Nicolette Gage chose to go vegan and gluten-free not in search of trends. It related to recovering her health. Her strong need for a change came from brain fog, tiredness, and persistent bloating.
She says, “I wanted to find a way of eating that felt healing”. Not constrictive — healing.
Taking the First Steps Gently
She acknowledges the early days were taxing. Googling unusual ingredients, reading every label, she wonders whether she would ever eat a “normal” dinner once more. Nicolette began modestly, substituting almond milk for dairy milk, replacing wheat pasta with chickpea variations, and investigating large vegetable stews instead of striving for overnight excellence. Every little modification made the following one simpler.
Finding New Joys in Cooking
Nicolette suddenly developed a passion for cooking she never realized she possessed. “It became more about what new tastes I could create, and less about what I couldn’t have,” she adds.
Cashew sauces with smooth, creamy consistency. Bright curries loaded with spices. Fresh, vivid salads piled with tangy sauces and crunchy nuts.
Food became to be an experience, not a limitation.
Nicolette feels better than she has ever felt today: lively, energizing, and more connected to her food. “Selecting this way of life was not about giving things up,” she says. “It came down to choosing myself.”
