A Gluten Free Blessing for the New Year

A New Year, a fresh start, lots of good intentions... let's get things off to a positive start!  Even with the New Year, resolutions and big plans it is easy to get derailed. Slip, slide and then your well-meaning resolutions become a distant memory.
But every day, every meal is an opportunity for change, and for making the best choices for your health and well being.

To help you stay positive and stay on track I am sharing my Gluten Free Blessing. It is my New Year's gift to you... download a FREE print... for you, for a friend, for a loved one! Whether you are just starting your GF journey, or a veteran of negotiating labels and hidden ingredients... this Blessing is for everyone.  
It is formatted to fit in an 8x10 frame or 8x10 mat opening.

Wishing everyone a Happy & HEALTHY New Year and a beautiful Gluten Free journey!

A Gluten-Free Blessing for St Patrick's Day

I grew up with the old Irish Blessing, “May the Road Rise to Meet You...” in the foyer of our home, and as I learned to read, I practiced it each day on my way in and out of the house.

As I grew I continued to read it daily out of habit and always found it reassuring.

We moved during my preteen years and it was a very challenging transition for me.  Among many adjustments, the new house just didn’t feel like home.

My parents hung the blessing in the entrance of our new home… and seeing it there every day helped me as I adjusted.

I have now created my own adaptation to hang in our home, for comfort of another kind.  By changing my diet, which was not an easy transition, I  had come home again. 

Corny as it may sound... I was now truly home... home in a healthy and vibrant body.  I had returned to myself! 

The Blessing hangs in our kitchen as a joyful and supportive reminder of the journey I continue to take.

You can find more of my art at Erin Go Paint

Celebrating Celiac Awareness Month

10 years ago when I found that wheat (gluten) was a migraines trigger through an elimination diet - celiac was unknown to me, my circle of family and friends, and sadly even to my nutritionist. So I removed most of the gluten and thought I was covered.  Unfortunately, I was wrong.

Flash forward - I am now 2 years completely gluten-free and feel better than I ever imagined. I am thrilled that gluten-free products are becoming more and more mainstream; that chefs and restaurants are preparing safe food for us; and that celiac disease is not longer an unknown, though we have a long way to go. But, it is great to no longer be the one following some 'crazy alternative diet.'

So in celebration of Celiac Awareness Month and doing my part to raise awareness (it also happens to be my birthday month) I am giving away a gluten-free 5x7 print, of the winner's choice, so they can make a statement in their GF kitchen. Or win it for a friend or family member to show them your support and encouragement.

To enter leave a comment below telling me which print you would choose from the GF prints in my etsy shop Erin Go Paint.  You can enter multiple times every time you tweet  ---  

Win a #GF print by @gfillustrator for your gluten-free kitchen at  http://tinyurl.com/273cy2l  

When we reach 50 comments a winner will be chosen by random. If there is still time in May when we reach 50, I will have a second giveaway.

Keep building awareness and understanding!

My 2 year Gluten-Free Anniversary

"Alfresco Dining" second in series of 3, watercolor on paper, Copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

Tomorrow is the 2 year mark of my ah ha moment and my fierce commitment to live completely gluten-free. I am reminded that April has always been lightning rod of change for me.  I find it fitting that in this month of change, growth, and rebirth, I celebrate my very important step, and all the health and happiness it has brought.

In April I celebrate some highest of highs... my husband proposing, and our daughter being born. And remember my lowest lows of April’s past... Losing my mom and being attacked on a NYC subway platform. I have learned and grown from all.

This weekend is all about celebrating - celebrating my choice, and the rewards it has brought, to take control of my health and banish all the gluten... forever.  I feel better than I have in years and am grateful every morning for my little girl and her blue balloon.

Raising my glass to a future of health, happiness, love and creativity.