From a very young age I have been fascinated by the taste, smell and colour of food. I love food, it is that simple. I love cooking with ingredients and making something from essentially nothing. Eight years ago, I lost my passion for food, but over the years I slowly managed to learn how to live without wheat and find a way to enjoy food my way.
Never in a million years was I expecting to be told that wheat, a main ingredient in lots of staples, was the cause of me feeling the way that I did. I don’t want to go into the in and out of what happens when I eat wheat, but some of the not so traumatic symptoms for me are crippling cramps and bloating. The reality sank in as I learnt to live without wheat, I might have started to feel better, but what I found quite hard was falling out of love with my passion, food.
For the first time in my life I was having to think twice about what I ate and what food contained, something for years that I had taken for granted. Food shopping became a nightmare as it took me three times as long to do a weekly shop. I spent most of my hours in the supermarket reading ingredient labels and browsing the shelves for alternatives.
I remember one afternoon leaving the supermarket in despair and in tears as I was so fed up of reading labels. I could not understand why so many foods and ingredients contained wheat. Now I know that it is used as a bulking agent – it can be a cheaper alternative than using better quality ingredients.
Having fallen out of love with food and thinking that I would never be able to eat soft fluffy cakes and pizza again, I packed away all of my cook books and sulked. It felt like I was destined to eat boring fruit, veg, meat and fish for the rest of my life.
My taste buds were aching to eat something that was going to excite them, but I was worried and scared that if I did something a bit different to my chicken salad I would become poorly. I was enjoying feeling much better, and for the first time in a long time my body was not fighting with the food that I put into it.
After a couple of years of this heart ache I found myself watching — well, I was addicted — to food programmes. My attitude to start with was one of jealousy as I watched chefs and TV cooks make some beautiful dishes. But over time, my jealousy subsided and instead my mind was racing with creative ideas on how to make these dishes gluten and wheat free.
I soon realised that I should not be afraid of experimenting with food and different ingredients, but I was being given an opportunity to re-educate myself about food. I now share my passion for gluten free food with others, and I love showing them that it is possible to create some of your favourite wheat based treats in a gluten-free way.
Sam Pidoux shares gluten free recipes regularly on her blog.
Sam Pidoux is a multi-award winning journalist and part-time lecturer at the University of Lincoln. Her passion for baking was nurtured by her grandma and since being diagnosed with a wheat intolerance in 2007, Sam loves experimenting in the kitchen and creating delicious gluten-free savoury dishes and cakes.
The Lincolnite welcomes your views. All comments are reactively-moderated and must obey the house rules. Please stay on topic and be respectful of other readers.
Residents, visitors, and traders have expressed their disappointment following the cancellation of the beloved Lincoln Christmas Market, on what would have been the inaugural day of this year’s four-day event.
Although the poor weather might have deterred some people, the city’s Bailgate area was notably quiet around 12pm on Thursday, typically the time the event usually opens its doors.
Although Lincoln’s famous Christmas Market is no more this year, and won’t be opening today, there are still alternative festive events happening in Lincoln.
City of Lincoln Council’s decision to cancel the 40-year-old event over safety concerns prompted backlash from people and business but, despite pleas from opposition members, its leaders would not change their stance.
There are, however, still some events in Lincoln to get you in the festive mood this week, including these highlights:
Christmas Market at County Assembly Rooms
The County Assembly Rooms in the Bailgate will still hold its own Christmas Market that it has done for many years.
Manager Gill Hunter said stallholders had already pre-booked and 70% still wanted to do it despite the cancellation of the city’s 40-year-old Christmas Market in uphill Lincoln.
There will be a range of festive stalls, food, drinks and performers when it opens at the following times:
Thursday, December 7 (4pm-9pm)
Friday, December 8 (10am-9pm)
Saturday, December 9 (10am-9pm)
Sunday, December 10 (10am-7pm)
This coincides with the free parking at selected city council car parks in uphill Lincoln on Thursday and Friday. This is available at these car parks: Westgate 1,2,3, St Pauls, Castle Hill, The Lawn, and Langworthgate
The bar at The County Assembly Rooms will be serving hot chocolate, festive sandwiches, alcoholic beverages and more. There will also be a brewery selling bottle ale and roasted hot chestnuts will also be available to buy.
Lincoln Castle Illuminated
Lincoln Castle Illuminated will run from Friday, December 8 until Saturday, December 23.
The Castle grounds will be bejewelled with festive lights and illuminated Christmas features. You can take a drip down Candy Cane Lane and also see the resident Castle dragons Lucy and Norman.
The Castle has retained its popular Illuminated Wall Walk, but the lift is currently out of action so it can only be accessed via the spiral staircase.
You can also board the ‘Mini Polar Express’ and enjoy traditional fairground rides.
In addition, there will be local vendors offering sweet treats and winter warmers, including hot chocolate and mulled wine.
Dog friendly evenings will take place on December 13 and 20.
The full Lincoln Castle Illuminated experience costs £11 for adults, £10 for concessions, £6 for children, and £28 for family tickets. Alternatively, you can choose to visit the grounds only for £3 per head (free for under 5s).
Festive fun at Lincoln Cathedral
Lincoln Cathedral will be hosting an array of festive events this month, including during what would have been the Christmas Market period.
Crafters market in the Cloisters – December 8 and 9 (10.30am-4.30pm)
Nativity Crafts – December 9 (10am-3.30pm)
London Concertante: Christmas at the Movies – December 9 (7.30pm). Ticket prices range from £33.99 to £47.72
‘After Hours’: Walking towards Christmas – December 10 (6.45pm)
Winter Market at Lincoln Museum
Lincoln Museum on Danes Terrace is holding a Winter Market on Saturday, December 9, which has been organised by Shelf Editions.
There will also be workshops to take part in including metal wreath (£45) and felt decoration (£15) making, which can be booked via the museum’s website.
For the younger visitors there is also a free drop-in Calendar wreath craft session with the Elbow Room Collective.
Entry to the market is free from 10am-4pm with the cafe serving a festive menu from 11am-3pm.
Lincoln Ice Trail
Lincoln Ice Trail will run from 10am-8pm on Saturday and Sunday, December 9 and 10.
There will be 20 Lincoln-themed ice sculptures to find – you can pick up a map of the trail from the Visitor Information Centre.
In addition, there will be festive entertainment, as well as live-ice carving demonstrations of the Cathedral.
The Travelling Historical Christmas Market
Although this event is next week, The Travelling Historical Christmas Market offers another festive alternative for people in Lincoln.
The free event will take place at St Mary le Wigford Church on St Mary’s Street between December 14 and 17 at the following times: