Snow White

"Snow White chooses an Orange!", watercolor & ink, 8x10, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

In my story Snow White says, “No thanks. I’d rather have an orange!”  She remains strong, healthy, and in charge of her own destiny!

What if we all stayed away from food that robbed our health? That poisoned us?  That slowed us down?  That was filled empty or useless calories? And allowed ourselves to heal and grow strong, healthy and in charge! 

Two things I hope my pre-school daughter learns from me…

See the beauty that you are so that you don’t fall prey to others dictating beauty. And beware the lure of harmful food.

Food and Fairy Tales

Sneak peek of "Snow White" 8x10. watercolor & ink, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

My daughter, a few months shy of four, loves fairy tales. Fairy tales, fables, myths – you name it.  Books, stories, videos, movies, toys. The fantasies and characters seem to swirl and dance through our home, ever present.  They peek and lurk around books, by the princesses found at every turn, and near the dragons, knights, castles, unicorns,  and - more princesses, that dictate our decor.

I was inspired to illustrate her as the princesses and heroines of her favorite stories so that the big "D" wouldn't be her sole source of how a princess can look.

Inspired and driven.

And as I started to create them, some with my own twist of knowing, and a pinch of my daughter’s wit and imagination, it occurred to me how many of the stories have food as an integral factor… Food that is the distraction, the downfall, the carrier of poison, or the evil lure.

Ah, and so my circle back to celiac and gluten.

To be continued…

Lunchtime

"Italian Garden', watercolor & ink on paper, 5x7, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

Lunchtime does not normally move me to tears. Just a meal in the middle of the day, right?  Not usually an emotional experience.  

But recently I met my husband for lunch at a pizza place that I learned about on twitter.  I had seen tweets about gluten-free pizza by the slice (!), over 60 varieties of cookies and dozens of fresh baked GF cakes. On 23rd street!  Just blocks from my office.  Sounded too good to be true.

It wasn't. The pizza was outstanding, the owner and staff were all very friendly - and all those GF cookies and cakes were there... An entire wall of them!

I sat and ate my slice of spinach, mushroom and fresh garlic pizza with tears in my eyes. Moved by the fact that there are chefs and business owners who want to get GF right - driven to perfect their recipes and not just settle for good enough.

I am very sensitive to any gluten, and cross contamination is a real fear of mine. I ate at Mozzarelli's safely, happily and with tears in my eyes. My fellow celiacs know what I mean.