Hi there! I am Aleyda…. thanks for stopping by! I’m the blogger, photographer, & REAL food advocate behind this site.

I’ve always had an all-encompassing love of food. That said, I didn’t always eat right; or paid much attention at all to what I consumed. In the summer of 2008, I was diagnosed with a debilitating autoimmune condition; ankylosing spondylitis. There were many “not-so-good days” ahead. Days when I would be entirely bedridden; unable to go to work or have much of a social life or active routine. I was put on NSAIDS, medical-grade painkillers, & oral steroids-as well as having steroids injected directly into each of my affected joint sites just to help with my mobility.

After 5+ years of chronic pain, an incredibly draining medicine roulette, & 2 children later, I decided to make a major dietary change and see where it would take me. I read about how gluten and dairy are highly inflammatory. I had friends in fitness circles who also shared the same views and passed on tips and encouragement. I was finally willing to try something other than medication. And just like that- I decided to give up gluten, refined white sugar and dairy. 

Looking back…. I did it for myself, but most of all; I did it for my munchkins. I wanted to be an active and present mom; to take them to the park and chase after them. This is the story of how I took control and got inspired to get myself back to “healthy”. Really healthy. I started eating whole foods: real, unprocessed & nourishing foods. I leveraged superfoods that would do something for me & not work against my body. Within 2-3 months, I was able to drive my illness into remission. I have been off medications for over 3 years now and have never felt better. In the process, I lost a total of 50 pounds! I feel like the best version of myself and I did it very slowly, and mainly through a change in diet.

I want to share with you that it’s fully possible (and effortless) to eat gluten/dairy/refined sugar free while continuing to enjoy the food and flavors you love. I want to share my story in hopes of helping or inspiring others. 

 -Aleyda xx