When one thinks of an autoimmune disease, they dont usually align that word with celebration.  Typically, I agree, however there are times when perhaps celebrating is not only appropriate but frankly needed in the face of life’s journey and challenges.

May is Celiac awareness month, and for this one month, the light of Celiac and autoimmune disease in general signs just a little brighter and it gives a platform to use to educate people on the challenges, symptoms, struggles and triumphs of Celiac disease (yes there are some joys, like not feeling sick all the time once you know what you are eating is hurting you).

More people are getting diagnosed with Celiac, and as we all know, many Americans live with undiagnosed Celiac disease and suffer without knowing or understanding what this disease is doing to their bodies.

When we started the gluten free journey in our own world, in our family, few people had really heard of Celiac, and even worse, most people thought that Gluten Free was some sort of fad and buzz word. While it has taken some time and A LOT of education, more and more people are understanding what the disease IS and what it is not.

It is not made up, it is not something that can be “taken lightly” and it is not something that you can “have just a little of” (no you can not have just a little gluten in something you will get sick!)

As the month of May comes to a close, and the battle for many lives on day after day, we wanted to take a moment and remind you of a few things.  The most important is that you do not battle alone. Across the state there are more and more Celiac safe facilities that are working to make sure your food is safe.  There are communities of people who are battling the same things day in and out as you are, and there is continuously more awareness around what Celiac and other autoimmune disease are and do our bodies.

Most importantly: there are people who care, really care, just come in to the bakery and you will find people always on staff more than willing to share a smile and a listening ear (sometimes some advice).

We must keep fighting the battle of awareness for our kids, grandkids, family members and ourselves.

Finally, there are many things to be grateful for, because in the moment Celiac disease is frustrating, but it doesn’t have to be the definition of our life… (it is not the explanation point, only a comma in life’s storybook we are living) we still and always get to chose the kind of person we are, the kind of life we life and the gratitude in our hearts, and the joy, kindness, and compassion we get to share from our life experiences on to others.

Battle on Celiac Disease warriors, Mixin’ It Up Gluten Free Bakery, and others like us are here not only as a place to provide you with safe and healthy (and tasty!) food but to link arms with you and remind you, you never have to battle alone. There is support, and there is hope…Always!