Freedom Feature: Casey Cromwell "The College Celiac"

Published: Feb 9, 2016 · Modified: Jul 23, 2017 by Rebecca Pytell · This post may contain affiliate links.

Connecting the celiac disease and food allergy/intolerance community together by sharing our stories to food freedom. From our beginning struggles to striving after a diagnosis, we can all relate and help each other out by sharing what we’ve learned and our unique personal journeys.

I'm excited to bring you the FIRST ever Freedom Feature today! From the response I've already gotten about this series, I know it is going to be a long-lasting favorite, so beneficial, and really, just a fun way to introduce you to some extraordinary people! The celiac and food allergy community never ceases to amaze me. The individuals I've met and have had the honor to interact with is always so uplifting and inspiring. YOU are not alone in your journey. Your body may be fighting you right now, maybe you're struggling with the reality that certain foods can never be in your life again, but once you see that you can live a healthy happy life again, 100% healthy and safe, you will find your freedom! These stories I'll be sharing will show you how it's done. Each unique and each with their own struggles and triumphs, but they've come out the other side, continuing to thrive and survive in their food allergy freedom!

So today, I'm so glad to be introducing you to a longtime celiac blogger friend of mine, Casey Cromwell of Casey the College Celiac! If you're a young celiac like Casey or me, I know you will find Casey's story and spirit truly inspiring!

Background: Who are you?

My name is Casey Cromwell and I am a college senior at Point Loma Nazarene University, a Writing major and Women's Studies minor and the blogger of the Casey the College Celiac. I'm also a Marine brat who's moved eight times, and a newborn foodie addicted to homemade smoothie bowls and granola.

What was life like before your diagnosis?

Before diagnosis, I suppose you could say I was the typical American girl. I loved being active, especially playing soccer and running with my dad. Food never interested me beyond fueling my day. I stuck to a rather limited diet - picture a "meat and potatoes" lifestyle with the usual amount of processed food and sweets.

I wasn't unhealthy by any means - but I didn't pay much attention to what I put in my body. I did, however, take pride in eating most people (guys included) under the table! I enjoyed food, treated my body well and didn't think twice about either.

How did you find the right doctor and end up getting properly tested and diagnosed?

I first noticed something was wrong during my senior year of high school. Nausea and acid reflux hit me after every meal; I ate Tums like breath mints. While I initially brushed off the symptoms, blaming the stress of senior year, my parents were worried. Especially when pounds began sliding off my already-slim frame.

I ended up making an appointment with my doctor. Sometimes I'd laugh at how diligent she is, usually ordering a battery of tests for complaints I didn't think were that extreme. Now, I'm grateful that, when she couldn't find anything wrong, she referred me to a gastroenterologist.

Some celiacs have to wait years to be diagnosed. I am lucky to have received the phone call - the call saying, "The blood test and endoscopy results showed a positive reaction for celiac disease." - the week of my senior prom, only a few months after my symptoms began. As my gastroenterologist explained, celiac had literally destroyed all of the villi in my intestines, leading to the weight loss and stomach problems. The cure? A gluten-free diet.

Initially, a mixture of excitement, relief and gratitude hit me. "They know what's wrong!" I thought. "There's a cure!"

Unfortunately, in my case, my celiac diagnosis and gluten-free diet weren't the complete "cures" I was searching for.

How did life change after diagnosis?

At first, my life post-diagnosis didn't seem to change that much. Sure, it meant many shopping trips scouring every aisle for gluten-free options. It meant attending my Senior Prom knowing I couldn't eat any of the food being served. It even meant that, on my first date that summer, I promptly got glutened - from the movie popcorn, though I later learned even kissing could be dangerous.

Despite my strict adherence to a gluten-free diet, the healing my doctors promised didn't happen. Acid reflux still plagued me and, by now, I stood 5'3" and weighed less than 90 pounds. The week before I moved into my freshman dorm at Point Loma Nazarene University, I underwent another endoscopy and my first colonoscopy. The findings? Still damaged villi.

"You just need more time to heal," the doctors said.

Halfway into my first semester, though, I needed more than just time. I fell to 86 lbs and lost all my energy. My doctor prescribed an entirely liquid diet, but I couldn't stomach to chemically-tasting protein shakes. Eventually, I ended up in the hospital for a week, hooked up to an IV for fluids and an NG tube to receive nutrients. My doctors didn't know why I wasn't healing like 99% of other celiacs do. All I know is that healing can be a slow process - and mine took longer than most.

Now, it's been almost three years since my diagnosis. After returning to school freshman year (luckily without an NG tube!), I steadily could eat more, gain some weight and embrace my new gluten-free diet. Today, I cook all my own food (my college could not guarantee gluten-free food without cross contamination). People still call me "skinny," but it's to a healthy instead of skeletal degree. And celiac is a part of me; while my disease frustrates me at times, I'm also proud of how strong, capable and grateful it has made me.

Freedom Feature: Casey Cromwell "The College Celiac" | Strength and Sunshine @RebeccaGF666 Connecting the celiac disease and food allergy/intolerance community together by sharing our stories to food freedom. From our beginning struggles to striving after a diagnosis, we can all relate and help each other out by sharing what we’ve learned and our unique personal journeys.

Why did you start your blog? What did you hope to achieve out of doing so?

I began my blog on a whim. In the summer before college and a few weeks after being diagnosed, I searched the Internet and couldn't find many blogs written by college students with celiac. Considering that I would start college in a few months, the lack of knowledge terrified me! So, I decided to bridge the gap myself and write a blog dedicated to all celiacs about to start/already in college.

My goal wasn't to just influence others, though. I also wrote to understand myself, this new disease and how the two fit together. Even three years later, I'm still writing to better understand my identity as "Casey the Celiac."

What makes your blog unique and what does it (or what you hope) add to the community?

Similar to my motivation for starting a blog, my blog is unique in its "college celiac" spin. I cover a lot of celiac basics like recipes, restaurant reviews and how to survive a glutening. However, I also explore college-specific themes: telling a roommate, dating, organizing the fridge in a gluten and gluten-free apartment, and dealing with the school cafeteria.

Ironically, though, my favorite articles deal less with college and more with me, the girl behind the blog. One of my most popular posts focuses on how celiac disease affects body image - and it was also the post I've been most terrified to publish! I don't hide myself - the quirky, brutally honest, pun-lovin' college gal - on my blog. That's what I want to add to the celiac community: a conversation on diverse topics, and a positive yet honest spin.

Do you have a Celiac/Food allergy tip to give?

Don't be afraid to say no to foods or situations that could be cross contaminated or unsafe. I remember, especially in the very beginning, feeling so awkward looking up every ingredient in a restaurant's dish or being offered a claimed "gluten-free" baked good that I would contemplate giving in. In fact, one of the biggest learning curves in dating my boyfriend was learning to say "no" when he wanted, usually out of forgetfulness, to kiss me after eating gluten.

It isn't always easy to put your health before everything else - including your social life. But, it does get easier. Now, I don't hesitate to decline questionable food and my boyfriend has perfected the art of "de-glutening." Stick to your (dietary) guns - your body will thank you for it later!

Have any favorite gluten-free foods or brands to share?

Some of the foods I can't live without? Certified gluten free (and cross contamination free) nuts, seeds and granola goodies from Nuts.com; So Delicious Unsweetened Vanilla Coconut Yogurt; Maranatha sunbutter and MammaChia chia seeds!

Can you share your favorite recipe with us?

The recipes that I make over and over again are definitely homemade granola, found under the recipe tab on my blog. Out of the many kinds that I've made, a favorite has always been my Berry Coconut Granola.

Homemade granola makes the perfect sugar-free snack, a crunchy topping for creamy smoothie bowls or the finishing touch on a coconut yogurt parfait. By now, my roommates are used to me whipping up a batch of granola every week. In fact, neighbors in the nearby apartments have even wandered in, asking what the delicious smell was! Whoever said milkshakes bring the boys to the yard hasn't baked homemade granola...

What do you hope to see in the future; for yourself and the gluten-free/food allergy community?

Personally, I would love to be able to connect with even more celiacs, college students, and/or those with food allergies. Getting emails from people who relate to my own college celiac adventures always makes my day! I also want to keep growing in my own writing - be more raw, more real and the same amount of goofy.

For the community, I want us to keep improving celiac awareness. Even though the gluten-free fad diet has introduced many new products and new public knowledge, celiac disease still has a long way to go. I don't just want gluten-free children cereals - I want safe, contamination-free products. I don't want skits on TV just making fun of gluten-free dieters - I want someone to show the realities of living with celiac disease.

I'm sure, just like today, progress in the future won't a piece of (gluten-free) cake. But, looking back at how much I've grown since creating my blog three years ago, I know that anything is possible!

There you have it! One beautiful and inspiring young woman! I love Casey's upbeat attitude even though she's been through so much. She's a great role model for celiacs of all ages. You can connect with Casey on her blog, twitter, or instagram (she's super active on insta, always instagraming the most colorful bowls of food!).

So tell me:

+ Did you have celiac disease/food allergies while in college?

Remember you can submit your own Freedom Feature!

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Comments

Emily @ Recipes to Nourish

February 18, 2016 at 12:33 am

So fun to learn about Casey and her blog. I'm a new follower now.

Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  
  February 18, 2016 at 6:15 am
  
  That's wonderful!
  
  Reply
kimmythevegan

February 16, 2016 at 2:53 pm

Rebecca - thank you so much for sharing this. I love that you started this series - it's going to be amazing =)

Casey - thank you so much for sharing your story with us. You are seriously kick ass! I love how you didn't let your serious allergy get you down, you came out stronger on the other side. I'm glad that your doc got you to a specialist so quickly, it's unfortunate it took so long for your lining to heal, but I'm happy to hear you are thriving now =) Going to check your granola (among other recipes!).

Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  
  February 16, 2016 at 4:39 pm
  
  Thank you so much Kimmy!
  
  Reply
Marilyn Lesniak

February 15, 2016 at 8:42 pm

What a great feature! Pinned and tweeted.

Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  
  February 16, 2016 at 6:51 am
  
  Thanks for reading!
  
  Reply
Deborah Davis

February 15, 2016 at 7:31 pm

Hi Rebecca,
This was such a helpful and insightful interview.

Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  
  February 15, 2016 at 7:34 pm
  
  Glad you enjoyed!
  
  Reply
Amberjane

February 15, 2016 at 1:16 pm

Great series and I am interested in reading as my daughter Rebecca has been diagnosed recently too

Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  
  February 15, 2016 at 1:19 pm
  
  Haha, well now there's 2 celiac Rebeccas 😉
  
  Reply
audrey @ unconventional

February 15, 2016 at 1:08 am

Oh, hey, I know Casey 🙂

Beautiful feature!

Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  
  February 15, 2016 at 8:03 am
  
  Haha, thanks dear!
  
  Reply
Nikki Frank-Hamilton

February 14, 2016 at 3:12 pm

Rebecca, I love this new series, it's so cool to see what others have done to make their lives better and help their bodies work the way they should.

Casey, you had a long journey and I am amazed that at such a young age you figured all of this out and have worked to live a better life. I remember college meals, they were full of carbs and flour, kudos to you for reaching out and helping others!

Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  
  February 14, 2016 at 3:13 pm
  
  I'm so glad you enjoyed Casey's story! xoxo
  
  Reply
Angela @marathonsandmotivation.com

February 14, 2016 at 12:48 pm

Wonderful & informative interview! I have pinned it, as there is some great info that will I go back and check out and pass along to a good friend of mine that suffers from celiac disease as well.

Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  
  February 14, 2016 at 1:01 pm
  
  I bet. Thanks for reading.
  
  Reply
Chelsea

February 13, 2016 at 10:52 am

Loooove this!! And thank you for starting this feature!! I am a food allergy mom, and can relate to so many of Casey's thoughts and emotions. It's such a scary, frustrating, overwhelming world. So nice to connect with people who actually "get it"! I started blogging again to share my family's story and help encouarage other allergy families!! So therapeutic! I look forward to following along and I'm so glad to have found this! 🙂

Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  
  February 13, 2016 at 11:17 am
  
  I'm so glad you enjoyed it! I would love to have you share yours!
  
  Reply
  - Chelsea
    
    February 14, 2016 at 10:59 pm
    
    I would absolutely love to!! If our story fits with your feature I would loveee to share!!
    
    Reply
Jamie @ Medium Sized Family

February 12, 2016 at 3:20 pm

I have several family members with Celiac. Really glad to see you highlighting people living (thriving!) with this disease.

Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  
  February 12, 2016 at 4:14 pm
  
  Thanks Jamie!
  
  Reply
Deborah Davis

February 12, 2016 at 11:49 am

This is such a powerful interview. It is so inspiring to read about Casey's experiences. Thank you for creating the Freedom Series. I'm pinning and sharing this!

Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  
  February 12, 2016 at 12:35 pm
  
  I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thank you!
  
  Reply
Casey the College Celiac

February 10, 2016 at 8:46 pm

Thank you again for the wonderful feature, Rebecca! It was an honor to be the first one and I can't wait to see where this series goes! Fabulous job as usual 🙂

Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  
  February 11, 2016 at 12:03 am
  
  Thank YOU! I'm so honored you were the first and I'm so glad you offered to share! You're a beautiful soul, my friend! Celiac sisters for life 😉 xoxo
  
  Reply
Kristy @ Southern In Law

February 10, 2016 at 4:48 pm

LOVE this! It's always great to hear stories of other people who have been in a similar situation because at the time, as you're going through these things, you feel SO alone. When you live in a world where everyone else is devouring delicious soft bread and enjoying pizza and takeaways, having coeliac disease really can make you feel like an alien!

Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  
  February 10, 2016 at 5:22 pm
  
  **hint hint** I need you to share your story 😉
  
  Reply
- Casey the College Celiac
  
  February 10, 2016 at 8:29 pm
  
  It definitely can! Especially at college!
  
  Reply
Amy Jones

February 10, 2016 at 2:26 pm

It's great to hear about stories of healing like yours, I suffer from food allergies and it hasn't been easy for me either!

Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  
  February 10, 2016 at 2:59 pm
  
  We aren't alone!
  
  Reply
- Casey the College Celiac
  
  February 10, 2016 at 8:31 pm
  
  Any dietary requirements are always hard! Glad you enjoyed 🙂
  
  Reply
EA-The Spicy RD

February 10, 2016 at 12:50 am

Fabulous interview Rebecca and Casey! I think your story {and blog} will be a huge inspiration to anyone with celiac disease or food allergies who is heading off to college. Great series idea Rebecca!

Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  
  February 10, 2016 at 1:15 am
  
  Thank you so much my friend! xoxo
  
  Reply
- Casey the College Celiac
  
  February 10, 2016 at 8:32 pm
  
  Thanks for the kind words. Rebecca made the interview easy with some great questions!
  
  Reply
Mike & Cindy Cromwell

February 09, 2016 at 11:01 pm

We are Casey's very Proud Parents! Loved reading your Freedom Feature and all the positive comments. Thank you for highlighting Casey's journey....she is one tough (gluten free) cookie! 🙂

Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  
  February 10, 2016 at 1:14 am
  
  You should be so very proud of her!!! You've raised an amazing daughter and she is one very tough "gluten-free" cookie 😉
  And thank you so much!!! Gluten-free girls for life 😉 xo
  
  Reply
Frank Kwater

February 09, 2016 at 9:44 pm

Thank you so much for sharing her story with us. She was great!

Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  
  February 10, 2016 at 1:12 am
  
  I'm glad!
  
  Reply
- Casey the College Celiac
  
  February 10, 2016 at 8:33 pm
  
  Thanks for reading! It was a fun, rewarding opportunity to share!
  
  Reply
Harriet Emily

February 09, 2016 at 3:52 pm

Wow Casey's recipes and blog look so amazing!!!! Thank you so much for sharing her story with us 🙂

Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  
  February 09, 2016 at 4:29 pm
  
  Thank you Harriet! xoxo
  
  Reply
- Casey the College Celiac
  
  February 10, 2016 at 8:33 pm
  
  You're too sweet Harriet! Glad you enjoy! Thanks for reading 🙂
  
  Reply
Emily

February 09, 2016 at 3:13 pm

Wow Casey's blog looks AMAZING! I love hearing stories of victory and healing. It's so hopeful!

Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  
  February 09, 2016 at 4:28 pm
  
  She definitely knows how to pick herself up and thrive as a celiac!
  
  Reply
- Casey the College Celiac
  
  February 10, 2016 at 8:35 pm
  
  Thank you Emily! You're too kind! When Rebecca started this Freedom Feature, I jumped at the chance to share!
  
  Reply
Kaleigh

February 09, 2016 at 1:30 pm

Thanks for this enlightening feature! I really enjoyed reading this as a non-celiac who will be counseling people on gluten free diets. Great post!

Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  
  February 09, 2016 at 1:54 pm
  
  I'm glad it could inspire you!
  
  Reply
- Casey the College Celiac
  
  February 10, 2016 at 8:37 pm
  
  What a rewarding and interesting job! Glad you enjoyed - Rebecca's idea of Freedom Features is great for educating and empowering 🙂
  
  Reply
miche

February 09, 2016 at 12:48 pm

New to this series but loving it - I get so inspired seeing people connect over similar issues and form a sense of community. Thanks for also raising awareness about Celiacs!

Miche from Buttons and Birdcages

Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  
  February 09, 2016 at 1:09 pm
  
  I'm new to this series too 😛 It's the first one, as you can see!
  I'm glad you enjoyed it!
  
  Reply
- Casey the College Celiac
  
  February 10, 2016 at 8:40 pm
  
  Thanks for the kind words miche! I'm sure Rebecca will share many amazing stories to come!
  
  Reply
Michele @ paleorunningmomma

February 09, 2016 at 12:40 pm

I can't help but feel for Casey's parents while reading this story! Having a child go to college is huge - and then with the diagnosis and subsequent struggle to heal it must have been really stressful. So glad things are doing much better now 🙂

Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  
  February 09, 2016 at 1:09 pm
  
  Yea! I'm glad I was well versed in my disease before going so I could prepare!
  
  Reply
- Casey the College Celiac
  
  February 10, 2016 at 8:42 pm
  
  It was definitely a roller-coaster for all of us! I'm always very grateful for the awesome and supportive parents I have 🙂 Thanks for reading and the well wishes!
  
  Reply
Natalie | Feasting on Fruit

February 09, 2016 at 12:00 pm

Yay the first feature! I loved getting to know more about Casey, her blog is gorgeous and fruity and colorful I can't wait to explore it! Really good questions too 🙂

Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  
  February 09, 2016 at 1:07 pm
  
  Haha, thank you Natalie! You can Casey would get along in your colorfulness!
  
  Reply
- Casey the College Celiac
  
  February 10, 2016 at 8:43 pm
  
  Thank you so much Natalie! I love your (colorful) blog, so your words mean a lot! 🙂
  
  Reply
Linda @ Veganosity

February 09, 2016 at 9:34 am

Great interview! I can only imagine how frightened Casey and her family must have been. I'm so happy to hear that she's getting stronger and feeling better.

Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  
  February 09, 2016 at 10:55 am
  
  Yea! This girl is on the right track though! Her attitude about it all is always so great!
  
  Reply
- Casey the College Celiac
  
  February 10, 2016 at 8:43 pm
  
  It was definitely a scary and confusing time - so glad that things finally got better in the end! Thank you for your kind words and for reading! 🙂
  
  Reply
Summer

February 09, 2016 at 8:31 am

Nice to meet Casey! She is such an inspiration ♥

Reply
- Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  
  February 09, 2016 at 10:53 am
  
  She is great!
  
  Reply
- Casey the College Celiac
  
  February 10, 2016 at 8:44 pm
  
  You're too sweet Summer! Thanks for reading and the kind words! 🙂
  
  Reply