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!
Katy says
A week ago I was told that my abdominal pain was due to IBS. I was told to stay away from wheat, barley and rye. Also all gas causing vegetables. ? I’m feeling much better but would like to ask you, can I convert “any” recipe that I have normally made into gf by tweaking my recipes?
Elana says
Katy, yes you can with extensive testing! When I create/convert a recipe I test it upwards of at least a dozen times, so with patience, and a ton of ingredient usage, you will be able to do so too :-)
Christie Lawlet says
I’m having terrible luck using my new bread machine, I follow the recipe and my bread turns out very heavy and dry. I was bills red mill baking mix, is there anything I need to do differently?
Elana says
Christie, I haven’t eaten any grains, including corn, rice or potatoes since 2001 so not sure how to advise on this baking mix which seems to be comprised of the aforementioned ingredients. Sorry I can’t be of more help :-)
Kim says
Love your site. I would love to understand more about EMF’s. In Australia we are soon to have NBN installed. I do not understand if it is safe or not but it doesn’t seem we have an option. We currently have a router wired into our phone system and then an ethernet wired from the router into the computer hoping that it is the right thing to do. The router is about 1/2 a metre away from where we use the computer. Would love to hear from any only in Australia who understands about the NBN.
Elana says
Kim, sounds great that you have everything hard wired. Have you seen any of my EMF posts? This one is a great place to start:
https://elanaspantry.com/simple-steps-to-reduce-emfs/
I hope you’ll keep me posted on your progress with this!
Elana
Anjali says
Doesn’t cooking/baking with nut flours oxidize their very delicate fats? That’s the reason health conscious folks generally look to consume raw nuts. Because heat damages the delicate Omega fats. Yet I’m puzzled that no one thinks twice about heating them at high temps in baked goods… What an I missing?
Elana says
Anjali, thanks for your comment! I do receive quite a few comments about this. I get my nutrient and toxin levels checked frequently and haven’t had any issue with this. However, my diet is incredibly clean and I eat almond flour baked goods a couple of times a week. I find it interesting that so many people are dialing in their diets more and more and hope that once the diet is free from processed foods and grains folks will focus on other parts of their lifestyle as well such as sleep, gentle exercise, and other healthy practices :-)
Anjali says
Thank you for the response. I didn’t think free radicals/damage from oxidized fats was something that could be tested for? Also, may I ask what kind of test you use to check toxin levels, and what toxins are being tested – I’d like to ask my doctor to order this as well!
Elana says
Anjali, I love the NutraEval and the Doctor’s Data Oxidative Data Assay, your doctor may be able to add even more as there are tests for everything!!! I am a total testing geek :-)
Cassie says
I would be interested to know more about your experience with the NutraEval test.
Elana says
Cassie, stay tuned! I will be writing extensively about it in the near future :-)
Carla says
Your recipes are the best I have found anywhere. I have been gluten free for years and had not enjoyed the flavor or consistency of many pastry recipes. I have your paleo and almond flour books.
Thank you for so generously sharing your hard work.
Carla
Elana says
Carla, your comment totally made my day! Thanks so much for letting me know you are enjoying my recipes here and in my books and that they are the best :-)
Rosie says
Hi Elana, I’ve been a long time fan. You have the most amazing story! You’re a true inspiration to me! Your recipes are outstanding.!! So here is my question/comment-is the keto plan devoid of all fruit other than berries? I am a controlled T2 diabetic. There is soooo much info out there it’s mind boggling. I stay abreast of lots of info. Dr Gabriel Cousens who believes there is a cure for T2 diabetes through diet stares in his books a plant based diet “cures” diabetes. Keto and paleo seen meat laden. It’s confusing at times!! Thanks to your earlier post I now know the diff in paleo and keto. Thanks for your tireless dedication. Much love and thanks!! Rose
Elana says
Rosie, thanks for your question! In fact, every food is permitted on the Keto Diet, the key to it is manipulating macronutrient ratios. Most people have to cut down on protein and meats when they go on a high-fat, low-carb Keto Diet and increase foods like olive oil and avocados. Here’s more detail for you on this:
https://elanaspantry.com/is-the-keto-diet-a-high-protein-diet/
Big hugs to you!
Elana
Lauren says
What are some tips that u have for people who want to start a diet such as the paleo diet
Elana says
Lauren, first clean out your pantry and fridge and give away everything that is processed and/or made from grains. Then, focus on meat and veg, with some fruit and grain-free treats thrown in here or there. Here’s some additional guidance for you:
https://elanaspantry.com/diets/paleo/
I hope you’ll keep me posted on your progress with this!
Elana
Lauren says
thank u so much. I have always wanted to change the way I eat. What diets do u recommend for someone who has never done a diet before
Elana says
Lauren, I love the Paleo Diet. You can get recipes for it here:
https://elanaspantry.com/diets/paleo/
Enjoy!
Elana
Jean Thomas says
My biggest complaint is my big belly. If I were to eliminate one or two things from my diet to reduce my belly what would you recommend?
Elana says
Jean, I would give up all grains including corn, rice, and potatoes, that’s what helped me the most :-)
Cleide says
Elana, sweet potatoes yes or no?
Elana says
Sleide, haven’t eaten one since 2001, so for me that’s a no :-)
RJ says
Dear Elana,
Thank you for all the years of great work. I have been on the SCD (Specific Carbohydrate Diet), akin to Paleo for about ten years, and your carefully tested recipes are wonderful.
I could use help with an additional situation. Genetic high cholesterol leading to a blocked artery, and my Cardiologist recommending a stent. I’d prefer to work with exercise and nutrition. While now eating lots of yum salmon and veggies, no red meat, I’d love some more specific input from you. I think there may be others in a similar situation.
many thanks,
Elana says
RJ, thanks for your comment! I know the SCD well, Elaine Gottschall was a good friend of mine. I would recommend seeing a Functional Medicine Cardiologist about this :-)
E B F says
what do you keep on hand for alt healing? ie A lot of people recommend aloe vera for bumps and scrapes and ginger and turmeric for digestive issues… what is in your pantry for these first aid things? Or for good health boosters as preventatives.?
Elana says
EBF, that is a great question! And here is the start of an answer:
https://elanaspantry.com/top-10-natural-cold-and-flu-remedies/
https://elanaspantry.com/natural-sleep-remedies/
https://elanaspantry.com/dandelion-root-coffee/
Love your questions! Keep ’em coming :-)
Elana