Each week we bring you the people, businesses, and products in the allergy and free-from world that we want to champion!
This week, we're introducing you to the fabulous Vicki, founder of the worlds first rice free 'Free From Flour' and blogger at freefromfairy.com.
Vicki has just launched her gluten free plain flour blend, and her self raising flour will follow shortly. If you've not had the chance to try it yet, you seriously need to get your hands on some. Gluten free flour can often leave a grainy texture when used in recipes, but this flour creates a smooth texture that you would find with 'normal' flour. Add to that the fact that it is nutritionally balanced, which for me is very important, and you see why we're championing this product!
Vicki has worked tirelessly to bring her flour to market, and has had several obstacles to overcome which have been truly inspiring to see.
So, Vicki, over to you!
5 random facts about you?
- I love the sea
- I enjoy meditation but don’t do it often enough!
- I own a delightful VW T25 camper van and enjoy every minute camping when the weather is good
- I once won a TV right after having bought one
- I was born on the Isle of Wight
What is the story behind your blog and your amazing newly launched world first flour?
I have lived with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) for around 15 years when my daughter was born. After many years of discomfort I discovered that wheat was my trigger and had removed it from my diet long before my daughter was born. When she arrived in the world she screamed and didn’t stop much for 9 months. Eventually the doctors found that she had a cows milk protein allergy and egg allergy. She was put on a special formula and things got a little better. However, she never had any energy and always had diarrhoea and a bloated tummy. Eventually after a lot of pushing, the doctors agreed to test her for coeliac disease. She was diagnosed just before her 3rd birthday back in 2010, the year after my son was born. By then I had become an expert at making food that we could all eat together and I never wanted her to miss out. In 2012, in the hours that my son was at pre-school, I started my blog to share my recipes and it has grown from there. I now do recipe development for some major free from brands and I have also launched my own wholegrain rice and gluten free flour blend and accompanying recipe e-book’s. I couldn’t find any wholesome flour blends to bake with that didn’t contain either rice or bean flours (that don’t agree with our tummies) so I made my own. I use it to make everything from bread to biscuits, cake to pasta. You can find out more on my website www.freefromfairy.com or you can buy it from Honest Eats http://bit.ly/29RdgUu
Do you have a favourite place to work in?
The kitchen
What do you do when you procrastinate?
Walk around the house looking for things to eat!
Do you have a favourite quote?
Treat others how you expect to be treated yourself. I’m not sure it’s a real quote…just something that I live by.
If you had an entirely free day to spend on your own doing something for your own pleasure what would you do?
I’d go to my favourite beach and sit outside my favourite cafe drinking coffee and people watching!
Do you prefer city, country or coast?
Coast
Do you have a favourite book?
No
Are you a morning person?
Not any more! Pre children I loved mornings. Then when I had children and was woken at all kinds of ungodly hours I started to hate mornings! Now I am probably more of an evening person which I never thought would happen.
Did you have a favourite television programme as a child?
The Flumps
What is the one thing you would tell your younger self?
Believe in yourself. You can do anything you want. Just be confident.
Tea or coffee?
Coffee
Sweet or savoury?
Sweet (although I am trying very hard to be savoury…it is an ongoing battle!)
What is your favourite meal and why?
Probably anything spicy. When I was 5 I lived in Mexico for 18 months and I think it gave me a taste for chilli!
What did you want to be when you were younger?
A researcher who found the cure for cancer or AIDS.
What is your favourite time of the day?
Any time that is quiet!
What would your dream job be and why?
The job I have…recipe developer and running the Free From Fairy. If someone had told me I would be doing this a few years ago I would have laughed at them. It is awesome.
What one bit of advice would you give to someone just starting out in the blogging world?
Be yourself and write about what you are passionate about. Don’t worry whether anyone reads it or not…do it because you love it!