CUSTOMER STORIES: AVA-ELAINE BROWN

Since our home-baked beginnings experimenting in a small apartment kitchen, we are so proud to be shipping fresh gluten-free sourdough to sensitive eaters nationwide. It's our mission to share nourishing and delicious bread made from real, organic, and allergen-free ingredients with as many people as possible, and it’s our pleasure to get to know those people.

Over the years, so many of you have shared your stories and health journeys with us. From enjoying buttered toast for the first time since being diagnosed with celiac disease, to finally finding a preservative-free bread you're happy to serve to your young sensitive eater, your feedback has been overwhelmingly encouraging and moving.

We're excited to share these stories about who you are, what you're passionate about, and what you love to eat. We begin our series with real food lover Ava!

 

Hi! My name is Ava-Elaine Brown! I just graduated from school and am really excited to use all of my free time this summer to test out and develop new gluten-free recipes! For fun, I love getting hands-on in the kitchen, whether that be baking or cooking (especially with my Momma)! I also love to work out and be active, because I can't sit still to save my life...for real, though.

TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF! WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN? 

DO YOU HAVE ANY DIETARY RESTRICTIONS?

Yes, I do have a dietary restriction. I have celiac disease, which is an autoimmune disorder that makes my body react negatively to the consumption of gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye.

HOW HAVE THOSE RESTRICTIONS IMPACTED YOUR LIFE?

Having to transition to a gluten-free diet overnight was really challenging, for not only myself, but my entire family. My Mom’s go-to, tried-and-true recipes that she has been cooking for my family since I can remember were not gluten-free, and so we all had to change the outlook on how we saw the food that we brought into our home. This is when I really began preparing my own food for myself; I didn't want the rest of my family to have to change their diet too! I also didn't want to rely on the highly processed gluten-free food substitutes that more and more stores started carrying. By making this decision, it has allowed me to grow as a cook and feel more comfortable with experimenting with recipes in the kitchen.

DO YOU FOLLOW OR HAVE YOUR OWN FOOD IDEOLOGY? IF SO, WHAT DOES IT ENTAIL?

The food ideology that I follow is to invest in what you put into your body, because what you put into your body is what you're going to get out. Also, taking the time to stop and listen to what your body is telling you is something that has taken time for me to learn how to do, but is now one of my biggest mantras! This could mean skipping an early workout to sleep in, or even eating an extra snack, or heck, even an extra meal, if your body is telling you “This is what I need today.”

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE GLUTEN-FREE MEALS AND SNACKS?

I can't go a day without having a yogurt bowl for a snack! My favorite combo is a diced apple paired with plain Siggi’s yogurt, granola (my favorite gluten-free brands are Purely Elizabeth and Love Grown), with some peanut butter or almond butter.

I also love avocado toast on Bread SRSLY sourdough bread, or a Perfect Bar for a quick grab and go snack.

My favorite meal has to be grilled wild salmon or chicken breast, with roasted veggies (I'll take any kind!), and a baked sweet potato.

HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT BREAD SRSLY GLUTEN-FREE SOURDOUGH?

I heard about Bread SRSLY gluten-free sourdough through social media. When I stumbled across it, I couldn't believe what I was reading! I remember thinking “Gluten free sourdough? I'm saved!”

For more from Ava, find her on Instagram!