Why Gluten & Dairy Free?
We support our customers with products that truly nurture and nourish.
Our Gluten Free and Dairy Free products are made to our recipe and to our quality requirements by our own chefs.
by Lee Green
Owner & Head Chef
For a long time we have all had a sense of what works for our bodies and what does not - as much as we can override this feeling - we still get it. And so it was for me - working super long hours and propping myself up with sugars of all types and plenty of caffeine - I got through - we get through - for we all do this to some degree.
One day I decided very simply to play a game - the game was called - ‘listen to my body’. With no rules and no one telling me from a glossy magazine how to eat, what to eat or what to drink.
I was now the master of those choices and whatever consequences they caused.
I started simply with things like bread - why did I feel so bloated and heavy after eating it ? Chocolate was eaten like it was going out of fashion - why did I need this every day after every meal ?
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And so slowly I started asking and listening, well sometimes, and not listening a lot of the time, but having this ‘science experiment relationship’ with myself was a great way to start the process of refining what supported me and what did not.
It doesn’t happen overnight, we all have to start somewhere .
Through my journey of letting go of certain foods (including gluten and dairy) it has supported me to feel more vital, energetic, clear and able to work and live the way that I do. Of course, food is not the only part of the equation but it has a definite role to play, and it is also an easy place to begin.
Because we all Eat
I've learnt to not try to control food, to set no parameters or must do’s or perfection - I still indulge and get to feel the consequences of those choices over the ones that would have supported me to sleep better, relate more openly, work with more focus, not get annoyed at other people and so on. It's a learning process. We all know these moments of deliberation - and yet as I said before we often override.
I've learnt, it's not about a special diet, no fantastic pills or drinks or potions - just starting an honest and open relationship with your body and asking what it feels like eating today - and not just listening to your head.
This cafe space is a place to begin, rekindle, develop, maintain, nurture and grow - a new relationship with yourself, your body and food.
Enjoy the playful experiment we all are - lots has an impact on us each and every day - taking some time to look after ourselves very simply is a lovely way to learn more about ourselves.
What is Gluten?
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Gluten is a protein found in grains: wheat, rye, barley, spelt and triticale. The word GLUTEN is derived from the Latin word for ‘glue’. Is this a coincidence? We don’t think so. In the body, gluten can interfere with the small hair like structures that line the entire digestive tract. Gluten literally flattens these structures (like glue!) inhibiting further breakdown of food and the absorption of nutrients. This gives rise to a whole host of digestive complaints, the most common being bloating and gas. Gluten can also make the body feel heavy or sleepy after you eat it, so it is a good idea to watch out for these signs and anything else your body may exhibit that is unique to you. Start to be aware of any signals your body may be using to get your attention. Our bodies constantly talk to us, but do we listen?
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Courtesy of Bridging Foods Cook Book