Meet Casey!
Hi everyone!
My story is pretty simple. Girl loves food. Food stops loving girl. And, after months of acid reflux, nausea, weight loss and other symptoms, my doctor called with the diagnosis: celiac.
I started eating gluten free the week of my senior prom and despite the hospitalization, weight loss and social awkwardness that have followed, I haven't looked back since!
The story behind my blog is a little more complicated. When I was diagnosed, I knew that more than my diet had to change. I had to find a way to cope with losing part of my teenage identity: social eating. This blog is my therapy, my support system for all kids with allergies or celiac disease, and a peek inside the world of a gluten free college and grad student.
The Basics
Casey Cromwell. 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 years old. Celiac and Fibromyalgia warrior.
Exercise lover. Gluten free baking addict.
I love helping others with celiac disease survive and thrive in college (and beyond).
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| That's me! |
The Story
I started eating gluten free the week of my senior prom and despite the hospitalization, weight loss and social awkwardness that have followed, I haven't looked back since!
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| The fight against gluten was on! |
The story behind my blog is a little more complicated. When I was diagnosed, I knew that more than my diet had to change. I had to find a way to cope with losing part of my teenage identity: social eating. This blog is my therapy, my support system for all kids with allergies or celiac disease, and a peek inside the world of a gluten free college and grad student.
Although I have now graduated from grad school, I love that college students can look through older posts of my blog for years of content about going to college gluten free. And I will still certainly be reflecting on and sharing tips about going to college with celiac disease, even post-graduation. But you can also expect posts about life with celiac, product and restaurant reviews, and tons of gluten free (and often vegan or paleo) recipes!
I am an (obnoxious) advocate for celiac disease, college student rights, and living with food allergies and I love to connect with others dealing with similar issues. Hit me up on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Linked-In, or through my blog!
3. When I started this blog, I was a freshman writing major at Point Loma Nazarene University. In December of 2016, I graduated from PLNU with a BA in Writing (and a Women's Studies minor). Now, I'm a grad student (earning an MFA in Creative Nonfiction) at Minnesota State University, Mankato. So, be forewarned: there's a lot of puns in this blog!
7. Ever since I learned about it (thank you Instagram!), I've been addicted to banana ice cream. I have at least one bowl every day for a post-workout treat. My fave add ins? Spinach, chia seeds, nut butter, frozen berries and superfood powders, to name a few.
Want to get to know more about me? Here are some blog posts you'll like!
1. Why eight facts? Well, my favorite number is 8. Been that way since fifth grade when I was the eighth student in the class. Yep, I'm weird like that.
2. I never liked to cook until I was diagnosed. In fact, before celiac disease, I had never tried fish, avocado, squash, asparagus, cauliflower, and dozens of my new favorite foods!
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| From freshman year to graduation! |
4. The closest thing I have to a celeb crush is probably Chris Pratt (mainly because he's funny!). I've never been the kind of person to dream of marrying an actor in a movie. I do love the celiac memes with Ryan Gosling, though! (Who wouldn't?)
5. Humorous writing is my thing. No matter how heavy the topic, I always like to insert a laugh here and there. As my family always says, if you aren't laughing, you're crying!
6. I'm a big exercise lover. Running and soccer are my top picks, but because of an IT band injury, I've been diving (or twisting) into the world of yoga and Pilates. Since I watch cop shows while stretching, I'm not sure about the meditative benefits, but I can touch my toes!
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| PLNU was one of the prettiest places to run! |
7. Ever since I learned about it (thank you Instagram!), I've been addicted to banana ice cream. I have at least one bowl every day for a post-workout treat. My fave add ins? Spinach, chia seeds, nut butter, frozen berries and superfood powders, to name a few.
8. As hard as my celiac journey has been - extreme weight loss, malnutrition, threats to my college academic career, and troubles with self-love - I wouldn't change it for the world. Celiac has helped me meet amazing people from all over the world, use my love for writing to advance the celiac cause and fill a little catacomb of the Internet with my struggles and smiles!
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| I'm finally getting the hang of celiac…pun intended! |
- Celebrating One Year of Celiac and College
- What It's Like to Be Diagnosed with Fibromyalgia at 11 Years Old
- Things I'm Afraid to Tell You
- 29 Questions: Random Facts About This Quirky Celiac
- Saying Goodbye to College and Hello to New Beginnings
- Learning to Be a Passenger in Life + a Big Life Announcement
- The Domino Effect: Finding Purpose in Life's Surprises
- What You Don't Know About Military Families - But Should
- Talk to You Soon - From Mankato, Minnesota!
- Best of 2017: 21 Things to Be Grateful For From 2017
- 24 Things Everyone Should Do Before Turning 24
Hey Casey!
ReplyDeleteBeen following you for awhile on Instagram now and need some help. I have a friend who has celiacs and a list of other allergies. She needs hospitalization but from what she's experienced, none of the hospitals near her are equipped to handle her allergies. Have you come across certain hospitals/health centers that are better than others for celiacs?
found your blog through gluten free fridays and love it! cooking in college is the best and the worst- you're friends think you're awesome but there is such a limit on time and space haha. still cant believe you'd never tried so many veggies until recently though!!
ReplyDeleteCollege cooking is definitely an adventure...especially since the smoke alarm in our apartment screams at the hint of steam! And yes, I'm definitely a reformed veggie-deprived gal! :)
DeleteThanks for sharing your story Casey! I used to hate cooking too, but when I changed my diet that's when I really start to enjoy it. And I'm also obsessed with banana ice cream...so good!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that you've also found a passion for cooking...amazing how diet changes can do that! And banana ice cream is definitely the bomb! :P
DeleteI randomly stumbled upon your blog and I'm hooked! So few bloggers these days can actually write! I also saw your picture at potato chip rock and it made me homesick for San Diego. I lived in OB (before getting married and being forced to South Carolina) and I used to run through PLNU several times a week...I love the hills. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the kind words Mollie - you really made my day! And small world, huh? PLNU's hills are definitely perfect for a killer workout!
DeleteHey, I really love your blog. Thus, I'm nominating you for the Liebster Award, and if you'd like to accept, please follow the rules on this post: https://thatmedkidblog.wordpress.com/2017/09/14/liebster-blog-award-nominated/. Congratulations, and keep up the amazing posts!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words!
DeleteI went to Point Loma University, too. Graduated in 1990 and I also LOVE banana ice cream. I don't have celiac disease but am gluten sensitive. Thanks for the great post!!
ReplyDeleteHow did you end up gaining your weight back? I’ve lost so much weight and I feel like ever since being diagnosed and even before I haven’t had the biggest appetite. And maybe it’s because im honestly terrified to eat things even when I know it says it’s GF. Any tips to help?
ReplyDelete