Meet a 13-Year-Old Gluten-Free Blogger

We came across EternallyGlutenFree.blog.com a few weeks back. On the outside, it’s not drastically different from every other gluten-free blog out there.

Dominick, the site’s owner, covers a variety of topics but mostly relates to gluten-free recipes and lifestyle.We might not have given it a second glance until we decided for read the “About Us” page before heading off to gallivant in the Udi’s aisle of the supermarket.

We were surprised (re: delighted) to learn this blog is written and regularly updated by a 13-year-old boy named Dominick.

Dominick is quite an interesting kid: he has Celiac Disease, color blind, and heat sensitive. He was also born several blocks from where I’m writing this blog. He now lives on the west coast of the U.S. in cooler climates where he enjoys cell lessons and writing recipes for a gluten-free cookbook he plans to publish this month.

Dominick was kind enough to grant us a short interview.

1. What prompted you to start Eternally Gluten-Free?

I wanted to help people by letting them know that even though at first when they are diagnosed things may seem so terrible, it eventually gets better. I also wanted to share how I felt living with Celiac disease.

2. How much response have you seen?

I haven’t actually seen any response to the blog yet, but I know people are reading it. I have had many verbal responses from people here in Seattle, about my book.

3. How is the cookbook coming along? Can you give us insight like whether you created the recipes, what your favorite recipe is, and when it will be available?

I’m in editing phase and working on the press release. Once I’m done I’m going to publish it which will take a few days. When I first started baking, I baked from a cookbook, and then I realized that I could develop my own recipes, and so that’s what I began to do. My favorite recipe is either the Tres Leches Cake or Red Velvet Cupcakes. The book should be done sometime in April.

4. You’re 13-years-old and have Celiac disease, you’re sensitive to heat, and you are color blind but you seem like you’re coping very well! Do you have any tips for others dealing with similar issues?

Some tips…. Well you always have to be positive and this doesn’t just have to do with Celiac but be positive and believe in yourself. My cookbook also has a story and it goes over the topic of coping. Here’s a quote I made up and live by: “In order to live the good life, you have to know who you are in life.”

5. What’s your number one tip for kids who are having to switch to a gluten-free lifestyle?

That living with Celiac isn’t bad at all; there is actually some REALLY good food. For me it seemed like the worst thing ever but, well… now I’m writing a book!

6. I’ve found that a lot of parents have a hard time explaining Celiac Disease to their child that has been diagnosed and even to their child’s teachers. What advice can you give parents who are having to teach their children and their child’s peers about living a gluten-free lifestyle?

Celiac Disease isn’t an allergy so you can’t die from having gluten but some bad stuff can happen depending on your symptoms. Gluten is in wheat, rye and barley. [Explain to them that] people with Celiac can’t have foods like bread. If you know what wheat rye and barley is and how they are used you can figure out if it has gluten. BUT always call the company of the food if you are not sure.

7. If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only have one gluten-free meal, what would it be? Bonus points if you can send me the link to a recipe!

That’s a good question! If you mean anything gluten-free then, Milanesas, an Argentine meal which is breaded (gluten-free breadcrumbs, I use Ener-g ) cutlets with a fried egg on top and sometimes with homemade French Fries. If you mean something from my book, then green tea macarons.

8. What’s your favorite thing to do? (Other than blogging of course)

My favorite thing to do…. Well, I’ve spent lots of time on my book but I enjoy playing my cello and other than that, hanging out with my friends.

9. How have your parents helped you with everything?

My mom’s been able to set up important stuff like the press release and finding out tips about publishing a book. My dad’s been able to edit and take pictures of my pastries.

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To read more about Dominick or learn more about his upcoming cookbook, visit Eternally Gluten-Free. Come back next Monday to see Dominick’s green tea macaroon recipe.

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