No Dairy Diva

This Cookbook is for the busy on the go family that has to deal with food intolerances. This book is primarily geared towards Lactose or Dairy Intolerances. However Recipes include: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Egg Free, Nut Free and Vegan Options

Author Biography

At the age of 42, I was working full time at a job I loved, volunteering at schools, a hockey mom and trying to be the super parent we all strive to become. I worried about everyone else but myself. Then I started to get tired and feeling worn out. I couldn’t do as much as I used to. I was feeling uncomfortable in my own skin from all the bloating and constipation I was starting to experience. Needless to say, I was getting worn out and did not understand why I wasn’t feeling like myself. I realized through trial and error that my problem was food, mainly dairy. I ended up eating nothing but salads and drinking coffee. I quickly lost fifteen pounds, however I could feel myself losing strength and muscle mass. Little did I know my life was going to change, without my permission. The job I enjoyed, which gave me solace from my crazy home life, had to go. The foods I loved (Lindor Truffles, for example) were no longer an option to settle that chocolate craving. I needed to do something to improve my quality of life as well as my family’s. I was starting to become “not so pleasant to live with” if you know what I mean. Going to a restaurant was no fun. Imagine sitting at the table with my cup of black coffee and dry salad when my friends or family are enjoying a a chicken and rib platter. Being invited to someone’s home for dinner gave me anxiety. I wondered if they truly understood the gravity of my intolerance. Will they prepare something that I can eat? Do I bring my own food or just decline the invitation? My intolerance does not stop at lactose. I am not able to digest anything that is dairy-based. This includes additives or preservatives. Then I thought what it must be like to have a child with severe food intolerances. My heart truly goes out to those families dealing with this issue. While trying to find food I could eat, or cookbooks that I could learn from, I found a lot of Gluten Free, Lactose Free and Nut Free recipe books, but not a lot of complete Dairy Free without going to a vegan lifestyle. I also wanted a cookbook that I could understand with recipes that made sense when feeding a busy family with different food wants and likes, without cooking multiple meals every night. When I decided to share my story and recipes with you, the final product was kid and family tested. I created recipes that everyone could enjoy without feeling left out. This is my answer to the cookbook I wished I could find.