I’m really excited to share Wendy from Celiacs in the House with you. Wendy is an amazing woman. I started following her blog soon after she started writing. I was lucky enough to meet Wendy in person at a food blogging conference in Seattle. As soon as I met her in person I knew I had found a kindred soul. She and I could have lots of fun or get into lots of trouble together. We stuck to the fun but I’m guessing we could wander into trouble real fast.
Recently we got to spend time together at the Eat, Write, Retreat conference. It was so nice to learn more about Wendy but I still learned something new from her answers here. I hope you will enjoy reading this and head over to her blog and say hello.
Name : Wendy Gregory Kaho
Business and or blog name: Celiacs in the House
URL:http://celiacsinthehouse.com
Location: Ohio
Favorite quote: To laugh often, to win the affection of children, to earn the approbation of honest critics, and endure the betrayals of false friends, to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, to know one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.
It was my mom’s favorite and read at her funeral when she died of cancer at age 54. I took it up as my life’s goal.
Focus of blog or business: The Care and Feeding of a Gluten-Free Family for the past 2½ years, but moving toward gluten-free life and recipes in general as the kids abandon me, I mean go off to college.
Social Media I play in: Twitter as midlife_celiac and Celiacs in the House Facebook page
I started my blog in the month and year: December 2008
Training/education I received: BA in history from Ohio State University where I specialized in the history of women and domestic life, with an interest in history of medicine, pharmacy and childbirth.
My favorite healthy food: kale, sweet potatoes, salmon
My favorite snack food: crunchy, salty, savory
My top 3 healthiest foods I love to eat or recommend: See favorite healthy foods
Childhood ambition: I always wanted to be a writer, to travel the world, to have a family and a stable home life
My favorite cookbook: It changes every time I meet a new cookbook author or get a new cookbook. I have shelves of them and they are like old friends that remind of different periods in my life.
Wildest dream: To travel the world writing a memoir on finding all the places of my ancestry and someone else pays.
Favorite activity: reading, cooking, travel
Favorite thing to cook: I’m funny because I have always loved to bake, but I prefer to eat savory foods, lots of veggies in Asian food or pasta dishes
Favorite kitchen tool: My Vitamix, good knife
Biggest risk I’ve taken: staying home to homeschool my kids and then trying to return to work at age 50
Favorite exercise: walking or kayaking, barn chores and taking care of our two horses
Proudest moment: Seeing my kids grow up to be people I actually like and love to travel with.
What I you do to treat myself: Read fiction.
What I do to feel at peace: Go for a long walk by myself or with my son. He has a calming effect on me.
Biggest challenge: Impatience when I don’t get results as quickly as I’d like.
Favorite vacation spot: Britain
Craziest thing I’ve ever done: Scheduled a three- week trip to Britain a week before the tour and only took a backpack and my teenage son.
Health concerns I’ve cleared up: Chronic pain in my joints, depression.
Books I’ve written: There are several floating around in my head and none of them have to do with my blog.
I started my blog to: Raise awareness and prevent mothers and children from experiencing some of the delays in diagnosis, pain and suffering and blows to self-esteem it took before anyone would listen and/or treat us for celiac disease.
What I hope the people that visit my blog find: A safe, positive place to find information to make their lives without gluten easier.
Top 3 results people get from visiting my blog: I hope people find something good to eat, a positive approach to living gluten free and a desire to spread the word and help others.
Products and/or services I offer: I offer my experience as a midlife mom with two kids who have gone from middle school and homeschool, high school and college eating gluten free. I share our daily life, menus, and travel experiences.
What I love about what I do: I stay on top of all the happenings in the gluten-free world to keep my family safe and along the way I get to meet committed, enthusiastic people and help make it easier for those living gluten free.
How am I making a difference in my community: I think my efforts to spread awareness locally and nationally are making a difference. It takes all of us being willing to share our stories and what works and where to find answers to make it safe for all those not yet diagnosed with celiac disease and gluten intolerance. I also believe that those in the gluten-free blogging community are deserving of paid work and it is my missiom to see that happen. As women and mothers we give so much of our time and share so much, but often don’t ask for compensation. I want to change that.
My greatest success so far: My family has to be the greatest success no matter where my career path may lead.
In the future I see myself: In August both kids leave for college and we have a very empty nest. It’s an exciting, yet bittersweet time as I see them go off to start lives of their own and my own career is shifting into high gear, but it will be a big change.
I had visited Wendy’s blog before and seen her tweets but until recently I hadn’t met her (online). She’s lovely and I don’t know why I hadn’t made her acquaintance before but I’m glad I have now! Plus, I’ve found a fellow Queen fan. 🙂 I love the quote, I’ve copied and pasted it; it’s something everyone should remember and aspire to.
Wendy is a rock star! I love Celiacs in the House, and she does a wonderful job of keeping the celiac community informed on news, recipes, and fun stuff (very important!). I look forward to see what she'll have in store for us in the future. 🙂 Tina.
Wendy truly is a rock star! What's not apparent from her answers is her delightful and witty sense of humor. It comes across in her less serious writing (and yes, she's a wonderful writer, no matter what the topic is). Aside from her desire to spread awareness and help others on this gluten-free path, she's a lot of fun! Thanks, Wendy, for helping the GF blogging/writing community with your "better business" vision. We appreciate and benefit by your leadership.
P.S. About your boys who are soon leaving the nest — don't fret, they will be back. =)
Melissa
Wendy, you are amazing! I loved learning some new facts about you! And that beautiful quote is just perfect. I actually just wrote it down in my journal! Thank you for sharing that! And Diane, thank you for sharing Wendy here so that everyone else can learn what we already know…how ultimately awesome she is!
PS I will also add that she is a great house-mate as well! Just a fun and interesting extra fact about her.
As you know, Diane, like you I met Wendy at IFBC last year. What a wonderful time we had wandering around that first day. Pike Place with two girls who love seeing all the whole, fabulous foods was a fabulous experience! I adore Wendy even more after reading this interview, especially her quote. It's one I'd forgotten about, but it's definitely worth aspiring to always. I've been so thrilled to see Wendy's success as a gluten-free advocate on her blog and in local and national events! Now I can't wait to see her take it all to the next level. I so appreciate her efforts on behalf of us all! Thanks for featuring another true rock star, Diane. This series is a true treat. 🙂
Shirley
Wow, this was great Diane. I definitely learned more about Wendy. She is an amazing woman!
Diane,
thanks so much for sharing Wendy with us! Well, I do know Wendy, but some of that was new to me. Wendy, I love your mom's quote, and have no doubt that she would be beyond proud of you and the way you have honored her memory and created her legacy. And, of course, I think your proudest moment is one that all parents dream of! Looking forward to the day when the books rolling around your head are in my hands and on my shelves.
Wow. I didn't send Diane my answers to her Rock Star questions for ages because I just didn't think I was worthy. Thanks to Diane and all my lovely gluten-free girlfriends for the sweet words. You sure do know how to fluff up a girls' ego.
Not worthy??!!! You my dear totally rock in the food world. I hope you enjoyed the love!
So proud of you, Wendy. Your mom is certainly following your every word!!!!
Okay, Wendy has a calming effect on me! I want to go live with her for a few days, I think I could learn so much from her. What a great Mom and Woman. xo