In 1998 I was diagnosed with celiac disease. The gluten-free diet did little to relieve my pain and symptoms. Quickly, I realized my ticket to health would not be the typical high-carb, gluten-free diet comprised of corn, rice, and potatoes. So I went grain-free, following a strict Paleo Diet and found almost immediate relief. Within a month I began to feel better. Soon after that, I began writing grain-free recipes to help others with autoimmune disorders like celiac.
This Amazing Community
I launched this website to share my easy recipes and healing tips with you. One of my favorite things has been answering your questions here on the website. You’re an amazing group of people and I love hearing from you! Elana’s Pantry is an incredible community that is very dedicated to healing. And when Times Have Been Tough you’ve blessed me with your unconditional support.
Top Reader Questions
I love chatting with you here! Most days I spend a good amount of time answering everything you ask. It is time well spent. I love helping people by sharing everything I’ve learned since that celiac diagnosis in 1998, and I also learn a lot from you!
Substitutions
The question I get asked most frequently is about substituting ingredients. I can’t be as helpful as I’d like with those queries because the only way to answer and know definitively is to test each possibility. I wish I could clone myself in order to do so!
Nutrition Information
The next question I field is for caloric information for my recipes. I provide the nutrition information for recipes in my third book, Paleo Cooking from Elana’s Pantry. You don’t have to buy the book to take a peek at the macros for every single recipe because I provide it for free right here! I will also have it for my first two books very soon!
Health Puzzles
Finally, I often receive comments inquiring how to solve health puzzles and while I love all your comments, these are my favorite! I’ve recently answered questions about Reducing EMF Exposure, Treating Epilepsy Naturally, and the Ketogenic Diet, to name a few!
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Your Questions
Now I’d love to hear more from you! What health questions do you have? Is there something you’d like to learn more about? I’m so happy I get to connect with you every day, and also love breaking down complicated concepts into easily digestible information. How can I help you? Leave a comment and let me know!
Grace says
I have fibromyalgia and fatigue. What do you suggest?
Elana says
Grace, here you go:
https://elanaspantry.com/natural-treatments-for-multiple-sclerosis/
All of these strategies may benefit for anyone with inflammation.
Elana
Imelda Baldos says
Dear Elana,
I purchased three of your books and love them…I would like to substitute the grapeseed oil to something else, any recommendations?
Elana says
Imelda, congrats on getting my books and being on this healing journey with me! I can’t be as helpful as I’d like because the only way to answer and know definitively is to test each substitution possibility for each recipe. Feel free to experiment! :-)
Lydia Bishop says
Dear Elana,
Thank you for your recipies and and generous information. Would you give some tips on how you meditate?
Elana says
Lydia, I sit in a quiet place and breath deeply for a few minutes. Sometime I even do it in bed at night and it really helps me unwind from the day. Walking silently is another form of meditation I enjoy :-)
Jen says
Hi,
I have followed you for some time but recently have been away from everything and now i am confused.
I too have MS and i know the benefits of giving up gluten and dairy and flowing your Paleo way of life.
I noticed a lot of information now here on the site, blog and Instagram about Keto are you now following keto?
is your MS any better or any changes since keto?
I know everyone is different and reacts different just looking for your experience.
Thank you
Elana says
Jen, I follow a Paleo-Keto Diet. For more on that go here:
https://elanaspantry.com/diets/keto/
Have a wonderful day!
Elana
Janis Kronenberg says
Where do these comments show up? I did not see any spot for comments, except here. My question is about those great roll-ups…I can’t seem to get them right and I would love to see a video. Do you have any videos of your recipes? thanks so much.
Elana says
Janis, thanks for your comment! Here’s a link to my You Tube videos for you:
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=elana+amsterdam
Enjoy!
Elana
sarora says
Correct me if I am wrong, but I think you have studied ayurveda. Have you thought about agni as it relates to all kinds of intolerances and allergies? At what point does the eliminate everything from diet end? For sure, no one needs to eat refined flour & sugar and “food products”. But eggs? nuts? rice? Bananas? and so on? For the short term, its a good idea, to give the body a chance to rest and recuperate. But then, one must build back the agni and not have so many dietary issues. I personally developed hyperthyroid Graves Disease, after a misguided switch to low carbing as a vegetarian – it was too much soy, dairy, splenda, why protein powder, though I also ate a lot of eggs, vegetables, nuts, berries. I gained energy, lost weight, but the cost was too high. Was able to save my thyroid and am now mostly in remission. I am also studying Ayurveda now, and looking back, am horrified at my low carb diet.
Anyway, long story short, you are what you eat & digest. Digestion requires good agni. What has been your experience or thoughts on this?
Elana says
Sarora, I totally agree. Though the best thing that I learned from Ayurveda is that we are all different and unique individuals with different constitutions that have varying needs :-)
sarora says
Yes we are indeed, and there is no right answer for everyone. Which is why its amusing to see the diet and supplement fads come and go. Yet, no talk of optimizing digestive fire, which is step 1 of health. Maybe it will be a future trend one day!
Elana says
Sarora, it’s a trend I’ve been studying for over two decades :-)
Rowan Brosam says
Hi Elana. I have been a quiet lurker for many years and I have followed your Paleo recipes since I first discovered Paleo diets. I have fibromyalgia and possibly some other autoimmune issues. Paleo initially helped me lose weight and feel wonderful. Then I broke my foot in 2015 and couldn’t cook for a while. I fell off the wagon. Six months later I was diagnosed with breast cancer resulting in a bilateral mastectomy. Last January I also had a total hysterectomy. It took until January of this year to get back on track but now in my new body I am not losing weight. Last year I discovered that I am now diabetic. (I can’t get a break!) I have discovered that I am allergic to stevia. I was wondering about your take on Monkfruit. I also get a terrible aftertaste from Grapeseed oil. I often substitute coconut oil or avocado oil. Do you have a preference for baked goods? Thanks for all you do!
Rowan
Elana says
Rowan, I’m so sorry to hear about all that you’ve gone through, and thanks very much for sharing your story here. I think monk fruit is not a bad choice for a sweetener if it does not contain erythritol. As an aside, I had a bunch of health issues until I figured this out, maybe it will be of help to you:
https://elanaspantry.com/green-house-almost-killed/
Let’s stay in touch here!
Elana