life, gluten-free, with a little help from our friends

Life, gluten-free, can be this warm, inviting, and delicious.

The picture you see above (as well as on the banner on the top of this website) is a plate of steaming artichokes, in the Chef’s hands. We had the decadent pleasure of dining on these — and many other arresting dishes — with Judy Witts Francini (otherwise known as the Diva of Divina Cucina) in Florence, on our honeymoon. I had meant to share the details of that gorgeous day before we left for New York. But life has a way of throwing monkey wrenches into the best-laid plans.

In twenty minutes, I climb into the car and drive to pick up the Chef at his restaurant. We’ll embrace each other, say goodbye to all the staff, and drive our packed bags to the airport, to climb on a plane, just before midnight.

New York, here we come.

But first, I have to wait for the dryer to stop running, so I can throw some clean socks in our suitcases.

See what I mean about life?

Life, gluten-free, can be just as hilarious and madcap as that with gluten. In fact, when you’re healthy for the first time in your life, you have more energy to run around doing errands, have coffee with a dear friend, pack at the last moment, and still put up a blog post before going. Three years ago, I never would have been able to make this trip.

Tomorrow, my book is officially published. And we are celebrating in style, by jetting across the country to New York.

While we are gone, and for the next few weeks, updates on this website will happen when we can. We hope to meet many of you on the road. And of course, there is this book to read, if you need to occupy your time. I will post photos of the trip, little stories, and restaurant recommendations as I can.

But in the meantime, there will still be plenty of gluten-free options.

So many people, when they first find out they have to be gluten-free, worry that their lives will be pale and damaged forever after. And mostly, we feel like we have to concentrate on what we have to live without, always eating specialty food, from now on.

Not true.

Over the course of the next two weeks — starting tomorrow — some of the world’s best food bloggers will be conducting a virtual book tour of my book. Each day, a different vibrant personality will be writing about their attempts to live gluten-free, or memories of food as children, or posting recipes of their favorite dishes that are naturally gluten-free. These folks are my friends, and they are being kind in supporting me. But collectively, this little tour should demonstrate to everyone: living gluten-free is no loss. In fact, you have the entire world at your fingertips.

Tomorrow, my dear friend Tea at Tea and Cookies will lead us off with her take on the book and gluten-free life.

Here is the schedule for the food bloggers around the world:

October 12 — Tea and Cookies (Tea)

October 13 — Rambling Spoon (Karen)

October 14 — Fresh Approach Cooking (Rachael)

October 15 — Allergic Girl (Allergic Girl)

October 16 — Amateur Gourmet (Adam)

October 17 — Soule Mama(Amanda)

October 18 — Pink of Perfection (Sarah)

October 19 — Celiac Chicks (Kim and Kelly)

October 20 — Hogwash (Jess)

October 21 — Smitten Kitchen (Deb)

October 22 — Orangette (Molly)

October 23 — Simply Recipes (Elise)

October 24 — Wednesday Chef (Luisa)

October 25 — Not Martha (Megan)

October 26 — Roots and Grubs (Matthew)

October 27 — 101 Cookbooks (Heidi)

October 28 — David Lebovitz (David)

Now, with a star-studded line-up of truly beautiful writers, photographers, and human beings, I hope that you’ll be entertained and enlightened in the next few weeks. (Dates are subject to change, life being what it is. I’ll try to keep you updated with a reminder every day!)

Thank you to everyone who has agreed to participate. You have my deepest gratitude.

And for everyone reading? Remember to say yes.

Now, I have a plane to catch. See you in New York!