An interview with local food blogger.
Wendy Halford was forced to change her family’s diet for the better, when her son became ill a couple of years ago. “I didn’t know what was wrong with him, he was constantly breaking bones and become very tired on a daily basis”. At the age of 7, he was suffering with bellyaches, and was eventually referred to the hospital.
“Oliver was diagnosed with IBS, but all of my friends and family disagreed, and then a friend of mine mentioned it may be gluten and wheat”. Wendy tested the theory by cutting out all wheat and gluten food, and the results were obvious, Oliver was gluten intolerant. “The hospital agreed to run more tests, and it came back positive”.
Before going gluten free, Wendy suffered with endometriosis, a condition in which cells overgrow and clumps of blood stick to your organs, causing pain. “I had to have a yearly operation to have it removed, in 2014 the hospital said I’d have to have a hysterectomy, as well as going gluten free”. Wendy made the gluten free change, and has been symptom free for over a year.
“It’s frustrating to know that more and more people are suffering with endometriosis because of their diet, especially when many women struggle to get pregnant if they have the condition”.
What made you want to start a social media page on gluten free food ideas?
W: Well, after posting photos on my own Facebook page, my friends and family commented every so often asking for the recipe/ingredients, even mentioning a cookbook! So it was basically requests that made me want to do it.
Is this a permanent change for you and your family?
W: Yes, absolutely.
Do you have any health tips for those who are in need of going gluten free?
W: Eat as natural and organic as possible, look at the ingredients. It is what it is, no added extras.
Would you ever consider becoming a Chef with your love of good food?
W: Possibly. If anything I’d like to own a restaurant with people working for me, but with my own recipes. I’d show them how to cook it, and I’d sit back and relax!
What is your favourite meal?
W: I don’t particularly have a favourite, I like gluten free lasagne, and I like my own recipes that I make up as I go a long for my family. I couldn’t pin point one thing really.
It’s coming up to Pancake Day, how will you be having yours?
W: Well we make pancakes almost on a daily basis, protein pancakes that is. I might add fruit and cream on top of mine for a twist, and a sprinkle of dark chocolate.
I tried a few of Wendy’s gluten free snacks while I was at her home, and they tasted amazing considering the limited ingredients she is able to use and eat! Some of her creative recipes include kale crisps, protein cookies, lime cheesecake and avocado brownies. I was even given a recipe for protein pancakes, so here’s one that you can use this Tuesday!
-Vanilla protein powder (1 scoop)
- 3 eggs
- 1 banana
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Blitz all ingredients in a blender/ Nutri-Bullet. Cook in a pan, in butter or coconut oil, flip it a couple of times and you'll be good to go! This makes 5-6 medium sized pancakes.
To find Wendy, search for Healthydeeglutenfree Foodie on Facebook.
Tayla Halford, NKC Dartford
