Welcome! I’m Joanna, and I’m so glad you’re here! Here’s some fun things about me:

If you’re looking for delicious homemade gluten-free recipes, you’re in the right place. I’ve been a home cook for over 20 years, but my gluten-free journey began in 2017 when I was addressing some health issues. Then, in 2018, our second-oldest daughter was diagnosed with Celiac Disease at just four years old.

Thanks to recognizing the signs early (my aunt also had Celiac), we got her diagnosed quickly—but explaining what that meant to a four-year-old was another story. She had to give up so many of her favorite foods, and it broke my heart to see her struggle. At the time, I was making homemade sourdough bread for our family, and when she could no longer have it, I made it my mission to create a gluten-free version she could enjoy.

Since then, my kitchen has become a testing ground for making gluten-free food that actually tastes good—breads, treats, and meals that my whole family (and hopefully yours!) will love. Over the years, I’ve developed a huge repertoire of gluten-free recipes, and this blog is where I share them with you.

My goal? To help you enjoy gluten-free baking and cooking at home—without feeling like you’re missing out. Because everyone deserves delicious food, no matter their dietary needs.

More Than Just Gluten-Free—Cooking for Multiple Allergies

While gluten-free food is my main focus, our family has another unique challenge—Alpha Gal Syndrome. My husband and I both have this tick-borne illness, which is common here in the South. It makes us allergic to all mammal products, including beef, pork, and dairy—essentially, if it has a hoof or a paw, it’s off the table for us.

If you come across a recipe on my site that includes dairy, chances are I created it before my diagnosis. Now, I work hard to offer as many alternative options as possible, so no matter your dietary restrictions—gluten-free, dairy-free, or beyond—you can still enjoy delicious, homemade food with your family.

I believe in real food that works—recipes that have been thoroughly tested so you don’t have to waste time or ingredients on duds. In a world full of AI-generated recipes, it can be hard to know what to trust. Here, you’ll only find recipes I’ve personally developed, tested, and perfected—because you and your family deserve food that’s safe, satisfying, and absolutely delicious.

Our Homeschooling Life

We’re a second-generation homeschooling family with five kids, ranging from high school all the way down to a busy toddler. Funny enough, homeschooling wasn’t always the plan! My husband and I actually started out with our oldest two daughters attended public school for a year—but eventually, we felt the pull to bring them home.

Since then, we’ve really thrived with the Charlotte Mason philosophy, creating a rich learning environment that fits our family. Not that it’s always easy—homeschooling is a lot of hard work (and let’s be real, some days are just plain chaotic). But it’s so worth it.

If you’re a homeschooling mama, I hope you find encouragement here. Whether you’re just starting out or deep in the trenches, know that you’re not alone—this journey is challenging, beautiful, and completely life-giving. 💛

Here are some of my homeschool posts:

How to Homeschool Multiple Ages: with 10 Tips

Homeschool Morning Time Menus with Free Printables

Nature Journaling Supplies: What You Need in Your Bag Now

You can always click on the navigation menu at the top labeled “Homeschooling” for more posts.

Fun Facts About Me:

Mysteries & Comedies Are My Jam – When it comes to books and movies, I’m all about a good mystery or a solid comedy. But horror or gore? Hard pass. I’d rather solve a fictional crime than be spooked out of my mind!

I Love a Good Whodunit Game – Naturally, Clue (in all its variations) is one of my favorites. I also had a blast playing Hunt a Killer with friends—it’s like an escape room, but in the comfort of your own home. Perfect for my introverted self!

Fun Fact: I’m a Licensed Hairstylist – I’ve been licensed for over 16 years, though I’m not currently working in a salon.

I Was in the Civil Air Patrol – As a teen, I spent a few years in the Civil Air Patrol (Air Force Auxiliary), earning several awards along the way. My plan was to join the Air Force after graduation, but God had a different path for me!

I Wanted to Be a Meteorologist… Until the Math Happened – I trained as a Skywarn spotter and was fascinated by weather patterns. That dream faded quickly when I realized how much math was involved. (Let’s just say numbers and I are not the best of friends! 😂)

My First Job? A Chinese Restaurant—By Choice! – I deliberately avoided working anywhere that served breakfast because I am a night owl through and through. Waking up at the crack of dawn? No, thank you.

I Never Would Have Thought I Would Have a Food Blog

Back in 2009, I was working in a salon in Minnesota, and as the crisp fall air rolled in, the salon chatter turned to cozy soup recipes. Everyone had their own spin on chili, and I was taking mental notes of all the “secret ingredients” they swore by.

One night, feeling inspired, I decided to experiment with my own version of chili. I’ve never been one to follow a recipe (which, in hindsight, may have been the first mistake). So, I just started throwing ingredients into the pot, including what I thought was the “secret ingredient” everyone had been raving about.

Fast forward to dinner—I proudly served up my creation to my husband, expecting a bowl of warm, spicy perfection. Instead, we both took a bite… and immediately regretted it. Turns out, my “secret ingredient” was a little off. I had dumped in a whole lot of cinnamon, thinking it was cocoa powder! 😅 The result? A very festive (but completely wrong) pumpkin spice-wannabe chili. To this day, my husband loves to bring up this story just to keep me humble. LOL.

I’d like to think I’ve come a long way since then—but I’ll let you be the judge of that! I don’t have a chili recipe to share yet, but I do have some tried-and-true soup recipes!

Thanks for stopping by! Say hello in the comments and let me know if you’ve ever had a cooking disaster like this—I’d love to hear it! 😊

If you’d like to contact me, you can do so here.