Thanks for visiting! I am a native New Englander now living in beautiful Charlotte, North Carolina and enjoying summers in sea-breezy Scituate, Massachusetts with my five small kids and two large dogs. I love to cook easy, local, and gluten-free for friends and family. I hope you enjoy! 

Why blog? As an educator, a community health advocate, and a mom, I have worked closely with children and adults for over fifteen years in Boston and Cleveland, and now here in Charlotte. I am passionate about healthy eating, active living, gluten free cooking, local farms, and community gardens. I believe in building stronger communities by teaching and empowering others to make better food and lifestyle choices for themselves and their families, improving access to healthy food options, and supporting local farms and businesses who can provide fresh, high quality, affordable food to our neighborhoods.

Why gluten free? I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2003, but I initially approached gluten-free living like I was a short-order cook - one gluten-free meal for me, another meal for my husband and kids. Shortly after I began writing about gluten-free cooking, my older daughter was diagnosed with celiac disease. At first it seemed overwhelming to make our house as gluten-free as possible, but I soon realized it was easier than I thought. A few years later, my third child was diagnosed with gluten sensitivity. I quickly discovered that by sticking with simple ingredients and lots of great flavors, gluten-free cooking for the whole family doesn't have to be a daunting task or break our budget.

Why local? The simplest ingredients are local ingredients! Eating gluten free has really inspired us to source as much food as possible from local farms and even our own backyard! When I use simple, seasonal ingredients, I don't really have to do much to make super tasty food for my friends and family. I like to write simple, delicious, seasonal recipes to help others to take the plunge and do the same.

Connect with me! 

Questions? Comments? Concerns? Contact me at erin dot brighton at gmail dot com. I look forward to connecting with you!

Erin Brighton, MPH, M.Ed.