About

Welcome to Strength and Sunshine!

Here on Strength and Sunshine celiac disease and food allergies don’t get in the way of fun, healthy, and delicious food! You no longer have to be deprived of your old family favorite recipes, but free and unrestricted by using simple swaps and techniques to cook up recreations of those favorites and expand your palate to experience the vast world of flavors, foods, and ingredients you never even knew existed!

So, who am I? I’m Rebecca and I’m so excited that you stumbled onto my little corner of the internet! On Strength and Sunshine, you’ll find the best gluten-free and allergy-friendly recipes, helpful tips and advice for navigating celiac disease and food allergies, and coaching services, all with a side of fun and a little snarkiness!

Fast Facts About Me:

	I’m a 23 years old entrepreneur, founder, coach, content creator & recipe developer at Strength and Sunshine (aka the “Jack of all Trades”), as well as a freelance digital marketer, ads & SEO consultant/strategist! I am a public health advocate and educator with a BS degree in Public Health from Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy.
	I’m a born and raised Jersey girl who dreams of moving back to DC (where I lived during college!)
	I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease 11+ years ago and living a strict gluten-free lifestyle just feels like the way it’s always been! But that’s not all! I also have a soy allergy and personally eat egg-free, dairy-free, and meat-free (exceptions are chicken and fish). So no…I’m not “vegan”, but most of the recipes and content you’ll find on Strength and Sunshine is: gluten-free (always), top allergen-free, and plant-based).
	I started Strength and Sunshine on June 26th, 2013, because I loved reading blogs and knew I had to create my own space to share my gluten-free and allergy-free recipes, knowledge, and overall passion for health, wellness, cooking, and baking!
	Some of my favorite things are waking up at 4:00 AM, fuzzy socks, getting nerdy with the intricacies of SEO and digital marketing, cast iron skillets, getting lost in a good book (a real physical book!), potatoes, pancakes, not wearing make-up, grocery shopping, listening to podcasts, politics, and the Hallmark channel during the holidays (if you know, you know!).
	When I’m not experimenting in the kitchen, you can find me staying active through my immense love of yoga, strength training and weight lifting, and cycling. (I have to give a shout-out to running too!)
	I’m not a big traveler and I’ve never left the East Coast, but I have dreams of traveling to India, Iceland, Italy, Morocco, Australia, and California one day!
	I’m extremely frugal. You know, one of those people who squeeze out every last drop of toothpaste and thoroughly enjoys finding ways of using and eating every part of a food. I’m a huge “stop food waste” advocate!
	I’m a hardcore introvert, but I oddly love public speaking, presenting to crowds, and performing (see #10 below)!
	I grew up as a competitive/professional dancer and nationally ranked and awarded baton twirler. Lipstick, flashy jeweled costumes, and adrenaline were my life for 15 years! It was school, eat, dance, and repeat!

There’s so much more to share, but that’s why I’m excited you’re here! It’s time to follow along and become a part of the Strength and Sunshine family! This is your safe space for the best gluten-free, soy-free, egg-free, dairy-free, nut-free, peanut-free, top 8 allergen-free and friendly recipes, and learning about how to live and maintain a happy, healthy, EASY life, no matter what you and your family’s dietary restrictions are!