Not only did I get to trace my heritage and practice my basic Norwegian-speaking skills, I also got placed with the most fantastic family, and I SWEAR we must somehow be related because we have so much in common. Liv Kristin was my "host-sister" and we hit it off immediately. She spent the following summer with us in the U.S. and became an honorary member of our family. Liv Kristin and her parents have visited us many times in Iowa, even coming for my wedding in 1994. This summer, Liv Kristin is coming again with her family, but this year she will also be joined by her husband and three daughters, so the third generation will get to meet and become "family." It really was a foreign-exchange match made in Heaven. And let me just say, the Norwegians are INCREDIBLE hosts! They are so accommodating and helpful and aim to please. (This is an important fact as you read on.)

In addition to being great hosts and wonderful people, I will always be grateful to my foreign-exchange family because they are responsible for introducing me to the best celiac-safe products I've found.

In 1995, a year after I had been diagnosed with celiac disease, my mom and I went to Norway to visit my "adopted" family. After being treated like royalty on my first visit, I dreaded telling them about my new celiac diagnosis because I was afraid they would work hard to make food for me that would taste just as bad as what I was eating in the States. I had decided many months earlier that when I traveled or ate in restaurants, rather than trying to substitute products, I would just eat potatoes or corn, etc. as I had become more and more disappointed with baking products at home.

But before we even got to Norway, our Norwegian family started calling (an expensive proposition at the time) to ask questions about my dietary restrictions. I kept telling them not to worry about me and I would be fine. But they kept asking questions, and they would tell us they were experimenting in their kitchen. I didn't want to face what they might prepare for me.

But on the night we arrived, they were so excited to show me what they had made for me - all gluten-free. They had wonderful breads and the most amazing waffles. They really changed my life and these products allowed me to see that I can live celiac-safe and still eat well. And now we have them available in the U.S. on http://www.tateslikerealfood.com/. I'm so excited to share my discovery with other celiacs. And now, I'm enjoying the process of developing recipes that use these mixes so that I can enjoy even more foods I've missed over the years.